By The Fox
xmarksthespot8@hotmail.com

SPOILERS: Maybe all?
RATING: PG-13 for profanity
CLASSIFICATION: M/S AU
DISCLAIMER: I deny everything, apart from what I
made up.
SUMMARY: What happens now?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I thought I was finished with the
WIP's, but it looks like I've fallen into the trap again.
This is not part of The Beginning Series, though there
may be some very slight references. Thanks to Kimpa,
as always, for beta work and also for the warm
website at www.kimpart.com where my stories have
been archived. (www.kimpart.com/foxden.html)
 

XXXXXXXXXX
 
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox

Chapter 1
 

A trickle of perspiration trailed down his temple to
tickle his cheek. He swiped at it with a grubby hand
and continued to focus on the task at hand. His
concentration was waning in the heat of the day but
he tried to maintain the connection in the vastness of
his mind. There had been one particular 'nudge' as
he'd begun to call them some time ago earlier in the
day and he'd decided to investigate this further before
returning home.

The vision in his mind's eye was not forming
particularly well today and to this, he blamed the heat.
It was just too damned hot! He hoped that 'nudge'
he'd received that morning wasn't too urgent and
perhaps he'd be able to make a better connection in
the cooler evening.

He scampered down the tree, scratching part of his
right elbow on a loose piece of bark. He gave it a quick
rub, grimacing at the brief pain it produced, picked up
his backpack and trudged off in the direction of home.

As he reached the driveway, he noted the 4WD parked
in the garage. It was unusual for his father to be home
so early these days. He'd been working on some
project for the university and never seemed to make it
home before nightfall. Of course, he knew it was much
more than that, but he would not frighten his parents
by letting on.

"Scully, just listen to me!"

So it was serious. His father never uttered his 'pet
name' for his mother unless he was either excited or
worried. By the tone of his voice, it was obviously
worry.

He opened the front door slowly, peering through the
crack now formed.

"Mulder, please don't do this now."

Okay, when his mother called his father by her 'pet
name' then it was definitely serious.

"Scu..." His father turned, seeing the door slightly ajar
in his peripheral vision. His creased brow softening at
the sight of his son's concerned face through the small
slit. "Will, don't hover, we're not fighting."

Will walked into the family room, goose bumps
beginning to cover his exposed flesh from the air
conditioning his mother loved so much.  His mother
looked up under her linked fingers across her forehead
then allowed them to fall to her lap under the table.

"Is everything okay?"

Scully beckoned her son toward her. He stood beside
her, leaning on the table.

"Will, we need to talk to you." Scully noticed the drying
blood on her son's arm, grabbing it and bending it to
view the wound. "What happened?"

"It's just a scratch. I was coming down from the tree
too fast."

"I wish you wouldn't climb that damned thing."

His mother motioned to leave the table, possibly to
search for some disinfectant and bandaids. She was
always so cautious when it came to his health and
welfare, even when there was no need to. He had
always been in perfect health, in fact, no childhood
disease that most other children went through.

"Mom," Will pulled her on her sleeve, "please save that
for later. I climb the tree 'cause it gives me clearer
thoughts. I'm not sure." After his mother returned to
her seat, he prodded further. "Mom, tell me. Do we
have to move again?"

His parents glanced at each other momentarily, Mulder
shifting slightly, placing both hands on the table.

"Will, why did you climb the tree?" He ignored the icy
glare from his partner and continued. "Did you see
something again?"

"Dad, I don't 'see' things, I kind of feel them."

"Okay, so did you 'feel' something?"

"Mulder..." Scully received one of Mulder's own
frustrated looks. "Jeff..."

"It's okay." Will interrupted. "You can use your real
names. It's only me. I don't know why you keep it up
around me."

"Well Will," Mulder chuckled, "we tried to keep it up
around you so that you'd get used to the names and
not slip up in public. I'm sorry we underestimated your
intelligence."

"I won't slip up."

"Okay, Will. So what did you feel?"

"I tried. I kept feeling a nudge all morning but I
couldn't concentrate. I think it was just too hot and I
couldn't focus. I can try again later when it cools
down."

"I'll go with you." Mulder returned Scully's stare. "So
he won't get any more scratches."

"Mom?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Are you going to leave me again?"

Scully's smile dropped and an invisible spear entered
her heart, producing a sob from her lips. She grabbed
her son and pulled him close in an almost painful grip.
Will did not move or complain. He knew that his
mother needed the contact. Mulder stepped forward
and knelt beside them, one hand stroking his son's
head.

"Will..." Scully leaned back, releasing her grip slightly
to view her son's face. "I'm sorry you remember that. I
never meant to..."

Tears cut into her speech.

"I know, mom. It's okay. I understand that it was to
keep me safe." Will returned his mother's embrace,
then felt for her hand as well as his father's. Joining
their hands with his own, he stepped back against the
table, a solemn look on his face. "I just feel that you're
going to leave me again. I'm not little any more, so I
want to go with you."

"Will," Mulder swept a grimy spot from his son's cheek
with his free hand, "what makes you think we're going
to leave you?"

"I can *feel* it. I know you don't want to and you're
fighting against those thoughts. Please dad, I won't be
in the way and I'll do everything you say. I'm not a
little kid any more!"

His voice raised on his last sentence, causing both
parents to glance at each other again.

"No, Will. I forgot you're an old man at 10 years old."

"Mulder."

"Dad, you're underestimating my intelligence again."

Shot down by his own statement, Mulder sighed and
made a pleading look to his partner.

"We know that you possess these feelings and that
you are very intelligent for your age, but..."

"But? Mom, I could help! I promise! Don't leave me
behind because you think it's for my own good!
Please! The safest place is with you and dad. I know
this and you know that I know these things." Both
parents laughed despite themselves. Will realizing his
repetitiveness, tried to continue. "Well, you *know*
what I mean."

With that, all three began to laugh.

"Mulder, he definitely possesses your sense of humor."

'Thanks, Scully. Will, you take that as a compliment.
Okay?"

"I guess so. Does that mean you'll take me along?"

"Will, how did you know we what we were planning?"
Scully took over wiping the grime from her son's face.
"What else do you know?"

"Mom, I keep telling you I don't know. I just feel these
things and sometimes if I really concentrate, I can feel
what you're thinking."

"You have to concentrate? So not while you're
sleeping, right?"

"Mulder..."

"Well, hey, some thoughts are not to be read under 18
years old."

"Mulder..."

"Don't worry, dad, I don't understand all the thoughts
that go through your head."

Scully stifled a laugh.

"That makes two of us."

"Okay, okay. Point taken." Mulder stood, knees
popping slightly. "I guess we need to tell you
everything, Will."

"Mulder, should we?" Scully leaned into his touch
against her cheek. "I don't know."

"He already feels some things already, Scully. We
shouldn't underestimate that either. Maybe he's right,
he'll probably be safer with us."

Will gave a toothy grin, white against his tanned skin.
He could feel his parents relenting.

"You bet!"
 

XXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 2
 
 

"Dad?" Will wriggled into a more comfortable position
on the limb of the tree, looking down at his father who
was shaking a few bark strips from his hair.

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever thought how weird I am?"

Mulder squinted up into the foliage, aware that any
movement from his son could cause more bark or grit
to fall into his eyes.

"Will, you're not weird."

"Well, some of the kids at school won't come near me.
I heard they think I'm weird and I know that some of
the teachers don't like me."

"Will..." Mulder took a breath, "Did you know that I
had a nickname? It wasn't something that I chose
myself, and it upset me when I first heard it."

"It pissed you off?"

"Will... if your mother heard you..."

"She'd blame you!" Will grinned down at his father,
hair hanging around his head.

"Yeah, she probably would." Mulder chuckled. "But
what I'm trying to say is that some people just don't
understand and what they don't understand they fear.
I think they're just scared of you."

"What was it?"

"What was what?"

"The nickname."

"Spooky. Spooky Mulder."

"Wow. Does it still piss you off?"

"Will..."

"Okay, *upset* you. Does it still upset you?"

"No, not any more. It did at first, then I ignored it and
then I started using it myself. In my line of work it was
kind of ... appropriate."

"Because you and mom chased spooks?"

"Not just spooks, but things out of the ordinary."

"The paranormal anomalies."

Mulder peered up into the tree again. Will had his
hands folded on the limb with his head propped on
top, almost like he was contemplating something very
important.

"Where did you learn that?"

"On your computer."

"Will, you're a bright kid but you don't listen. Keep
your mitts off my computer."

"You have some cool stuff on there."

"You have your own computer. Do your own search."
Mulder grinned. "Cool, huh? Yeah, I guess they are."

A long, comfortable silence fell between them. Will's
leg hung over the side of the limb, kicking absently.

"Dad?"

"Hmmm? You getting anything?"

"Not yet. Were you and mom ever scared of me?"

"What?"

"You said people sometimes fear what they don't
understand."

"That's true. But we're your parents. We don't fear
you, Will, we love you."

"I know but did you ever fear me?"

"Okay," Mulder let out a deep sigh, "I guess we did at
first when we didn't know what to expect but later I
think it developed into a fear *for* you, not *of* you."

"Dad?"

"You're not weird."

"Someone's coming."

Mulder sat up, turning toward the road. It was hard to
see in the falling darkness but there were no
headlights that he could see and from the vantage
point they had, it was impossible for anything to get
by without being sighted.

"Will, no one's on the road."

"Someone's coming." he repeated, almost trance-like.

Mulder realised he was *feeling* something.

"Who's coming, Will?"

"Monsters."

"Monsters? Can you describe these monsters?"

"Like us but not like us."

"Human?"

"Human but not human."

Mulder leaned against the tree trunk, becoming
frustrated with the cryptic messages. He needed
something more elaborate in order to determine the
most appropriate action to take.

"Will, can you tell me more?"

"Not today..." Will's voice lowered almost to a whisper,
straining Mulder's hearing. "Not tomorrow... but
coming... monsters coming. They need..."

"What do they need?"

Mulder received silence in reply.

"Will?" He moved directly underneath the limb
accommodating his son. "Will? Answer me buddy!"

Will shook his head fiercely, his hair flying wildly
around his face, almost as if he were endeavouring to
disengage all recent thoughts from his mind. His
flushed face scanned the ground beneath him at first
not acknowledging his father's presence. He then
swung both legs around and manoeuvred his body to
slide along the branch. He dangled his legs below him
before he released his grip. Mulder, his heart leaping
to his throat, caught him on a reflex motion.

"Jesus, Will!"

"It's not that much of a drop, dad." He grinned, all
traces of the hypnotic state completely gone. "But nice
catch for an old guy!"

Mulder feigned an upward slap to the back of Will's
head after releasing him, Will ducking in response.

"Just don't give me a heart attack, I don't want your
mother's next autopsy to be me!"

He pulled his son toward him, letting his arm rest
around his shoulder as they walked back toward the
house.

"Dad? Are you going to tell me why we have to
move?"

"Are you going to tell me about what you saw or felt
back there?"

"Dad, that's not fair. I asked first."

"Bad luck, kid. I'm the parent. I go first."

Will's shoulders slumped under the weight of his
father's arm, seemingly in acquiescence.

"I felt*" Will floundered to find the most appropriate
word, "a monster."

"You said that before. What do you mean by
'monster'?"

"That's the only thing that I can think of. Big like a
man, but not a man and doesn't have a man's
thoughts."

"You can read their thoughts?"

"No*" he shook his head, "no more* I don't know.
It's like there aren't any thoughts* just*"

Mulder felt his son shiver and stopped, turning Will to
face him.

"Just what?"

"It felt like something really bad, dad. Really evil."

"Will, you started to say that it 'needed' something.
What was it?"

"That's all I could feel; that it needed."

"But needs what?"

"I don't know." Will examined his feet. "We should go
home or mom'll get worried."

"Will, tell me."

Will's eyes met his. They were intense, sad, almost
aged, much like a mirror image of his own and they
were brimming with unshed tears.

"It needs ME!"

Mulder knelt down, gripping Will's shoulders.

"Why does it need you?"

"I just feel* I think*" The tears started their tracks
down his cheeks. "I just know it!"

Mulder pulled his son to him, hot tears dampening the
side of his neck where Will sobbed. Perhaps this ability
was more a curse than a gift. Why should a 10-year-
old boy have to bear this burden, this fear?

"Okay Will, we're here and we're not leaving you
behind." He repeated this twice more, rubbing Will's
back, soothing him as he had done since he was a
baby, waiting for the sobs to dissipate. "Let's go home
and start preparing to leave, ok?"

Will's head nodded against his father's neck but he
couldn't seem to abate the sobs or let go. He felt
slightly ashamed for acting like a baby but also wanted
to be within the security of his father's arms just a
while longer.

Mulder picked up his son, still clinging his trembling
body to him, and started slowly back home. Soon
home would take on a whole different meaning too.
He felt the old pang of fear creep back. It had been a
long time since they had been anything but a normal
family. Normal. At least he had had a taste of
normalcy; something he never thought he would
experience. But by God it would take more than a
fucking monster to take this away from him. They may
have to leave their home for a while but he would fight
tooth and nail to keep them all together, to be able to
return to their normal life.

Preparations would have to start soon. If Will's
perceptions were any indication, they would probably
have to leave within the next day or so. They would
also have to prepare Will. It was time to tell him their
plan.
 

XXXXXXXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
Chapter 3
 
 

Will was just too damned quiet. There was no hint of a
mischievous grin or an inquisitive raised eyebrow,
imitating his mother. He sat for most of the day, comic
book in his lap but not really reading and either
inspecting his hands or gazing out the window. The
endless energy seemed to have been sapped by the
previous night's conversation.

"Will?" Mulder called from his position on the kitchen
bench.

"Yeah?" Will's eyes lazily moved from the view outside
the window.

Jesus. Haunted eyes, Mulder noted.

"Why don't you finish packing and we'll go into town
for dinner? How about pizza?"

Will nodded, dropped his comic on the coffee table and
shuffled off to his room. No enthusiasm about driving
into town and no insistence about ordering his favorite
toppings.

Too damned quiet.

A hand slid over Mulder's thigh and squeezed
momentarily before handing him a mug of coffee. He
sipped, absently feeling for Scully's hand. Taking his
hand, Scully moved to stand between his knees,
resting their linked hands on one.

"He'll be okay."

"Will he? Maybe we shouldn't have told him so much.
Maybe it's just too much for a kid to handle."

"Mulder, he's exceptional. We both know that. Yes,
he's only 10 years old and he's our son, but he's also
very bright and he has abilities that we can't even
comprehend and neither can he. How this came to be,
we have no idea. But we both know that he also has a
right to know before he *felt* anything."

"Do you see the way he is today though? Isn't it
tearing you up to see him like that?"

"Of course it is. But I don't think that it's to do with
what we told him. Mulder, he was elated to know that
we're taking him with us. I think it has to do with what
he saw last night."

"You mean, what he 'felt'?"

"'Saw', 'felt'... Whatever.  I think whatever it was; it
scared him. Really scared him." Scully squeezed his
hand. "It scares me too."

Mulder set his mug on the bench, encircling his arms
around Scully, pulling her close.

"You think he lied about the monster thing?"

"No, I think that's the only way he could describe it."

"What do you think it is?"

"I don't know. I can only speculate."

"So, speculate Dr. Scully." Mulder kissed her forehead,
receiving a smile in reply. "You're so sexy when you
speculate."

"Mulder, be serious."

"I am being serious. There are a number of times you
can be sexy and speculating is one of them."

"You're so full of it." She arched an eyebrow. "Do you
want to know or not?"

"Always."

"I think he's just describing a force behind this
feeling."

"Like in Star Wars? 'May the force be with you'?"

"Mulder..."

"Sorry. A 'force'?"

"Yes. I think he can only feel some kind of presence
that emanates a sensation or emotion. What this thing
or beings, whether there be more than one, is
radiating, is a feeling that he can't really comprehend
and it scares him."

"That's some speculation, Scully."

"A leap?"

"You sound like me."

"Thank you. I take that as a compliment. My partner is
quite brilliant, you know."

"I know."

"And modest."

"Yep."

A brief kiss was interrupted with a crash from upstairs.
 

XXXXXXXXXX
 

Will fell onto the bed, scattering the comics he had
been sorting to take with him over the bedcover and
on the floor. He felt lethargic and drained. He didn't
really want to finish packing, though he knew he had
to. It was decided they should leave at first light
tomorrow.

He had felt excited at first, thinking that he would be
sharing one of his parents' adventures with them. The
feeling of dread crept up gradually during the night
and the memory of what he had felt from his bout on
the tree inundated his thoughts.

His parents had explained as much as they could to
him, clarifying many feelings that he had experienced
in the past.

Uncle Walter - or Skinner, as his parents called him -
had contacted his father with news that a committee
of sorts had reconstructed to form a lethal and
malicious group. His father had given them a name:
Consortium. He hadn't seen Uncle Walter in almost 2
years but was sent regular presents, his comics. They
both shared an interest in the animated world and
though Uncle Walter's exterior exhumed sternness and
rigidity, he had a very soft interior, or so Will felt. So, if
Uncle Walter had called his father directly, it was
definitely of some importance.

This Consortium had reformed after a long absence
and was apparently after his family. His parents didn't
affirm this, but he knew that he was the focal point of
their chase. Everyone wanted a piece of his ass it
seemed. Well, not his ass so to speak, but definitely
him.

He knew he was different from the other kids at school
but he never really knew how or why. Last night, his
parents had completed that part of the puzzle. Both
had been exposed to a virus, allegedly unknown or
alien (his father receiving a few icy glares from his
mother at this point) before his conception. This virus
could have mutated in his bloodstream as he grew
within his mother's womb and somehow enabled him
to have some kind of extrasensory skill.

Perhaps this was why the Consortium was after him.
His father was adamant it was a vendetta against him
because he had pledged to dispose of them. Will knew
better but scaring his parents could only lead to being
left behind for 'his own safety' and though the year
apart from them was a long time ago, it had been a
year in limbo; of feeling them, but not having them
near and of sheer loneliness for them. He would not
risk being left alone again.

He could hear his parents downstairs talking. He knew
it was about him and their fears for him. He would
have to shake out of this disposition to placate their
concerns. He could be strong and he knew he could be
of help to them and most of all he knew he had to be
with them.

Will slid from the bed to the floor, gathering the
comics into a pile, choosing his favorites to take with
him. He rose to place his selection on the bureau to
add them with his preferred clothes. He glanced at his
window that seemed to cloud over like it did on frosty
mornings, only it was the middle of summer. He
suddenly felt a surge of fear and hate escalate inside
him and as he watched, the windowpane cracked and
suddenly burst inward. He crouched down, covering
his head with his arms as shards of glass rained
around him.
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 4
 
 

Mulder crashed through the bedroom door almost
losing his balance as the door pushed back easily,
much more easily than he had anticipated. Too many
similar incidents in the past warranted the notion of
locked doors. Scully, close on his heels, steadied him
with both outreached arms, then turned her attention
to their son crouched under the window.

"Will!"

Will's arms lowered to reveal widened, frightened
eyes. A small gash was evident on his forehead.

"Mom?"

Scully rushed to her son's side, examining the wound
before squeezing him into an embrace. Mulder joined
them, briefly checking Will's forehead himself, then
moving to inspect the area around the window.

There was no projectile on the floor and as far as
Mulder could ascertain, no object to suggest that Will
have lashed out at the window himself. Will's hands
and arms were also wound-free. The shards of glass
jutting out from the windowpane were hot. Lightning?
Mulder scanned the sky. Blue and clear.

"Will?" Mulder knelt beside his family. "What
happened?"

"Mulder, he's shaking. Can't we keep the interrogation
until he calms down?"

"I'm notÖ" he rubbed his chin, "Okay, you want to
clean that up and I'll work on here."

Scully stood bringing Will with her. She led him
towards the bathroom but felt him tense and turn.

"Dad, I'm not sure exactly what happened. I just got
this *feeling* and then the window burst."

"It just burst?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"What was the feeling you had before this happened?"

"I'm not sure."

"Let's do this later," Scully interrupted, "right now I
want to disinfect that cut."

They walked a few paces before Will turned again.

"Fear."

"What?" Mulder stepped towards him, ignoring Scully's
frustrated looks. "What was 'fear'?"

"That was the feeling: fear."

"Your fear or someone else's?"

"I was scared afterwards but that feeling was coming
from outside."

"Okay," Mulder eyed Scully's frown, "go clean up now."

He listened to Scully's reassuring level voice over the
running water in the bathroom as he observed the
shards of glass more closely. They were still warm.

"Dad?"

Will's head peered around the bathroom door.

"Yeah?"

"There was one more feeling."

"What's that?"

"Hate."
 
 

XXXXX
 

Scully took one last long look at the house from the
passenger's side of the 4WD. A tear escaped down her
cheek. Mulder intercepted it before it reached her chin,
sweeping it away with his thumb.

"Hey Scully, don't. We'll be back."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I just have this gut feeling. You should know that I've
always run on that Scully."

The corners of her mouth curved upward.

"Yeah you have and a number of those times has
gotten us into a lot of trouble."

"Ouch. You sure know how to wound a guy."

"I hope you're right. This was really a home, Mulder.
Our home."

Scully took his hand from her face and kissed the
palm.

"ErÖ Scully," Mulder leaned closer, "if you're trying to
come on to me, I have to remind you there's a 10 year
old in the back seat."

She tossed his hand away.

"Drive Mulder."

Mulder grinned widely. It faded as he checked the rear
view mirror. Will was focused on his bedroom window.
 

XXXXX
 

It stepped up to the driveway, stopped and scanned
the area around the house. It's eyes settled on the
second floor window, the head tilting slightly to the
right as if contemplating the broken pane with the
piece of plywood covering the gaping hole from the
inside.

It moved toward the door, touching the heavy wood
panelling with open palms. It seemed to concentrate
by squeezing both eyes shut and leaning against the
door. A few moments passed before it retreated back
to the driveway, where it proceeded to turn in a
clockwise motion from the same position, stopping at
north, east, south and west.

Seemingly satisfied, it moved on into the failing
daylight of the afternoon. The music of the cicadas
was no longer heard among the trees.

It would continue day and night to close the distance
that had now increased. This had not been anticipated.
Sleep or rest was not needed for replenishment.

The course was set and failure was not an option.
 

XXXXX

To be continued
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 5
 
 

"Christ!"

Mulder clenched his teeth as he gripped the wheel
tighter.

"Wha..?" Scully blinked awake, straightening in her seat.
"Mulder?"

"Sorry babe."

Scully smiled. It was rare to hear this form of
endearment from Mulder unless they were making love.
She reached out to touch his cheek.

"What's up?"

"Bad road along here." He nodded to the windscreen.
"Damned potholes everywhere. I didn't mean to wake
you."

"It's okay. What time is it?"

"Nearing six."

"You want me to take over?"

"I'm okay for a while longer though I could do with a
break and some food. Hungry?"

"Mmm a little."

"You know," Mulder checked the rearview mirror, "he's
got to be hungry too. He didn't have much to eat at
lunch."

Scully craned around her seat to view her sleeping son.

"Mulder, he's sleeping so much. Do you think whatever
he's going through is draining him?"

"I think," Mulder veered into the exit lane, "that we
should stop and get some food into all of us. I don't
know whether it's draining him or it's a form of escape."

"Mulder, this is too much for him. Maybe we should've*"

"Left him?" Scully turned back in her seat, sad eyes
staring back at him. "Scully, you know what?"

"What?"

"I don't think we could've anyway. We need him as much
as he needs us."

"I know." Scully nodded. "I know, but I hate to see him
like this."

"Neither do I, but what can we do? He has this ability
that just can't be turned off. You know that it's gotten
stronger as he's become older."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Don't ask me that."

"Why not?"

"Because*" Mulder hit the steering wheel. "Because I
don't know!"

Scully gripped his arm.

"Mulder. I don't know either. I was just speculating*"
She stopped as she noticed Mulder's lips curve into a
smile. "What?"

"You just have to speculate all the time. Just trying to
turn me on."

"God, Mulder. You turned the conversation completely
around on me."

"Yeah, and I'm good at it. Let's not do this any more. He
may be tired and scared but he's with us. I don't know
what lies ahead, Scully, I just know that I need to keep
us all together."

"And if there's danger ahead?"

"Knowing our history there probably is, but we'll deal
with it. I promise you that I'll do everything I can to keep
us together and alive."

"I don't doubt that Mulder."

"And you're still watching my back after all these years."

"That's what partners are for."

"Don't get all mushy on me, woman."

Scully stifled a laugh.

"Food, Mulder. You promised food."
 

XXXXX
 

"Hey Will, you know there's a small orchard up ahead
that lets you pick your own fruit. Wanna go?" Mulder set
his fork down, watching his son dunking a french-fry
repeatedly into some ketchup on the side of his plate.
"Hey bud?"

Will raised his eyes and after shaking his head, returned
to the over dipped fry. Scully brushed the hair back from
Will's forehead.

"Will, why don't we do that? Might be fun and we need
some fresh fruit." Will repeated the shake of his head.
"Why not, sweetie?"

"We have to make up more time."

Mulder sat forward.

"More time? Will, what do you know?"

Will dropped the untouched morsel into the dollop of
sauce, shrugged his shoulders and finally looked up.

"I just feel things, Dad."

"I know, I know. Tell us what you're feeling then."

"I feel*" Will shrugged again. "I feel that we don't have
much time to stop."

"Why Will?" Scully moved his plate aside. "We need to
stop sometimes."

"I know but we shouldn't make unnecessary stops. We
need to get further away." Will's voice became louder
and his words came in rapid succession. "We have to get
further and further away so that there's more distance
between us. The more there is, the more I won't feel.
Then we'll have more time."

"Okay, Will." Mulder reached over, as did Scully, to place
their hands on Will's, clearly shaking on the table. "Okay,
calm down.  We'll get as far away as we can, okay? Are
you able to define who or what's coming?"

"A monster."

XXXXX
 

It looked out into the night, above the trees on the
horizon, above the moon to the stars as if it were
trekking a course; a pathway through the Milky Way.

It seemed satisfied of its decision to take that particular
road. There were no lights to guide its path, no maps. It
had no need of such things. Its beacon was there but not
in the form of a light. There was a connection that
governed its path.

It would continue on through the night for it needed no
rest. It would continue until it found its goal.

XXXXX
 
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 6
 
 

Monster.

The word kept repeating in Scully's head. What the hell
did he mean? Mulder was quick to believe that whatever
Will was feeling it was coming from a monster of sorts.
Her scientific rationality was not as quick to accept this. It
was cryptic; it had to be. There was no such thing as
monsters, right? Over the years partnering with Mulder
sometimes her all-too-sane theories had been
discredited. There were doubts, questions left
unanswered.

Monster? She hoped that this was just a word Will used
to illustrate his fears. If this was an actual monster of
some unknown origin she had no way of knowing how to
combat it, to protect her family. Her science would be of
no use to them if they were working in the unknown.

"What?"

Scully shook from her reverie to see Mulder's eyebrows
raised in question.

"You believe what Will's been saying, don't you?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"No, I mean about the 'monster'. Do you believe that it's
'something' and not 'someone'?"

"Something extraterrestrial? A phenomenon? An
unanswered anomaly?"

"Mulder..."

"Scully, I know you think I'm gullible and believe in
anything."

"I never said 'anything'."

"No?"

"You don't believe in the tooth fairy."

"Well, you know, in England back in..."

"Mulder... don't push it."

"All I'm saying is that we should keep an open mind."

"I always have to be the logical one."

"Hey now!" He glanced at her crossing her arms. "Scully,
what's really bugging you?"

Scully stared straight ahead into the growing darkness.

"It scares me that I don't know what we're dealing with.
If we knew, we could fight it, we could protect him."

"Hey, Scully..." Mulder pulled on one of her arms,
grabbed a hand in his, pulling it toward his lips. "We
*will* protect him."

"Can we, Mulder? How can we when we don't know what
we're up against?"

"We'll give it our best shot. We're a hell of a team to
defeat."

"You're so full of it, Mulder."

Mulder grinned against her hand.

"But you love me anyway."
 

XXXXX
 

"Mommy!"

Scully sprang from the bed, tripping over her shoes on
the floor in the darkness. Mulder's hand retrieved his
pistol from beneath his pillow in an automatic response
to the cry. He fumbled for the switch on the lamp beside
the bed.

The light was blinding at first and he squinted until he
was able to focus on Scully at the far end of the room
beside the rollaway. She had already pulled Will into an
embrace.

"Mommy, mommy..."

Will's voice was muffled against his mother's shoulder as
Scully gripped him tighter. He had ceased calling her
'mommy' a couple of years ago. Reverting to this was a
sure sign he was absolutely terrified.

"Shhh Will. It's okay, I'm here."

"Daddy...?"

"I'm here too buddy." Mulder knelt beside them,
reassuring Will by rubbing his back. "We're both here.
We're not going anywhere."

Will's sobs dissipated into long, ragged gasps. Scully
pulled back to take in his face. His cheeks were flushed
and perspiration glistened on his forehead. His eyes were
wet, yet distant, not focused on either parent.

"Will?" Scully brushed against his wet cheeks. "It was just
a nightmare. It's okay now."

No response, just drawn out breathing. Scully held Will's
face, leaning closer.

"Will? Will, look at me." She shook him slightly within her
hands, her stomach clenching in fear. "Will?"

"Hey, Will." Mulder bent forward and gripped Will's
shoulder. "Will, wake up NOW!"

Will blinked several times in succession before his eyes
centred on his mother, then his father. He sat back and
began to swipe the tears from his eyes and cheeks.
Scully reached out, stilling his movements.

"Will?"

"Sorry mom."

"Will, don't be sorry. You had a nightmare."

"No."

"Yes, sweetie."

"No, it wasn't a nightmare." Will shook his head,
imploring eyes seeking both parents. "It was real. The
monster's real."

"Will..." Scully smoothed his hair. "Will, I know you
think..."

"It's real!" Will pulled away. "Dad, you believe me don't
you?"

"Will, I believe you think it's real."

"It is!"

"Okay," Mulder nodded, "okay Will, it's real. Where is it
now? Is it so close now that you see it in your dreams?"

"I don't see it, dad, I feel it."

"Okay, is the feeling much stronger?"

"Yeah."

"Do you feel we should get moving now? Right this
minute?"

"No..." Will's eyes wandered past Mulder. "No... a day...
maybe less."
 

XXXXX
 

"What did you make of all that?"

Scully propped herself up on Mulder's chest, whispering
so as not to wake Will who had finally fallen asleep again.

"I think we get an early start tomorrow and get us some
distance between this 'thing' and us."

"I wish I knew what it was, Mulder."

"Yeah, but I don't want to wait around to find out. Do
you?"

"No." Scully let out a sigh. "I don't think he could cope if
this thing was too close."

"Then get some more sleep, you'll need it." He kissed her
forehead. "We'll all need it."
 

XXXXX
 

It continued through the undergrowth, not brushing aside
the twigs and foliage jutting out along its path. It didn't
feel sensation, it didn't taste, and it didn't smell. It just
was. It could only feel a need. That need kept it
continuing in the right direction. It was closer. The need
was stronger.
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 7
 
 

Mulder slammed the phone back down on the hook and
leaned against the frame of the booth. He glanced
through the grime on the glass encasing to his partner
and child in the 4WD; so vulnerable to the elements. How
the fuck was he supposed to protect them?

The front passenger window rolled down revealing the
concerned face of his partner.

"Mulder?"

"Yeah, just a minute."

He needed to collect his thoughts but what was the
point? He couldn't think of a thing. Not one fucking thing!
They were on their own for now but he had no idea
where to go or what to do.

He shuffled a few pebbles beneath his feet and watched
them roll out from under his shoe in no particular
direction* just like them. Shit.

"Mulder?"

He squinted through the murky glass again at Scully's
frown. He drew a breath, exhaled loudly and slowly
returned to the car.

Before settling behind the wheel again, Mulder checked
Will in the back seat; head lulling to one side, asleep. A
touch to his cheek brought him back into focus.

"Mulder, what?"

"Skinner doesn't have any further news. We're supposed
to lay low until he can pinpoint where we're supposed to
go."

"There's no safe house he can allocate for us?"

"He's sure that anything within the FBI would be
monitored."

"Any ideas?"

Mulder sunk back into the seat, exhaling through his
nose. He reached out to the keys in the ignition. Scully's
hand stilled his motion.

"Mulder?"

Mulder clenched his eyes shut.

"What do you want me to say, Scully? You want me to
tell you I have all the answers? Well, I don't. I have no
clue where to go or what we're supposed to do!"

"Mulder I wasn't assuming you had all the answers.
Neither do I. We know we need to get further away from
whatever Will sees coming. I just thought maybe Skinner
had some idea of the direction."

Mulder shook his head.

"He has no idea."

"Not even from any of his sources?"

Another shake. Mulder turned the key in the ignition, his
expression remaining solemn.

"At times like these I miss the Gunmen."

"Mulder*" Scully gripped his arm. "I know* Even
Frohike's leer?"

"Yeah," Mulder grinned, "even his leer."

"West."

Mulder and Scully turned to see their son rubbing his
eyes.

"What's west, sweetie?" Scully prodded gently.

"We have to go west. Arizona."

"Why?" Mulder set the hand brake, leaning further
around his seat. "What's there?"

Will shrugged.

"Will*" Mulder began, but was quickly nudged by Scully.

"Mulder, let's just go with that for now."

They turned in their seats, gave one long, confused look
at each other, before Mulder released the brake and set
the car in motion. He glanced in the rear view mirror
once before entering back onto the highway. Will was
staring out the window, his eyes more distant than the
miles they'd travelled from their home.
 

XXXXX
 

It stepped out onto the highway, no cars passing in the
early light of day. It bent down to touch the tar-covered
road. Its need was growing but the sensation of distance
was now greater. It did not feel anger or disappointment.
It knew that it would reach its goal. Humans always
made errors. Soon it would reach its goal. Soon.
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 8
 
 

"How much for a rollaway to put in our room?"

Mulder signed the reception register under the name
of Jones after showing one of the last fake drivers
licences that the Lone Gunmen had constructed for he
and Scully. There was still quite a bit of forged
paraphernalia from them that were still valid. Of
course, they had always planned ahead.

"Mr*" the balding man leaned over the counter to
check the register, "Jones, we have connecting rooms
that might be more comfortable. The rooms aren't
that big and by the looks of your boy*" he pointed to
the wire screen door where Will could be seen leaning
against the car, "he might need the extra space."

"We'd like him to stay with us."

"I tell you what, I can give you the extra space at the
same rate as the rollaway."

Mulder glanced up from replacing the licence into his
wallet, a frown forming on his face.

"Why would you do that?"

"Well," the man scratched his scalp, "it's really not
such a busy time round here as you can see." He
smiled, revealing uneven, yellow-stained teeth, then
winked. "You might like some quiet time with the
missus too."

"The missus and I are fine. Will you bring the rollaway
or can I take it now?"

"I'll take it out of storage and bring it to you within
the hour."

"Thank you."

Mulder turned toward the door, glad to be clear of the
man's body odour.

"Let me know if you change your mind now."

Mulder half-turned briefly back to the reception.

"I don't think we will, but thank you."

Mulder took a few deep breaths of fresh air as he
stepped out onto the pebbled driveway in front of the
motel's office. He squinted briefly up into the late
afternoon sun. Scully leaned across the driver's seat
through the window.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, all done." Mulder dangled the room key from
his fingers. "Number 7."

"A lucky number."

Mulder smiled, pocketed the key and placed a hand
on Will's shoulder, startling him slightly from his
thoughts.

"You okay, Will?"

"Yep." Will nodded. "But I wish we could get a little
further away."

"This is the only place for the next couple hundred
miles and we're all spent. We need to rest, buddy."

"I know, dad." He frowned at the porch. "I don't really
like this place."

"Me neither." Mulder snickered. "It's not the Ritz and
the guy smells like a sewer but it looks better than
some places I've stayed."

A chuckle came from within the car, making them
both turn.

"Will, your father's right. Some places we've stayed at
were a lot worse, believe me."

Mulder opened the door for his son to enter.

"Will, don't listen to her. She has no taste. Some of
those places were downright colourful!"

"You mean 'cheap'!" Scully retorted with another
chuckle.

"Hey, we were on a budget."

"Budget smudget."

Mulder returned behind the wheel to find their room.

"You know, your vocabulary is deteriorating Scully.
Did you bring any of your old medical books to
tantalise me with?"

"Drive Mulder."
 

XXXXX
 

Mulder wiped his mouth with the serviette and threw
the screwed up ball past Scully's head. It landed
neatly in the trashcan by the table.

"Score!" Both arms shot above his head. "I haven't
lost it!" He received an arched eyebrow from both
Scully and Will. "Do you guys practice that or what?"

"Practice what?"

"Never mind. What's on the tube Will?"

Will turned back to the television screen.

"Nothing." Will stretched out on his side on the double
bed, still flipping channels. "Old movies and
documentaries. No cable."

"No? We'll have to complain to the management." He
smiled but received no comment from either Scully or
Will. "Speaking of the management, where the hell is
that rollaway?"

"Didn't you say he had to get it out of storage?"

"Scully, it doesn't take 2 hours. I walked to that one-
horse diner to produce that wonderful meal of grease
we just consumed and he still hasn't arrived with it."

"Maybe he's cleaning it."

"You're such an optimist."

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. Mulder
stood and leaned over Scully's shoulder to whisper in
her ear.

"Let's not ask him in. We'd have to spend most of the
night trying to air the place out."

"Mulder*"

Mulder placed a kiss under her ear before heading to
the door. He pinched his nose before opening. That
received a slight smile from Will, a frown from Scully.

"Mr. Jones." The balding man from reception beamed
around his teeth that Mulder tried to avoid looking at.
"I'm sorry it took so long."

Mulder scanned around the man, apparently devoid of
the apparatus they were waiting on.

"Did you lose it along the way?"

If it was possible, the man smiled even wider.

"Mr. Jones, I've been searching high and low for it
since you checked in. It doesn't seem to be there. I've
checked all the rooms also."

Mulder pursed his lips in thought.

"You said you had a rollaway."

"And we did!" He scratched his head. "I really don't
know what's happened to it. We haven't had a
request for a rollaway in some time and so*" He
stopped as Mulder slumped against the doorframe. "I
could suggest that interconnecting room again."

"No." Mulder shook his head. "Our son's sick and we
need to monitor him during the night."

"Oh, I am sorry."

Scully appeared at the door, overhearing the
conversation.

"Hi. Do you think we could at least have a mattress
and linen? We'll work something out on the floor."

The man's face crinkled in puzzlement for a brief
moment before beaming into a smile again.

"Of course, the least I could do! I'll go and get them
straight away." He hurried away but stopped a few
feet away. "And I do apologise for the inconvenience."

Scully leaned against Mulder's side.

"Mulder?"

"Hmm?" Mulder was still watching the thin, balding
man walking away. "What?"

"He really does smell."

Mulder smiled, absently moving his arm around
Scully's shoulder.

"You know something else?"

"He has bad teeth?"

She received a full-blown laugh.

"Apart from that."

"What?"

"Did you notice his accent?"

"No, why?"

"Didn't sound like he was from around here."

"Is that so strange?"

"I don't know. Maybe not."
 

XXXXX
 

It moved swiftly without changing its pace. It didn't
stop until it needed further direction. It moved within
the cover of the trees and brush beside the roads,
never on them as it was programmed to do. It would
only stray from this path if the need was strong
enough or there was a change of course. So far the
path was clear and the need was growing stronger.
 

XXXXX

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 9
 
 

Will's head hurt. It wasn't exactly pounding but it was
certainly enough to wake him from his restless sleep.
Was his sleep restless because his head hurt or did his
head hurt because he was restless? He pondered this as
he slowly raised his eyelids. It was semi-dark and
shadows filled the room from the outside road sign.

Something was not quite right. He could feel*
something.

He squinted into the darkness, into the shadows. The
shadows suddenly moved!

Will threw the covers off and groped forward on the
carpet in the direction he recalled his parent's bed to be.
Some motion before him and the sound of groaning
made him stop in his tracks.

He sucked in a breath and held it, hoping that the
shadows hadn't seen him. Just as he was about to crawl
further, large hands grabbed his side. He whimpered as
he exhaled the breath he'd been holding, fear overtaking
his senses.

"Mom*"

Will was unable to utter any more as one of those large
hands moved to cover his mouth. He kicked out
uselessly, petrified of his assailants, these shadows, yet
wanting to know if his parents were alive, unhurt. He
somehow felt they were but he needed the reassurance
of seeing them with his own eyes. All he could see were
shadows, some moving, some still and all the while
silent, as silent as shadows should be.
 

XXXXX
 

"Scu*" Mulder held his head, trying to stop the world
from spinning and the nausea from reaching its goal. He
nudged his partner by his side. "Scully?"

He tentatively touched her forehead, dreading the worst
possible scenario. His fears abated as Scully's brow
creased and she coughed twice before her eyes fluttered
open.

Scully sprung upright then fell back down upon the bed,
almost landing on Mulder's stomach. She reached for her
head.

"Mulder*" Scully coughed again, her throat raw.
"What*?" Realization reared its ugly head and she
turned, seeking the mattress her son had been sleeping
on. "Will?" She jumped from the bed, holding her
stomach, fighting the urge to vomit. "Will!"

Mulder grabbed her from behind, pulling her toward him.

"He's not here. I checked."

"No!" She screamed at the empty mattress, and then
turned to bury her aching head within the confines of
Mulder's arms. "No, no, no, no*"

"We'll find him. I promise you we will. They won't hurt
him."

"How do you know that?" Scully managed between sobs.
"How can you be so sure?"

"Don't you feel it, Scully?"

"Feel?" She blinked her wet eyes. "I feel terrified for him.
I want my son back!"

"So do I! But Scully, deep down, can't you feel that he's
okay? Scared, but okay?"

"No, I don't know any such thing!"

Mulder pushed back, gripping her shoulders, leaning
down so they were eye-to-eye.

"Scully, I know you do. I know you can feel he's alive,
just like I can. I need you to believe in that right now.
Please?"

Scully nodded slowly as tears tracked down her cheeks.
Mulder pulled her into a tight embrace.

"We would know, wouldn't we? We'd know if he was* if
he*"

"Yeah, we'd know. I'm sure of that. C'mon, you're the
strong one. I need you to hold on for me. Please, babe,
can you do that for me? For Will?"

Mulder felt her nodding against his chest as she
continued to sob for her son.
 

XXXXX
 

"Fuck!"

Mulder pounded hard on the reception counter.

"Fuck!"

He shouted this profanity after each pound.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

"Mulder?"

Scully skidded to a halt at the door behind reception.
Mulder gripped the counter, arms outstretched, leaning
heavily forward. He raised his head as Scully stepped
toward him.

"That guy's nowhere to be found. It was a set-up Scully!
I knew there was something wrong with that guy. He
just didn't fit. I should've known!"

"Don't Mulder." Scully smoothed back his hair. "You're
trying to blame yourself for this. If I can believe our son
is out there waiting for us, then you have to believe this
isn't your fault."

"Scully*"

"Mulder, you made a promise to me. You said we'd get
him back. Let's do this."

"Where do we start?" Mulder stood upright, hands on
hips. "Where do we start looking?" He threw his arms out
before him. "Where, Scully?"

Scully placed her right hand over his heart.

"We start here."
 

XXXXX
 
 
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 10
 
 

It stopped, tilting its head to the side, almost as if in
query. Its head slowly turned to the left, then to the
right. As if in slow motion, its whole body rotated on
the spot. Each stopping point was at due south, east,
north and finally halting its motion on due west. The
need was further away but had not changed course.
It was time to increase its pace.
 

XXXXX
 

"Any better?" Mulder handed Scully the damp towel.
"We don't have to leave right this minute."

"No, I'm fine." She dabbed around her face and the
back of her neck with the towel, shutting her eyes
with the coolness and sitting further upright on the
edge of the bathtub. "I don't want to waste any more
time."

"We'd only waste more time if you're sick along the
way."

"Mulder," Scully frowned, "I won't be. If I am, I'll lay
down in the back seat. It's just a reaction from
whatever form of anaesthetic they gave us. We need
to make up lost time."

Mulder glanced down at his feet.

"Mulder?"

"I still don't know which way to head. How can we
make up time if we don't know what direction?" He
kicked the doorframe, making Scully jump. "Jesus I
hate this! Why us?"

"Mulder, let's call Skinner."

"He said he didn't know anything!"

"Maybe he does now. Please?"

"Okay, but not here."

"No, maybe not. Do you think this place is wired?"

"Probably." Mulder stepped inside the bathroom,
kneeling beside Scully. "This may sound strangeÖ"

Scully smiled, letting her hand fall in her lap, still
holding the towel.

"Mulder, nothing sounds strange from you."

Mulder smiled in return, taking both her hands in his.

"Scully, thanks for holding it together. I need you
because I don't think I could do this on my own. I
don't think I could keep it together myself without
you."

"Mulder, we've been a team for a long time now.
You're not alone ñ never ñ but we need our son back
to complete us. Now, tell me, what might sound
strange?"

"Well, I think that we need to continue in the same
direction we were heading. That's where I want to
start but I'm not absolutely certain. I want to know
you believe me on this."

"West?"

"Yeah."

"How do you know that?" She gripped his hands. "I
don't feel that, but you do?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "I feel that. I don't know how or
why. Maybe it's just my gut instinct or maybe"

"Will?"

"Who knows what he's capable of?"

"Okay, Mulder. West. I believe you."

"I promise I'll call Skinner the moment we get to the
next town but I don't know what he's able to do."

"When he hears about WillÖ" Scully choked back a
sob that threatened again. "When he hears, he might
be able to do something."

"What?"

"I don't know. I just know that he's come through for
us before. Let's trust him this time too."

Mulder leaned forward, pressing his forehead against
Scully's.
 

XXXXX
 

Will concentrated on the chain dangling from the rear
view mirror. He focused on the way it sparkled when
hit with rays of morning light. The more he
concentrated, the greater capacity he had to feel the
'nudge'. The hate and fear he felt from the monster
was not as strong as recently but a twinge of panic
rose when he felt the love of his parents was also
weaker. He had to fight against that panic.

They were alive, he knew, but he hadn't been able to
confirm this with his own eyes before he was taken
away from them. He wanted to know if they were
unharmed.

He concentrated hard on his parents. Maybe they
would hear him; hear his thoughts. He didn't know if
they could above all his fears. He was so damned
scared he was shaking.

A tap on his arm diffused his thoughts. A large hand
opened before him, offering a sandwich loosely
wrapped in foil. He glanced up to the scarred face of
his kidnapper.

"C'mon, kid." The man pushed the sandwich into
Will's hands. "We're not gonna starve you, boy." A
thermos cup filled with what looked like orange juice
was also produced. "Here, wash it all down with this."

Will let his hands stay limp on his lap and shook his
head.

"Eat kid!"

Will looked up to the rear view mirror into the cold,
dark eyes of the driver; the eyes of someone who
would kill without a moments notice, without remorse.
He tentatively wrapped his fingers around the
sandwich and slowly pulled it from its wrapping. He
nibbled on the corner of the bread, not really tasting it
and all the while watching those murderous eyes.

The large man next to him produced the cup again.
He accepted it, gradually bringing it to his lips. He was
more thirsty than hungry, gulping it greedily after the
first small sip. It soothed his throat that was sore
from his crying earlier. He was too old to show so
many tears now but he believed that his situation
certainly allowed for some.

The glint from the hanging chain was now becoming
hypnotic and instead of being able to concentrate, he
seemed to acquire random thoughts. Some thoughts
about places he had been in the last few days, his
computer and interesting games he had found and
some about his parents laughing at jokes with him.
The sounds around him from the engine of the van to
the low murmurs of its occupants were becoming
muffled. He looked around at the faces that seemed
to fade before him. Before he knew what was
happening, he felt his eyes grow heavy and he
slumped in his seat toward the large, grinning man
beside him.
 

XXXXX
 
 
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 11
 
 

The music on the other end of the phone line was
getting on his nerves. How long was he supposed to
wait? Mulder mapped the outline of Scully's face on
the glass of the phone booth with his finger to keep
from tearing out the handset in his frustration. Any
longer and he would hang up and dial again. He didn't
want to risk any tracing, though he didn't believe
anyone would recognise his voice now.

Just as he was about to resign to trying again in the
next town, the music stopped.

"Skinner."

"Hey, Walter! How've you been, man?"

Silence greeted him momentarily before Skinner
cleared his throat.

"Jeff?"

"Yeah." Mulder's tone changed. "Is this being traced?"

"No. You have my word on that."

"Can I trust your word?"

"Mu Jeff, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Do you know?"

"Know?"

"Do you know what's happened?"

"What?" Skinner seemed legitimately perplexed.
"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Will. Do you know about Will?"

"What? What's happened?" Skinner heard Mulder
draw a breath on the other side. "I haven't heard
anything, I assure you. Tell me, what's happened?"

"He's gone."

"What?! How?"

"They took him. They took him last night while we
were sleeping."

"Jesus. Who?"

"If you know anything"

"I didn't know. I haven't received any further
information from what I gave you regarding the
Consortium when we last spoke. You think it's them,
don't you?"

"What do you think? Can you" Mulder paused,
gripping the handset tighter. "Can you sniff around,
try and find out anything? *Anything*, Walter."

"You know I will. How's Scu- Kate?"

"Holding up but barely."

Skinner let out a breath.

"Christ."

"Yeah."

"Give me till this time tomorrow. Call my cell."

"Do you have any leads you can follow?"

"I'm going in blind but you have my word I'll do
everything I can."

"Try anything on a little guy, thin, balding with really
bad, yellow teeth."

"Why?"

"He was at the motel when we checked in and was
almost too keen for us to have separate rooms. I
think the name plate on the counter read Arnold
Grimwade."

"Could be fake."

"No shit, Sherlock! It's all I've got. Oh, and he stank."

"That's all your eidetic memory can give me?"

"Hey, I don't profile any more. Besides, you didn't
smell him. That could overpower any thought
processes."

Skinner grinned at that despite his fears for their
safety and their son's. He decided to push Mulder
further in case he recalled anything more. He didn't
believe that time could taint the man's amazing
profiling ability.

"Any particular smell?"

"Stink. You know, body odour and very strong, like he
hadn't washed in months or brushed his teeth for that
matter."

"I'm not sure whether that'll help my search, but we
can check perps with very strong body odour."

Mulder had no idea if he was joking or not.

"He wasn't from around here."

"What?"

"His accent. It wasn't from around here."

Bingo. Prompted, Mulder was bound to give more.

"Where's 'here'? And where do you think he was
from?"

"On the way to Arizona. He sounded like he was from
the East Coast, maybe Philadelphia."

"That's good. I can check on that."

"There was more than this guy, Walter."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, no way he could knock us out and take Will on
his own. There had to be at least two, maybe three."

"How do you figure that?"

"They would have to get us all at the same time in
case one of us woke to warn the other."

"You've still got it, Mu Jeff."

"If I still had it, we wouldn't be in this predicament."

"You don't believe that. You got into more shit before
than you do now."

"Maybe."

"Call around this time tomorrow. Maybe I'll have
something for you."

"I hope so, Walter. You're all we've got left."

Skinner's stomach lurched as he pushed his glasses
further up to the bridge of his nose.

"I'll give it my best shot."

"Walter?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet."
 

XXXXX
 

Will's eyelids were still very heavy. He tried to lift
them as far as he could but it was such an effort. All
he could see was what looked like a room and he was
lying down. He tried to lift his head but the world
started to spin around him and he let his head fall
back on the pillow.

Dizzy and thirsty, he tried to scan the revolving room
and could only discern the outline of one person
sitting at what looked like a window. The outline
moved closer but he still couldn't make out the face
with his blurred vision.

His head was lifted upright and coolness touched his
parched lips. He drank deeply of what he made out to
be water but his mind being jumbled, he wasn't sure.
Whatever it was, it was quenching his thirst and for
that he was grateful.

Another form entered the room. Voices. He thought
he could comprehend what they were saying but it
was difficult to concentrate.

"How's the kid?"

"Doped up to the eyeballs."

"Why'd he give him so much?"

"Wants to keep him under."

"What for? He's just a kid."

"Apparently not just any kid. He's got some kind of
power and they don't want him to use it."

"What power?"

"How the fuck should I know? They tell me nothing. I
just work here."

"Yeah but I'd like to know what I'm dealing with
here."

"Let's just do the delivery when we're supposed to."

Power? Delivery? Will tried to hang on, to listen to
more of the conversation. He wasn't even sure he had
heard correctly. Sleep was overwhelming him and
finally all he could do was circum. His last thoughts
were of fear and hate and a monster.
 

XXXXX
 

It had increased its pace quite well. If it could feel, it
would be pleased with itself. It was closer again and
the need was stronger. It raised its head to the sky
and practised a smile.
 

XXXXX
 
 
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 12
 
 

It was the worst roadside diner he'd ever been to.

He began to embark on a story about past diner
experiences but closed his mouth when he noticed
Scully was chewing on the same piece of lettuce, fork
poised before her mouth, the remaining leaf dangling
from the end. She was staring past his head at
nowhere in particular.

"How's your salad?"

"Hmm?"

Mulder exhaled loudly.

"Scully, you're not even eating properly."

The corner of Scully's mouth twitched upward slightly
as she looked down at her bowl. She set her fork to
work stabbing more pieces of lettuce and a piece of
cheese and shoveled it into her mouth.

"Okay" Mulder folded his arms on the table. "That
was good. Are you tasting any of it?"

Scully gave two lazy blinks before shaking her head,
chewing on her mouthful of salad.

"I thought not. Probably a good thing though." He
leaned across the table. "Everything tastes like shit."

"Thanks Mulder." Scully dabbed at her mouth with a
paper napkin, pushing her bowl aside. "Just what I
needed to hear."

"Shit or not, you have to eat."

"I know but I can't help thinking whether Will" She
raised her eyes to meet Mulder's. "I think about
whether he's cold or hungry. I know he's lonely"

Tears threatened to form but she managed to hold
them at bay. Mulder entwined his fingers with hers
above the table.

"Babe I know Hey, it's a little early, but I don't
think the Skin Man'll care."

He read a glimmer of hope in her arched eyebrow.
 

XXXXX
 

"Hold on."

He placed the cell phone beside him as he swerved
off the road and parked.

Skinner checked all mirrors to make sure that he
wasn't being followed. It would possibly tally up to be
the twentieth time since he left D.C.

"Okay." He replaced the phone to his ear. "How many
times do I have to tell you that my cell phone isn't
bugged?"

"Just making sure."

"Mulder, you're paranoid."

"Somehow I think this situation warrants me to be at
least a little paranoid. Besides, it's in my nature."

"Hmmm." Skinner's voice grunted into the phone.
"Tell me where you are."

"Why?"

"Mulder, I swear to you, this line is clear."

"We're heading in to Apache Junction."

"Okay, can you get to Phoenix by tomorrow?"

"I think so. Why?"

"I'll be there tomorrow."

"You? You're flying from D.C.?"

"No, not from D.C. Mulder, I didn't want to risk being
seen. Call me when you get to Phoenix."

"Don't you think Phoenix is a bit conspicuous?"

"They won't expect us in a large city. I think you're
more of a target out in the open."

"Maybe." Mulder paused, as if in thought. "Why you?"

"I'm the only one I trust."

"Damn good answer, Walter."

"I'm not a Director for nothing."

"You're risking that position... and your ass."

"I've taken some personal leave."

"Yeah?"

"Gone to visit a sick nephew."

Another pause; much longer this time.

"We appreciate this Walter, especially Scully. She puts
a lot of faith in you."

"Well, tell her not to yet."

"Why? What'd you find out?"

"We'll talk when we meet but I gotta tell you, Mulder,
you gave me one hell of a lead."

"I did?"

"Yeah, but there's a little more shit I was able to dig
up now that the Consortium has reformed. Some of
the members are high profile and left tracks."

"Who?"

"When we meet."

"Watch your back, Walter."

"You too."

"Walter?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Don't get mushy on me Mulder."
 

XXXXX
 

His head was too heavy to lift on his own. He could
feel perspiration trickling down his temple and trailing
down to his neck, pooling in the juncture between his
neck and shoulder. He could hear heavy, raspy
breathing in his ears and realized as he tried to turn
his head that it was his own.

A cool hand was placed on his forehead. Gentle, soft,
female.

"Mom?" Will didn't recognize his own voice. It was
croaky. "Mommy?"

The hand was replaced with a cool, damp cloth. The
hands lifted his head as a cup was placed to his
parched lips. He slurped greedily, dripping water on
his chin, before the cup was pulled away.

"Slow down now."

That voice was not his mother's. He should have
recognized her touch but whatever he had been given
had tampered with his senses. He tried to open his
eyes wider and inspect the woman's face, but no
matter how hard he tried his vision remained blurred.
The cup returned and he drank deeply.

Someone else entered the room.

"What d' you think?"

"I think you've overdone it. He's strong but he *is*
just a boy. You'll have to give him a break or you'll kill
him."

"What about decreasing the dosage?"

"I mean it. Look at him. Any more and you'll have to
feed him intravenously."

"You sure? The boss ordered it you know."

"The 'boss' doesn't know shit about drugs and it's
potential. Besides, do you realize you've already
contaminated his blood?"
 

"So?"

"'So'? 'So'? So we need it! Now I suggest you give him
a break from that shit or you can kiss your deal
goodbye!"

Will heard a loud huff and a door slamming. The cool
hand returned, caressing his cheek.

"It'll be okay."

Will returned to his unsettling dreams of monsters.
 

XXXXX

To be continued

Author's note: My ever-faithful beta is back on her
feet again, has picked up her pom-poms and cheering
me on ñ thanks darlin'! ;)
I have to apologize to anyone in Arizona if I've gotten
anything wrong I'm doing the best I can in
researching the area. Future chapters may contain
names of places that I've never been. So, no offence.
Thanks for all the positive feedback. It really has been
a great motivator. And so is being prodded with a
spork (ouch!)  ;)

end Ch12
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 13
 
 

"Where are you?"

Skinner sat heavily on the bed. He'd been pacing around the
small hotel room for the last hour. He'd arrived late the
previous night and hadn't slept well. He kept waking every
half hour and finally gave up to go for a run in the nearby
park.

After returning, he completed mundane rituals, like shaving
and showering, all the while waiting and checking his watch.
He had almost gone stir crazy and had been about to start
another lap around the room when his cell phone shrilled
from the nightstand.

"We just got in."

"Don't get settled yet. Meet me in the Heard Museum in an
hour. There's a cafÈ inside. I'll be waiting."

"What? No chit chat Walter?'

"An hour."

"Order us something strong."
 

XXXXX
 

Skinner sat down at the back of the cafÈ with a newspaper
and checked his watch. He was about to turn the page when
he glanced above the paper. A couple entered through the
front doors, both tanned and slightly disheveled. They
stopped just inside the cafÈ, scanning the area. The petite
woman spied Skinner's table and turned to her counterpart,
tugging on his sleeve. The man followed her, almost flanking
her, as she weaved her way through the tables to where
Skinner was now pushing back his chair to stand.

"Walter." Scully stepped closer. "It's beenÖ a long time."

She disregarded their old status and drew him into an
embrace.

"Good to see you." Skinner awkwardly returned the gesture.
"It's been a while."

As they parted, Mulder smiled, holding out his hand. Skinner
gripped it, giving it a good shake.

"Walter."

"Domesticity seems to agree with you both."

They sat as a waitress appeared with a tray of steaming
beverages.

"You remembered." Scully poured herself some of the tea
before her, a slight tremor in her hand. "Thank you."

Mulder reached over to steady her.

"So, Walter, what are dealing with here?"

"A new Consortium."

"You told me as much before. I thought you had something
new."

"Members are completely anonymous but"

"That's always been the case."

"Mulder." Scully frowned. "Let him finish."

"The fact is there seems to be one member in particular
that's very high profile."

"How high profile?"

"Try Senator."

"Shit." Mulder leaned forward on the table. "Which one?"

"I'm not at liberty to say."

"Dammit, Walter"

Scully gripped Mulder's arm.

"I'm sure we don't need to know anyway. Just tell us what
we *do* need to know. Please?"

"WellÖ" Skinner sat back, pushing his glasses up to the
bridge of his nose. "The fact is that they wanted your son
andÖ"

"Why?" Mulder felt Scully's hand tighten on his arm. "Why
now? We've been left alone for almost 10 years. Why now?"

"Rebuilding. Reconstructing their Consortium and perhaps
the time was right."

"What 'time'?" Scully couldn't control herself any longer.
"What do you mean?"

"Look, I'm only throwing out ideas and hearsay. From what I
can gather, they believe your son holds a cure."

"A cure?" Mulder tapped on the table with his fingers. "The
cure to the virus?"

Skinner nodded then shrugged.

"They had one, didn't they?" Scully sat forward, trying
desperately to control her anxiety and lowering her voice.
"We were both administered with the anti-virus. I don't
understand why they need him. Why, Walter, why?"

"Scully, I'm not sure. I'm not a scientist. I wish I could tell
you more. All I hear is that they want Will."

"Where did you 'hear' this?"

"Mulder," Skinner exhaled, leaning his elbows on the table,
"the lead you gave me was a damned good one. That guy
Grimwade was easy to find."

"Probably could smell him from miles away"

"Mulder"

"Actually, Scully" Skinner cleared his throat. "That was one
of the things that made it easy for us to find him. The guy
has several alias' and Grimwade was one of them and he's
well-known for hisÖ well, hisÖ smell."

"Oh"

"Yeah. Anyway, he told us he was paid to assist with
Will's" He glanced at Scully, biting her lower lip. "Will's
capture."

Skinner paused, taking time to taste his coffee before
continuing.

"Seems you were also right about the number of people,
Mulder. There were three others involved; apparently two
male and one female."

"Any names?"

"No, no names. Even if they did, they'd use false ones
anyway."

"Do you know where they're taking him?"

"Buckeye."

"Buckeye?" Mulder and Scully queried in unison.

"It's a small town about 30 miles west of here."

"West" Scully turned her attention to Mulder. "West,
Mulder."

"I heard."

Skinner frowned, unsure of their silent communication. It
was obvious they still conversed in the same manner they
had years ago.

"What about west? Is there some significance that I should
know about?"

"It was something that Will said" Scully took a breath. "He
wanted us to travel west. We're not sure why, but that's
what we've been doing. He also mentioned a monster."

"A monster?"

"We're not sure what it means, Walter, sometimes the
things he says we don't always understand."

"Sounds like you, Mulder." Skinner rubbed his chin. "Is it a
metaphor for something?"

"We're not sure but he was scared." Scully gripped her cup.
"He was so scared and now this"

Mulder's arm went around her shoulders.

"So," Mulder pushed on, "what's in Buckeye?"

"Seems to be some kind of installation."

"What kind of installation? And why there?"

"I wasn't able to authorize any surveillance of the area in the
time I had available to me but it's a small town just far
enough away from everywhere and prying eyes."

"A lab?"

"I don't know Scully. I wish I knew more. I was only able to
find this much in a short while."

"Thank you." Scully raised her eyes to Skinner. "You don't
know how much this means to us. You didn't have to-"

Skinner held up his hand in a mute acceptance.

Mulder pushed his cup aside.

"So, maybe we should devise a plan?"

"Well, you know we're on our own but we should check this
place out."
 

XXXXX
 

It scanned the area. It had made substantial progress. The
object it desired was now stable. There were obstacles that
it would need to thwart and it would overcome them one at
a time. It would reach its goal. Soon, very soon.
 

XXXXX

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 14
 
 

Shadows again. They danced across his closed eyelids
intermittently. His throat felt like fire and sandpaper with
each dry swallow. His whole body ached, especially his
head.

"C'mon now, you need to wake up." A female voice; not his
mother's. He recalled the same voice from within his dream
state. "Open your eyes."

Will tried to lift his heavy eyelids. They resisted once until a
wave of nausea hit him and bile rose into his throat. He let
out a moan and tried to roll his body over as his eyelids
sprang open. He couldn't help his stomach from lurching or
suppress the vomit from escaping his lips.

He felt something metal touch his chin as he began to retch,
a hand rubbing his back. He raised his weighted eyelids
again between spasms to see a blonde woman hovering
over him.

Will attempted to speak but only something between a gasp
and a hiccup rewarded his efforts.

"Shhh. You don't need to talk." She wiped his mouth with a
damp cloth, gently pushing him back onto the pillow. "I'm
sorry you're so sick. I really am."

"No more." Will's voice was very weak, hardly over a
whisper. "Please."

"I can't*"

"Please." The woman halted her motions. Will felt the tips of
his fingers tingle.

"I can't*"

"Please." The tingling ran up his arms, heading towards his
heart. The tingling turned to warmth. "Please."

The woman dropped the towel. A tear tracked her cheek.
She sat tentatively on the edge of the bed, staring at Will.

"I* I*"

"Please."

"I* I never wanted them to do this to you."

"Please."

"I think* I can try*" She felt some pressure on her chest,
almost making it hard for her to breathe; yet she was
compelled to talk to this boy, to reassure him somehow. "I
can try to convince them not to give you any more. Okay?"

Will nodded.

"How about I get you something to drink? You have to be
dehydrated. When your stomach settles we'll try some food.
How does that sound?"

Will nodded again, grabbing her hand as she rose to leave.

"Thank you."
 

XXXXX
 

"We need to get closer." Mulder sat back behind the wheel.
"I can't see anything through all of this." He emphasized
'this' by thumbing at the thick foliage of the woods.

"I think," Skinner removed his glasses, pinching the bridge
of his nose, "that we need to survey this place more
thoroughly."

"What?"

"Mulder, think about it. If we go barging in there without
knowing what we're dealing with, we'll be caught for sure
and of no use to Will."

"He's in there."

"Maybe he is, but let's do this properly, get some more
observation in."

"Mulder," Scully leaned forward from the back seat, touching
Mulder's shoulder, "as much as I want to go in there and
find my son if he's there, I think Walter's right, we need to
do this properly and without endangering Will."

"So, what? Sit out here, kick back and just check out the
joint?"

"Mulder," Skinner replaced his glasses, "I'm suggesting
surveillance. I'm suggesting we *should* go down there, but
quietly and not all at once."

"I go first."

"Mulder*" Skinner sighed, sitting back. "Don't you think
you're*?"

"What?"

"A little* out of shape?"

Mulder gaped, then turned to see Scully arching an eyebrow
at him.

"Thanks Walter. I didn't think you noticed me like that."

"What I meant was you've been out of the FBI for some
time now and out of practice*"

"And sitting on my ass teaching all day has me out of
shape* yeah, I heard you. You know, Walter, I think it's like
riding a bike. You never forget."

"Mulder let me go first. I'll map out the area."

"No."

"Mulder*"

"He's my son, Walter."

"And the less time you're in danger, the better you can help
him."

The two men stared at each other and would have
continued if not for Scully intervening.

"I hate to break this up, but I agree with Walter."

"Oh, you think I'm out of shape too?"

"Mulder, we haven't been out in the field for more than a
few years now."

"Okay, okay. I get your point."

Skinner climbed out of the passenger's side, adjusting his
jacket. He opened the back door, rummaging behind Scully
for his bag. He returned to Mulder, leaning through the open
window.

"Take this." Skinner handed him a small device. "I'll try and
let you know what's happening but don't try and contact me.
I don't want to be seen or heard."

"I got that." Mulder inspected the device in his hand. "Shit
these things are getting smaller. Doesn't look anything like
the two-ways we used to use."

Skinner bent back down to the window.

"Mulder, as I said* out of practice."

Scully emerged from the vehicle watching Skinner advance
into the night toward the facility.

"Take care, Walter."

Skinner turned, answering with a slight nod.
 

XXXXX
 

It stepped out onto the road and practiced smiling. It was
definitely getting good. It looked to the horizon where the
moon was just showing through some clouds. It had only
walked for about 5 minutes before a car pulled up alongside
it. The driver, a stout, balding man, rolled down his window
to acknowledge it.

"Where you headed?"

"I*" Even the voice sounded good. "I'm headed west."

"How far?"

"The next town."

"Buckeye? Goin' right past if you wanna jump on in."

It slid in beside the driver. It tilted its head slightly, looking
directly at the man and smiled its well-practiced smile.

"Thank you."
 

XXXXX
 
 
 

XXXXX
 

Armageddon Falls
by The Fox
Chapter 15
 
 

Skinner slid along the wall of one of the buildings. For such
a large facility security was scarce. In fact, he hadn't seen
one security guard since he stepped through the gates
unnoticed.

"Mulder?" Skinner kept his voice to a whisper. "Are you
reading me?"

"That's a 10-4 big buddy." The reply came with a huge
amount of static.

"Cut the shit, Mulder. This place is a maze. I've counted
about 10 separate buildings in total."

"Anything? Any signs of Will?"

Skinner shook his head. The man was amazing; one
moment he was shooting shit and the next, dead serious.

"Not yet. I haven't been" He jumped when he heard
muffled voices against the wall he was leaning against.
"Shit! Later." He depressed the button and cut off Mulder's
reply.

He couldn't quite ascertain what the voices were saying, but
he was almost certain he could distinguish both male and
female. He edged around the corner in anticipation of some
aperture or window. Amazingly, a window was just a few
feet in front of him and he edged slowly and silently toward
it.

Skinner crouched low beneath the window, still not making
out any actual words. He inched upward so that he could
peer just above the sill. His assumption was correct: a man
and a woman were in what appeared to be a heated
conversation. The man was large, towering over a slender
blonde woman, both very animated.

The woman turned slightly so that Skinner could get some
detail of her features. His eyes widened in recognition and
shock as his knees buckled from under him and he fell back
on his ass.
 

XXXXX
 

"You can't keep him drugged!"

The blonde woman pushed the hair back from her brow in
frustration. The large Neanderthal before her was not
listening.

"Those were my orders."

"Well those orders should be queried."

"I just follow orders, that's it."

"Do you have direct contact?"

"Some."

"Either you do or you don't."

"What do you want from me, lady?"

"I want you to tell them to stop administering drugs to that
child."

"No can do."

"Then let me talk to them directly."

"They say that *child* really isn't a child."

"Oh come on, what does he look like to you?"

"It's only what I've been told. We're to keep him drugged or
he's able to do things."

"Like what?"

"They didn't say, just that he had some kind of power."

"Have you seen him *do* anything?"

"Well, no" The man scratched his head. This woman was
giving him a headache. "But he's been drugged, so"

"Was he drugged when you kidnapped him?"

"No"

"Did he happen to *do* anything at that time? Did he show
you any of these so-called powers he supposedly
possesses?"

"No but"

"But what? I say they're just telling you these things so that
you'll fear him. He's just a scared little boy. Now, he's a
scared sick little boy and if we don't stop this, he'll be a dead
little boy."

"But I can't authorize" A thump against the far wall caught
his attention. "What the hell was that?"

The woman turned toward the window.

"It came from outside."

She stepped toward the window and leaned against the
pane, cupping her hands around her eyes to stop the
reflection of the light in the room. There was only darkness.

"I don't see anything."

The large man drew his weapon from his shoulder holster.

"I'll go and check around. Those damned idiots are probably
on coffee break."

"Remember that I'd like to speak directly to your superiors."

"Well, we'll see."
 

XXXXX
 

Skinner heard a door open and scrambled from under the
window toward the nearest shrub. His knees still felt weak
but he managed to reach safety before the footsteps
stopped by the space he had just occupied.

He exhaled the breath he was holding and then gasped for
more air. Jesus H. Christ! He couldn't believe what he'd just
seen! He fumbled for the small receiver in his jacket pocket.

"Mulder?"

Static.

"Mulder?"

More static.

He shook the device before banging it against his hand.

"Mulder? Christ!"

"Walter. What the hell's going on? Are you coming back
here?"

"I want to check out a couple more buildings"

"I'm coming in."

"No. Stay there just in case."

"In case what? Did you find Will?"

"No but you're not going to believe who I did find!"

"Who?"

"Mulder, I saw Marita."

"What?"

"She's here."

"One of them? Part of the Consortium?"

"Well, she doesn't seem to be chained."

"Shit."

"Yeah."

"I'm coming in."

"No!"

"You're not my boss, Walter."

"Mulder"

Static repeated on the line.

"Walter." Scully's voice loud and clear. "I'll keep him here.
Just be careful and if you don't call in at least an hour, we're
both coming in after you."

"Deal Scully." Skinner grinned. "There are two buildings I
need to check out. One looks like a huge warehouse and the
other looks like some medical facility."

"An hour, Walter. I won't be able to reign either of us in
after that."
 

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