By Spangle
spangle1013@msn.com
 

Category: MSR Angst ST MT
Rating: NC17
Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully belong to each
other.  I make no money doing this, my name isn't
Carter.
Summary: When you finally have everything
you ever wanted, that's when you have the most to lose.
Spoilers: Through S8
Archive: Just drop me line so I can brag.
Dedications: As always, for Rae, Clair, Sloan
and the world's best beta - Sallie, and for my
hubby, and my sons.  I learned a lot about
love from the three of you!
Feedback: Oh hell yeah, tell me at:
spangle1013@msn.com
Authors Notes: Just pretend that awful mess
masquerading as S9 never happened. For the purposes
of story telling, take "Existence" and go from
there.  I warn you now that this is basically
your 'Scully in peril, frantic Mulder' kinda
story.  However I always hated the whole 'brain
disease' thing, and the complete lack of
exploration of Mulder's illness in "Biogenesis".
So this is therefore my attempt to reconcile these
issues for myself, and I really hope you find
something enjoyable within (There is some smut
that induces you to take the journey with me.)
Believe it or not, I started this story before
S9 ever started (yes it's taken me that long),
and I never could have believed they would
have used Mulder seeing dead people as a story
telling device in the series finale - so when
that happens in this story (and it's only
one dead person), please be advised that I
honestly came up with it before they did...I pinky swear!
 
 

"Nothing disappears without a trace..."
Albert Hosteen - Anasazi
 

Prologue: Vanished
 

A.D Skinner's office
J E Hoover Building
Washington D.C
October 1st 2001
2100 hrs
 

Skinner paces in circles with his fists
clenched tightly. His anguish is eating away
at him, it feels like someone is tearing his heart
out.  He can't even begin to imagine what
is going on inside Mulder.  Glancing in his
direction, he sees that his former agent is standing
by the window cradling his son tightly to his chest.
Skinner can hear him telling the infant softly,
over and over...

"I'll find Mommy, I promise.  Daddy will
find her Will.  I swear it."

Skinner's never seen Mulder looking quite so
vulnerable.  In his casual clothes, clutching
his child like a life preserver, the new gold
band on his left hand glinting in the light.
He looks every inch the family man he has
now become.

Yet inside that man is the mind of the
greatest criminal profiler the FBI ever had.
A mind astonishing in it's intuitive brilliance.

This is a man Skinner has known and admired for over
nine years.  A man who has faced foes far worse than most
people could even begin to imagine.  Who has
faced death, and even beaten it.  A man who
is one half of the most extraordinary
partnership Skinner has ever seen.

He may not be FBI any longer, but Skinner
knows he has to call on this man's unique
talents if they are to have any chance of
solving this case.  He believes there is only one
way they will find Scully, only one person who
can find her...her husband.
 

 * * *

Chapter I : Domestic Bliss
 

48 hrs earlier
Home of Fox & Dana Mulder
Alexandria
Virginia
 

Mulder watches her silently; she is a vision he thinks.
Her hair is tousled, her face bare of makeup.  The
dusting of freckles across her nose stands out in
stark relief against the alabaster of her
skin.

She is wearing her favourite pale blue brushed cotton
robe, and he knows she is naked beneath it.  He
could tug the sash loose and expose every inch
of her to his hungry gaze if he wished, which
he does.  He always does.  He never tires of gazing
at her naked form.  He delights in it, rejoices
every time he does it, in the sheer knowledge that
he can do it.

After all, it took them seven years to get there.
To the point in time when they crossed the line
between friends and lovers; between emotional
intimacy and physical intimacy.  He isn't sorry
it took them that long.  He knows it happened
when they were both ready for it, and not before.

Besides, now he has everything he has ever dreamed
of, or wished for -- closure with his sister;
knowledge of the truth, and of how to prepare for
what lies ahead.  He has a child of his own to love,
nurture and protect, and a partner in life who loves him
as passionately and as fully as he loves her -- Dana
Katherine Mulder.

He thanks her God every day of his life for the
gift that she is to him.  She is his fierce and loyal
protector, his saviour, his wife.

The day he married her is the happiest day Mulder
recall.  His wife has always been the most beautiful
woman he's ever known, but on their wedding
day she simply glowed from within, like an angel
from heaven.  The light of the Hawaiian sunset had
sparkled in her hair, and as she promised him
her heart for all eternity she had wept with him.

Mulder is so lost in his happy thoughts he doesn't
hear her calling his name.  He is pulled fully back
into the present though, as her warm mouth slants over
his, and her tongue licks his lower lip demanding
entrance.

The first brush of her tongue against his causes
him to harden.  It is always this way with them.
The desire that exists between them always
flares the instant their open mouths join.  Mulder
has never known anything as powerful as the pull
she exerts over him.  He wondered initially
when his constant need to possess her would begin
to wear off.  As time wore on he came to
understand that it wouldn't, that he will always
be hungry for her.

Reaching out and pulling the sash loose from her robe,
he reaches greedy fingers between her thighs and
smiles against her mouth as they meet the wetness
already leaking from her.  The hunger is mutual it
seems.

"Mulderrrrrrr" she purrs as he pushes a finger
inside of her and brushes his thumb over her clit.

"Is Will down for the night?"  His voice is already
coated with lust, he notes.

"Yes.  Please Mulder, I've been thinking about this
all day."

They spent the day with her mother, each loving
the sight of Maggie Scully doting on her youngest
grandson.  Maggie only left half an hour ago in
fact because she stayed for dinner.

"Oh really...so tell me Scully, what exactly were you
thinking?"  'Talk to me baby', he thinks.  Nothing gets me
hotter than when you tell me what you want.

Pulling back slightly so that she can look up into
his face, she smiles the smile reserved only for him.
The one that always threatens to take his knees out,
such is its affect on him.

"I was thinking about you, me, and your old couch."

"Again!  You really like that one don't you Scully?"

"Mulder, for years I sat on that couch, knowing you slept
there all the time; knowing that if I buried my nose in
those ratty cushions you called pillows I would smell you.
Mulder I spent seven years being jealous of that couch, now
I just like to remind it 'you' sleep with 'me'."

He laughs softly at her.  He had intended to throw the
couch away when they bought the house, but she had almost
thrown a fit when he mentioned that idea.  So instead they
stuck it in his home office, with his old desk and computer--
recreating his old living room until she was happy with it.
She loves to make love to him on that couch, and he is
always happy to indulge her.

Scooping her up into his arms he kisses the tip of her nose
and heads for the stairs.  "You know Scully...it's a shame
you never let me make love to you in our *old* office."

"Well I thought about it Mulder...but your desk was always
too messy."

They reach the door to the study and he deposits her gently
on her feet.  Pulling the cotton robe from her shoulders and
watching with a racing heart as she lays herself out on the
soft dark green leather in front of him.

He understands her fascination with this particular piece of
his history.  Over the course of their partnership it
figured prominently in their lives.  Work sessions over
take out, the occasional movie, thousands of conversations
between the two of them, the couch had borne witness
to it all.  And he had dreamed of her whilst sleeping on it,
too many times to count.  Yes, he decides, he likes to make
love on it too.

He kneels on the rug in front of the couch and spreading her
open in front of him, he leans over her and begins to place
kisses down the length of her body.  She sighs softly as his
mouth kisses her abdomen reverently.  He seems to start there
a lot these days.  She thinks it has a connection to Will.  This
part of her that housed their son, and that has, quickly, become
as flat as it was before she was pregnant.

He thinks she may be right about his motivation.  But she is a
buffet to him, and it's hard to decide which part of her to
taste first, the middle just seems like a good place to start.

"So now that you have me here Mrs Mulder...what would you
like me to do to you?"

She actually shudders at his words and he knows the smile
that instantly creeps its way across his face is smug.  It
makes him feel ten feet tall that she responds to him the
way she does.  If only all those who have ever called her
"the Ice Queen," were here to witness this.  His flame
haired beauty would leave them all speechless with her
passion and her fire.  She'd fry them to a crisp and then
blow them away.  "Ice Queen," my ass.

"God Mulder...touch me."

Still smiling he traces one nipple with his tongue, a slow,
torturous circle until he swears the swollen bud is begging
him silently to take it into the heat of his mouth.

So he does, suckling on it insistently until she is panting
beneath him and grabbing his hair to lead him to her other
breast, not wanting it to be left out.

He lovingly bestows the same amount of time and attention
onto the first breast's twin, before he kisses his way
once more down her body and settles his mouth over the
centre of her desire.  Her breathing is rapid and shallow
already, and she is glistening, so wet for him.  His
erection is tenting his sweat pants, and it wants out.
He wants to bury himself in her and never emerge again.
But he wants to taste her, to make her scream his name,
and beg him to take her even more, so he parts her
folds with graceful fingers and traces her opening
with the flat of his tongue.  She shudders again, more forcefully
and tangles her dainty hands in his dark shiny hair.

He slides one long finger inside of her body, then follows
it with a second as he takes her clit into his mouth and
sucks hard.  Her hips buck up from the couch and he moves
one arm to pin her down.  He releases her clit and begins
to circle it with his tongue.  His fingers pump into her
and he teases her, bringing her closer and closer
to release but not allowing her to fall over the edge.

He knows if he keeps this up for just a while longer she
will start to beg...and he wants to hear her.  "Tell me.
I want to hear it Scully.  I want to hear you ask me for it."

Through her panting she plays the game with him.  "But I don't
want anything...Jesus, Mulder.  Nothing at all."

He stops his sweet torture and stands up before her.  He has
every intention of finishing what he started between her thighs,
but first things first.  He pulls his white T-shirt up and over
his head, allowing it to fall to the floor.  Watching her eyes
rake over his torso before she arches one eyebrow and pins
him with a stare that instructs him to lose the rest of his
clothing.  An instruction he hastily complies with.

Now naked, he stands before her reclining form and just
as he is about to drop to his knees once more, she sits up.
She takes his shaft into her hand and before he can even form
a coherent thought, she has enveloped the head of his cock
in her mouth.  He feels his head roll back on his shoulders,
and her name rolls off his tongue coated thickly with desire.

"Scuh-lee."

She hums around his shaft, the vibrations sending tingles the
length of his body.  He can actually feel himself swell further.
Before her, he would never have believed it was possible to
be this hard.  She sucks him within her mouth slowly, torturing
him with pleasure as he did to her.

Regaining control over the muscles in his neck, he moves his
head so that he can stare down at her and watch.  The sight of
her mouth on him, her beautiful face wearing a blissfully
contented, and yet totally aroused expression, is almost too
much for him.  He could easily come in her mouth right now, and
is forced to ruthlessly hold onto his control, as she swirls
her tongue around him, and then takes him down her throat.  She
does this slowly at first, and then faster, over and over,
humming softly to herself.

Her cheeks are hollowing with the suction and it feels beyond
incredible to him.  Her hands play over his buttocks and then
she cups his sack with one hand, and lets the other caress his
stomach.  His hips thrust forward, beyond his conscious control,
and at this sign that he is getting close, she releases him with
an audible pop and a mischievous smile.

His knees give out under him.  Dropping to her level he
takes her face between his hands and kisses her fiercely.  His
tongue engages hers and strokes over her palate.  He maps her
mouth, this is 'his' territory he thinks.  All of her is his,
and as the wave of possessiveness thunders through him, he pushes
her back down on the couch and slides himself inside of her.
She breaks the kiss to utter "God Mulder."

Realizing he gave her no warning he kisses her softly by way of
apology.  Then pulls almost completely out, before thrusting
purposefully back in.  She moans in pleasure this time, and then
fixing him with an amused stare, she says; "You never made me beg
Mulder."

His burst of laughter is short and finished with another thrust
of his hips.  "Oh you'll still be begging Scully, I promise you
that."

Her body arches beneath him, she grasps his butt with both of
her small hands and pulls him even deeper within her.  He gasps
aloud, and without his volition his body speeds its movement.
It only takes him a minute to realize what she has made him do,
and he pulls himself reluctantly from her body.  Her mouth opens
to protest his withdrawal, but only a moan escapes her lips as
his mouth descends once more upon her sex.

With precision borne of familiarity, he finds her G-spot with his
fingers.  He works her unrelentingly; brings her to the precipice
three times, backing off each time until he can feel her pulse
pounding in her clit.  She is covered in a fine sheen of sweat
and his name has become a litany on her lips.  Finally, she
capitulates and gives him what he's been waiting for.  Just as he
knew she would.

"Mulder please...let me come, please Mulder."

He lifts his mouth from her only to mutter, "Beg me."

"Mulder pleeaaasssee."

"Beg.  Say it Scully."

"I...I beg you.  Mulder, please...please."

His tongue resumes it's work and within seconds she shatters, she
comes completely apart beneath him.  The waves of her orgasm
hitting her with such force she almost levitates off of the couch,
and he has to hold her down until her body stills.

Once her eyes focus on him, he positions himself, and slides back
inside her warmth.  He bends to kiss her and she devours him.  He
knows she gets a kick out of tasting herself upon him.  His body is
screaming for its own release now, and he wants to hold out and
make her come again, but he can't.  His need takes over and he seeks
his release, allowing the hunger to consume him.  He is dimly aware,
on the boundaries of his mind, that as he explodes within her, she
calls out his name once more even as he is calling hers.

    * * *

The stranger cannot hear them, but he can see their silhouettes.
He knows what is happening behind the curtains as he sits huddled
in the dark watching.  He knows she is allowing the man to take
her, to take pleasure from her.  She is not meant for that.  The
stranger believes what she is doing is a sin.

A terrible sin, such wanton behaviour.  The man has corrupted her,
with the carnal pleasures.  But her soul can still be saved, and
the stranger will save her.  He will make her pure again, as she is
meant to be.  Together they will devote their lives to a greater
purpose.  She will join him in his calling, and they will both
be rewarded by God for their deeds.  It is her destiny.  The
stranger will ensure she fulfills her destiny, just as God
has instructed.

He will leave her bastard child with it's father.  Spawn of such
a sinner as he has no place with her.  The stranger knows it will
be difficult to persuade her.  But God gives the hardest challenges
to the most deserving, and the stranger takes this as a compliment
indeed.  The planning is finished, the time is almost here.  Her
nights of sinning are almost at an end, and her purification is
coming.  She has forgotten who she was, but soon, she will remember.

The stranger sits in the dark and continues to watch.  He knows
the wait is almost over.

    * * *
 

Chapter II: Special Agent Dana Mulder!

The following morning
Home of Fox and Dana Mulder
Alexandria
Virginia
0700 hrs
 

Scully is starring at her ID when she feels her husband wrap
his arms around her waist, nuzzling her hair.  Her six months
of maternity leave are finally up, and today she resumes life
back at the Hoover Building; back in the basement, back on the
X-Files, although for the time being she has decided not to
resume Field Agent status.

With Agents Doggett and Reyes assigned to the X-Files full time,
Scully intends to simply aid them in their investigations.
There will undoubtedly be autopsies, background checks and a
million other things for her to do.  Life is different now, she
thinks, and the changes are good ones.  She is a mother now, a
wife, and nothing is more important to her.  She will stay with
the X-Files only because she knows it is important to Mulder
to have her there.  That way he remains 'in the loop', and
she cannot deny him this.  He sacrificed his career to keep the
X-Files open.  To allow the work he had devoted his life to, to
continue.  She will do her part as well.

The sight of her new ID makes her smile though.  In fact, she is
actually relishing the thought of bumping into Deputy Director
Kersh - the son of a bitch -, and correcting his ass when he calls
her "Agent Scully."  She can hardly wait to see the look on his
arrogant face when she tells him her correct title now is
"Agent Mulder!"  He will look completely confused, and then she
will gleefully inform him that due to her recent marriage, she
has changed her name.  She will pin him with her raised eyebrow,
and he will know that 'Agent Mulder' will still be a thorn in his
side.

In fact, she can hardly wait to start correcting everyone who
doesn't yet know she married her former partner.  She knows
everyone always suspected Mulder was the father of her baby, but
it will still bug the shit out all his female admirers to know
she is now his wife.  After eight years of enduring one woman
after another drooling all over him, she allows herself to enjoy
the prospect of rubbing their noses in it, just a little bit.

Mulder lifts his lips from her hair and she can feel him smiling.
"Special Agent Dana Mulder.  Do you know how good that sounds to
me Scully?"

She turns within the circle of his arms and returns his smile
with a full wattage one of her own.  "I have some idea Mulder.
If you must know I was just ruminating on how much I am going to
enjoy correcting people today."

He drops a wet kiss on her nose, followed by one on her forehead.
"Oh really, can't wait to tell the secretarial pool I'm officially
off the market huh?"

"I was thinking more of the Barbie airheads at requisitions, and
Kersh, but I guess your idea has possibilities too."  She laughs
softly as his grin widens.

"You really think Kersh fancies me Scully?"  He pretends to
look intrigued by that thought and she dissolves into giggles.  It
feels good to laugh, and she does it so often these days.  He has
made her so happy.  She loves him so very much.

"You driving me to work Mulder?"

"Of course Mrs Mulder.  Will and I thought we might spend the day
at the Air and Space museum at the Smithsonian.  You want to meet
us for lunch?"

She stands on tiptoe and kisses his mouth.  She knows he plans to
be close to the office so that she can see Will part way through
her day.  "I would love to Mulder.  Let's have some breakfast and
get going.  I don't want to be late my first day back."

"Whatever you say FBI woman." he replies and they head for the
kitchen together.

   * * *
 

Lobby J E Hoover Building
Washington DC
0845 hrs
 

She decides that on her first day back she will use the main
Entrance and say "Hi" to a few folks on her way in.  It also
allows Mulder to accompany her into the building, with Will
strapped in a snugli on his broad chest.  Okay, so she admits it,
she has an ulterior motive.  She knows that apart from Special
Agents, and the various branches of the hierarchy up, all
other employees must use this entrance.  And that includes all
the secretaries and other former 'Mulder-groupies' she wishes
to...piss off!

How can she resist this opportunity to have him, now her husband,
in the lobby with her, in his well loved Levi's and black
turtleneck, black leather jacket with their impossibly adorable
baby strapped to his lean frame?  She can't, so she doesn't even
try.  He walks her to the metal detector and then pulls her to him,
heedless of the on-looking throng of Federal employees making
their way to work.  Scully tips her face up to meet his kiss,
and then unselfconsciously places her hand on the back of his
head, deepening the contact and kissing him soundly.  She is
aware of a couple of startled gasps behind her, and she breaks
the kiss, smiling mischievously up into Mulder's knowing stare.

He leans in and whispers in her ear, "I think they got your little
message Scully.  I wish I could be a fly on the wall at the water
coolers today."

"I'll be sure to fill you in about any little titbits I hear when I
see you later Mulder."  She kisses William on his soft strawberry
blond head, and then nodding politely at a couple of gawking women
from the fourth floor, she continues on to work.

Mulder watches her go with mixed feelings.  He is happy to have her
back on the X-Files, and able to keep him informed about them.  But
he's grown very used to having her around since his 'resurrection'.

The last six months have flown by really.  He came back, Scully gave
birth, they got married.  He's aware he is possessive of her time.
He smiles ruefully at that thought.  That's nothing new he realizes
suddenly, where she is concerned, he was always possessive, and not
just about her time either.

Still, it's going to feel odd for a while he guesses.  Until they
establish some kind of new routine.  He is actually quite content
to continue his work from home now.  There are many topics he is
interested in exploring.  He has no financial need to work, his
parents may not have given him much love, but they certainly left
him well off.  He is free to pursue whatever he wants, to raise
his son and love his wife, and when those bastards come to colonize,
he will be ready for them.  More than ready for them, but he
tries not to dwell on this topic, not until he's forced to.

He watches her until she is beyond his sight, smiles his most
disarming smile at the group of women blatantly watching him, and
with a happy heart, he turns to leave.  "Come on Will," he says
to his cooing child, "Daddy has some cool things to show you today."

As he steps out into the beautiful, sunny, autumn morning, he is
completely unaware of the hatred being stared his way from across
the street.  The stranger watches Mulder and Will head off down the
sidewalk until they disappear from his line of sight.  Then the
stranger takes a last, long look up at the Federal building, before
he turns on his heel and makes his way back to where he came from.

   * * *

X-Files basement office
J E Hoover building
0859 hrs

As she walks the length of the corridor to her office, Scully is
hit by a wave of nostalgia, and a pang of anxiety.  It finally
sinks in that Mulder will no longer be found behind that door.  Of
course she will find him at home instead, but she is going to
seriously miss working with him.  She loved working with him,
watching his beautiful mind in action.  She loved the way he
challenged her each and every day of their professional partnership.
She'll miss her G-man mode Mulder, she'll miss him a lot.

Squaring her shoulders as she reaches the office door, she can hear
that her co-workers are already inside, and she stops to listen to
them without betraying her presence.

She hears Agent Doggett's lazy southern drawl first.  He appears to
be debating with Reyes.  Scully listens carefully to the conversation
being held...

"...so what you're saying is that I have to call her *Agent Mulder*
now?  Monica that's daft and you know it.  I don't figure her for the
kind of woman to change her professional name, just because she
happens to get hitched.  Besides it would hardly do her career any
good to be saddled with his name here, now would it?"

"John I can't believe you worked with Dana for as long as you did,
and yet you still manage to know so little about her.  Firstly,
Dana is going to go under her married name at work precisely
because it will constantly remind everyone of Mulder.  Secondly,
she'll do it for him; because you can bet Mulder is getting a kick
out of it too.  And thirdly, you've seen Mulder.  The man is eye
candy John, we're talking jaw-droppingly handsome here.  Dana's
probably had to put up with women constantly flirting with him in
front of her all the years they worked together, so you can
virtually guarantee she will use her married name here now.  Put
all those drooling women in their place."

"And you know this how?"

"Because I would!"

Scully can feel the smile cracking her professional face.  Reyes is a
strange lady, with her 'feelings' about things, but she sure seems to
read people well.  Opening the door to the office, she strides
confidently inside and bestows warm smiles on both Agents.

"Good morning Agent Doggett, Agent Reyes, it's good to see you both."

Monica Reyes returns the smile full force, and with a knowing glance
at Doggett she says, "Agent Mulder, it's good to have you back.
How are Will and Mulder doing?"

"Mulder is well, keeping himself busy, and Will is growing like
the proverbial weed."

Noticing that Scully didn't correct Reyes over her name, Doggett
stares at her with his mouth slightly open and appears at a loss
for words.

Scully feels laughter bubbling up inside her again, and for once
allows it to come.  Why shouldn't she laugh?  She's happier than
she's ever been.  She can see the new name thing is going to be
strange for all of them though, and she has an idea she hopes will
work.  After her giggles subside, she sits on the edge of Mulder's
old desk and grinning happily at John Doggett she tells him her idea.

"Listen, I know this is going to be strange, the new name thing.
Here's what I propose.  Most of the time, please feel free to call me
'Scully.'  It feels more like my name than 'Dana' does these days
anyway.  If we are out of the basement, or other people are present
with the exception of Skinner - please address me as
'Agent Mulder.'  Can you work with that John?"

Doggett finally closes his mouth and grins back at her.  "Of
course... Scully..." he experiments.  Then he says, "Special
Agent Dana Mulder, I guess it does have a kinda ring to it."
 

   * * *

Chapter III: Execution of a plan.
 

24 hours later
Home of Fox and Dana Mulder

Alexandria
Virginia
0915 hrs

Seating himself in front of his computer, with his second cup of
coffee, Mulder smiles at Will playing with his baby gym on the
floor next to him.  For a four and a half month old child, Will is
pretty advanced physically.  He rolls over, and is beginning to push
himself up when placed on his stomach.  Mulder is convinced the kid
will be crawling in no time, although Scully tells him not to get
ahead of himself there.

"You have Mulder genes son." he tells the infant.  "You'll be good at
sports just like your old man won't you?  As long as you remember
that the most important ones are basketball and baseball...okay?"

William smiles at the sound of his father's voice, and launches into
baby talk as if he is agreeing with every word Mulder says.

"Yeah...well you just tell your mom that too." Mulder replies,
playing along, before turning back to the computer and booting
it up.  He checks his e-mail, returns a few and then pulls up the
folder for the articles he is working on for OMNI and a few European
publications.

He is about to chose which one to finish when Will starts to cry and
Mulder checks his watch.  "Feeding time already eh buddy?"  Mulder
can see he isn't going to get a lot done until William is a little
older and feeding times aren't quite so frequent.  He finds himself
smiling at how little it bothers him.  William is such a precious
gift to them, such a miracle, and Mulder could never have foreseen
how much he would enjoy being a father.  He believed he had finally
felt complete when he and Scully came together as lovers.  Now he
knows a feeling of fulfillment he could not have imagined possible.
He shakes his head as he bends to pick up his crying child.  "Spooky"
Mulder, husband and stay-at-home father...now that has to be an
X-File all by itself.

   * * *

His day passes quickly.  By the time 3.00 PM rolls around, he has
actually managed to finish one article and e-mail it, and he has
spoken to Scully four times on the phone already.  She only called
him once, but he missed her and he isn't the least bit shy about
admitting it.  He can see himself and the FBI phone center operators
becoming very familiar with each other.  Plus he's still getting
a thrill asking for "Special Agent Dana Mulder please," and then
when they ask him who's calling, replying, "it's her husband."

He knows the operators probably remember him, and that just
makes it even more fun.  William has flaked out for his afternoon
nap, and Mulder yawns, debating whether to join him.  He decides
a nap sounds great, and he stretches out on his old leather
couch, just as he has thousands of times before, and lets
dreamland claim him.

   * * *

"Greetings my friend...it has been too long."

Mulder smiles warmly and grabs his old friend in a tight bear hug.
"Albert...I can't tell you how good it is to see you again.  I have
stuff you won't believe to tell you...well actually, considering it's
you, I expect you will believe."

"I already know Ma-e, you are fulfilling your destiny.  The path you
walk now has always been the one intended for you to follow."  The
old Navajo turns and Mulder sees a small fire burning behind him.
Albert seats himself close to the flames and indicates that Mulder
should join him.

"I'm dreaming, aren't I Albert?"

The old man nods slowly, "It is the only way for me to speak to you
now Ma-e.  My body grew weak, and finally it became time for me to
take my place in the spirit world.  Now my job is to watch over you,
and the FBI woman.  You were lost to me for a long while Ma-e, and
although I searched many places I could not locate you.  It was she
who brought you back."

Mulder looks around him, the scene is familiar, almost as if was
sitting by a campfire outside the hogan in New Mexico.  This is
the place Albert helped him once before, the place
where Mulder went through the ritual of The Blessing Way.

Returning his gaze to Albert, he says "I was far away.  I don't
remember much of my abduction, but I know I was thought dead,
and it was Scully who brought me back."

"The bond between you and your mate Ma-e, has been forged through
time.  That bond exists now on more than the physical plane.  You
are connected.  You are a part of her, just as she is a part of you,
and you are both a part of your child.  I came to warn you Ma-e, to
tell you to remember something I first told you long ago."

"What?"

"You must use this connection that exists Ma-e, and you must
remember the Anasazi...the lesson of the Anasazi."

Mulder frowns in confusion, and begins to search through his
memories.  Although he can recall virtually nothing about his
abduction, events since and events before are all still stored in
his photographic memory.  It takes him a minute or two, but he
recalls that long ago conversation with perfect clarity.  He meets
the Navajo's gaze.  Nothing disappears without a trace..."

Albert nods once more and then Mulder awakens with a start, covered
in sweat.  He runs his hands through his hair and looks at his
watch, it's 4.00 PM.  He gets up from the couch and makes his way
into the nursery.  One glance in the crib tells him William is still
sleeping.  He makes his way downstairs to the kitchen and pours
himself a glass of ice water, gulping it furiously, suddenly parched.
A feeling of dread has begun to lodge in the pit of his stomach; the
message from his dream is repeating itself over and over in his
mind.  What is Albert trying to warn him about?  What does it mean?
In his mind he hears himself say again..."nothing disappears
without a trace..."

Shaking himself mentally, he imagines Scully telling him it was just
a dream.  Just a dream, nothing to worry about.  Suddenly he hears
soft crying coming from upstairs.  He deposits his glass in the
kitchen sink and heads for the nursery at a run.  His dream for the
moment forgotten, and his fatherly duties foremost in his mind.

   * * *

1830 hrs

Something is terribly wrong, he can feel it.  There's a slow trickle
of fear creeping up his spine, vertebra by vertebra.  The hair on
his scalp feels like it wants to stand on end, he can almost
sense each individual hair.  But mostly it's as if a sheet of
ice is forming around his heart...and that's how he knows the
feeling connects to her.

He tries her cell phone for the fortieth time, and again gets
that aggravating message, "The user you are dialling is unavailable
at present, please try again later."  He clears the call and once
more dials the FBI switchboard.  Instead of asking for Scully,
he tries a different tack.  "Assistant Director Skinner please...
tell him it's Fox Mulder, and please tell him it's important.
Thank you."  He paces impatiently while he waits to be connected.

"Assistant Director Skinner's office, Kimberly speaking, may I help
you?"

"Kim...working late I see, it's Fox Mulder."

"Hi Agent, sorry, Mulder...what can I do for you?"

"Is he in?  I wouldn't interrupt unless it was important, but I
really need to speak to him."

"Yeah he's in, hang on and I'll let him know you're on the line."

"Thanks Kim."  Mulder waits for only a second or two and then the
gruff voice of his old superior sounds on the line.

"Mulder...Kimberly says you sound worried, what's wrong?"

"Skinner have you seen or talked to Scully in the last couple of
hours?  I can't reach her on her cell and there's no reply from
the basement."

"No I haven't seen her since this morning.  Don't you think you're

over-reacting?  She's most likely on her way home and the battery in
her phone died."

"Scully always carries two spare batteries in her car.  She said she
would be home by 5.30 PM, and I know if she was running late she
would have called me.  I have a bad feeling about this, I can't
explain it, you'll have to trust me.  I need you to start looking
for her.  I'm talking a full manhunt, right now."

"Mulder that's ridiculous.  She's only an hour late for God's sake,
and you expect me to launch a full scale hunt for a missing agent on
a hunch?"

"Yes."

"Mulder..."  Skinner rubs his hand over his face, removing his
glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose.  He can already feel a
full blown "Mulder-headache" starting; something he thought would
happen a lot less often with Mulder out of the Bureau.  And yet
there is something in the tone of Mulder's voice that reaches him.
He recognizes the panic that has crept into it, he doubts many
people would hear it, but he can.  Mulder's voice only takes on
that edge for one reason, fear for Scully.  Mulder is truly fearful
that something has happened to his wife, Skinner realizes.  And
there's something else he has learned over his years of
knowing Mulder.  When the man gets a hunch, it's rarely wrong.

"Mulder why don't you get over here now.  I'll start making inquires
about when she was last seen, and I'll check with the parking
garage staff, see if her car is still here.  If I come up with
anything while you are en-route, I'll call you.  If not, you'll
find a pass for you at the main entrance."

"I'm on my way."  Mulder hangs up the phone and snatches his car keys
up from the kitchen table.  He grabs the infant carrier he already
has Will strapped into, and heads for his car.  He makes sure Will is
securely fastened in, and then walks around to the driver's door
which he unlocks.  He looks up and down the darkened street.  The
suburban neighbourhood is quiet and peaceful as always.  Mulder
feels however like he is being watched, and the fear in his stomach
grows exponentially.  Someone, or something, has Scully.  He doesn't
understand how he knows this, he only knows he's sure of it.

He turns the key in the ignition and the car hums to life.  Mulder
pulls away from the curb and drives into Washington as quickly as he
dares.  Foregoing his usual daredevil driving tactics, for safer
practices in light of William's presence in the car he feels like
vomiting.  His world, which only two days ago was perfect in every
way, has been turned on its end; his happiness in deadly danger
from an unseen foe.

Mulder silently makes a pact with God.  He'll do anything, anything
at all, but he needs Scully back alive.  Glancing in the rear view
mirror, he sees his son's wide, innocent eyes quietly watching
the traffic.  He feels tears begin to blur his vision, and he blinks
them back angrily.  They've been through so much to get here, he and
Scully.  He vows that nothing will take his hard-won happiness away
from him now.  Whoever has her is going to pay a terrible price, of
that he is sure.

   * * *

The stranger is pleased.  His plan has been flawlessly executed, and
now, his time has come.  He understands the real challenge has just
begun, and he relishes this chance to finally do God's work.
He will bring her back into the fold, he will save her soul,
and God will finally be pleased with him.

The stranger looks down at her unconscious and bound body.  He
feels no pang about the restraints.  While she is still under the
Devil's influence they are necessary.  He checks the knots, good
and tight.  He smiles in pleasure and feels pain.

He rubs the side of his face which is turning purple.  She only
managed to get in one punch before the drugs kicked in, but it was
still quite a shot.  He will have to come up with an explanation
for it, and he frowns.  Maybe the execution of his plan wasn't
completely flawless, but he is confident there is no way to trace
him.  No way to trace her either.  From her former life she is
simply gone.  Let them search for her, he left no clues.  They will
find nothing they can use.  Let the man try.  That sinner could
hunt for her forever...and he would still be no closer to the
truth!
 

~~~
 

Chapter IV :  Gathering help.
 

1859 hrs
J E Hoover Building
Office of AD Skinner

Mulder bursts through the door like a tornado, anger and fear
pouring off of him in waves Skinner swears he can actually feel.
Skinner replaces the phone in its cradle and opens his mouth to
speak, when Mulder beats him to it.  "What did you find out?"

"Sit down Mulder."

"Tell me," Mulder holds up his hand to stop any protest, "for God's
sake Skinner, just 'tell' me."

"Her car is gone.  The parking garage has her on video, leaving the
underground lot at 1638.  I spoke to the attendants myself.  They say
she was alone and that she turned right leaving the building.  From
that I assume she was heading for home.  I have issued an APB, and
although I had to field some questions about it, I have made it
official that she is 'Missing.'  I've flagged her credit cards for
tracking, and I'm pulling together a task force to start a manhunt.
Mulder I've put Agent Doggett in charge, he's on his way back
in now.  He knows he's heading up a search, but he doesn't know yet
that it's Scully.  I wanted to tell him face to face...I think you
know he cares about her, that he is the right man for this."

"I have to work this case Skinner, FBI or no FBI, this is my wife.
If anyone can find her, you know it's me...it always has been.  I
want to know everything that's being done, and I need nothing kept
from me...we are clear on this, right?"

Skinner looks Mulder square in the face.  He knows there is no point
even *trying* to keep Mulder side-lined like a regular civilian.
Besides, he never agreed with Mulder's firing to start off with.
He's going to have an impossible time justifying this, but Mulder's
right, he's the best resource they have.

"Just stay out of Kersh's way Mulder...and leave the explanations to
me."

Mulder holds his old bosses gaze, he knows how awkward this must be
-- and he's grateful Skinner is backing him.  The two friends nod
silently at each other and then Skinner opens his desk drawer.  He
pulls out a small white envelope and hands it to Mulder.  "You'll
need this," he says.

"What is it?"

Skinner smiles grimly, "It's your concealed weapons permit.  Scully
had me sign off on it.  She said she would be happier if you were
packing heat legally."

Mulder takes the envelope and puts it in the inside pocket of his
leather jacket.  His other hand is still holding William's baby
carrier, and he lowers the child seat onto the AD's desk.  William
is sleeping Skinner notes, and he reaches out to touch the baby's
soft hair.  The child looks so much like Scully, and as he thinks
this, he feels his determination kick in.  'I'm putting this family
back together,' he thinks. 'Whatever it takes.'

He chances a look at Mulder, only to find his friend is staring
at his son.  Mulder seems lost in thought and miles away, oblivious
to the silent tears streaming down his face.

   * * *

She is hot, and her head hurts like a son-of-a-bitch.  She goes to
rub the bridge of her nose, only to discover that she can't move her
arms at all.  What the...?  It begins to come back to her as her
eyes adjust to the dark, and awareness of her surroundings comes
back.  She is bound and gagged and in the trunk of a moving car.
For one brief second she is transported back seven years, and Duane
Barry's face fills her vision.  She would scream right now if she
could.  It takes her a few seconds to remember Barry is dead, and
that although her current circumstances seem identical, she has a
different captor this time.

Scully swallows her feeling of terror, she knows this man.  She had
no idea he was dangerous, or delusional, but at least her knowledge
will help her talk to him; discover why he has taken her.  Maybe she
can talk her way out of this; she has to get home.

*Mulder*

God, he must have figured out by now that something is wrong.  Her
heart begins to ache.  Why does this keep happening to them?  All
they have ever wanted is to be together.  Separation is something
they could never endure for long.

*William*

Her baby, her beautiful, cherished, miracle child.  He needs her, he
needs his mommy.  She's never been away from him this long.  She
wants to hold him in her arms so badly she is shaking.

Mulder will find her.  He always has.  He's never let her down,
never.  He must be frantic, just as she was when he disappeared in
Oregon.  They lost half a year that time; precious months they can
never get back.  She can't let that happen again.  Scully knows she
has to remain calm.  First things first, can she get free of these
bindings?  Forcing herself to focus only on the task at hand, she
begins to wriggle and test the ties that bind her.  Maybe she can
work a knot loose.  The car drives onwards into the night, as she
concentrates as hard as she can, keeping her fear at bay by the
sheer force of her will.

   * * *
 

J E Hoover Building
1929 hrs.

John Doggett makes his way along the familiar corridor towards the
office of A.D. Skinner.  He has a bad feeling in the pit of his
stomach and it's making him squirm.  There was something in Skinner's
voice on the phone...something that sounded to Doggett almost like
panic.  Walter Skinner is not a person who panics.  Whatever is going
on it must be bad.  Why does he think this relates to Fox Mulder
somehow?

What is it about that man that inspires either devotion or
antagonism in people?  Doggett admits to himself that he finds
Mulder fascinating.  From the moment he was put in charge of the
manhunt to find Mulder over a year ago, Doggett's life has been on a
rollercoaster.  He's seen some scary shit, and for the first time
in his life finds himself with a million questions he wants answers
to.  He is still loathe to believe in all this "alien-takeover-of-
the-world" crap, and yet with what he's seen and Mulder's
extraordinary resurrection from beyond the grave...Doggett's finding
it harder and harder to be dismissive.

He understands now why Dana Scully stayed with Mulder and the
X-Files.  He would have thought himself the last person to be sucked
into them, but here he is, self-exiled to the basement, continuing
Fox Mulder's life's work.  Once he had figured out Dana Scully was
in love with her missing partner-- the glass of water in his face,
catching her sleeping in the man's bed with his shirt, her total
faith in the fact that she would find Mulder, not to mention the
pregnancy-it all made sense.  He had assumed that's what kept her
on the X-Files, and maybe that was a large part of it...but hell,
these cases were unreal!  After being a part of them, anything else
was going to seem far too mundane.

Doggett reaches the door to Skinner's office and knocks.  He doesn't
wait for a reply, but instead opens the door and enters.  He sees
Skinner immediately, and notes that his boss looks anxious yet
relieved to see him.  Then his gaze falls on the other occupants
of the room...an infant, and his father.  He was right about this
case, for the other man in the room is indeed one Fox Mulder.

"Evening sir, I came as soon as I could.  Now you wanna tell me
what's going on?"

"Sit down Agent Doggett, I have disturbing news."

"Then I think I'd rather stand if it's all the same to you.  You said
on the phone that you wanted me to head up another manhunt, so who
the hell is missing this time, and why is Mulder here?"

Skinner meets Doggett's ice blue gaze with the fear that he is
feeling showing clearly on his face.  "It's Scully who's missing...
we're looking for Mulder's wife."

Doggett's gaze immediately shifts to Mulder.  He can see the younger
man has been weeping.  Mulder's eyes are rimmed with red, he looks
tired and angry and frankly scared to death.  Not surprising.
Doggett is aware of how much this man adores Scully.  Doggett cares
for her himself; he doubts anyone who knows her doesn't.  Out loud,
he says, "We'll find her Mulder.  Now tell me exactly what's
happened so far."

   * * *
 

A.D Skinner's office
1956 hrs.

"I have to call Maggie Scully...I have to tell her...," Mulder leaves
the sentence unfinished.  There has been no news yet.  All he can
tell her is that her daughter is missing...again.  How can he tell
her that?  But he has to, just as he has to hand over the care of his
son to her right now.  He must first get William to safety and then
he can concentrate on finding Scully.  It's what Scully would do.

Skinner places his hand on Mulder's shoulder, "I'll call her.  I
assume you need her to take William until this is resolved?"

Mulder can't reply.  His voice has left him, and so he only nods.
He feels guilty handing this task to Skinner, and yet he is
immeasurably relieved that Skinner is willing to do it.  He just
can't bear to be the bringer of such tidings to Maggie once more
...he's been the one to do it far too often in the past.  He has
always been secretly amazed that Maggie doesn't blame him for all
the bad things that have happened to Scully since she hooked up
with him.  He blames himself, despite knowing that Scully has
stayed with him of her own free will.  Yet Maggie has always
welcomed him with open arms, embracing him as if he was her own
child.  He knows his mother-in-law loves him as if he was her own,
and in return he cherishes Maggie.  She is so very dear to him.

Almost as if he knows how the thought of calling Maggie with this
news is haunting Mulder, Skinner leaves his office to make the call
from his secretary's desk.  Mulder is left alone with his son, and
Agent Doggett.  He can feel Doggett's eyes on him, watching him,
assessing him and he doesn't like it.  He has come to respect John
Doggett, and to trust him up to a point, but just knowing this man
was Scully's 'partner', during the months he was missing...it
rankles him, gets under his skin.  This man got to witness
Scully's pregnancy, to see her body change.  He knew about
Mulder's baby, when Mulder himself did not, and Mulder resents him
because of it.  It isn't rational.  Scully needed him watching her
back during the whole ordeal, but it's nevertheless how he feels.
He wonders if Doggett can sense it.

He also knows the question Doggett wants to ask, but is hesitating
to.  "Scully is alive.  I 'know' she is.  I know she's in trouble,
but I can still 'feel' her."

Doggett simply nods, as if Mulder's assertion is not the least bit
unusual.  "Do you have an idea who has her, or why?"

"If I did, do you think for one minute I would be sitting here doing
nothing, and not out there getting her back?"  Mulder fairly spits
the words at Doggett, each one of them laced with every bit of
anger, pain and frustration he is feeling.  There is an oppressive
silence in the wake of his declaration.

"I'm sorry, I should have known better than to ask.  It's just
that until we find her car, we have absolutely nothing to go on
at this point.  I was just hoping you might have some insight...
hell I'm willing to listen to your 'feelings' about her
disappearance if it will help us find her faster.  I'm learning
to be more open to the implausible these days Mulder...and that's
thanks to her...and to you."

When Mulder finally looks at him, he sees a calm sincerity in
Doggett's steady gaze, and finds himself glad the man is here to
help.  Thinking of help...Mulder grabs for Skinner's phone, why
the hell didn't he think of it before?  He must be going soft.

"Who you calling?"  Doggett asks.

"1-800-dial-a-geek."

Doggett looks bemused.

"Hello Langly, it's Mulder.  Grab Cowardly Lion and Toto and get
down to nark headquarters as fast as that van of yours will travel.
Don't argue, I need your help.  Someone's taken Scully!  Yes I'm
serious, why the fuck would I joke about that?  Grab anything useful
you can think of...yeah that's a good idea, bring that too. Thanks...
consider it done."  Mulder hangs up and turns his attention back to
Doggett, "I need visitor passes for the Gunmen, G-man."

Doggett rolls his eyes.  Dollars to donuts this gets him into
trouble.  "Three passes for Dorothy's friends coming right up."
he says.

Mulder glances at his watch, at the most Scully has been missing for
two and a half hours now.  Mulder knows he's reacted quickly, and
that he's gotten help rallied as fast as he could, why does he feel
then that there is something he could be doing that he isn't?  What
is it he is missing?  He paces the room as he waits to take further
action, hearing once again Albert's words in his mind..."Nothing
disappears without a trace."  Jesus, Mulder hopes he's right.

   * * *

She hasn't managed to work a knot free.  Her captor is obviously
thorough and capable, two things Scully would never have surmised
about him.  She had considered him shy, harmless and inept.  She is
quite obviously wrong about him, and obviously hasn't lost her gift
for attracting weirdos.  She feels the fear she had tamped down
inside herself escalate as she senses the car slowing down.  It stops
and she hears him exit the vehicle.  His footfalls grow distant as

he walks away.  She waits for a few minutes and there is no further
sound from outside.

He could return anytime.  Scully doubts she can free herself,
although she knows she must give it her best shot.  In the dark and
now cold trunk, she carries on trying to work herself loose, all the
while sending Mulder her thoughts...wishing he would somehow hear
her.  'I love you' she thinks to him.  'I love Will.  I'm alive.
I know you'll find me.  I trust you to find me Mulder.'

   * * *

Skinner's office
2100 hrs.

The room is filling up, Skinner notes.  Agent Reyes has arrived along
with the lone gungeeks.  Maggie Scully is on her way to collect
William, although it will probably be at least another hour before
she arrives.  Skinner paces in circles, his fists clenched tightly.

Mulder is staring out into the night, his son against his chest, and
Skinner can hear him promising the infant that he will find his
mother.  God, Mulder looks more vulnerable right now than Skinner has
ever seen him.  This is a side to Mulder that Skinner would not have
believed existed.  For as long as he's known the man, Mulder has
been a workaholic, devoted to his quest, no room for any
distractions in his life.  Mulder is such an enigma, for the core
of who he is has not changed at all, but he's blossomed and grown
so much in the last few months.  Skinner likes to think that Mulder
has finally become the man he always should have been.  He's a
properly rounded out human being these days.  Skinner always knew
Scully would bring him out of himself eventually.

Scully.  They have to find her.  So far they have come up with zero.
The D.C police have not located her car.  Her cell phone is off or
has been destroyed, thus preventing the Gunmen from triangulating
it's location.  There has been no action on her credit cards.  No
ransom demands, no sightings of women matching her description have
come in.

Nothing.  No satellite images, or radar anomalies that would point to
alien interference, and Mulder voiced his loud conviction that
they're not involved in this.  Skinner doesn't know how Mulder can
be so sure of that, but after all, Mulder is the expert there and
Skinner knows to trust his judgement.  Mulder would leave no
avenue un-investigated that he didn't *know* wasn't fruitful.
Besides, nothing has been seen or heard from the likes of Billy
Miles in months now, and Skinner believes that if *they* were
involved, Mulder would somehow *sense* it.  Mulder has a gift when
it comes down to investigation.  He doesn't understand how Mulder
makes the non-logical leaps he does, he's usually just grateful
Mulder can.

Mulder suddenly bows his head, he looks like he's in pain.  Skinner
rushes over to him and retrieves William, whom he then hands to
Byers, while he guides Mulder to a chair.

"What is it?  What's wrong?"

Mulder's eyes have lost their focus, he appears to be staring
straight through Skinner and seeing something that is visible to
no one else.  His lips are moving and Skinner leans close to hear
what is being said.

"Albert...yes, I see her.  Wait, do you know where she is?  I
remember...but what does it mean?  Wait...Albert...come back..."

   * * *

Chapter V: A vision to guide him.
 

The room suddenly spins away and all Mulder can see is a white fog,
and the shadow of a figure who steps forward and becomes visible.
It is Albert Hosteen.  "Albert..."

"Ma-e, look...see with your mind."

Mulder looks beyond Albert's form and he can see Scully.  He sees
her car, and he can see straight through it.  The bodywork of the
vehicle is no obstruction to his mind's sight.  Scully is bound and
gagged in the trunk.  The sight floods him with unpleasant memories,
and yet he can tell she is physically unharmed.  She is wriggling
about, obviously testing her bindings and trying to work herself
free.

"Can you see your mate Ma-e?"  Albert's voice asks him.

"Yes, I see her..." the fog swells and suddenly he can see her no
longer.  Albert turns and begins to walk into the mist.

"Wait," Mulder calls, "do you know where she is?"

"Albert shakes his head and continues to walk away.  His reply
floats back to Mulder's straining ears, "Ma-e, hold on to what I
told you."

"I remember...but what does it mean?  Wait...Albert...come back..."
The fog turns black and then his sight returns to normal as the
familiar surrounding of Skinner's office appear once more.  There
is someone talking to him.  He can hear his name.

"Mulder...Mulder can you hear me?  Are you okay Mulder?"

Mulder lifts his head, and with it his gaze, and meets the concerned
frown of his former boss.  "I saw her, she's in the trunk of her
car."

"What?  What are you talking about?  You were speaking.  You
mentioned the name 'Albert.'"

"I saw her Skinner...I saw Scully.  She's unharmed, but she was
bound and gagged.  She was in the trunk of her car.  He took her
away in her car."

Mulder looks around to see everyone staring at him.  Agent Reyes is
nodding for some reason, Doggett's looking at him like he's grown
another head.  Skinner and the Gunmen look amazed and confused.
Mulder returns his attention to Skinner, "I saw Albert Hosteen...he
showed me Scully."

Skinner's frown deepens, "Albert Hosteen is dead..."

"I know, but I saw him...I'm not making this up, I'm not crazy
Skinner.  I can't explain it, but somehow he gave me this vision
of Scully.  He showed me she is unharmed and how she was taken.
He reminded me again of something he once told me."

"Which was?" Skinner replies.

"That nothing disappears without a trace.  I know how this sounds,
believe me I know, but I had a dream just a couple of hours
before this all started.  In the dream Albert came to warn me, he
didn't tell me what was going to happen, all he told me was to recall
a conversation I had with him almost seven years ago.  His message
was just 'Nothing disappears without a trace.'  He was trying to
tell me that no matter what we believe, there is a clue, some way to
locate Scully...I'm sure of it."

"And just now, you saw him again?"

"Yes, everything went white, then I saw him, and I saw Scully."

"You're serious aren't you?"

Mulder spins around to find John Doggett, hands on hips, with an
incredulous look on his face.  He's about to reply when Monica Reyes
steps forward and places her hand on his arm.  "I believe you," she
says.

Doggett shoots Reyes a look and continues.  "A vision...you had a
vision...and a dream, and this is a clue?  That's what you're asking
me to believe?"

Mulder's eye's harden, going deep olive.   His fists clench and he
meets Doggett's amazed gaze as calmly as he can manage.  "I don't
care what you believe.  We know Scully was taken.  Now we know how,
even if we don't know where."  The set of Mulder's jaw is grim and
determined, he stares down the room, waiting for dissent.

Doggett shrugs, but remains silent.  Mulder turns back to Skinner.

"You said the parking garage staff said Scully turned right out of
the lot."

"Yes...why?"

"So let's assume for a minute that Scully was headed home at that
point.  I need a map, I need to see which routes she could have
taken, and see If I can spot any place along these routes that she
may have stopped.  If she was taken away in her own car, but she
left here driving it alone, she must have stopped somewhere.  I may
be able to narrow down some locations to canvas for witnesses."

Skinner nods his head, they have nothing else to go on at this point.
"Okay.  Even without your 'vision,'it seems like a good place to
start."

The room springs to life, and Mulder begins to feel he might be
onto something.  *Hang on Scully,* he thinks.  *Please just stay
alive, I'm working on it, I *will* find you."

   * * *

2120 hrs
Trunk of Car...middle of nowhere.
 

*Please just stay alive...I 'will' find you.*  The words sound
within her mind.  So loudly, so clearly, it's almost as if Mulder
is right next to her, and speaking them in to her ear.  She knows
with a certainty that these are his thoughts, sent to her.  How
this is possible she can't begin to explain.  Maybe it's a remnant
of his brain illness.  That mysterious affliction for which there
has never been a satisfactory explanation.  Hell, she can't explain
his miraculous resurrection, even though she treated him through it.
Mulder is a walking, talking, testament to Alien interference with
life on this planet.  She believes at one point he could indeed read
minds, hear the thoughts of others.  Maybe a part of that ability
still remains.

Nope, she cannot explain it.  But somehow Mulder just spoke to her
mind with his.  This, she believes.  She feels calmer now.  She
already knew he would be looking for her.  She already trusted
that somehow he would find her.  But hearing his voice in her mind
like that, it calms her.  Just as his physical presence always has.
She feels comforted, supported...connected.

Her calm feeling remains, despite the fact that she can now hear
footfalls approaching the car.  She scoots as far back in to the
trunk as she can.  There is no place for her to go, but the move is
instinctive.

The sound of a key in the trunk's lock is followed by the dazzling
brightness of a flashlight's beam.  Scully is blinded by it.  Too
late she feels the sting of an injection in her thigh.  Fuck!  More
drugs in her system.  She can feel the rapid onset of
unconsciousness.  Her final thought as the darkness claims her mind
she sends out to Mulder, *We know him!*.

    *  *  *

J E Hoover FBI Building
A.D Skinner's office
2125hrs
 

With crude yellow hi-lighter marker, Mulder maps out each of the
possible routes Scully could have chosen for her drive home.  There
are five.  With a pink marker he marks the slight detours she may
also have made-- allowing for example a stop at garages in the area
to re-fuel.  He had meant to put gas in the car for her the day
before.  She should still have had plenty, but he's got to cover the
bases here.

Mulder scans the map.  Going over each possible route in minute
detail.  He marks her favourite market which is close to home.
He marks the bank machine she prefers to use.  Her cards are not
showing up anything, but maybe she stopped there and just didn't
get the chance to use them.  Every garage, video store, take-out
place they frequent.  Every tiny piece of information that might
have the slightest chance to be relevant, he marks.  He does this
all within fifteen minutes of being handed the map.  Though he
has cursed his eidetic memory in the past, sometimes it does
have its uses.

Meanwhile the Gunmen are basically tearing the hardrive of Scully's
laptop apart.  They grabbed it from Mulder's study on their way in.
Since the incident with CGB Spender, involving the capture of
Scully's e-mail, Mulder has had them do it more than once.  It
is unlikely that something similar is occurring again, but the
possibility remains that her abductor has been in contact with her.
And if there are any clues to be found, in any existing or deleted
file on that computer Langly will find it.  Mulder is confident
about that.

Skinner is on the phone checking in with the D.C police.  As Mulder
looks up from his completed map, he locks his gaze with Skinner's
and lets out a sigh as he sees the small shake of his head Skinner
gives; indicating that the police still have nothing new.

Monica Reyes is out pacing the hallway, with a grumpy William over
her shoulder, and Doggett...Mulder is about to ask when...

"So what have you got?"  Doggett's voice behind him pulls Mulder's
attention back to the map on the table.

"Let's make a list of every possible place we need to start
canvassing for witnesses...you got a pen?"

Doggett pulls a ballpoint from his jacket pocket, and snatches up a
pad of paper from the conference desk.  "Fire away. We're gonna
need a few places for the teams to start looking."

Mulder is about to respond, when his vision again goes wonky.
It tunnels this time, going dark instead of white.
He doesn't see anything, he just hears her voice.  In fact he isn't
even sure he *hears* it, it sounds *inside* his mind.  "We know him!"

"Mulder...Mulder...hey, can you hear me?"

"What?"  Mulder's eyes focus once more and he finds himself gripping
the edge of the table fiercely.  He looks up to find everyone in the
room staring at him expectantly.  Mulder has a feeling Doggett is
going to love this.  "She knows him."

Skinner is the first to speak.  "You're talking about Scully, right?"

Mulder nods, then re-phrases.  "Actually she said "we know him."
In fact *said* isn't right either.  She *thought*, "we know him."
That was all I got.

"Scully thought that...and you heard it?  I didn't think you could
do that anymore?"  Skinner folds his arms across his torso and
watches as Doggett opens and closes his mouth, obviously unsure what
to say first.

Mulder continues, "I can't.  At least I haven't been able to until
right now.  And it's not like it was before.  There aren't hundreds
of voices in my mind, I can't even hear her now.  I think somehow
she reached me...maybe in a moment of heightened stress, or fear.
I don't know what to tell you, but it was definitely her thought."

A few seconds pass and then Doggett says finally, "Now this I gotta
hear.  Which one of you wants to fill me in?"

Mulder gestures to Skinner.  "Go ahead Walter.  Coming from you he
might even believe it."

       * * *

Meanwhile...

She is dreaming.  Warm pleasant dreams.  She is wrapped in a blanket
consisting entirely of Mulder.  He is naked and wrapped all around
her, his skin warm and smooth against her.  He shelters her tiny
form.  She feels so loved, so adored and protected.  His warm breath
tickles her ear and she sighs contentedly as he tells her softly, "I
love you Scully.  I always have.  I will forever."

"Me too Mulder." she replies.  "Me too."

Her captor watches as she shifts slightly on the bed.  The shot he
gave her was very mild, only enough to knock her out while he moved
her inside.  Instead of coming around though, she appears to be
dreaming now.  Her lips move slightly and he swears he hears her say
the man's name.  This makes him angry...by the time he is finished
with her, she won't even remember it.

Kneeling by the foot of the bed he bows his head in prayer.
"Heavenly father grant me the strength to do your biding.  To
complete this task you have set before me, the redemption of my
niece's soul.  I ask for patience and understanding.  Help me to
guide her back on to the path you wish for her.  Let her remember
who she once was, and who she can be again.  Help her to see that
your purpose is true, and that I am merely the implement of your
divine plan."

    * * *

Several minutes later...

Doggett had never heard anything like it.  Man it doesn't get much
weirder than this.  Alien artefacts?  Spaceships in Africa?  He had
known Mulder had been afflicted with some kind of brain illness.  It
had been killing him, he'd found that out right at the start of his
search for Mulder.  But this, this ability to read minds, this had
mysteriously been left out of the files he had read.  Looking back,
he can see now that those reports fudged over many details.  This
is incredible!

"So this supposed Alien artefact...just by being around it you got
sick...but it didn't have that effect on anyone else?"

"Nope...just me."

"And why do you suppose that was?"

"I truthfully have no idea.  Possibly something in my genetic makeup,
but that's a question for which we never found an answer.  I was
still dying, even after whatever experimental surgery they performed
on me...it's only now, after my 'return,' that I'm well.  And we
can't explain that either.  I have only questions too Agent Doggett,
I can't give you answers.  The illness is gone, the ability that came
with it was gone right after the surgery.  I don't know what is
causing me to see and hear Albert Hosteen, or Scully.  But I do
believe it is actually them, and I do believe that these impressions,
visions, call them what you like, will help us find her."

"But you know how this sounds right?"
 

"Like a bad science fiction plot...or an X-File."

Doggett looks from Mulder to Skinner.  "And you witnessed this...
phenomena, this ability of his?"

"With my very own eyes Agent.  It was incredible, but it was very
real.  We have no hard evidence of course.  It was all covered up.
But he could do it, I'm sure of that."

Doggett shakes his head.  He doesn't want to believe any of this,
but as he told Mulder earlier this very night, he's finding himself
opening up to possibilities he would once have deemed outrageous.
And right now, they have nothing to lose by going with Mulder's
assertions.  It's not like they have any other avenue open to them.

"Okay.  Assuming this *information* is accurate.  What do you
suggest we do now with it?"

Mulder looks at Skinner with a small wan smile.  "What do you know
Walter, I think I might be rubbing off on him!"

     * * *

5 miles east of
Tappahannock, Virginia
2200 hrs
 

She awakens to a darkened room, aching shoulders, and slightly numb
legs.  With awareness, fear returns, and she swallows hard and
blinks back her tears.  She can handle this, she has to.  Taking a
deep breath she scans the dimly-lit room looking for her captor.
He is sleeping in a chair by the foot of the double bed she is
lying on.  She is still bound but no longer gagged.  She could
scream, but it would certainly wake him.  Her ankles are tied
together, her arms bound to the headposts of the bed.  She can
wriggle, but nothing more.

Scully takes this opportunity to remember what she knows about him.
It isn't very much.  As far as she can recall she has only spoken to
him twice, and he barely said anything.  He was always too busy
staring at her when he thought she wouldn't notice.  Frankly she
hardly acknowledged him at all, just a polite smile and a nod of
her head.

She thinks she might remember his name, what was it Father McCue
called him?  Joe...Jacob...no, *Joseph*...that was it.  No last
name, just *Joseph*.  Joseph is fifty-ish, tall like Mulder, and has
a full head of grey hair.  He stutters a little when he talks, and
twists his hands nervously.  Father McCue said he was "a bit slow"
and that he hung around the church often and liked to help out.

He seems to possess some knowledge of pharmaceuticals.  She can't be
sure exactly what drug he pumped into her system beyond the fact
that it knocked her out, but he obtained drugs, and injected them.
He knew her movements, he picked his perfect time, he used her car.
All this speaks to careful planning and intelligence.  Using her own
car to abduct her means he most likely left no forensic evidence
behind.  Joseph is a lot smarter than he likes to appear.  But why?
Why has he chosen her?  What does he want from her?  Scully is
anxious for answers to these questions.

She takes another look around the room.  There is not much to see.
The room contains a bed, a small kitchenette and a couple of chairs.
There is an ancient TV on a shabby desk, and a couple of lamps on
either side of the bed.  Scully thinks it could be a motel room.
It has nothing distinguishing about it.

She checks her person.  Her watch is missing, as are her holster
and weapon.  Joseph is now armed.  There is no clock to tell her
what time it is, and she can't be sure how long they drove for.
She has absolutely no way to gauge what direction they travelled.
It is dark outside still, presumably it is the same night.

The bottom line is that she could be anywhere within several hours
drive of D.C.  Unless someone witnessed her abduction, or he left
some clue behind, she is a needle in a haystack right about now.
Mulder may have nothing to go on.  They've been here before.
They've both spent time fruitlessly searching for one another with
no place to start.  She lost three months of her life, he lost six,
and it's happening again.

Then Scully notices something else, something that sends a wave
of loss sweeping through her.  Her left hand is bare.  Her diamond
engagement ring, and her wedding band have been removed, her
promise to Mulder broken, for she vowed solemnly never to take
them off.  That Joseph has done this tells her volumes.  He's
trying to erase her previous life.  Removing what he must perceive
as a symbol of ownership by another man.  Trying to erase the memory
of Mulder from her body.  The thought chills her.  She tries
valiantly to hold in the tears, but they come.  She sobs
quietly, in desperation, sick with a longing to be the only place
she ever feels totally safe...Mulder's arms.

     * * *

J E Hoover Building
Office of A.D Skinner
2200hrs

When Maggie enters the room everyone else takes their leave.  On his
way out Skinner stops, and taking Maggie's hand he squeezes it
tightly.  "We're all over this."  He tells her.  "I promise you we
will find her Mrs Scully."

Maggie nods her head slightly, eyes shining with unshed tears.  She
closes the door to Skinner's office behind him, and turns to take in
the dejected form of her beloved son-in-law.  Mulder is sitting on
Skinner's desk, unable to meet her eyes.

As scared as she is for her daughter, she is equally scared for Fox.
This incredible man has endured so much in his thirty nine years.
He is the bravest, most compassionate person she has ever met.  She
knows nobody like him.  He carries the weight of the world on his
broad shoulders; takes responsibility for things he has no control
over.  She knows he is blaming himself for this situation right now.
She knows he is quietly falling apart without the woman he idolizes
safe by his side.

Even with her faith to comfort her, Maggie can't help but feel anger
at the injustice of it all.  So many years, so many dangers overcome.
So much heartache and yearning.  Finally he reaches a place where
he is happy and content, and now this.  It's beyond unfair.  He
deserves to be happy.  So does Dana.

Mulder's love for her daughter has always been so obvious to
Maggie.  Its depth and complexity, the unconditional, endless nature
of it.  It always spoke to her from his eyes.  She knew it for what
it was, she thinks, maybe even before he himself had figured it out.
Just as she saw it mirrored in her daughter, for him.

Maggie moves in quick strides across the short distance separating
them, and takes him into her arms.  She embraces him tightly, feeling
him hug her to him.  He shudders within the circle of her arms,
buries his face against her and sobs.  "It's okay," she says,
"I'm here.  It's okay Fox, you can let go."

For several long minutes they remain that way.  The only sound in the
room is muted crying amid gasps for breath.  She strokes his dark
hair gently, and finally, knowing he needs to hear it, she tells
him, "stop blaming yourself, this is not your fault Fox.  Don't
think it for a minute...do you hear me?  This is not your doing.
She's going to be okay, I know she is.  I know you will find her.
It's going to be alright darling, I promise you it is."

"I'm sorry Maggie, I'm so, so, sorry.  I didn't protect her again,
I'm so sorry."  Mulder raises his head and is finally able to meet
his mother-in-law's blue eyes, so like his wife's.  His face is wet
with tears, his eyes are dark and haunted.

The sight breaks her heart.  Raising her hands to cup his face,
she borrows a gesture from her daughter and kisses his forehead.
"Stop blaming yourself," she tells him again.  "We'll get through
this.  We'll all be together again before you know it.  We have to
be strong Fox.  For William, for Dana, and for each other.  William
will be safe with me; I want you to focus on finding Dana.  You have
to let go of the guilt Fox, let nothing be clouding your judgement
now."

Mulder nods his head.  He feels better, drawing strength from
Maggie's faith in him.

"We're a family Fox, we are in this together.  You are not alone
anymore, remember that."  Maggie hugs him close again and Mulder
returns it warmly.

"Thank you," he says, "Thank you Maggie...for everything."

* * *
 

Chapter VI : Bonding.

J E Hoover Building
Office of A.D Skinner
02 October 2001
0600 hrs

The teams have been briefed and sent out to canvas every location
Mulder came up with.  William has been settled with Margaret Scully,
and Skinner himself has driven them back to Mulder's house.  The
Gunmen and Agent Reyes have gone to the cafeteria for a caffeine
fix, and Doggett finds himself keeping Mulder company.

Mulder is silent, pensive.  He looks drawn and tired, but it is the
fear so evident in his eyes that speaks loudest to Doggett.  The same
fear he saw in Scully's eyes everyday he worked alongside her while
Mulder was missing.  The same fear he felt when Luke was taken.

Fear that eats through your soul, hour by hour.  Flows through your
veins poisoning your hope, killing your optimism.  Fear that
threatens to rip your sanity from you any second.  Fear you fight
with every ounce of your courage and your strength.  Fear that if
realized will destroy you, leaving you broken, never to be whole
again.

He wants to reach out to Mulder.  To help him in his fight against
the fear.  But he knows from personal experience that this battle
must be waged alone.  All he can offer Mulder is companionship right
now, so Doggett reaches out...

"Tell me a story about her."

Mulder is startled by the question.  Pulled from his musings and
back to the present.  "About Scully?"

Doggett musters a smile.  "I know so little about her really.  She
doesn't let people get close to her."

"No.  She doesn't..."

"So tell me a story about her.  You two are legendary here Mulder.
I've heard rumour upon rumour."

Mulder's mouth quirks up at the corners.

"You want to know how much is true?  Well Agent Doggett, there is a
grain of truth in probably everything you've heard.  But I'd bet
it's only a grain."  Mulder sinks down into one of the two chairs
facing Skinner's desk.  He wipes a hand across his tired eyes and
wonders idly how many times he has sat right here.  How many times
Scully has sat next to him, in the chair that Doggett has just now
decided to occupy.

Doggett waits for Mulder to speak again, but as the silence
lengthens he takes it upon himself to continue.  "Did she ever
tell you about our first meeting?"

Mulder looks up, holding Doggett's gaze he shakes his head.

"I baited her.  I was trying to get a handle on the nature of the
relationship between the two of you.  Opinion was mixed.  Some
said you two were lovers, some said friends, some said you barely
tolerated her.  I picked that to bait her with."

Mulder's eyes widen.  He'd thought he had heard every rumour there
was about himself and Scully.  Funny then, that this one should
be something he hadn't heard.  "You told Scully that you'd heard I
only tolerated her?"

"Actually I think I questioned whether you had ever trusted her."

"And what did she say?"  Mulder looks intrigued.

"Well after that I jabbered on.  I think I implied you slept around,
and she threw a glass of water in my face and stormed off."

Mulder finds himself smiling at the mental picture Doggett is
painting.  Oh to have been there to see that confrontation.

"I gathered then, that it was true the two of you were very close.
But it wasn't until later on that I realized she was in love
with you."

"What made you come to that conclusion?"  In his heart, Mulder
admits he has always wanted to know how long it took Doggett to
see what he and Scully really mean to each other.

Doggett thinks back, sees the scene unfold in his mind, and
articulates it.  "I wanted to get a better feel for you.  Who you
really were.  Whether you really believed in all the things people
said you did.  I went to your apartment, figured I could begin to
get a handle on 'Fox Mulder', by being in his habitat so to speak.
I found her sleeping there.  She was curled up in your bed, she was
clutching this shirt of yours to her chest.  And I knew.  I knew in
that instant what you meant to her.  Her need to be there, in your
place, to surround herself with you.  It was a lover's act.
She looked so small and vulnerable, which struck me, because
although she is so petite, I hadn't gotten that impression of her
at all until that moment.  Before then, she seemed tough,
iron-willed, in control.  Yet in that moment, she looked...lost,
and I knew I *had* to find you.  Because I'd been there, where she
was, searching for the person who means more to you than anything
else."
 

Mulder nods slowly.  "You wanted her to have a happier ending to her
search than you did.  I never thanked you Agent Doggett, and I
should have.  Before now I mean.  Thank you for protecting her,
for being a good partner to her.  I'm sorry I never said that
before."

"I was just doing my job."

Mulder holds Doggett's gaze with his own.  Hazel meets blue, and both
men see respect in the other's eyes.

"We both know you've gone farther than that Agent Doggett.  You've
put your career in jeopardy to keep the X-Files open, you took on the
cause.  Instead of dismissing them as so many others have, you saw
how important this work is.  I just want you to know I'm grateful."

Doggett nods and smiles at Mulder.  The gift of this man's trust
suddenly seeming like a tangible thing to him.  Something to be
treasured, rare as it is.  "So are you going to tell me a
Scully-story or not?" he asks, changing the subject.

Mulder sits back in the chair.  He knows Doggett is trying to
distract him, keep his mind from focusing on what could be
happening to Scully right now.  And while nothing can dull the
fear he is feeling, not even for a second, he appreciates the
gesture.  "Well..." he says, searching through the vast archive
of his mind for an amusing tale about the woman who is his life.
"Lets see, there was this case..."

The shrill ringing of the phone on Skinner's desk halts the
conversation dead in its tracks.  Mulder makes a move to answer
the phone, but Doggett stops him with a look, and Mulder yields
to the Federal Agent.

"A.D Skinner's office.  John Doggett."

Mulder studies Doggett's face, the profiler in him reading
expressions, nuances in the man's tone of voice, stance,
subconsciously trying to ascertain the contents of the call.  Doggett
isn't saying very much, but from his upright stance and the way
the man has squared his shoulders, Mulder surmises there is news at
last.  The upturn of Doggett's mouth tells him it isn't bad news,
but he already knew that.  He can still *feel* her.  After what
seems like hours, Doggett hangs up with the phrase, "We'll be right
there."

Replacing the phone, Doggett turns and answers the silent question
Mulder is firing at him.

"We've got a lead.  You were right, she did make a stop.  Devon's 24
hour Market, only five blocks from your house.  Time stamp is
5.15 PM yesterday.  The clerk who dealt with her is working the
early shift this morning, he's waiting to speak to us...I assumed
you'd want to talk to him?"

Mulder turns immediately to leave, striding out of the office and
into the hallway, John Doggett on his heels.  As they reach the
elevator and he punches the down button, Mulder meets Doggett's
gaze and answers the question he senses coming, "We'll take your
car Agent Doggett," he says, "I just need to grab my gun."

     * * *
 

Devon's 24 hour Market
Graves Street
Alexandria
Virginia
0658 hrs

Apart from the two police vehicles parked out front, Devon's market
appears as it always does, old fashioned, charming, like something
from a bygone age.  Scully loves this place.  It costs more to shop
here than at the large supermarkets, but they do.  Scully swears the
produce is always fresher here, not that he cares.  Whatever
Scully wants is fine with him.  They've had many a happy, domestic
"shopping-together" outing here since they first got romantically
involved.  It makes his stomach turn over to associate this place
with anything but happy memories.

He exits Doggett's fleet sedan, and waits for the Federal Agent to
catch up with him.  It's hard to take a back seat and let someone
else ask the questions.  He did the job well and for a long time,
he feels awkward.  Mulder allows Doggett to enter the market ahead
of him and taking a deep breath, he follows.

Doggett pulls his ID, and introduces himself to the police officer
waiting for them.  "I'm Special Agent John Doggett.  I'm in charge
of the search for Agent Mulder.  What have you got?"

"Officer Keats.  We're in the process of pulling up the security
camera recording from yesterday afternoon.  Just to verify that
the woman the clerk says he saw, is in fact your missing Agent.
The clerks name is..." the police officer scans his notepad,
"Jamie."

Mulder interrupts, "Jamie Legg...where is he?"

Officer Keats turns a slightly annoyed gaze on Mulder, "and you
would be?"

"Fox Mulder...Special Agent Dana Mulder is my wife...Jamie wouldn't
get her confused with someone else.  My wife and I shop here all
the time.  Where is he?"

Doggett decides to head off any confrontation.  "Officer Keats,
Mr Mulder is a former Special Agent with the Bureau also.  He was
a fine agent, a criminal profiler; hence his presence
here during the investigation into his wife's abduction.  If Jamie
is known to him, we can assume this is a positive ID on Agent Mulder.
I still want that tape, but in the interests of time, I would be
grateful if you could arrange for us to speak to Jamie as soon
as possible."

Officer Keats expression changes from annoyance to understanding.
He shoots an acknowledging glance at Mulder, and indicates that they
should follow him.  "We have him in the office.  My partner was
taking his statement.  Follow me please."

Doggett moves with Officer Keats to the back of the store, until
he notices that Mulder isn't behind him.  Turning he sees Mulder
rooted to the same spot he left him in.  Once again Mulder's eyes
are unfocused, his lips moving.  Doggett sighs inwardly, still not
comfortable with what Mulder appears to be experiencing, and
even more uncomfortable that this time it's occurring in a public
venue.

"What's 'he' doing?"  Officer Keats points a finger in Mulder's
direction, and quirks both eyebrows north.  Doggett is reluctant
to say.  Hell, that's an understatement.  He opts for distraction
instead and simply says...

"He's under enormous stress.  He and his wife, they're...umm...
very much in love.  They have a new baby to top it all off, and
well, I'm sure you can imagine what this is doing to him.  I'll
get him, could you see about that tape for me?"

The police officer shoots another quick glance in Mulder's direction,
and then nods with a sympathetic smile, and continues on to the back
office of the market.

Doggett approaches Mulder slowly, unwilling to startle him.  He
listens hard to see if he can catch anything Mulder is saying, but
all he hears is a jumble of words that make no sense to him.  He
has almost reached Mulder, when suddenly Mulder turns and heads
back towards the main entrance.  Doggett follows, no way Mulder
is "ditching" him.  He calls Mulder's name, but either he's being
ignored, or Mulder simply doesn't hear him.

Mulder turns left out of the main entrance, and starts to run around
the corner of the store.  Doggett sprints after him and catches up
with him, just as Mulder reaches the small patrons' parking lot in
the rear of the building.  He watches as Mulder stops, and then
walks slowly forward, dropping to his knees in the sandy gravel,
hands scrabbling in the dirt looking for something.

Doggett approaches him, calling out to him in a low voice, "Mulder,
what is it?  What's going on?"

To Doggett's horror, Mulder lets out a keening cry and curls up in
to a ball, right where he is.  Dropping to his knees alongside him,
Doggett reaches out a hand and places it on Mulder's shoulder.
Doggett doubts that Mulder has any awareness of his presence, so he
decides to wait it out.  On the previous occasions that Mulder
experienced some kind of vision, he came back to himself fairly
quickly, and without interference.  After a few heart-wrenching
moments, Doggett's patience is rewarded.  Mulder's form straightens
itself out, and his face becomes visible.  The fear in his eyes
more noticeable by the moment.

"Mulder...can you tell me what the hell just happened?"

Mulder swallows, and stretching out his arm, with his palm face up,
he allows Doggett to see what he found hiding in the gravel and
dirt of the market's small lot.  Doggett stares at Mulder's
discovery with a terrible sinking feeling.  This is not a good sign,
for there, in Mulder's palm are two small shiny items.  Items
Doggett has seen before.  Lying there, in her husband's hand...
are Scully's rings.

      * * *

One minute he's about to follow Doggett to the back of the store,
the next he can't move, and the store itself has disappeared.  In
front of him he sees a dark red rock.  Squinting hard, and trying
desperately  not to panic, he breathes as evenly as he can, and
his surroundings become clear.  This can't be real.  He knows it
can't.  This canyon is in New Mexico, and he was in Alexandria
only seconds before.

Looking all around him he sees nothing has changed here.  This has
to be an illusion, a trick of some sort.  What the fuck is happening
to him?  Mulder is seized with a tremendous desire to establish that
he is where he seems to be.  He starts to run down the rocky path,
tripping over stones and small boulders, scrabbling for a secure
footing, and scanning the canyon floor for signs of the boxcar he
almost lost his life in seven years ago.  He can't see it, not a
single sign of it.  Of course it was partially buried before, and
it's been a long time.  It could easily be completely buried by
now.  It could easily have been removed all together.

That cigarette-smoking-bastard always was thorough.

But he has the right spot.  Unless his memory is failing him, this
is exactly where he found it before.

"Ma-e."

Mulder spins around, "Albert.  Albert what's happening to me...how
did I get here?"

The Navajo smiles kindly.  "Ma-e, your mind is choosing places it
associates with me.  I am here to show you something, to help you
find something that must not remain lost.  Do not be afraid my
friend, you are only using your gift.  You are perfectly sane Ma-e."

"I don't understand Albert..."

"Your mind is waking up Ma-e, allowing you to use it in ways you have
only touched on before.  It is the key to finding your mate Ma-e, it
is something of hers you will find here."

"What?  Where is she Albert?"

"*You* are the one connected to her Ma-e, not I.  *You* are the only
one who can know where she is.  Look in the sand Ma-e, find what you
must return to her."

As he has before, Albert Hosteen's figure turns, and walks away,
vanishing after a few paces and leaving Mulder alone once more.  He
walks slowly to the spot where Albert appeared to be standing, and
crouching down, Mulder pushes the dust and gravel aside.

Something gold and shiny catches his attention.  He digs further and
when he sees what he has found, the cry that bursts forth from his
throat is not even known to him.  The searing burst of pain that
starts in his heart, and travels directly to his gut, causes him
to curl up, curl inwards on himself, trying to escape it.  He knows
he is lying there in the fetal position, unwilling to move, until he
feels a recognizable presence kneeling next to him.  Forcing himself
to uncurl, to get up and deal with this, Mulder lifts his head and
opens his eyes.

"Mulder...can you tell me what the hell just happened?"  Doggett's
weathered face is lined with concern.  Mulder knows his voice will
fail him right now, so instead he stretches out his hand, and lets
Doggett see for himself what was buried in the dirt.

      * * *
 

5 miles east of
Tappahannock, Virginia
0701 hrs

She is awakened by the smell of coffee brewing.  With her eyes still
closed, for a single, brief but blissful moment, she is at home in
her own bed, and Mulder is making her coffee.  He makes a mean cup
of coffee.  Like anything else he does, if he's going to do it,
he does it well, or he doesn't do it at all.

It is when she opens her eyes that her moment of peace is shattered,
as reality comes crashing down upon her with brutal force.  Joseph
is the man brewing coffee, and she is his prisoner.  Scully wants to
close her eyes again, and keep them closed until Mulder comes for
her.  It is the knowledge that Mulder *will* find her, that Mulder
would never give up, that gives her the strength she needs.

*Just stay alive...just stay alive.*  I will Mulder, I swear I will.

Joseph notices that she is awake and surprises her by smiling and
bringing a cup of coffee over to the bed.

"I'm going to untie one hand for you.  You should drink this, your
head will clear if you get some caffeine into your system Mary."

The use of a strange name for her startles Scully.  Before she can
weigh the consequences of questioning him she blurts out, "My name
isn't Mary!"

*SMACK*

Joseph's hand makes a solid contact with the side of her face.  She
feels the impact in her ear, her eye and all down her neck.  He hit
her hard, very hard.  "It *is* your name." He bellows at her.  "You
may have forsaken who you are.  But it *is* your name.  Do not *ever*
deny it again, know that the consequences will be harsh, Mary.  I
will do whatever I have to, to drive the devil from you.  Satan
shall not win this battle Mary, for God himself has charged me with
this task."

Scully is chilled to the bone by his words.  Religious fervour isn't
unusual for sociopathic and delusional personalities.  It gives them
a justification for just about any atrocity they feel like
committing.  She instinctively knows she has to tread lightly
here; unless she wants to be badly beaten, further denial that she
isn't who he believes her to be, will at this point gain her
nothing.

Scully learned many things about psychology in the eight years she
worked alongside Mulder.  She knows he would tell her to play along,
not to anger Joseph.  He would tell her it is dangerous to push this
man beyond his delusion.  Better to lull him into a false sense of
security instead.  Feeling the whole of the side of her face
burning, and knowing she will have one hell of a black eye, Scully
decides against further denial.  She also really needs to pee, and
if she can just get off this bed for a moment she can check out her
surroundings far better.  "I have to use the bathroom."

"I'll bring you something Mary, I can't risk untying you now."

"Please...please, I won't try anything, please let
me use the bathroom.  I would like to wash."

Joseph shakes his head, but then looks thoughtful.  "Cleanliness
is next to Godliness," he says.  "Alright, but you'll have to leave
the bathroom door open Mary."

"But I won't try anything.  Please, please Joseph, a little
privacy."

Too late she realizes she made another mistake.  Joseph obviously
wasn't prepared to be recognized, she tries to duck the blow,
but she's restrained too thoroughly, and there is nowhere for her
to go.  Instead of an open faced slap across the face, this
time Joseph hits her with his fist balled.  Scully registers the
blinding pain for only a split second, and then her world once
more fades to black.

Joseph stares at her limp body coldly.  So Mary does remember.
She knows who he is; and if she remembers, then she may have told
that son of bitch who corrupted her.  She is such a lying sinner,
he will have to punish her severely. And he will have to move on
from here.  Mary must know where she is, and Joseph can't have that.

He leaves her unconscious and bound, heading out of the room and
leaving silence behind him.  If Scully had been awake, she would
have heard only the sound of the lock turning on the door.

         * * *

Doggett swallows hard, but says nothing.  He extends his hand to
Mulder and pulls him to his feet.  What the hell is happening
here?  There shouldn't have been any way for Mulder to know where
to look for the items he's discovered.  It isn't logically possible.
So what ever is happening to Mulder right now, much as Doggett
doesn't understand it, some how Mulder is being guided.

Doggett's internal revue is interrupted as Mulder speaks.

"I'm missing something.  Either he's talking in riddles or I'm
missing something."

"Who's talking in riddles?  Mulder what the hell is going on here?"

"Albert Hosteen, Agent Doggett.  That's what is going on here.
I'm getting information from a ghost, the ghost of an old friend.
And I've got to figure out what he's trying to tell me Doggett...
before Scully runs out of time."

Mulder looks down at his wife's rings, clasped tightly within his
grasp, and turns back towards the market.  He strides back through
the parking lot, his head up, eyes scanning the sky.  Doggett gives
himself a mental shake, and quickly follows him.

* * *
 

Chapter VII : The Gathering Storm.
 

Doggett has been in some dark places in his life.  The first few
months following Luke's death, the aftermath of his divorce, first
time he took a life in the line of duty.  You make your way out
the darkness slowly, hoping it won't swallow you this time, and
eventually things get better, get lighter again.  But the darkness,
once it's touched you, leaves a mark.  A shadow upon
your soul that proclaims its presence once surrounded you.
Doggett can almost see the shadows Mulder carries with him.  The man
has overcome the darkness, fought against it more often than
anyone should have to.  As he follows Mulder back inside the store,
Doggett can feel the storm clouds gathering, as darkness threatens
to consume this man again.  Like every officer in law enforcement,
he knows the longer Scully is missing, the worse the chance that
they recover her unharmed; Doggett hopes they get something more to
go on soon.

Doggett can only use police work here.  If Mulder has a break-
through, and it moves the investigation forward, fabulous.  In the
meantime, Doggett will concentrate on what he's good at-- facts...
and evidence.  So far they've had precious little to go on, but
maybe, just maybe Mulder has already given them a break.  Hurrying
to catch Mulder up, Doggett finds him talking to a young store
clerk.  Jamie, if Doggett's guess is correct.  He sees the clerk
shake Mulder's hand, looking extremely upset.  Mulder however
manages a small smile, and whatever he says, the young clerk seems
cheered by it.  Doggett is impressed.  Even as out of his mind with
worry as Mulder undoubtedly is, he's still got enough empathy left
for others.

"Mulder."

At Doggett's voice, Mulder excuses himself, and heads over to him.

"What?"

"I think this is where he grabbed her...in the parking lot."

"I agree.  We should treat the lot as a crime scene.  We've
found Scully's rings-- let's see if we can find something, anything
else that might help us work out who's taken her.  Call Skinner...
I'm gonna check in with the Gunmen.

Mulder leaves Doggett to make the call to Skinner, and heads back
out to the market's parking lot.  Standing in the nondescript space,
he shivers involuntarily.  This is where things went horribly wrong.

It would have still been light when Scully was taken.  That has to
be important.  Obviously, whoever is responsible for her abduction
was comfortable here.  Mulder believes he may have been following
Scully for sometime, was familiar with her haunts, and has
probably been watching their home too.  Mulder fights to stay
calm.  He has to keep a clear head, stay in his 'Agent' mode.  It's
been a while, but he had the habit for a long time.  He can feel
the investigator inside himself, the profiler waking up.  He slows
his breathing, closes his eyes, and tries to picture what happened
here last night.

How did this man get the drop on Scully?  It has to have been
a blitz attack, something that rendered her immobile almost
immediately.  Scully was armed, and trained in unarmed combat.  She
might be a petite woman, but that perception is dangerous.  Scully
is well able to defend herself.  So it has to have been something
fast; Mulder would guess she was drugged.

He would have waited until she had unlocked her car, she was
probably loading groceries.  He would have walked up to her
confidently, probably offered to help her with her bags.  Scully
"knows" this man.  She thought that-- 'I 'know' him.'  Actually she
thought 'We 'know' him.'  But what does he look like Scully?  What
is his name?  If I know him too, where do I know him from?  "Help
me Scully," he thinks.  He prays, 'Help me Scully.  Give me
something to go on.'  But there is no reply in his mind from his
wife.  The link he's shared with Scully, at the moment, is silent.

Mulder reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out his cell phone.
'Mulder if you had to do without your cell phone for two minutes
you'd lapse into catatonic schizophrenia.'  He smiles briefly at
her remembered comment, and speed-dials four.  The phone doesn't
even ring, and Frohike's voice comes on the line.

"Did you find anything Mulder?"

"Yeah.  I found something.  I know where he took her from, and
Doggett is getting some people down here to process the scene.
Question is...did you find anything?"

"We've been all over Scully's computer.  There's nothing here
Mulder.  No one's gotten past the firewalls Langly installed.  What
do you want us to do next?"

"This guy knows us Frohike.  He's been watching us, and he knows our
routines.  I want you and the guys to start checking the cameras
you installed on my house.  It's possible he might show up on one
of them.  It's a long shot, but I want every base covered.  I also
want you to find out if any of the houses that have an 'eyes on' view
of mine have been rented out in the last couple of months."

"We're on it Mulder.  I'll call the second we find anything...hang
in there man, we're gonna find her."

"I know Frohike...I have to."

Mulder hangs up and looks at his watch, 7:38 AM.  He last spoke to
Scully after lunch yesterday at 1:30 PM, eighteen hours ago.
Eighteen hours without the sound of her voice, her sweet kiss and
the glow of her presence surrounding him.  The ache within him for
her is slowly draining him.  He can feel his heart breaking, cracking
into pieces, just like it has a thousand times before, every time
that she was in danger, or sick, or missing.  And just like
every previous occasion, he won't fail her.  This time failure...
failure means the end of "everything!"  End of the world.

Mulder hears footsteps behind him, and turns.  It's Doggett.

"Skinner has a team of Bureau CSI's on their way down here, should be
here in about half an hour.  Do you want to stay and see if they find
anything?"

Mulder can see that while Doggett is officially in charge of the
manhunt for Scully, he's actually deferring to him somewhat, and
trusting that Mulder is onto something.  Mulder is touched.
Doggett's come a long way in a short amount of time, at least in
Mulder's estimation.

"Actually I think we should get back to the Bureau.  I've got the
Gunmen chasing a lead, and you'll be informed immediately if they
find anything helpful here."  Mulder looks down at Scully's rings
again. "I've already found what I came for."

Doggett nods thoughtfully for a moment before he agrees.

"Then let's get the hell out of here Mulder."

      * * *

1800 hrs
A.D Skinner's Office

It's been an interminably long, and so far unproductive day.
They've chased down every lead they've come up with, and they
still don't have anything much to go on.  Still no trace of Scully
has been found, beyond the site of her abduction; and this is
just to too familiar to Skinner.  The longer they come up with
nothing, the more convinced he becomes in his own mind that
there must be some alien involvement here.  He knows Mulder
doesn't believe that, but Skinner is worried now that maybe
Mulder can't face that possibility.  After what Mulder went
through at their hands, Skinner doesn't really blame him.  He can
completely understand why Mulder would react that way.

Skinner doesn't have that excuse.  He has to confront the fact
that the aliens may very well have taken her.  The complete lack of
evidence is certainly consistent with their involvement.  But the
fact is, that if they are responsible for this, there is nothing
to be done about it.  Just as with Mulder's abduction.  They can
track UFO reports all they like, if they have her, they will return
her when they are finished with her, or they won't return her at
all.

So, at this point, Skinner decides there isn't anything to be
gained from broaching the subject with Mulder.  They are doing
everything they can, alien involvement or not.  Their best is all
they can do.  Skinner closes his eyes for a moment, suddenly
exhausted, 'Please' he thinks, 'Please God, if you are listening,
just give us a clue...please.'

At the conference table in the corner of the office, Mulder sits
with his shoulders slumped in misery.  He's exhausted, apart from
his short nap yesterday afternoon, he's been up for about thirty
six hours.  Not that he hasn't gone longer, far longer than that
before, but the constant adrenaline pumping through his system
is taking its toll.  He feels every one of his thirty nine years.

He has to be missing something, he has to.  So far every single
idea he has had, has lead them nowhere.  The cameras on his house
yielded nothing.  No one has rented the properties that overlook it.
The Bureau CSI's turned up nothing at the abduction site.  The only
tangible thing they have are Scully's rings...and he knows how he
found those.  He can feel the expectations of the others in the
room.  They are fresh out of ideas too, and are all looking to him
for what to do next.  God he wishes he knew what to tell them.
He lays his head down on his arm, intending to momentarily shut
his eyes, but exhaustion wins out and he succumbs to sleep.

         ~ ~ ~
 

Chapter VIII: Connection

1907 hrs
Cordova Mobile Park
Tappahannock Virginia
 

When Scully comes to her head is throbbing painfully,
and she swallows back the wave of nausea that rises
from her stomach.  She hasn't felt this unwell in a long,
long time.  The pain on the side of her face is excruciating,
and she's really thirsty.

Letting her eyes adjust to the dim surroundings, Scully can see
Joseph standing at the window across from the bed.  He has
the curtain pulled back slightly and she can see it's still
somewhat light outside, early evening she'd estimate.  She
doesn't think she's been unconscious all that long, but in all
honesty she's losing track of time.  If he had wanted to
keep her out for a day or two he could have done it, but she
doesn't think he did.  If he had her dehydration would be
worse than it is.

Still, she really does feel awful, and she feels weak, which
scares her even more.  The chance that she can get herself out
of this, and back home to Mulder without outside aid is
looking slimmer by the minute.  Rescue is the only way out
she can see, and she knows that depends on Mulder, on his
unique talents.  She finds a measure of comfort in this, if
anyone can find her, he can.  Closing her eyes again, she
quiets her thoughts, forgets her surroundings, lets herself
drift to a safe place inside her mind.  Picturing only
his beloved face, she concentrates on his image and wills
his mind to reach out for her.

       ~ ~ ~

1908 hrs
Skinner's Office

Mulder has been sleeping for a little over an hour and
nobody has the heart to wake him.  It's not like they have
any news for him anyway, and his complete exhaustion is easy
to understand.  Slumped forward in chair, head resting on his arms
as they in turn rest on the conference table, he doesn't
look the least bit comfortable, but at least he's getting
some rest.

Frohike has been designated to keep him company, and everyone else
has retired to the cafeteria for nourishment.  From his seat in
Skinner's chair, indulging himself, Frohike guards his friend's
slumber, and even when Mulder starts muttering, he is reluctant
to pull him from sleep.

      ~ ~ ~

It's her voice which attracts Mulder's attention, and like a
drowning man he reaches out for the sound.

"Can you hear me?" she asks him.

"I hear you." he replies.  "God I miss you.  I'm trying Scully,
I'm trying so hard to find you."

"Mulder can you see me?"

At her question, the picture she has of herself, and her
current situation forms within his mind.

"Yes.  Oh God Scully, what is he doing to you?"

"I'm alright Mulder.  You're here, you're with me, and as long
as you are, I promise you I'm okay."

"Where are you Scully, do you know?"

"No.  He called me 'Mary' Mulder, and he's very angry at me.  Can
you see the room?"

Again a picture forms for him.  He can see it clearly, all the
details she's noted, such as they are; the colour of the carpet,
the design on the bedspread, he sees it all, just as she does.

"I see it Scully.  I don't see anything that helps us though, this
room could be anywhere.  Show him to me Scully, that's what
I need."

When Joseph's face forms he instantly wants to kill.  She's right,
they do know this man.  In fact Mulder has seen him numerous
times these last few months.  It makes him sick to think this
person has been so close to him, to his son, and all that time
he's been plotting, scheming, planning to take her away.

"Mulder?  Mulder do you see him?  Are you still there?"

"I'm here.  I see him, and I'm coming Scully, I'm
coming to get you.  Hold on, OK?"

"How is this possible Mulder?  How is it that I hear you,
can talk to you?  How are you doing this?"

"I can't quite explain it Scully.  I have a theory though."

He can almost feel the eye roll and the sound of soft
laughter.  "Some things never change thank goodness. Hurry
Mulder, I'm...I..."

He hears her, but it's the sudden arrival of a wave of fear
that stuns him.  And it's her fear, as opposed to his, he's
unsure how he can distinguish this, but his gut tells him
the truth of it.

"I'll find you.  Don't be afraid Scully, I won't let you
down."

"You never have Mulder.  Ever."

"I love you."

"I know."

"I'm coming."

"I know that too."

He can't bear to tell her goodbye.  It's something he just
never does.  Not in person, not on the phone, in fact it's
something neither of them does.  Over the years it somehow
became a rule for them both.  You can end a conversation, you
can leave your partner's presence, but you don't say 'goodbye,'
it's a superstition they live by all the time.  They
don't discuss it, or acknowledge it, but they both know it.

So he allows himself to let go of the connection, to drift back
through the layers of his own consciousness until he becomes
aware of his body once more, aware of it's various aches
and pains, aware of his eyelids which he now allows to open.

Sitting up so suddenly he hears an expletive from a jumpy
Frohike somewhere behind him, "Get everyone together," He hears
himself say.  "Get them here now Frohike, we've got work to do."

        ~ ~ ~
 

1921 hrs
Cordova Mobile Park
Tappahannock, Virginia.

Joseph has been staring out the window for the last half
an hour, trying to decide on his next move.  He had
planned to stay here, certain that Mary wouldn't recognize
the place, but now he's not so sure.  She recognizes him.
He'd assumed for months before he took her that she didn't.

When he'd seen her at the church, there was no recognition
in her gaze, but she's used his name and that's thrown
him for a loop somewhat.  Of course, Father McCue may simply
have mentioned him, and he had been about to tell her who
he is.  It's not a problem, unless she remembers this place,
because if she does, she might have told other people about
it, leaving a way for them to trace her here.  He has to find
out.

Finally turning back from the window to look at her, he sees she
appears to be still sleeping.  She looks very pale, and her face
is swollen and blackening on one side.  He's not sorry about
that really, if he'd been around longer when she was a child he
would have made sure she understood discipline.  He wouldn't
have allowed her to grow up so wild, having pre-marital sex,
giving birth to a bastard child, then marrying outside her
religion.  He wouldn't have permitted any of it.  She would have
stayed pure, chaste, but he can make her that way again.  That's
the purpose of all this, to make her pure again, just as he
had intended for her mother to be.

He decides to wake her, and find out what he needs to know.
He's dumped her car, but he has other transportation, he can
take her someplace else if he has too.  Because he must have
time to perform the ritual, everything hinges on it.  Time that
he didn't have with her mother, time he has every intention of not
losing this time around.

Joseph walks across the room towards her, and leaning over
her he begins to roughly shake her awake.

        ~ ~ ~

She hadn't really believed it would work, but she is sure now it
did.  Somehow, some way, when she reached out for him, his
mind reached back.  He knows now, he knows who has her.  She
prays that's all the information he needs.

When rough hands grasp her and start shaking, she keeps her
eyes closed, and prays harder.
 

         ~ ~ ~
 

1921 hrs
Skinner's Office
 

Everyone arrives within minutes, expectation on all of their
faces.

"Mulder?"  Skinner asks, "What is it?"

"Scully.  I know who has her."

Doggett and Reyes exchange a look.  The Gunmen smile at each other,
Skinner however just presses on.

"How...did someone call, what did you find out?"

Mulder takes a breath, God knows they've all followed him this
far, they've all stood behind him, all been willing to believe
he's actually onto something, will they believe this?

"Scully showed me.  She reached me while I was sleeping, and she
showed me the place he has her, she showed me his face."

Keeping his attention focused on his old boss, he waits for the
reaction.

"Well come on then Mulder, tell us and let's figure out where
the hell this asshole is."

Mulder shifts his gaze over to Doggett, and is surprised to
find him nodding in agreement.  The man looks relieved to be able
to start working again.  When nobody else says anything, negative or
otherwise, Mulder snaps into full profiler mode.

"Her abductor's name is 'Joseph,' he's a handyman at Scully's
mother's church in Baltimore.  He believes Scully to be someone
else.  He keeps calling her 'Mary,' and he's angry at her, very
angry.  The first thing we have to do is contact her mother's
priest - Father McCue - and get some background on this guy.
His full name, address, work history, DOB, family history, friends,
relatives etc, you all know the drill."

Mulder lets the hope flow through him.  "I'd say finally having a
place to really start, let's get to work."

         ~|~ ~
 

Chapter IX : The Mate Bond
 

2321 hrs
Skinner's Office
 

Within three hours the information they've collated is impressive.
In fact it took relatively few phone calls in the end.  Once they
obtained Joseph's last name - Genge - and the fact that
the man was a convicted felon, many things began to fall into
place.

It's not a pretty story by any means, and it's difficult to imagine
this clearly-unbalanced man convincing any parole board
to release him in the first place.  More than one person wonders
out loud "What were they thinking?"  As in the case with so
many law enforcement professionals whose job it is to catch
the bad guys, to find the evidence, to ensure that people like
this go to prison in the first place; seeing dangerous
offenders paroled back into society, especially noting their
tendency towards recidivism, they feel disheartened to say the
least.

It's a wonderful thing to believe that people can change.  It's
even true to a certain extent, but the true sociopath is so
fundamentally flawed that rehabilitation isn't possible.  Killers
like this don't change, they just learn how to blend in better,
how to hide their deviant thinking from others.  Like
chameleons, they adapt their behaviour to fit in, to remain
undetected, but their true nature is there.  They WILL let it
out, they WILL act upon it, they'll just learn the best ways
to avoid getting caught.

It is with such a person they are now faced.
Joseph Patrick Genge, age 59.  Height 6'1", weight 190 lbs,
convicted in 1970 of the murder of four women, including
his sister Catherine.  All the victims where drowned in bathtubs,