Disclaimer: All characters seen or mentioned on the X-FILES belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Production, FOX networks, DD, GA, etc. and are used without permission. TRUE COMPANION by Mark Cohn (I think) is used without permission. The characters you don't recognize from the show belong to me, and if I'm lucky one of them--Preston Powell, who's rich beyond my wildest imaginings--will pay my legal bills if I'm sued for infringement--which is unintended. This is part 12 of a 12 part series, a sequel to TWELVE RITES OF PASSAGE. If you haven't read that story, you may want to read it first.. TWELVE DEGREES OF SEPARATION No. 12: August "True Companion" By Anne Haynes #12, part 1.... Dana Scully stared at the e-mail message on her computer screen Monday afternoon. It was from Director Skinner. Short and bittersweet. Agent Scully, Please be in my office at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning to discuss new assignment. Walter S. Skinner Here it comes, she thought, her stomach curling into a hard, hot knot of anxiety and anticipation. When her cellular phone burred, she knew who it would be. She hit the answer button. "Scully." "Hey, it's me. Guess where I am." Fox Mulder's voice was taut, despite the soft, teasing tone. "On a plane to D.C.?" "Almost. I board in ten minutes." "Skinner wants me in his office at ten in the morning, Mulder." "Me, too. Don't suppose he's got his appointment book messed up?" She sighed. "He's reopening the X-Files and wants us on them." "That's my guess. Listen, I'll be in D. C. in about an hour. Any chance you can pick me up at National?" "I can get away." She was just sorting through paper work this afternoon anyway. "I'll see you then." * * * * * The flight from Boston arrived on time, a small miracle of sorts. Mulder had brought only carry-on luggage so he wouldn't have to await the luggage carousel. He followed the crowd down the narrow corridor toward the waiting room. It took less than a second to spot Scully, with her flame- red hair and big blue eyes. He dropped the carry-on at his feet and opened his arms. Flinging her arms around his neck, she pressed her face against his throat in an uncharacteristic public display of affection. "I've missed you." He chuckled, disentangling himself from her. "I can tell." "Sorry." She smoothed back her hair, struggling to turn back into the cool, professional F.B.I. agent instead of his beautiful, passionate lover. He hid a smile, knowing that as soon as he got her back to her apartment, she'd change back. At least, she would if he was half the man he thought he was. He tucked his hand in his jacket pocket, closing his fingers around the small velvet box hidden inside. He'd debated during the whole hour's plane trip from Boston about what he planned to do first--take her home and make love to her until they were both exhausted, or ask her to marry him and then make love to her until they were both exhausted. He still hadn't decided when Scully parked in front of her apartment building. They walked up the footpath to the door, their bodies close but barely touching. Anyone watching would think the scene familiar: Agent Dana Scully and her partner Agent Mulder, on their way to her apartment to hash out the conclusion of their latest case. He couldn't count the number of times he'd been here with her, sat on her couch, eaten at her kitchen table, typed up reports on her computer. He'd even slept in her bed. But he'd never slept in her bed with her. Until tonight. He waited impatiently while she unlocked the door. He could swear he heard every single tumbler in the lock being thrown. The wait was maddening, and he almost pushed her out of the way to break down the door himself. But just in time, the doorknob turned in her hand and she pushed the door open. He pushed her forward with his hand against her back. Barely taking time to kick the door shut behind them, he reached for her. She laughed, the sound low and rich. Her throat vibrated against his exploring mouth. "Mulder..." "Shh." He fumbled at the buttons of her suit jacket and removed it with a quick flick of his wrists. Her blouse was a one-piece shell, so he bypassed it, not ready to stop kissing her long enough to pull the offending garment over her head. He found the button of her trousers and tugged. She pushed his hands away gently. "Slow down, Mulder." She pushed off his jacket, then pulled the tails of his shirt out of his jeans and made short work of the buttons, her fingers nimble and purposeful. Thank God she's a doctor, he thought. She was a lot better at undressing people than he was. Of course, he'd given her plenty of practice--for different reasons, of course. Blood and pain were usually involved. She unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans as she led him deeper into her apartment, her hands warm against his bare skin. He was so aroused he could barely draw a breath, and her light caresses only made his condition more urgent and unbearable. He half-lifted, half-pushed her through the door of her bedroom. He'd managed to unfasten her trousers, and she stepped out of them as they stumbled to the bed. He let her go at the edge of the bed long enough to shove his jeans and boxer shorts down over his hips in one movement. He was panting like he'd run a race, but he knew his exertions had hardly begun. While he was removing his pants, she'd tugged her silk shell over her head and tossed it to the floor. Somehow that one careless act--Scully throwing her clothes on the floor?--almost destroyed what little control hadn't been shattered by the touch of her hands on his bare stomach. He trembled, waiting, as she unfastened her bra and stepped out of her panties. Then she lifted her arms to him and he walked into her hot, sweet embrace. * * * * * Scully stroked Mulder's hair, listening to the soft, even sound of his breathing as he slept. His head lay on her breasts, his hand tucked possessively around her bare hip. She smiled in the darkness, her body still buzzing with pleasure. She'd always assumed Mulder was a far more experienced lover than she, but he made love with all the wonder and enthusiasm of a beginner, eager to please and be pleased. He was astoundingly selfless, stubbornly intent on making her writhe beneath his touch, hungry for her release. He took as much pleasure in her satisfaction as he did his own. And, of course, she made very sure she returned every favor. She knew better than to let Mulder get one up on her. He shifted a little in his sleep, loosening his grip on her as he settled deeper into dreams. She lay still for a few moments, reassuring herself that his dreams weren't nightmares this time. His soft murmur of contentment made her smile. Gently, slowly to keep from waking him, she eased herself out of his grasp and slipped out of the bed. Living for the moment was fine and dandy, but she couldn't let their clothes stay strewn across her apartment all night. If Mulder awoke to find her straightening up, he'd laugh, but she just couldn't help it. She started with her silk shell, straightening it and folding it over the back of the chair by the bed. Her underwear next, then Mulder's jeans and boxers. They were still a little warm from his body, she realized, allowing herself the secret pleasure of running her fingers over the soft cotton underwear, remembering the intense, intimate moments she and Mulder had just shared. She followed the trail of clothes into the hall. Mulder's shirt lay in the center of the hallway; she picked it up and slipped it on to protect her naked body from the slight chill of the air conditioner. She could smell his warm, masculine scent on the collar; the fragrance made her feel lightheaded, and she leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. "If I'd known how good that looked on you, I'd have let you wear it a long time ago." She looked up to see Mulder silhouetted in her bedroom doorway. His face was in shadow, but she knew him well enough to fill in the details of his features in her mind. He'd donned his boxer shorts, his only concession to modesty. Moonlight pouring through her bedroom window caressed his lean swimmer's body. She saw the little glimmer of her cross necklace lying against his breastbone. She took a shaky breath, need surging through her. Her nipples tightened and her stomach quivered. "I was just--" "Straightening up." She caught a glimpse of his teeth shimmering in the low light. "Hungry?" She nodded, taking a step toward him. He chuckled. "For food, Scully." "I have leftover cashew chicken in the fridge." "And chopsticks?" "You always make a mess with chopsticks, Mulder." He moved closer. "So you can clean me up. In any way you see fit." The thoughts that ran through her head at that moment would've shocked even Mulder. She laughed softly. He caught her hand, pulling her behind him as he moved through her darkened apartment unerringly. Photographic memory, she thought. He knew where everything was after a brief glance. "You get the chicken. I'll be right back." He went into the living room. She glanced over her shoulder as she flicked on the kitchen light, noting that he was looking through the pockets of his jacket. She opened the refrigerator and sniffed the box of Chinese takeout carefully. It smelled okay, so she spooned the mixture of vegetables, cashews and chicken over the rice that had come in another container. "Want it hot or cold?" His voice was in her ear, startling her. "You have to ask?" She flashed him a saucy grin. "The chicken, Mulder." "Cold is fine. In a minute. Come, sit down for a second." He took her hand and led her to the table. He held out one chair for her, then took the chair next to hers. His hazel eyes were suddenly serious, and she tried not to laugh at the incongruity of his intense expression framed by hair that spiked in a thousand different directions. "Scully, one way or another, I'm going to be back here for good before this month is over." She nodded. "And if I haven't told you before, I'm very happy about that." He managed a lop-sided smile before he went serious again. "Now, I know we haven't really talked about what happens then, and maybe I'm making some big assumptions--" He was trying to propose, she realized in a swift flash. It was written all over his panic-stricken face. "Church or justice of the peace?" His mouth dropped open, then snapped shut. "Scully, could you ever just let me finish--" "A thought?" She chuckled, teasing him now. "No, Mulder. You're way too long-winded. Yes, I'll marry you, any time, any place, any way you want. As long as it's soon." "Thursday?" She was surprised this time. "That soon?" "Unless you'd prefer a big wedding?" She shook her head. "No. Thursday's fine. We'll have to get blood tests in the morning before we go to meet with Skinner." "I think I can get a judge to perform the ceremony by Thursday." He covered her hand with his. "I don't need a piece of paper to tell me what we are to each other. But I want the rest of the world to know. I don't want anyone to have any doubts, any questions." She smiled. "Since when do you care what other people think?" "I don't. Not about me. But I care what they think and say about you." That sweet, gentlemanly sentiment brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them away rapidly, not wanting Mulder to see. Like most men, he didn't like to see a woman cry. "You're a redwood among mere sprouts," she murmured. He looked at her quizzically. "Actually, Frohike said that about you," she added. "When we thought you were dead." "He wouldn't have talked that nicely about me if he thought I was alive." "You should ask him to stand up for you at the wedding." "He'll be too busy sobbing his heart out over losing you. Although I suppose I'll have to invite those guys or they'll never let me through the door again." "And this would be a bad thing?" she teased. "We'll have to invite Alan Pendrell. He's been a good friend to us." "Talk about sobbing his heart out--" "He's over that now, Mulder. I think he's got an eye on one of the fingerprint analysts in SciCrime." "Well, take it from me, Scully--a guy doesn't ever really get over a woman like you." She blinked as tears welled up in her eyes. Sweet talker, she thought. He brushed away the teardrops with his forefinger, his lips curving in a half smile. "I know my mother will drop everything to be here, and Samantha's not in school this summer, so she can come." "My mother, of course. I can call my brothers, but--" "You still persist in the fantasy that you have brothers?" "One of these days, Mulder, Bill and Charlie are going to show up and whip your ass." "Why?" "Because you're sleeping with their sister. And Scully men don't need much provocation to give a guy a good ass- whipping." He chuckled. "By the time they ever show up--if they exist at all--we'll be an old married couple. I'll send our sons out to protect their old man." Our sons. The words sent a delicious shiver through Scully. She could almost see them--tall, handsome boys with their father's dark hair and intense hazel eyes. "I was thinking--I'd like to ask Skinner to stand up for me," Mulder said. She lifted her eyebrows. "If my mother's coming, you can bet Skinner will be there." "No accounting for taste among you Scully women." He grinned at her. "Well, this is probably an anti-climax, since we're practically planning your mom's wedding at this point, but...." He put his left hand on the table, palm up. A small velvet box lay in the center of his hand. She picked up the little box and opened it. A small, delicate ring lay inside, an intricately crafted braid of silver and copper. Not the traditional diamond solitaire, not even the traditional metal. But it was perfect. She looked into his eyes, unable to hold back the tears this time. He took her left hand in his, lifted her fingers to his lips for a kiss, then slipped the band on her left ring finger. She held it up to the kitchen light, watched the interplay of the disparate metals. Fire and ice, hot and cold. Like Mulder and me. Method and madness, science and fancy, fear and faith, logic and intuition. Neither of them static, sometimes arguing one side, sometimes arguing the other, but always arriving together at the truth. If she ever had a doubt that she belonged with Fox Mulder, she didn't doubt it now. "When I showed it to Samantha, she suggested painting the inside of the ring with nail enamel so the copper won't turn." Mulder looked at the ring on her finger, a little frown on his face. "I wasn't thinking practicalities when I bought it. Maybe I should've bought a more traditional ring--" "Traditional? Us?" She lifted her hand to his lean jaw, sliding the cool twist of metal against his skin. "This is the most beautiful, perfect ring you could have bought." "I suppose I owe you the difference in price between this one and a solitaire. About seven thousand dollars by my best estimation." "Well, I could use a new laptop with a CD ROM...." He quirked his eyebrows. "Not going to let it slide, huh?" She glanced at her watch. "Tell you what. If you forget about the chicken and come back to bed with me, we can call it even." He bent forward and kissed the tip of her nose. "Mmm, sounds like a deal to me." She jumped up from the chair and darted toward the hallway. "Catch me if you can!" And, of course, she let him. * * * * * For a woman who sliced open cadavers for fun and profit, Scully was really obsessing over a little finger prick, Mulder thought. He watched her worry at the little round bandage on the tip of her finger. "Your finger's not going to fall off, Scully." "I'd rather have a needle in my arm than a finger prick." "I always sensed that about you." He tried to lighten her mood with a grin, but she was too tense. "Come on, Scully, it's not the inquisition. Just think of Skinner as your mom's main squeeze." She rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Mulder. That really helped." "He's going to offer us the X-Files, and we're going to say yes--but only if he agrees not to give us grief about getting married. Plain and simple." "What if he won't agree? What if he won't transfer you back to D.C. if we refuse the X-Files?" "He's not going to do that. And if he does, you'll threaten to introduce your mother to a man with hair." She chuckled that time. "I'm getting uptight for nothing, right?" He nodded. "Right." "But so much of our lives are wrapped up in those files. Aren't you the least bit worried?" Of course he was. More than a little worried. He wanted the X-Files back. But not if it meant putting any more obstacles between him and Scully. "Scully, nothing's worth risking what we have." "So we tell him we're getting married and the Bureau will just have to live with it?" "And if that means we can't have the X-Files back, then we'll live with that." He smiled slightly, thinking how easy those words were to say now that something--someone-- else mattered more. Eleanore Brennan emerged from the Director's office and smiled at them. "So, Eleanore, I see you made the move up to the big house with Skinner," Mulder commented. Her smile widened. "He'll see you now." Mulder took Scully's hand and gave it a little squeeze. Then he held the door open and let her precede him inside. Walter Skinner rose as they entered. The sign of respect gave Mulder a surprisingly warm feeling. Skinner motioned for them to sit and took his own seat. Then he leaned forward. "I assume you have some idea why I've called you in this morning." "Yes sir," Scully said, "and before we go any further--" "Wait, Agent Scully." Skinner held up his hand. "I want you to hear everything I have to say before you make any decisions." "Agent Scully and I have talked about this," Mulder said. "We're sure of what we want to do." "You don't know what I'm offering you, Agent Mulder. You think you do, but you don't. Now, will you listen--without interrupting?" Scully glanced at Mulder. He gave a little shrug, then turned to Skinner and nodded. Skinner settled back in his chair and removed his glasses. "This afternoon at three o'clock, I'll be speaking at a press conference announcing the restructuring the Violent Crimes Section to incorporate the X-Files division." Mulder released a soft sigh. Scully shifted next to him, and he fought the urge to take her hand. In a few minutes, they would tell Skinner about their engagement, but not yet. Not until he finished. "I want you, Agent Mulder, to head the X-Files division." "Sir, there's something--" "You told me you'd hear me out without interruption." The gentle amusement in Skinner's dark eyes softened his stern expression. "You would be the head of the division. You would have two full time field agents working under your supervision, as well as access to four full time clerical staff members. The X-Files would be included in the VCS budget and have the full support given to that section, but you will not be subject to supervision by the VCS section head. All reports from the X-Files division come directly to me." Mulder looked at Scully, whose blue eyes were wide with surprise. With the kind of support and autonomy Skinner was talking about, he and Scully could make serious inroads into the tangled web of lies spun over the past fifty years. It was almost worth considering no matter what the cost. Almost.... "You would have input into the selection of the agents under your supervision," Skinner continued. "But I should warn you up front. Agent Scully will not be one of those agents." Scully sat forward, her expression betraying her angry surprise. "Sir?" "I have no intention of allowing you and Agent Mulder to return to partner status, Agent Scully." Mulder felt a chill. "What are you saying? You don't think you can separate us again, do you? You can't. We're not slaves to this bureau and we're not slaves to the X-Files." Skinner gestured impatiently. "For God's sake, Mulder, would you please let me finish?" Mulder chewed his bottom lip furiously. He'd believed Skinner to be his ally. His friend. And here he was, trying to manipulate Scully and him, all over again. No better than Cancerman or Mr. X-- "Agent Scully will not be available because I'm creating a second division under the VCS umbrella. The Abnormal Forensic Pathology division. Agent Scully will be division head, with two full time medical examiners under her supervision. She will share the four clerical workers with the X-Files division." Realization dawned. Mulder looked at Scully and saw the light of understanding in her eyes. "Share the clerks?" "Does that mean--" Scully's voice trembled with hope. "Your divisions are separate entities, but you will share a suite on the fourth floor. Your divisions will be, in essence, two halves of a whole. The X-Files division will deal directly with field investigations, while the AFP will deal with the forensic data gathered." Skinner sat back, steepling his hands over his stomach. "Of course, as division heads, you'll be free to take whatever investigative steps you deem necessary. Neither of you would be confined to desk work--not by any means. And you would doubtless be working in tandem on virtually all cases. But not as partners. As--colleagues of equal status. Which is an entirely different relationship in the eyes of the Bureau." Mulder would swear the Director's eyes were twinkling. Right now, he felt like kissing the man right on top of his bald head. Then that swift thought sank in and he had to swallow convulsively to keep from laughing. Scully found her voice first. "Sir, I believe I speak for Agent Mulder when I say we'll take the jobs." Skinner's mouth curved slightly. "I had no doubts." "When do we start?" "You're both to take the rest of this week off. That should give you plenty of time to get moved from Boston back to D.C., Agent Mulder, before you report to your new positions bright and early Monday morning." Perfect, Mulder thought. That would give them all the time they needed to finalize the plans for their wedding Thursday morning--and a nice long weekend for a honeymoon. If, that is, they could get him moved from Boston to D.C. between now and Thursday. "That's the extent of my news," Skinner said. He leaned forward. "So don't you think it's time you two told me yours?" Scully chuckled. "I guess they didn't make you Director of the FBI for nothing." "When's the wedding?" "Thursday at 10:00 a.m.," Mulder answered. He'd already confirmed the time with Judge Lambert. "I'm assuming you haven't told your mother yet, Dana." Scully frowned. "Why, because she hasn't called to tell YOU yet?" Skinner seemed unfazed by her scowl. "Exactly. I won't tell her you told me before you told her." "May I speak freely, sir?" Scully asked. Uh-oh, Mulder thought. He knew that tone of voice. Skinner's eyebrows rose. "As an agent or as Maggie's daughter?" Damn, Mulder thought, you've got balls of titanium, Skinner. "Where is this thing between you and Mom going?" Skinner's lips twitched. "Are you asking my intentions, Agent Scully?" "Yes." "Your mother is a remarkable woman, Dana. I love and respect her. And I believe, as I know you do, that she deserves a great deal of happiness in her life." "And that would be you?" Scully asked. Mulder closed his eyes and sighed. "That would be a matter between your mother and me." Good answer, Mulder thought. He opened his eyes. Time to change the subject. "Sir, I hope you'll be able to attend the ceremony." "I'll be there." "Would you stand up for me?" Skinner seemed truly taken aback. "I'd be honored." "Good. Well, gotta go." Mulder stood and grabbed Scully's hand. "See you Thursday. A suit and tie will be fine. Bye-bye." He guided his tense fiancee out the door. "I'm still acting like an immature idiot, aren't I?" Scully asked as they waited for the elevator. "Do you think I'm stupid enough to answer that?" She smiled. "No." "He's a good guy, Scully. And your mom deserves all the happiness she can stand." The elevator doors opened and Mulder guided her inside, his hand against her back. When the doors shut, she turned and melted in his arms. "Can you believe the last twenty-four hours?" She rubbed her face against his tie. "We got engaged, we got the X- Files back--" "We had some pretty incredible sex," he added. She punched his ribs lightly. "Mulder, this elevator's probably bugged." "Then maybe we should go into detail. Give the grunts something fun to think about while they're transcribing the tapes." Scully looked at him. The devilish gleam in her eyes caught him by surprise once again. "Okay. I'll start." And to his amazement, she did. * * * * * The judge's chambers were far too small for the group gathered to witness the wedding of Special Agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder, but the attendees just squeezed closer, no one willing to miss one of the most momentous-- and long-awaited--event in their personal memories. By mutual agreement, Scully and Mulder spoke the traditional vows, neither comfortable with the idea of writing their own. "Too sappy," had been Scully's succinct summation, and Mulder had readily concurred. Samantha was Scully's matron of honor, but Scully, for all her skepticism, strongly felt her sister Melissa's spirit close by, smiling down at them. In small concessions to tradition, she'd worn a cream silk dress with sheer lace trimming, a frilly blue garter around her thigh and carried a small spray of salmon colored tea roses. When she tossed the bouquet, Frohike caught it. For his part, Mulder simply handed the frilly blue garter to Walter Skinner and winked at Margaret Scully, delighted to find that she, like her daughter, still had the capacity to blush. Then they'd all gathered at Margaret Scully's house to celebrate the wedding and toast the bride and groom. Even Skinner came, blowing off work for the afternoon. "Considering what you two have been through to get here, I should classify this whole day as an X-File," he murmured to Mulder while waiting in line behind Pendrell and Byers to kiss the bride. Mulder smiled. He knew the feeling would pass, since he was fundamentally a morose bastard, but for the moment, he was the happiest man on earth. "So, Fox, how's it feel to be an old married man?" Samantha hugged him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. He turned and gave her a brotherly squeeze. "Pretty damn terrific." "Sure took you two a long time to get together. Maggie swears she's known you two were in love for five years now. Ever since Dana disappeared." He didn't like to think about those times anymore, especially since they still knew so little about what had happened to her--and how it might affect their future. Just last night, he'd had to talk Scully through a little panic attack. "What if they did something to me that could hurt you? Or what if I can't have babies--" "I'm not marrying you for babies, Scully," he'd tried to reassure her. "If we have children, that'll be wonderful, but if we don't, I'll still be the luckiest man in the world. And no matter what happens in the future, as long as we stick together, we'll be okay." At least today, her fears seemed to be leaving her alone. And he refused to let his own fears haunt this memorable day. "I'm going to put on some special music I brought just for you." Samantha winked at him, and he grimaced. Probably something by Michael Bolton or somebody similar, knowing his little sister's irritating taste in music. Moments later, he was pleasantly surprised to hear a gentle guitar intro led into Marc Cohn's raspy voice. "Baby I've been searching like everybody else, Can't say nothing different about myself, Sometimes I'm an angel and sometimes I'm cruel, And when it comes to love I'm just another fool." "Dance, dance!" called Preston from across the room. Mulder turned to Scully and found her looking up at him with such love in her eyes, he knew he could die happy right now. He held out his arms. She gave him her hand and walked into his embrace. The others cleared a space for them, and they danced together for the first time as husband and wife. But not for the last, Mulder knew as he stared into the radiant face of his wife. "Here's to the next fifty years," he murmured. "Just fifty, Mulder?" She rubbed her head against his chin. "I thought you'd probably want to reevaluate by that time." He kissed her hair and pulled her close, looking forward to the future as he and Scully swayed to the soft music. "When the years have done irreparable harm, I can see us walking slowly arm in arm, Just like that couple on the corner do 'Cause girl I will always be in love with you, And when I look in your eyes, I'll still see that spark, Until the shadows fall, until the room grows dark. Then when I leave this Earth I'll be with the angels standin' I'll be out there waiting for my true companion, For my true companion." * * * * * The man in the gray suit sat behind the wheel of a nondescript sedan parked a few houses down from Margaret Scully's home. With the window rolled down, he could hear the sounds of music and laughter. He lit another Morley and took a deep draw. The people inside that house might be surprised to discover that he begrudged them none of their happiness. He didn't. Hell, he felt like a matchmaker. He'd helped bring them together, after all. He couldn't say that he'd anticipated their emotional union. On the contrary, choosing Dana Scully as the consortium's weapon against Fox Mulder had been one of his few glaring miscalculations. But he was nothing if not resourceful. He found ways to turn their growing bond to his advantage. More than once. Down the street, the door of Margaret Scully's house opened and the happy couple spilled out, followed by joyous well-wishers. He watched as the lovers paused in the middle of the walkway for a kiss. A faint smile curved his lips. He hoped that they were supremely happy together. Deliriously happy. So happy that the single-minded quest they'd shared for the past seven years lost its power over them. He sincerely hoped that Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were too busy being happy to ever get in his way again. The truth was still out there. Buried beneath years of subterfuge. It was his job to make sure it was never unearthed. And, fortunately, he still had more than one weapon left to him. He lifted the Morley to his lips and drew. Smoke filled his lungs. He released the breath, obscuring his face in a veil of smoke. When the smoke cleared, he saw Mulder's car pulling away from the curb. He waited until it was almost out of sight before he cranked his own car. He drove off in the opposite direction, smoke trailing behind him out the open window. THE END That's all, folks! Hope you enjoyed it! Anne Haynes