Title:  Hey Alex

Author:  S.A. Spooky

E-Mail:  saspooky@hotmail.com

Summary:  The sequel to Hey Scully - Joined by Steven 
Koskie and Dale Cooper, Mulder chases 'little grey men' and 
becomes a key player in the conspiracy.  To save the world, 
Mulder and Scully are forced to push their trust in each 
other to the limit.  Special Agent Steven Koskie used with 
permission from O&M

Hey Alex

Please go, Fox.  Krycek pleaded with Mulder.  Get her out 
of here.

Mulder was torn.  He sadly took one last look at Krycek, 
then turned and walked away, holding Scully tightly in his 
arms.  Scully didn't say anything, didn't look back, she 
didn't even have her eyes open anymore.  She was just 
letting Mulder guide her out.

Krycek watched as they walked away.  He was trembling, 
tearing up, feeling his life drain away.  He wasn't 
physically draining away; it was his emotional life that 
was slipping out of his grasp.  The life where he had 
friends, a brother, a son and a family.  It was gone.

Mulder and Scully passed through the door and it closed 
heavily behind them.  A resounding slam announced to Krycek 
that yes, his life was over.  Like the banging of a gavel, 
sentencing him to life in this horrible place.  A life 
without his friends and family.  Without his son.

Oh my God, what have I done, he thought.  Please forgive 
me, Cade.  Please forgive me.

Krycek could feel Scully reaching back to him, begging with 
him to not let this happen.  I can't leave you here, she 
kept saying.

Krycek couldn't answer back. He felt in his heart that he 
would never leave this place again.

He knew they were outside now.  They had reached the Ford 
Expedition.  As Mulder turned the key and the car started 
up, 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamond's' blared from the 
speakers.  Krycek remembered that he had been torturing 
Mulder with his infinite wisdom of the Fab Four.

'Listen to that imagery.'  Krycek said.  'How brilliant is 
that?'

'How brilliant do you have to be when you're tripping on 
LSD?'  Mulder had responded.  'Tangerine tree's and 
marmalade skies?  John and Paul were dropping too many 
tabs.'

Had that just been an hour ago?  Krycek wondered.  It 
seemed like a lifetime away.

'...Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain...Where 
rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies...'

For the rest of their lives, all three of them would never 
be able to endure the song again.

Alex.  Scully reached back to him again.  I can't do this.  
I can't leave you here.

Krycek never answered back.  The second he knew they were 
safely on the road and driving away, he shut his mind down.

'I think you made the right decision, Alex.'  Cancer Man 
stood next to him, blowing smoke in his face.  'If Agent 
Scully had stayed here much longer, I'm afraid she would 
have died.'

Krycek didn't respond.  How many wonderful moments did Dana 
miss out on the beginning of Cade's life because she was 
trapped here?  And now he had traded places with her and 
given away the rest.  He thought of all the tests they were 
going to perform, all the tortures he was going to be 
subjected to.  All the while, he'd be trying not to think 
of his son.  How was Cade going to feel, being without a 
father?

Well, that's not entirely true.  Krycek thought.  Fox will 
most definitely be around.

The years dragged out in front of him as he thought of all 
the birthday's he would miss, all the scraped knees and 
running noses.  All the things he'd wanted to show Cade.  
Teaching him to ride a bike, to surf, to play the piano.  
Krycek closed his eyes and hung his head.

Life suddenly seemed way too long to live.

***

The first thing Mulder did when they got out onto the 
highway was eject the St. Pepper's CD and throw it into the 
back seat.  He didn't think he'd ever be able to listen to 
that damn song again.

Mulder kept glancing at Scully as she slept in the 
passenger seat on the way back to Maggie's house, half 
expecting her to vanish in front of his eyes any second 
now.  After driving away from the base, she had pretty much 
cried herself to sleep.  He knew she had to be tired, both 
physically and emotionally.  Leaving Krycek behind was hard 
enough on him; he couldn't imagine how it must have felt to 
her.

'Mulder?'  She had asked softly through her tears.

He looked over at her.  'Yeah?'

Scully stared straight out through the windshield.  'My 
child?'

Mulder suddenly realized that she had never even seen him.  
'Cade.'

'Cade.'  She whispered.  'Christopher Cade.'

'Yes.'  Mulder said softly.  'He wants to go by Cade.  He 
told Krycek there were already too many kids named Chris.'

Scully put a shaking hand over her face and settled back 
into the chair, nestling against the door and resting her 
head against the window. Eventually she had fallen asleep, 
choosing not to talk about anything just yet.

Mulder put his hand on her leg, trying to offer some 
support.  He was glad she was sleeping.  He needed time to 
process.  He had seen some really ugly days in his life, 
but he was sure that this was, without a doubt, the most 
hideous morning he had ever lived through.

Mulder learned that he had been working with the enemy all 
along, as Krycek had warned, part of some hideousness that 
had been responsible for Scully's 'death' all these years.  
Not five minutes later, his brother had murdered his ex-
wife right in front of his eyes.  He had slit her throat 
without hesitation, without regret, so angered at all that 
Scully had been subjected to.

Not only did he feel failure at having to leave Krycek 
behind with Cancer Man; Mulder was ashamed at his own 
uselessness during the whole fiasco.  He usually wasn't one 
to stand idly by and watch the scene unfold, but that's 
pretty much how he had been for the past few hours.  It was 
a good thing that Krycek had decided to make everyone's 
decisions for them because with all the confusion that spun 
through Mulder's head, they'd probably still be standing in 
there.

He was beginning to believe that Krycek had known exactly 
what was going to happen and had taken Mulder just to make 
sure that someone would get Scully out.  Krycek had known 
that they would trade her for him.  He had also known that 
Scully wouldn't have left him there to rot away.

Mulder sighed to himself.  Not like I just did.

He shook his head and moved onto another touchy subject.  
Two years and a month after her funeral, he's bringing 
Scully back from the dead.  How should they handle this 
one?  What should they say?  What should they do?  Skinner, 
the Lone Gunmen, all of Scully's friends and family, not to 
mention Scully's son, all believed she was dead.  Could he 
really just pull into Maggie's driveway, pop out of the car 
and walk inside?

Loved Christmas dinner last week, Mrs. Scully.  Oh, and by 
the way...

***

Scully felt herself climbing out of a foggy haze.  
Confusion dug its claws into her mind and held on.  How 
long had she been unconscious?  Where was she?  Why was 
this pain winding through her skull?  She raised her head 
up and winced as a horrible jolt sliced through her brain.  
She gave it a couple of minutes, then tried again.  She was 
lying on a cot in a tiny room made entirely of metal.  
Steel, maybe.  There were no windows.  There was only a 
door, but no handle on the inside.  It was like being in a 
can.

Scully tried to sit up, pausing halfway to fight off a wave 
a nausea.  Where was she?  She tried to calm down and began 
to sift through fragments of memories that were coming back 
to her...Bellefleur, Oregon...Mulder was gone...She had 
been in the hospital...A vegetarian café and Alex 
Krycek...Her hands flew down to her flat belly as she 
looked down.  The baby.

She was flinging pumpkin innards all over the 
kitchen...Mulder giggling like a kid at the dinner table... 
Langly whipping up a batch of margarita's...Krycek dancing 
around like a fool while the Red Hot Chile Pepper's played 
on the radio...What the hell was going on?

Her Mom was staring at her with concern while she sat on 
the couch, feeling the baby move...Mulder hugging her on 
the beach under a full moon while she cried in 
confusion...Krycek staring sadly down at her in the morning 
sunrise, his surfboard tucked under his arm... The two of 
the arguing over her best interests as she stood in the 
doorway...What the hell?

The pain, cutting into her stomach...The fear of the tiny 
mind within her blasting into her head.  Scully jerked. Oh 
my god, where was her baby?

She remembered Krycek leaping over the bed as she doubled 
over in pain.  She remembered Mulder running out to call 
911.  She remembered being carried up the stairs and laid 
down on the couch.  She remembered Mulder slapping Krycek 
hard across the face while her Mom and the Lone Gunmen 
stood behind the two of them...

She set her feet down on the cold, metal floor and waited 
for the dizzy feeling to pass.

Krycek had ridden with her to the hospital.  He had been 
just about useless.  He kept trying to reassure her, kept 
trying to soothe her and the baby.  But all he managed to 
do was convey his own terror and helplessness.  After a few 
minutes, he pulled his mind away and just held her hand 
like a normal person would.

She had been reaching out to Alex in the hospital, hoping 
that he would hear her.  Something was wrong.  She had 
sensed the deceit, sensed the evil in the operating room, 
even though she was only half-conscious.

'Why don't we just take the child?'  A female had hissed.

'We don't know how strong it will be.'  She recognized that 
voice and it made her shudder.  'If we tell Krycek that 
they are both dead and he senses the child later, 
everything will go to hell.  She has the anti-agent we 
need.  That is enough for now.'

Alex, please help.  She was reaching out to him, hoping 
he'd sense her fear.  She could feel him trying to reach 
back, letting her know that he could hear her, that he was 
on his way.  Scully tried to stay awake through the pain, 
but she was fading fast.  She sensed people moving her way 
and opened her eyes to see Spender and Fowley looking down 
at her.

'Do you think she'll make it?'  Fowley asked.

'Just do what you need to in order to make sure that Krycek 
thinks she's dead.'  Spender blew out smoke and backed 
away.  'And take care of the baby.'

Scully gathered what strength she had left and screamed 
Alex's name with every ounce of her being.

'Scully!'

Mulder was shaking her leg and she jerked awake.

'What?'  Scully was confused.

'You screamed.'  Mulder said softly.  'Almost made me run 
off the road.'

'Sorry.'

He eyed her with concern.  'Bad dream?'

'Bad memory.'  She replied while rubbing her face and 
gazing out the window.  'We going to my Mom's?'

'Yes.'  Mulder said, turning right onto Maggie's street.  
'Cade's here.'

Scully looked out at Maggie's house as they pulled to a 
stop in front of it.  She whispered something intelligible.

'What, Scully?'  He asked her.

She turned to look at Mulder, as she opened the door, her 
eyes wide, her face alive.  'I can feel him.'

Mulder got out of the car and walked around as the front 
door opened and Cade ran out, Maggie not too far behind, 
trying to stop him.

Scully took a couple of steps then fell to her knees, 
unable to walk anymore at the sight of this beautiful, two 
year old boy that was running towards her, and Cade flew 
into her arms.

***

'He just kept telling me that you were coming.'  Maggie 
said, her eyes red and swollen from the tear's she'd shed.  
'He said that Alex was going to bring you home.'

They'd been sitting around the table for hours.  Cade 
wouldn't budge from her lap and she just hugged him, 
resting her head on top of his.  Scully couldn't respond to 
any question about where she'd been or what had happened.  
She was afraid that if she opened her mouth to speak, she'd 
find herself incapable of coherent speech.  She was afraid 
she'd burst into tears all over again.  Her Mom never 
directly asked about Alex, she just mentioned his name 
every now and then, hoping that one of them would 
elaborate.  Neither of them did and that seemed bad news in 
itself.

'Daddy had to go with the bad man.'  Cade said, looking at 
Maggie with his big, blue eyes.  'Daddy had to go so Mommy 
could come home.'

Maggie looked between Mulder and Scully, looking confused.  
'What man?'

Cade looked at Mulder.  'Daddy's a good guy, not like that 
other man.'

Mulder was surprised to suddenly find himself on the verge 
of tears.

'What man?'  Maggie asked again.

Neither of them responded and just stared at each other 
over Cade's head.

'The smoking man.'  Cade said, then turned to look up at 
Scully.  'He's a bad man, Mommy.'

'Yes.'  Scully said softly against Cade's head, her tears 
falling into his hair.  'A very bad man.'

Scully woke the next morning and was confused to find 
herself in the guestroom of her mom's house and not 
surrounded by steel.  Not to mention her surprise at the 
little boy curled up next to her.

She smiled as she stared at him.  At his face, his lips, 
his nose.  He looked so much like Alex, but she could see 
herself too.  She couldn't believe he was hers.  She 
couldn't believe she was a mother.  She couldn't believe 
she had missed out on so much.  His first words, his first 
step, his first birthday.  Not to mention how much Cade had 
missed out on having a Mother.  Now he was missing his 
father.

Cade opened his eyes and looked at her.

'Good morning.'  Scully whispered, smiling at him.

'Good morning, Mommy.'  He replied solemnly.

They stared at each other, Scully basking in the glow of 
her child's love.  Cade seemed sad, which she guessed 
wasn't unusual for a boy who'd just lost his father.  She 
backed her train of thought up.  'Lost' seemed like such a 
permanent word.

'When is Daddy coming home?'

Scully hesitated and swallowed before answering.  She hated 
the thought of what Krycek was going through right now and 
didn't want to cry in front of Cade.  'I don't know, 
sweetheart.'  She said softly.

'You can cry, Mommy.'  Cade said, putting one of his small 
hands on her arm.  'I miss him too.'

Tears hovered in her eyes and threatened to fall.  She 
cleared her throat and attempted to push Krycek out of her 
mind for now.  Any thought of him was destined for 
depression.

'Whaddaya say we go see what's going on out there?'  She 
asked, smiling at her son.  'I can smell the coffee so I'm 
betting that Grandma's up.'

They walked into the kitchen together to find Maggie and 
Mulder sitting at the kitchen table, having a cup of 
coffee.  They both smiled brightly at her and Cade ran over 
to hop up Maggie's lap.

'Morning, Sunshine.'  Mulder leaned his head back to look 
at Scully as she affectionately ruffled his hair on her way 
by.

She gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek before settling 
in a chair across from Mulder and smiling at him.  'Got a 
cup of that for me, Mister?'

Mulder sighed and plodded towards the coffee maker, giving 
her a look over his shoulder.  She smiled back at him 
before picking up a stack of pictures sitting in the middle 
of the table.  They were of Christmas.

'Are these from last week?'  She asked softly, looking at 
her mom.

Maggie and Mulder exchanged a look as he set a cup of 
coffee in front of Scully.

Family pictures.  It was so odd to see Mulder, Krycek and 
Cade with her family.

Bill had that stupid Santa hat on like he did every year 
and Cade was sitting on his lap.  Matthew and Cade, opening 
up presents together.  Her Mom and Mulder, sitting side by 
side on the couch, laughing at something unseen.  Krycek 
and Mulder, sitting on the fireplace, looking at each 
other, both leaning forward with their elbows on their 
knees.  Mulder was saying something and Krycek was smiling 
back.

Scully stared at the picture for a long time, feeling ill.  
There was a whole life here that she'd been excluded from.  
A lot of times spent laughing and observing her little baby 
becoming a little boy.  Times spent with a family she'd 
never really know because Alex was gone now.  She didn't 
know if she'd ever see the way that Cade and his father 
were together.

'I want to see all the pictures you have.'  She said 
shakily.

'Of course, honey.'  Maggie said.  'We have lot's of tapes 
too.'

Scully cleared her throat and spoke softly as Mulder put a 
hand over hers.  'I want to see everything.'

***

Scully stayed with her Mom for another week before deciding 
she wanted to back to Newport Beach.

She knew her Mom was going to be upset about it.  She could 
sometimes feel her Mom's thoughts as clear as she could 
feel her own.  Maggie loved having them there.  Her house 
had been silent and filled with loneliness the past few 
years before Cade's birth had brightened it up.  Having 
Alex and Cade around had somewhat filled the void's left by 
the death of her husband and two daughters.  Now, she loved 
to watch her daughter and grandson interact with each 
other.  She loved that Mulder was hanging around, spending 
time with the two of them, especially after his long 
absence over the past few years.

Scully could feel how concerned her Mom was for Alex.  She 
assumed that her Mom had tried to fill the void left by her 
'death' with Krycek and Cade.  Alex had probably done the 
same by spending all the time he could with Maggie and the 
rest of her family.  Judging by the pictures that she had 
poured over and the tapes she had seen, they had all shared 
a lot of over the past couple of years.

The tape of Cade's first birthday party had really upset 
her.  Her family was there, Charlie and the Lone Gunmen, 
and Skinner had managed to show up, plus a handful of 
people she had never seen before.  She hadn't seen Mulder 
anywhere.  Seeing that house, in a different time, when she 
was supposed to be dead and her son was celebrating his 
first birthday, cut her deeply.  She had spent some of the 
happiest times of her life there, pregnant and waiting the 
arrival of her child and realizing how important it was to 
have friends and family.

She had learned of this 'insane notion' Alex had in his 
head that life was too short to worry about what everyone 
else thought, that you should do what made you happy.  
After awhile, he had started to rub off on her, and she 
began to see a different Dana Scully.  A Dana Scully that 
wasn't concerned with proving herself to her family or 
friends or the FBI, a Scully that didn't care if she lost 
control and let out an emotion every now and then.  One 
that didn't care that she really didn't know how to dance 
but danced anyway.

One scene in particular had caused her distress and she 
didn't know why.  Whoever had the camera was out on the 
bottom deck of the beach house.  Krycek and Skinner were 
grilling something on the barbecue and her Mom was standing 
next to them, holding Cade.  'Me and Bobby McGee' by Janis 
Joplin was playing and all three of them were singing.

'...Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting for a train...And I 
was feeling near as faded as my jeans...
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained...And 
wrote a song on the way to New Orleans...'

Scully stared at the television in silence.  The surf 
crashed on the shore below, the sun was shining, even in 
late November, and surfers carved the waves in the 
distance.  That had been her home for six months.  It was 
horrible seeing it like this while she had been gone.

Her Mom was swaying back and forth to the music, smiling at 
Cade.  Skinner was fighting with some vegetables on the 
grill, the smoke in his face causing his glasses to steam 
up.  Krycek was leaning over to put his face close to 
Cade's, causing the little boy to laugh and clap.  And they 
were all singing.

'...Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to 
lose...And nothing, it ain't nothin' honey if it ain't 
free...Yeah, feelin' good was easy enough when he sang the 
blues...You know feelin' good was good enough for me...Good 
enough for me and my Bobby McGee...'

Scully had run to the bathroom and thrown up her breakfast.  
She lowered the lid down and sat there on the floor with 
her face pressed against the cold plastic while thoughts 
spun through her mind.

She knew that she and Alex had wanted to raise Cade at the 
beach.  They had wanted Cade to be raised differently then 
they had.  A simple life, growing up with the carefree 
attitude that comes from living next to the ocean.  They 
had wanted Cade to travel, to speak Italian, to see the 
Pyramid's, to play an instrument.  They wanted him to do 
whatever he wanted. Not to be part of the complicated lives 
that the two of them had led, living their lives for 
everyone else and not for themselves.

Later that night, after everyone had gone to bed, she had 
told Mulder that she was going back home.

'Georgetown?'  Mulder had asked with surprise.

Scully shook her head, bracing herself for the unavoidable 
argument.  'Newport Beach.'

Much to her surprise, Mulder nodded.

***

Scully eyed the house warily as they drove up the street.  
From the back seat of the car, Cade seemed somber.  When 
Mulder pulled into the driveway, the three of them sat in 
silence.  Sensing Scully's discomfort, he took her hand and 
glanced over at her.

'You okay?'

Scully looked along the cobblestone walkway, remembering 
the first time she'd walked up it.  This moment didn't feel 
all that different from that time, over two years ago.  She 
closed her eyes and released a breath before smiling over 
at him.

'I'm fine.'

'Of course you are.'  Mulder smiled back before opening his 
door and climbing out of the car.

Scully turned to look at Cade in the back seat.  'You ready 
to do this, sweetheart?'

Cade nodded back slowly, his face solemn.  'Yes, Mommy.'

She smiled back at him for a moment, then unbuckled her 
seat belt and opened her door.  'I don't know if I am.'  
She said softly to herself.  'I guess we'll find out.'

They walked slowly up the driveway, Mulder was waiting for 
them and she silently thanked him again for bringing them 
out here.  He had taken a day to run back to Washington DC 
and run some errands for her.  He also took some time to 
ask Skinner for another week of vacation time.  He didn't 
say why.  They had all decided to keep her return a secret 
for now while they poked and prodded and tried to figure 
out what was going on and what to do about it.

One of the errands she had asked Mulder to do was pay a 
visit to her attorney.  He had returned from there with a 
certified letter that had been sent to her attorney from 
the offices of Edward, Davis and Thompson, one of the most 
reputable law offices in the country.  She had read it 
sitting out on the back deck of her Mom's house and 
remained silent for minutes.  Mulder had asked her if she 
was okay, reached out and touched her shoulder, but she 
didn't respond.  He finally took the letter from her and 
read it himself.  Apparently, a man by the name of Caleb 
Connor had signed his estate over to Dana Scully.

Caleb Connor was an author who wrote under a pseudonym, 
which remain disclosed, of course.  He had made a 
substantial amount of money, was really quite wealthy.  Had 
properties all over the world.  A flat in London, a condo 
in Miami, a house in Seattle, a house on the beach in 
Balboa...

Alex Krycek had covered up the way he made his money very 
well.

Mulder had let his hand fall beside him, had dropped the 
letter and it fluttered to the ground.  He looked across 
the lawn at Scully.  He hadn't even heard her get up and 
walk away.  Krycek had definitely known he wasn't coming 
back.  He had known he'd be trading himself for Scully and 
he'd signed everything he had over to her before he did.

Mulder hated him all over again.

His hate for Krycek wasn't spawned by his normal anger at 
the man.  He hated Krycek for a number of reasons.  One 
reason being because Mulder actually found himself liking 
him, when he was always so desperate to hate him.  Scully, 
Skinner, even the Lone Gunmen had talked about how Krycek 
had changed.  Krycek wasn't evil; Krycek wasn't a cold-
blooded murderer.  He had an uncanny sixth sense, he 
possessed unbelievable powers, he could speak every 
language, play every instrument, he could surf, he was 
Taoist, he danced, he didn't care what everyone thought of 
him, he had a wonderful sense of humor, blah, blah, blah.

Mulder had never figured they'd actually be right and he'd 
be wrong.  That was another reason he hated him.

Two years after Scully's 'death', Mulder had sought him 
out, believing he was finally ready to set eyes on the man 
that had torn down the foundation of his beliefs.  Mulder 
never figured he'd end up liking Krycek as much as he did.  
Then Krycek had found Scully, traded himself for her, and 
saved the day.

Another reason Mulder hated him.  Not only had he saved the 
day like Mulder couldn't, but he'd abandoned Mulder like 
everyone else in his life did.  Just when he'd decided to 
let Krycek in, he left.  What was the point in caring in 
the first place?

Mulder remembered back to the first time he'd made a 
valiant attempt to hang on to his hatred of Krycek.  They 
had been out on the lower balcony at the beach house, just 
getting over a fit of laughter.  They'd been suggesting 
various ways to get the Scully family to hate Krycek and 
really irritate Bill in the process.  They had laughed 
together and had almost felt like friends.

'You know Mulder,' Krycek looked out over the ocean and 
took a drink of his beer.  'You should have fun more often.  
You spend so much time working, running around chasing the 
bad guys, which may or may not be the bad guys, and you 
miss out on what's most important.'

Mulder shrugged.  'Depends on what you think is important.  
I think exposing heinous crimes against an innocent, 
American society is pretty important.'

'But you're alienating everyone while you do it.  You're 
missing your life.  You're missing yourself.'

Mulder shook his head.  'I believe that what I'm looking 
for will explain what I've been missing.'

Krycek looked at him closely.  'I believe that what you're 
missing is in that house, upstairs.  You're life is right 
in front of your eyes and you ignore it.  You're going to 
suddenly find yourself old and all alone and still chasing 
conspiracies.'

Mulder remained silent and Krycek turned to face him.  'You 
know who you remind me of?  Running around, never having 
time for anyone or anything else.  Mindlessly dedicated on 
working for a cause that really has no meaning to anyone.  
You know who you'll turn into if you're not careful?'

Mulder stared back at Krycek, trying not to appear too 
concerned with what he was saying.  'Who's that?'

'Our father.'

That's the biggest reason Mulder hated Krycek.  Because he 
was always right.

Making people laugh was easy for Krycek, making friends was 
easy for Krycek; acting like a fool was easy for Krycek.  
How he got away with making idiocy a personable trait, 
Mulder would never know.  All he knew was that everything 
was easy for Krycek.

'Mulder?'  Scully asked.

'Huh?'  Mulder was jolted out of his reverie.

She looked at him meaningfully.  'What are you doing?'

One look at her face told Mulder she knew exactly what he'd 
been doing.  That he'd been thinking about Krycek and how 
much he'd disliked him then.  Back then?  Maybe he still 
did.  He gave a small shake of his head.  'Nothing, I'm 
sorry.'

Scully looked at him strangely before turning her attention 
to Cade.  He was looking back at Mulder oddly.  She 
suddenly realized with horror that he could probably sense 
everything that Mulder was feeling.

'You okay, Sweetheart.'  She asked him.

Cade nodded, frowning at Mulder.  'Yes, Mommy.'

The kid's lower lip was pouted out just like Scully's was 
when she was unhappy with him. Mulder felt like an ass.  
Cade probably knew everything that went on in Mulder's 
mind.  He was special, after all.  The son of Scully and 
Krycek, the new hope for the future...

A thought suddenly flew into Mulder's head.  A thought he'd 
never had before, something he'd never even realized.  Cade 
was related to him.

Mulder suddenly began to view Cade in a whole new light.

He'd always thought of Cade as Scully's son, as Krycek's 
son.  He'd never even entertained the thought that Cade was 
the son of his brother.  Of course, in order for that to be 
true, he'd have to accept Krycek as his brother, which he 
hadn't, and probably wouldn't.

Mulder eyed the little boy a little more closely.

Cade held onto Scully's hand as they walked into the foyer.  
She took a moment to survey the living room, the dining 
room...She was okay so far and decided to venture a bit 
deeper.

Mulder stayed a good distance behind, wanting to give them 
some space.  Wanting to give himself space after his 
realization.

Scully frowned.  Something was missing.  A small question 
popped into her head.  'Cade, honey?'

'Ashley has Stout.'  Cade responded to a question she never 
voiced.

'The girl next door?'  Scully asked softly and Cade nodded 
in response.

A memory suddenly popped into Scully's head.  She had gone 
out front with Krycek to greet the Lone Gunmen.  He had 
been surfing, and was in his wet suit, soaked in salt 
water.  The girl next door had walked by with her fragile-
looking miniature greyhound, not bothering to hide her eyes 
as they wandered over Krycek.  Even Scully had to admit 
that Alex did look good in a wet suit.

Scully smiled and nudged him.  'Ashley's checking you out 
again.'

Krycek shrugged with a modest look on his face as he 
glanced down at Scully.  'Well, you know, all the girlie's 
say I'm pretty fly.'

'For a white guy.'  She and Langly sang back.

Scully burst out laughing into the silence.  She realized 
that both Cade and Mulder were staring at her.  Regaining 
her composure, she looked over at Mulder.  'You want to go 
next door and get Stout?'

Mulder shrugged.  'Sure.'

'I wanna go.'  Cade said.

'Come on, big guy.'  Mulder held out a hand as Cade walked 
up to him and took it.

Scully watched the two of them walk out of the house before 
slowly venturing down to the bottom level of the house.  
She cast an eye over the silent rec room.  How many parties 
had been held down here?  How many good times had they had?  
How many good times that she wasn't a part of?

Scully ignored that thought and instead walked over to the 
stereo.  Music had always been wafting through the rooms 
and the silence made the place appear sadder than it 
already was.  It just didn't seem like home unless some 
sort of music was occupying the house with them.  She 
turned it on and watched as the CD's spun around in their 
random mode before stopping.

'...They made up their mind, and they started 
packing...They left before the sun came up that day...
An exit to eternal summer slacking...But where were they 
going without ever knowing the way...'

'The Way' by Fastball cranked out and Scully smiled.  She 
and Krycek had joked about that song.  They had listened to 
it on their cross-country trip to California, swearing it 
had been written about the very drive they were taking.  
Eternal summer slacking, yes indeed.

'...They just drove off and left it all behind them, but 
where were they going without ever knowing the way...'

Scully threw open the French doors and walked onto the 
deck.  The same view from so many times before greeted her 
and she welcomed it.  The blues skies, the salty air, the 
ocean breeze, the crashing surf...

'...You can see their shadows wandering off 
somewhere...They wont make it home, but they really don't 
care...They wander the highway, they're happier there 
today...Today...'

Scully smiled.  She was definitely happier now that she was 
home.

She stayed out on the deck until the song ended.  She knew 
she had to wander the rest of the house, but she was 
putting it off.  The CD player rotated again and 
'Comfortably Numb' began to play.

'...Hello...Is there anybody in there...Just nod if you can 
hear me...Is there anyone home...'

Pink Floyd was Krycek's favorite band.  The Wall was his 
favorite album.  She had heard every song on it about a 
thousand times.

'...Relax...I need some information first...Just the basic 
facts...Can you show me where it hurts...'

Krycek had told her that when he listened to Pink Floyd, it 
seemed like they were talking to him.

'...There is no pain, you are receding...A distant ship, 
smoke on the horizon...You are only coming through in 
waves...Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're 
saying...'

Scully sighed and walked up to the second floor, stopping 
in front of her bedroom.  She slowly opened the door and 
stared inside.  It was exactly as she'd left it.  She 
stepped inside, feeling really weird knowing it had been 
over two years since she'd been here.  It felt like she'd 
never left.

This song in particular reminded her of Alex.  He said it 
was how he had felt growing up as a teenager.

'...I can't explain...You would not understand...This is 
not how I am...I have become comfortably numb...'

Scully finally left the doorway and walked over to her 
closet.  The hinges squeaked as she opened the door.  
Everything was still in there, just as she'd left it.  She 
sighed again and made her way over to her dresser.  All her 
family pictures were still there.  The picture of her and 
Mulder at the FBI Christmas party years ago was still 
there.  The picture of Krycek and Langly was still there.  
Scully smiled to herself, remembering when she had taken 
that picture.  It was taken from behind, while she'd been 
standing on the deck.  Krycek and Langly were sitting on 
the sand in wet suits, a surfboard on either side of them, 
staring out at the waves.  Langly was pointing at something 
and Stout was stretched out behind them, basking in the 
sun.

'...Okay...Just a little pin prick...There we go boy...But 
you may feel a little sick...Can you stand up...I do 
believe it's working good...'

She opened all of the windows and the doors leading out to 
her deck to let the room air out.

Cade's room was completely different than the last time 
she'd seen it.  Back when she and Alex were decorating it, 
the theme had been Winnie the Pooh.  Now it was all redone 
in Star Wars.  Scully noticed that the picture of when they 
were first remodeling it was still hanging on the wall.

When everyone had come over for a BBQ during Labor Day 
weekend, they had a decorating party. Her Mom was there, 
and the Lone Gunmen were there.  Bill had shown up.  A 
couple of neighbors that they'd become friendly with had 
offered to pitch in.  They had wanted Cade to see them 
preparing his room for his arrival.  They had taken lots of 
pictures, but this one was by far the funniest one in the 
bunch.

Everyone had painted and assembled furniture and basically 
just made a big huge mess of each other after getting in a 
paint fight like a bunch of kids.  The picture had been 
taken while everyone was smashed against the far wall as 
Krycek ran back to beat the timer on the automatic picture-
taker.  He had practically fallen into the group and 
knocked everyone down.  She had paint all over her face and 
had pressed her left cheek against Krycek's face as he had 
grabbed her arm to keep from falling.  They were all 
laughing hysterically.  That's the reason they chose that 
picture to commemorate Cade's first room.  They were all so 
happy.  Mulder hadn't been there that time, again.  But by 
then, she'd almost been used to it.

Scully walked out of Cade's room to see Krycek's door open 
across from it.  She stared at the doorway, remembering the 
last time she had stood there, listening to Krycek and 
Mulder argue over what was best for her.

'Mulder, you live all the way across the country.'  She 
heard Krycek say.  'You haven't called, you haven't been 
out to visit until now.  It's been six months.  Six months, 
Mulder.  You don't think she hasn't questioned your 
relationship?'

'I did what I thought was right.'  Mulder said softly.

'And I'm doing the same.'  Krycek replied.

Scully had moved closer to the door and looked inside to 
see Krycek throwing things into a suitcase as Mulder 
watched.  'I thought Scully was the only person you've ever 
really cared about?  I thought you wouldn't lose her 
because of me.'

Krycek didn't look at him.  'Things have changed.'

'Things have changed since last night?'  Mulder asked.  
'What happened out there?'

'That's between me and Dana.'

'I don't know, Krycek, but it sounds like it's got a lot to 
do with me.'

Krycek suddenly looked up at him.  'I just want her to be 
happy.'

Mulder sighed.  'It seems like she's happy here with you.'

'I am.'  She interrupted and they both turned to see her 
standing in the doorway.

Scully remembered how angry she had been that they'd been 
deciding how she felt, deciding her future.  She'd been 
confused at the feeling's she'd had of Krycek leaving, even 
if he meant well for her relationship with Mulder.  She 
remembered asking him to stay out of it, that she could 
handle her own life just fine.  She remembered telling him 
that she didn't want him to go.

She remembered the pain that cut through her body.  
Remembered that Krycek had been at her side in half a 
second.  Barely remembered going to the hospital.

She suddenly realized that everything had ended on the 
beach, not when she had gone to the hospital and been 
taken.  The instant that Krycek's mind had wandered and she 
had stumbled across his jumbled thoughts, everything 
changed.  Because of this, he made up his mind to leave.  
He didn't want to interfere with her and Mulder's 
relationship.  That's when everything had gone to hell.  
That's when everything became muddy.  After the argument 
they'd had, nothing would be the same again.

The song was still playing and she slowly roused herself 
back to the present.  There'd been enough of reflecting on 
what could have been done differently.  It was all she had 
done for two years.

'...When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse out of 
the corner of my eye...I turned to look but it was gone...I 
cannot put my finger on it now...The child is grown...The 
dream is gone...I have become comfortably numb...'

The front door slammed upstairs and Scully sensed Stout 
running down the stairs.  She turned and knelt as the dog 
bombarded her, knocking her back onto her butt.  She 
laughed and hugged Stout as he lavished her with doggie 
kisses, all her earlier disenchantment fading away.

***

After putting Cade to bed, Mulder and Scully went out to 
sit on the deck and have a glass of Merlot.  They didn't 
know at the time that they were starting a tradition that 
they would continue to observe for years to come.  They 
stared out at the ocean and breathed in the salty air as 
'The End' by The Doors began to play.

'Mulder.'  Scully said softly.  'I need to say something to 
you.'

The tone of her voice was far too serious, even for Scully.  
He didn't look at her.  'Sure, Scully.'

She sighed and curled her feet up under her as she turned 
towards him.  'It's been bothering me for a long time and I 
feel really bad.'

Mulder took a sip of wine to take a moment to steady his 
nerves.  'Bad about what?'

'When you came back after you'd been 'missing'.  When you 
disappeared and went to work with Diana.'  She quit talking 
and the silence stretched out.

'...This is the end...Beautiful friend...This is the 
end...My only friend...The end...'

'Yes?'  He urged her to continue.

'Mulder, look at me.'

The seriousness of her expression caused his breath to 
catch in his throat.

'I acted horribly.'  She said.  'And I'm sorry.'

'What are you talking about, Scully?'  Mulder asked when he 
could push the words out.

'I was so wrong for the way I acted.'  Her eyes were 
imploring, silently begging for understanding.  'I didn't 
stop to think how it all must have seemed to you.  I 
doubted you.  I questioned your loyalty to me and to the X-
Files.  I was so selfish.'

'It's okay, Scully.'  He said, putting a hand over hers.  
'I was horrible too.'

'No, Mulder.'  She shook her head.  'You came home to find 
me pregnant with Alex's child.  And all I did was defend 
myself.  All I did was berate you for not trusting me.  I 
complained that you wouldn't give Alex a chance.'

'We both screwed up.'  He said.  'You thought I had been 
working against you and I didn't give you much of a chance 
to explain anything.  I had been told that you and Krycek 
had been working together from the beginning.  They were 
playing us against each other and we almost fell for it.'

'I'm sorry.'  She said again.

'It was a long time ago.'  He brushed hair behind her 
shoulder.  'Let's just leave it in the past and move on.  
We should discuss what we want to do about Krycek.  He is 
out there somewhere.'

'I'd rather not talk about this just yet.'  Scully mumbled 
almost too softly for him to make out the words.  'There's 
nothing we can do right now because we'd be risking Cade.'

'Okay.'  Mulder replied softly.  'We can talk about it 
later.  When you're ready.'

Scully was silent, remembering.  Her eyes seemed distant, 
far away.  'I wonder how different things would be if I 
hadn't let Alex into my house that night.'

Mulder traced circles on top of her hand.  'What night?'

'The night after you disappeared.  Skinner took me home 
from the hospital and we'd ordered some Thai food.  We 
talked about that night at the Japanese Bar.'  Scully 
smiled.  'And Alex showed up out of nowhere.  I remember 
how scared I was that he was there.  How evil and horrible 
and cold he had seemed.  It took awhile for me to trust 
him.  I really tried to keep hating him.'

Mulder grinned.  'He makes it pretty hard.'

She returned his smile.  'I know.  That's why I was so 
confused.  I didn't understand how you still saw him in 
such a horrible way.  I was selfish and insensitive.  I'm 
sorry.  I didn't stop to think that the same Krycek you 
knew didn't exist for me anymore.  I don't think I'm making 
any sense.'

'No, you are.'  Mulder said softly.

'You must have thought I'd lost my mind.'

Mulder laughed, nodding.  'I did.  But I mostly blamed it 
on Krycek.  I thought he was manipulating you.  Playing 
games with your mind.'  He paused, then looked down at 
their hands.  'But that's not quite all I thought.'

Scully sensed that he wanted to ask her a question, but was 
uncomfortable.  'Go on, Mulder.'

'I thought you were in love with him.'  He said, looking 
her in the eye.

Scully smiled.  'I was in love with you.'

Mulder stared back for a moment.  He had no idea how to 
respond.

She laughed at the look on his face and turned back to the 
ocean.  She had just dropped a nuclear bomb on him and she 
was enjoying it.  What was it about this place that made 
her so carefree?

Mulder looked out at the waves as well.  He was still 
struggling to reiterate with something...To elaborate...To 
explain...Why was his life always so complicated?

Scully had been happy for the past few hours and the 
conversation they were about to have would be heavy and she 
wanted to wait.  Besides, she could sense that Mulder was 
struggling with a reply.  No need to ruin the evening, 
regardless of how amusing she found his discomfort.  'Tell 
me what you've been doing for the past two years, Mulder.  
Where'd you go in the FBI?'

'I stayed on the X-Files.'  He sputtered out, silently 
thanking her for saving him just now.

'Oh, so you got a new partner?'  She took a sip of wine.

'Yes.'  Mulder tried to breathe, tried to relax.  'I didn't 
like him too much at first.  But at least he isn't a hard 
ass like my last partner.'

'Whatever.'  Scully pushed him in his chair and he rewarded 
her with a small laugh, looking at her.

She smiled back.  'Well?'

'Well, what?'

'You going to tell me who your new partner is?'

***

Steven Koskie made his way through the halls of FBI 
Headquarters, wondering why he was being summoned to AD 
Skinner's office.  For the last six months, he'd been 
serving warrants on jump-out squads.  He must have really 
pissed people off to get that dead-end assignment.

Koskie opened the door to Skinner's small reception area, 
smiling at Kimberly, the AD's receptionist.

She clicked the button on the intercom, waiting for 
Skinner's response.

'Sir, Agent Koskie has arrived.'

Koskie watched her stare at the intercom, as if it were 
speaking to her.

She smiled up at him.  'He'll be with you in a moment.'

Koskie stood up, pacing the room.  Kimberly watched him, an 
annoyed look lingering on her face.

'I'm sorry.'  He grinned.

She gave him an insincere grin before returning to her 
work.

Koskie glanced at his watch every few seconds; playing with 
his hands, and letting his eyes roam the room.

Kimberly huffed.  'Agent Koskie, I believe it is six-
thirty-seven, the same time it was when you checked your 
watch about five seconds ago.'

Koskie smiled, embarrassed and beyond bored.

'My appointment was at six-thirty, wasn't it?'

Kimberly checked her appointment book, her finger running 
down the page.  'Seven.'

'Damn.'  Koskie muttered.

'Have somewhere else you need to be?'

'Yes, I had an appointment at seven; to get a manicure and 
pedicure, my skin is just so dry and unruly and I am such 
the morning person.  Then I figured I would get into work 
unusually early to make sure all those little warrants were 
ready to go.'

Kimberly rolled her eyes at him.

'Do you always get up at this hour?'  Koskie asked, resting 
on the edge of her desk.  'I mean, you were here before me, 
so you must get up at...'

'Agent Koskie, I have work to do.'

Koskie sat for a good two minutes, staring at nothing, 
thinking of nothing, when he heard himself singing out 
loud.

'Cause I've got friends in low places, where the whiskey 
drowns and the beer chases my blues away, and I'll be 
okay...'

'Agent Koskie...' Kimberly stared at him, as if she were 
looking straight through him.

Koskie knew that she had work to do, but being the charmer 
that he was, he knew she would soon have him in Skinner's 
office.  He grinned.  'Don't like Garth, huh?  Yeah, he 
might be a little twangy at times, but...'

Kimberly clicked the intercom, while Koskie serenaded her.  
'Sir, are you ready for Agent Koskie?  Sir, yes, sir.  No, 
sir, that is Agent Koskie you hear singing.'

Kimberly clicked the intercom button and didn't look at 
him.  'He is ready for you.'

Koskie stood, a smile playing on his face and walked past 
Kimberly's desk, and opened the door to Skinner's office.

'Sir.'

'Agent Koskie, please have a seat.'

Koskie sat in the left, black leather chair in front of 
Skinner's desk.

'Sir, if I may ask, what did I do wrong?  Did I not dot my 
I's or cross my T's, or is it the unusual boredom I have 
been displaying during work hours?'

'Agent Koskie, we will be joined by Dale Cooper today.'

'Dale Cooper?'

'Agent Koskie, nice to meet you.'

The voice came from behind and Koskie turned to see a tall, 
slender man extending a hand towards him.  Dale Cooper was 
pale, with big round eyes and slick, jet-black hair.

'I'm Dale Cooper.'

'Yes, I know.'  Koskie said, shaking his head.  'You worked 
that famous case back in Washington state all those years 
ago.  What city was that again?'

'Twin Peaks.'  Cooper replied.  'Best cherry pie I've ever 
had.'

Koskie smiled and nodded, turning back to Skinner.

'So, what is the nature of our meeting today?'  Koskie 
asked.

'Agent Koskie, you were shot in Agent Scully's apartment, 
by an unknown subject, correct?'  Skinner asked Koskie.

'Shot?'  Koskie questioned.

'Shot.'  Cooper repeated, making himself visible out of the 
corner of Koskie's eye.

'I don't recall being shot, but a lot of things happened 
that night.  Who said I was shot?'

'Agent Koskie,' Skinner sighed, 'this is how I operate: I 
ask a question, and you answer as simply and directly as 
you possibly can.'

Koskie began to speak.  'With all due respect, Sir-'

'I've heard all my due respect, Agent Koskie.'  Skinner 
interrupted him before he could dig himself another hole.  
'What I'm interested in now is what happened the night you 
were assigned to protect Special Agent Dana Scully.'

Koskie was mollified.  'I don't remember much of what 
happened that night.'

'It's okay, Agent Koskie.'  Cooper said soothingly.  'Just 
tell us what you do remember.'

'I was in my car.'  Koskie thought back to a night he had 
buried in his memory.  'And someone that looked like Agent 
Mulder forced me into the apartment building.  He wanted me 
to get Agent Scully to let me in.'

'Agent Mulder forced you to do this?'  Skinner asked.

Koskie shook his head.  'No, Sir.  Someone who looked like 
him.  I had been hit over the head when Agent Scully opened 
the door.  I didn't know what had happened until I came 
to.'

'And when you woke up...?'  Skinner urged him to continue 
while Cooper looked on.

'Agents Mulder and Scully were there.  As well as Alex 
Krycek.'  Koskie was lost in the memory, he hadn't thought 
of that night in a long time.  'Krycek told me that all the 
blood on my shirt was from him.  He'd been shot and was 
trying to help me and gotten his blood all over me.'  
Koskie shuddered, reliving that awful moment that he'd 
woken up, unsure of where he'd been.  'Agent Mulder had 
relieved me, told me to go home.  He'd told me that he was 
going to call you and let you know what had happened.'

'Agent Koskie,' Skinner began, 'do you have any idea what 
happened to this man who was imitating Agent Mulder?'

'No.' He shook his head.  'I woke up, I was startled to see 
Agent Mulder.  But Krycek had told me that it wasn't the 
same guy.  I don't know what it was, what exactly happened, 
but Agent Mulder told me to go home.  He is a senior agent, 
so I did.  Sir, may I ask what this is all about?  Why is 
Agent Cooper here?'

'I'm not exactly an Agent anymore, Mr. Koskie.'  Cooper 
said.

'Mr. Cooper is here in an unofficial capacity.'  Skinner 
said.

Koskie gave another small shake of his head.  'I'm afraid I 
don't understand, Sir.'

'You don't need to understand, Agent Koskie.'

'With all due respect, Sir-'

'Agent Koskie, haven't we been over this?'  Skinner's eyes 
were irritated and amused at the same time.  'I ask the 
questions and you provide the answers.'

Koskie paused for a moment.  'With all due respect, Sir-'

Skinner was barely able to contain a small smile  'What is 
it, Agent?'

Koskie smiled, his charm oozing out.  'I still don't know 
what all this about.'

Skinner paused, staring down at Agent Koskie with his arms 
crossed for a few moments.

'I've been summoned to the Assistant Director's office.'  
Koskie said, putting up his hands.  'Dale Cooper is here in 
an 'unofficial capacity' and we're talking about what 
happened at the apartment of Dana Scully's, who is 
otherwise known as 'Mrs. Spooky', apartment.  The partner 
of Agent Mulder, the leader of the 'Little Green Men 
Patrol'.  This happened months ago.  Why should anyone care 
about it now?  What am I supposed to think, Sir?'

Skinner hesitated, thinking, and then continued.  'Agent 
Koskie, between you, me and the fence post-'

'Excuse me, Assistant Director Skinner.'  Cooper 
interrupted.  'I find that highly derogatory.  I do not 
like being referred to as a 'fence post'.  The size of my 
waistline should not be an issue here-'

'Ease down, Chip.'  Skinner waved a hand at Cooper, 
smiling.  'Agent Koskie, we need to take your official 
statement on what happened that night.  I also notice that 
you are due for a reassignment.'

'Oh joy, Sir.'  Koskie smiled.  He had noticed that Skinner 
and Cooper appeared to have a past history and filed that 
away in his mind for future reference.  'Am I being forced 
to show off my marksmanship skills for the tourists 
visiting FBI Headquarters?'

'No, Agent Koskie.'  Skinner said.  'You're being 
reassigned to the X-Files.'

Koskie was silent for a moment.  'The X-Files?'

'Yes, Agent.'  Skinner replied.

'But Agent's Mulder and Scully-'

'Since you've had your head up your ass for the past six 
months, Agent Koskie,' Skinner said harshly, 'Maybe you 
haven't noticed that Agent Scully hasn't been around.'

'I know she had taken a leave of absence, Sir.  But surely 
she'd want to come back if she knew the X-Files were up and 
running again.'  Koskie said, trying to reason his way out 
of the assignment.

'Agent Scully's dead, Koskie.'  Skinner replied bluntly, 
walking around his desk and sitting down in his chair.  'I 
doubt she'll be returning to work on any case.'

Koskie stared back at the Assistant Director, shock clear 
on his face.  He cleared his throat.  'I'm sorry, Sir.  I 
had no idea.'

There was silence for a moment and Skinner sighed and 
leaned forward in his chair.  'Agent Mulder is insistent on 
staying on with the X-Files, so a partner needs to be 
assigned.'

'Sir.'  Koskie tried to speak reasonably.  'I must 
strenuously state that I have no interest in being involved 
in anyway with the X-Files.'

'Well, Agent Koskie.'  Skinner smiled with no hint of 
humor.  'I have no interest in being bald, but sometimes 
you just have to smile and take the shit you're being 
served.'

***

Agent Koskie made his way down to the halls of the 
building, now standing in a full elevator.  He took notice 
of the people in the elevator, all secluded and living in 
their own little space.  Everyone had their eyes straight 
ahead; arms down and clasped in front of them.  He watched 
as each one got off at their respective floors, leaving him 
the last one in the elevator, along with the janitor.  
Koskie looked at his nametag, tracing the grooves with his 
eyes.  Kevin.

'The basement?' Kevin asked, astonished at the fact anyone 
else was going down there.

'Yep.'  Koskie said, rocking back and forth on his heels.

'Why?'

'I was assigned there.'

'Assigned?  What happened to the other two agents?'

'Mulder is still there.  I am taking Agent Scully's place.'

'The cute little red head?  I liked her.'

Koskie smirked as the janitor began mumbling things about 
Scully, and quickly walked off of the elevator in front of 
Kevin.  He listened to the clicking of his heels on the 
cold, hard floor as he neared Mulder's office.  Koskie 
yawned, sure of the fact that Mulder would not be in his 
office this early.

Koskie placed his hand on the cool, metallic, silver knob 
and opened the door of Mulder's office.

'Can I help you?'  Mulder spun around in his chair, 
breaking his staring contest with the poster on the wall.  
'Agent Koskie. Good to see you again. How can I help you?'

'No, how can I help you?' Koskie asked.

'Excuse me?'

'I've been assigned to the X-Files.'

'What?'  Mulder asked, hearing him perfectly well but not 
wanting to believe his ears.

'I'm your new...'

'I heard you, I heard you.'  Mulder mumbled, shaking his 
head.

'So where can I start?'  Koskie asked.

'By turning around and walking right out the door you just 
came in.'

'I don't think you understand, Mulder.'  Koskie said.  'I 
did not request to be put here.  Let me say, it is better 
than double-checking my crossed T's.  Maybe I should be 
thanking them for getting me out of that ass wipe job, but 
if you don't want me along side you, chasing little green 
men, you are going to have to take that up with AD 
Skinner.'

'Grey.'

'What?' Koskie asked.

'Nothing.'  Mulder picked up his phone, dialing Skinner's 
office.  'I need to speak with Skinner.'

Koskie walked around the room, inspecting various objects 
from different X-Files.

'Don't touch that.'  Mulder snapped, his eyes following the 
younger man.

'Listen,' Koskie said, turning to face him, 'I want to make 
this as easy as possible for both of us.  I know the 
situation and I was quite fond of Agent Scully.  She seemed 
to be a very respectable agent.  If you want, I can go 
purchase a red wig and wear cute little outfits, otherwise 
you are going to have to deal with me.  Just like I have to 
deal with you.'

'Don't you ever mention her name again you son of a bitch.'  
Mulder spat, infuriated with the man.  'Why don't you go 
plant yourself on a chair and enjoy the soft upholstery 
against your ass, because you wont ever feel it, or 
anything else for that matter, if you bring her up again.'

'Touchy, touchy.'  Koskie said, primly settling in the 
chair across from Mulder.

'Smartass.'  Mulder mumbled.

'No, my brain tends to rest in my head.  It's so much safer 
up there.'

'Excuse me, Agent Mulder?'  Mulder heard Skinner on the 
other end of the phone.  'Smartass?'

'Oh, no, Sir.  I'm sorry.  I was speaking to someone else.'

'What can I help you with, Mulder?'

'I need to see you about the new arrangement you set me up 
with.'

'Mulder, I don't have time for this, I am very busy.'

'Yes, Sir.'  Mulder said, hanging up the phone.  'I am 
going up to Skinner's.  Don't touch anything.'

'Aye, Aye Captain.'  Koskie said, saluting him.  'Hey 
Mulder, by the way, I didn't mean to..."

Mulder slammed the door behind him before he had a chance 
to finish.

He stormed up to Skinner's office and burst through his 
door, not listening to Kimberly's objections.

'Sir, we have a problem.'

'As I see it, Agent Mulder, it is you who has the problem, 
not I.'

'Exactly.  You have shoved this off on to me.'

'So you agree that you have no idea what it means to follow 
orders?'

'No, sir.  I was referring to our little friend Koskie.'

'Agent Mulder, There is nothing to discuss.  Field agents 
require a partner.  There is no way of getting around it.'

'I don't need a partner.'

'Agent Mulder, I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do 
about it. If you want to stay on the X-Files, I suggest you 
learn to like him.  Koskie will grow on you, he is just as 
nervous about this as you are.'

'I wouldn't call this nervous, Sir.'  Mulder said, glaring 
at his superior.  'I am pissed."

Skinner held out the file and began to explain the nature 
of the case, when Mulder snatched the file out of his hand.

'I think I will do just fine reading it on my own, thanks.'  
Mulder said, as he headed for door.

'Agent Mulder!'

Mulder turned around to see Skinner red-faced, clenching 
his jaw.

'I would recommend you watch how you speak to authority, or 
you are asking for your walking papers.'

'Not a bad idea.'  Mulder said, slamming the door.

***

Mulder drove down the dirt road towards the water until he 
reached a security checkpoint.  He rolled his window down 
and leaned out towards the guard to be heard over all the 
noise coming from the shipyard.

'I'm looking for Dale Cooper.'  He yelled.

The soldier leaned down.  'And you are?'

Mulder held out his badge for inspection and Koskie 
followed suit.

The soldier brought a portable radio up to his mouth, 
reading their names.  'Unit thirteen to Unit six.'

'Unit six.'  The voice immediately came back.  'Go ahead.'

'Agents Mulder and Koskie with the FBI to see Mr. Cooper.'

'Send them back.'

The soldier pointed down the dirt path they were on.  'When 
the road Y's, stay to the right until it ends.  You'll have 
to walk the rest of the way, but just follow the lights.'

Koskie glanced over at his new partner as they continued 
down the path.  They hadn't talked much.  'You got any idea 
what this is about?'

Mulder shook his head.  'You know as much as I do.'  That 
was all he said.

'You know, Mulder, I am your new partner, much as neither 
of us wants me to be, so you might need to start clueing me 
in on a few things.'  Koskie glanced out his window.  'I'm 
not exactly looking forward to watching my career being 
flushed down the drain so don't think you're the only one 
not doing cartwheels over the new arrangement.'

'That's the way to win over your new partner.'  Mulder 
wryly replied.  'Start things off on a good note by 
insulting the importance of his work.'

Koskie smiled, watching the trees pass by.  'I'm merely 
stating the obvious, stagnant momentum of your career with 
the FBI once you burrowed down to the basement, no offense 
meant to you.'

'None taken.'  Mulder replied.

They were silent for a moment before Mulder grudgingly gave 
in.

'There are lot's of fascinating aspects of working on the 
X-Files.'  He said softly.  'You could see some amazing 
things as long as you're willing to keep an open mind.  You 
might even like it.'

'As long as people don't start calling me Mrs. Spooky.'  
Koskie said.

Mulder skidded to a stop in the dirt and slammed the car 
into park.  He turned and eyed Koskie, a weird look in his 
eyes.

'What the hell did you just say?'

Koskie had realized his mistake, too late.  He had 
forgotten about Scully being dead.  Again.  His mouth had a 
tendency to run away on its own.  He made a mental note to 
work on that.

'What can I say, Agent Mulder?'  Koskie turned apologetic 
eyes on his partner.  'I spoke before I thought.  I'm 
sorry.'

Mulder ignored him and slammed the car door as he stalked 
away in the direction of the media lights.  Koskie followed 
behind, glancing up the helicopters circling the area.

He shook his head, muttering.  'Damn reporters.'

They came over a hill and stopped, staring down at the 
scene in front of them.  Dozens of ships, more boxcars, 
even more people.  Helicopter's were circling around and 
every now and again, one would venture too close, only to 
be chased away by military helicopter's.

Mulder and Koskie approached the crowd of military soldiers 
and men in suites milling around.  They made their way over 
to an area cordoned off by crime scene tape tied down to 
orange traffic cones.  They didn't make it far before being 
intercepted by another soldier.

'Agents Mulder and Koskie?'  He asked, stepping in front of 
them.

Mulder nodded, flashing his badge again.  'Supposed to see 
Dale Cooper.'

The soldier turned and pointed towards a group of people 
gathered around a particular boxcar.  'Mr. Cooper's in 
there, he's been waiting for you to get here before 
anything was touched.'

'Isn't it nice to suddenly be so highly regarded.'  Mulder 
mumbled, remembering his words to Scully on their first 
meeting.  If only she could see me now, he thought to 
himself as they ducked under the yellow tape the soldier 
held up for them.

'What the hell is Cooper doing here?'  Koskie said softly 
to Mulder.  'This looks military to me.'

Mulder shrugged.  'Last I heard, Cooper had been recruited 
out of the Bureau by the NSA.'

Koskie looked sideways at his partner.  'Why would the 
National Security Agency be interested in the X-Files?'

'Who the hell knows?'  Mulder grinned to himself, 
shrugging.  'Nothing surprises me anymore.'

'Agent Mulder.'  Cooper approached them, holding a hand out 
and clad in his usual somber black suit.

'Nice to see you again, Cooper.'  Mulder said loudly over 
the buzz of a helicopter, his tie flapping in the wind.  
'I'm not sure how to address you.'

Cooper shot up an eyebrow.  'Your Royal Highness?'

'That would be partly true.'  Mulder replied.  'Because 
you'd have to be really high to think I'd address you that 
way.'

'You can salute me, if you'd like.'  Cooper smiled.

Mulder grinned back.  'Now you're just turning me on.'

Koskie watch the banter with his mouth partly open.  'I 
wasn't aware you two knew each other.'

'We worked together a long time ago.'  Cooper explained.

'An undercover assignment.'  Mulder said.  'When I was 
first with the Bureau.'

Cooper leisurely looked over at him.  'Undergarment 
assignment may be a little more accurate.'

'Don't start, Chip.'  Mulder was grinning, feeling young 
and just out of the academy again.

Cooper was immediately silenced by the nickname.  'Okay, 
boys, if you'll follow me this way...'

'Who found the body?'  Mulder asked, their shoes crunching 
gravel.

'A guard.'  Cooper replied.  'He was making his usual 
rounds and smelled it.'

Mulder nodded.  'How long has it been?'

'Just over three hours.'  Cooper replied, consulting his 
watch.

They reached the opening of the boxcar and the smell hit 
them like a wall.  Koskie wrinkled his nose, believing he 
had never smelled anything quite like it.  He glanced at 
Mulder and Cooper to see them slipping plastic booties over 
their shoes.  He bit back a sarcastic remark; he'd already 
made more than his quota for the week, and followed their 
lead.

Mulder must have seen the expression on his face.  
'Evidence purposes.'

Koskie cocked his head at him.  'No shit.'

'Bit of an attitude.'  Mulder said softly.

Cooper nodded.  'A bit.'

Mulder stepped into the container, sweeping his flashlight 
back and forth.  A decomposing body jumped out of the dark 
and Mulder played the beam of light along it.

'Male.  About six feet.  A hundred ninety pounds.  
Caucasian.'  Koskie was rattling off stats into a hand held 
recorder.

'Oh no.' Mulder said, looking at the small recorder in 
Koskie's hand with dismay.  'Not you too.'

'What?'  Koskie asked defensively.  'It helps me think 
back, later on when I'm writing the report.'

Cooper nodded.  'That was always my argument for Annie.'

'Who's Annie?' Koskie asked.

Cooper pulled his own recorder out of his pocket.  'I never 
leave home without her.'

'Like a damn security blanket.'  Mulder said.

Koskie stared at Cooper for a moment, then looked over at 
Mulder.  'Okay, that is weird.  I've never named mine 
before.'

'Where was this ship coming from?'  Mulder bent over the 
body.

'Ireland.'  Cooper answered.

'Top of the mornin' to ya.'  Koskie bellowed out an Irish 
accent, standing next to Mulder.  'Me poor, poor, fellar.'

Mulder shook his head.  'Koskie, you are one disturbed 
man.'

Cooper joined the two of them, staring down at the dead 
man.  A hole was torn where the man's chest and stomach 
used to be.

'What the hell could have done that?'  Koskie asked softly.

Cooper turned and played the flashlight around.  'Looks 
like an animal attack.'

'Makes sense.'  Koskie shrugged.  'An animal would have to 
eat on the journey over here.'  He shined his flashlight 
around, looking at the walls and ceiling.  'There's a lot 
of castoff on the walls, but not on the ceiling.  You'd 
think there would be more above from the backswing on any 
weapon.'

'Even then,' Cooper said, looking at the walls, 'these 
uniform trails don't look all that uniform.'

Mulder's face was full of dread.  'Was the seal on the 
container broken?'

'No.' Cooper shook his head.  'And it was affixed by the 
foreign shipper.'

Koskie squatted down next to the gaping wound.  'So that 
means that the body was in here before it was sealed?'

Cooper nodded.  'In theory.'

'So then, the animal would still be in here too.'

Mulder stood up, his hands on his hips, staring down at the 
body.  He was chewing on his lower lip.  Cooper joined him, 
taking in his intense stare.

'What are you thinking, Mulder?'

'Just kicking things around.'  He eyed his new partner.  
'What do you think, Koskie?'

'Well, if you look at the skin tearing...' Koskie pointed 
along the outside of the wound.  'If it was from a frontal 
assault, the skin should be pushed in, but it's not.  It's 
pushed out.'  He looked up at Mulder and Cooper.  'It's 
almost like something tore its way out of him.'

In the eerie glow of the flashlights, Mulder grinned.

'I need to get some pictures of the body in situ.'  Koskie 
said, pulling off his latex gloves. 'Has the ME been called 
yet?'

Mulder fought back a bitter sadness.  The snapping sound of 
Koskie's gloves brought back every imaginable image of 
Scully.  It hadn't been even a month since her death and he 
was pushing it away.  Running back to work, running back to 
the Bureau, running back to the X-Files.  Had he just been 
in Southern California last week?  It seemed like so long 
ago.  Being at Scully's funeral, if that's what you wanted 
to the party it had turned into.  Dealing with one of the 
greatest losses of his life was bad enough, but having to 
share his sorrow with everyone else was horrible.  Having 
to face Scully's family, Skinner, the Lone Gunmen.

Having to deal with Alex Krycek.

'Mulder?'

He jerked his head over to see Koskie and Cooper staring 
back at him.

'Dreaming of silky nightie's again?'  Cooper asked, a hint 
of a smile playing across his stoic features.

Mulder stepped over the body and made his way to them.  
'Just don't know when to quit, do you, Chip?'

Koskie began to take pictures of the area as Mulder and 
Cooper spoke in hushed tones; the darkness and silence of 
the boxcar interrupted by flashes and whines from the 
camera.

'What're you thinking?'  Cooper asked him.  'You've got 
that look on your face.'

'This face?'  Mulder looked seriously back at him.

'Not your 'panic look'.'  Cooper said.  'The face where it 
looks like you're having gas pain.'

'Oh, the face I make when all pieces of the puzzle just 
fell together and I don't like they way it's looking.'

Cooper nodded.  'That's the one.'

'Smartass.'  Mulder mumbled as Koskie stepped over to them.

'Someone needs to tell the crime-scene tech's to get in 
here.'

'Has anyone called the ME?'  Mulder asked, stepping out 
into the sunlight.

Koskie and Cooper stared back at him, the former shaking 
his head.  'Must've been a hell of a memory.'

'Huh?'  Mulder looked quizzically at the two of them.

'We've already had this discussion, Mulder.'  Cooper said.  
'The Medical Examiner's on his way and he'll make sure the 
removal service people pick up our guy.'

Something caught Mulder's eye and he moved over to the 
corner of the boxcar.  'I want the body sent to Quantico 
for further analysis.'  He said, bending down to peer at 
something on the ground.  'I want those lacerations tested 
for DNA.'

'DNA?'  Koskie asked as Cooper brought his portable radio 
up to his mouth and began to speak.

'Yeah.'  Mulder said absently.  'Koskie, come here and 
check this out.'

'What's up?'  Koskie tried to take the booties off of his 
shoes as he walked.

Mulder watched the graceful performance, shaking his head 
and grinning as Koskie hopped around on one foot.  He was 
finding himself annoyed that his new partner was so 
amusing.  Damn, Mulder thought, why couldn't I hate anyone 
anymore?  First Krycek isn't the tyrant I want him to be 
and now my new partner is a comedian.

'You okay?'  Mulder pulled a straight face and looked up at 
Koskie as he finally stood next to him.  'You need any help 
with that?'

Koskie rewarded Mulder with a look not too unlike the one's 
Scully gave him when he was dangerously close to getting a 
kick in the ass.  'You wanna tell me what's up or you just 
gonna look at me all day?'

'I don't know, Koskie.  That's a tough call.'  Mulder said, 
pulling tweezers out of his pocket and using them to pick 
something up off the ground.  'You have a mighty pretty 
mouth.'

'What the hell is that?'  Koskie asked as Mulder held it up 
in front of his face and peered at it.

He inspected it for a moment before shaking his head.  
'Damn.'

Koskie squatted down next to him, squinting in the 
sunlight.  'Almost looks like chicken skin.'

Mulder grinned.  'Yeah, but you can't make nugget's out of 
this chicken.'

***

Mulder let go of the rung of the ladder and dropped down 
into six inches of sewer water.  He twisted his face and 
spoke out loud to no one.  'Oh yeah, that's the smell I'm 
talking about.'

He turned on his flashlight and shined it down the tunnel.  
The beam of light stretched forever into darkness, first 
one way, then the other.  The continuous drip, drip, drip 
of water sounded musical.

Mulder strained to hear something, anything.  When Koskie 
practically fell into the tunnel from above, the splash 
seemed as loud as a sonic boom.

'Goddamn motherfucking sonofabitch!!!'  Koskie exclaimed, 
quickly standing up and trying to shake the filthy water 
off of him.

'Is that so?'  Mulder asked softly, walking into the 
darkness.

'You going to tell me what the hell we're looking for, 
Mulder.'  Koskie asked.  'A giant, rubber chicken?'

'I'm not even sure what it is we're looking for.'  Mulder 
said.

Koskie called out to him, looking both ways down the 
tunnel.  'You sure you're going the right way?'

Mulder shushed him, flipping open a map in response.  The 
two of them huddled together, shining their flashlights on 
the paper.

'Straight ahead is north.'  Koskie said.

Mulder stared ahead of them, waiting for the feeling of 
what he should do to enter his head.  'That's the way we 
need to go.'  He said, beginning to walk forward.

Koskie followed behind.  'Are you sure?'

'Yes.'  Mulder said, picking up his pace.

'How do you know?'

'I just do.'  Mulder replied, a memory flooding his brain.

'Spooky Mulder.'  Krycek said, grinning.  'Where do you 
think you got the sixth sense from?'

'Sixth sense?'  Mulder whispered.

'They way you just kinda know, where to go?'  Krycek said.  
'The reason everyone calls you Spooky.  You go in the 
strangest directions, no one else would think of, and it's 
right.  Spooky.  Not so spooky, just alien.'

A sudden image of him sitting on a bench.  Krycek standing 
in front of him in that casual way of his.  Mulder had 
hated him more than anything back then.  He'd wanted 
nothing to do with Krycek, but Scully had wanted them to 
talk.

Mulder shook his head, begging the memory to go away.  The 
more he thought of Krycek, the more he thought of Scully 
and he really didn't need to be thinking of either one of 
them right now.

They walked in silence for awhile, consulting the map 
whenever needing to make a left or right and Koskie would 
chalk the wall to mark where they'd come from.  The last 
thing they needed was to be wandering the New York sewer 
system.  The rumors of what inhabited the network of 
tunnels were worthy of a dozen or so X-Files.

Moss hung from above, the walls were slick with algae, and 
every now and one of them would nearly fall because of the 
slippery floor.  Neither of them was fond of the idea of 
falling into the sewer water and Mulder was reminded of his 
experience with the Fluke Worm guy.  The sound of dripping 
water was almost hypnotic and he found his mind wandering 
again.

Powerless to stop them, the images flooded his brain.

Scully and Krycek, standing covered in pumpkin goo, 
surprise covering both of their faces at the sight of him.  
Krycek handing him a beer and telling him that he was going 
to end up like their father if he wasn't careful.  The 
three of them, laughing like fools at the dinner table.  
Krycek dancing to the Red Hot Chile Peppers.  Scully and 
Krycek, having an intense stare-down on the beach in the 
full moonlight.  Scully, crying in his arms as he wondered 
what the hell had just happened.

Mulder ran into a ladder face first with a resounding bang.  
He shook his head again as Koskie put an arm on his 
shoulder to steady him.  No, he really didn't need to be 
thinking of her right now.

'Look at that.'  Koskie said softly, shining his flashlight 
at the water.

Mulder shined his own flashlight down at the weird 
substance that was caught on the bottom rung of the ladder, 
rippling in the water.

They both leaned down to take a closer look.  Mulder 
grinned up at Koskie and whispered.

'Winner.'

Mulder climbed up the ladder and listened in silence for a 
moment to the heavy thud of bass.  There was music coming 
from above him.  He pushed the grate out of his way and 
hoisted himself up, looking around to make sure he wasn't 
about to be rushed by a giant, rubber chicken.

The hallway was deserted and he stuck his head towards the 
tunnel just as Koskie popped his head up.

They both yelled in surprise as their heads knocked 
together.

'Damnit, Mulder!'  Koskie exclaimed.

Mulder stood up, rubbing his head as his partner climbed 
out of the tunnel.  'Well how the hell did I know you were 
coming up right after me?'

'Did you think I was going to hang around in the sewers all 
alone for the rest of the night?'

Mulder didn't answer.  He saw an odd, slimy substance on 
the ground in front of him.  He stuck his fingers in it and 
brought his hand closer to his face.

'You always stick your hands in weird places?'  Koskie 
asked, leaning closer to Mulder for a better look at the 
strange goo.

Mulder looked at Koskie.  'You always need to crowd me?'

'You always need to argue?'  Koskie asked, looking back at 
him.

Mulder cringed.  'Is that offending aroma you or me?'

'I think it's both of us.'  Koskie answered.

Mulder had been about to crack a joke.  He wanted to banter 
playfully like he used to with Scully, wanted to lighten up 
his heavy mood.  He just couldn't bring himself to do it.  
Him and Koskie reeking of sewer water suddenly reminded him 
of the time he and Scully had been covered in fertilizer.

They stared at each other in silence for a moment before 
Koskie grinned.  'We'll laugh about this someday.'

Mulder refused to be charmed by his new partner, regardless 
of how hard Koskie was making it.  He stood up.  'I need to 
tell you something.'

Koskie joined him.  'Oh boy.  Now I get the secrets of 
life.'

'Not exactly.'  Mulder said, shining his flashlight in 
front of him.

'Then what?'  Koskie followed as Mulder began to walk down 
the tunnel.

'That skin you saw.  It's from an extraterrestrial 
biological entity.'

'An EBE?'  Koskie asked, a smile on his face.

Mulder looked at him in surprise.  'Good, you already know 
the lingo.  That much less I have to teach.'

'I feel so complimented.'

'I've only seen it a couple of times.'  Mulder said, 
ignoring him.  'Scully and I have the DNA from its claws.'

'You're serious?'  Koskie asked.

Mulder didn't answer.  He was too busy thinking about the 
first time that he'd seen the creature.  When he'd been in 
all those ice caves.  When he'd gone to find her.  He shook 
his head again.

He really didn't need to be thinking about her right now.

'Yeah.'  Mulder said softly.  'I believe that the alien 
grows inside a human host, using it to survive.  Then it's 
birthed directly from the human.  Tearing it's way out, 
just as you said.'

Koskie was silent for a moment.  'You sure I shouldn't be 
the one addressing you as Your Royal Highness?'

Mulder smiled again.

'You going to tell me anything else about the chicken?'  
Koskie asked as they continued down the hall.

'Not much you need to know.'  The music was louder as they 
approached the end of the hallway.  Mulder drew his gun as 
they stopped in front of a door.  'It's strong, it's fast, 
it's ugly, it has really long claws and it's been in a bad 
mood every time I've seen it.'

Koskie took out his own gun and held it in the ready 
position.  'Sounds beautiful.  But can I ask you a 
question?'

'Ask away.'

'What, exactly, are you planning on doing?'

Mulder seemed confused.  He tilted his head.  'What do you 
mean?'

Koskie gestured at the door with his gun.  'You just going 
to run in there and hope the rubber chicken behaves when 
you pull the gun on it?'

'Other than what?'  Mulder asked.  'Standing out here 
waiting to be invited for a drink?'

'I don't know, Spooky.'  Koskie said, stressing his name.  
'You tell me.'

'If you want me to tell you, why the question in the first 
place?'

'Charging in there like this doesn't seem wise.'

'Charging in like what?'  Mulder asked.

Koskie nodded his head at the door.  'Sounds like there's a 
lot of people in there.

'All the more reason to get in there, before the rubber 
chicken can hurt someone, or worse.'

Koskie hesitated, then shook his head and held his gun back 
up.  'You're the boss.'

Mulder tried the door to find it unlocked.  He looked at 
Koskie to make sure he was ready, then pushed the door 
open.

Music spilled into the hallway.

'...Creeping up the back stairs...Slinking into dark 
stalls...'

A heavy, rhythmic beat flooded their ears as they slid 
around the corners of the doorway.  Mulder blinked in the 
darkness.  The only light was the neon glow of whatever was 
shining under the black lights and the flashing of the 
strobe lights. A blanket of fog created by dry ice hovered 
three feet off the ground.  Hundreds of people were crammed 
into the deserted warehouse, dancing to Siouxsie and the 
Banshees.

So this is a retro rave, Mulder thought to himself.

Koskie looked over at him and set his gun straight down by 
his leg, not wanting to draw attention and create a panic.  
Mulder did the same as they both began to try to weave 
their way through the people.
The crowd was insane.  There were too many people jumping 
around, dancing, and rubbing against the two of them.  A 
thick haze of smoke from cigarettes hung in the air and the 
aroma of marijuana was overpowering.

'...Peek a boo...Peek a boo...'

Mulder caught Koskie's eyes and got his returning nod 
before venturing deeper into the crowd.  They couldn't get 
far because of the wall to wall people.  Mulder caught 
sight of something off to his right, in the corner of the 
dark room.  He tried to see in the darkness through the 
smoke and flashing of the lights.

He slowly moved towards the dim form as the music pounded 
against his skull.

'...She's jeering at the shadows...Sneering behind the 
smile...'

Mulder inched closer, step by slow step.  He was squinting 
his eyes, straining to see the vague form huddled in the 
corner.  What the hell was that?  A person?  Or something 
worse.

The shape suddenly passed by him in a blur, leaving him 
momentarily stunned and frozen.  Warm wetness peppered his 
face as the person on the right of him fell down first, 
then the person on his left.  He blinked in confusion, 
trying to pinpoint the retreating form through the crowd.  
Mulder got his feet moving, raising his gun up by his face.  
He was weaving in and out of people; never losing sight of 
the creature as it slashed it's way through the crowd.

The sound of someone screaming could be faintly heard over 
the music.

Mulder kept his eye on the retreating figure as he chased 
it back the way he'd just come from.  He nearly tripped 
over something and in a quick glance down, saw it was the 
body of a young girl. People began to take notice of him 
and his gun.  They began to glance around in confusion.

Oh god, he thought, please don't let them panic.

Mayhem broke out in the warehouse.

The whole crowd seemed to surge towards the doors on the 
opposite side of the warehouse.  Everyone was yelling and 
shoving, screaming and crying.  Mulder focused on getting 
to the creature, kept moving against the crowd.  He thanked 
whatever god was out there that he was hadn't ventured too 
far away from their original starting point.  He dimly 
thought of Koskie, wondered where he was.

The last of the crowd shoved past Mulder and the rubber 
chicken spun around, facing him.

Mulder froze with his gun pointed towards the creature, and 
stared in awe at his alien.  The gun in his hand was 
jumping up and down due to the shaking of his hands.  His 
eyes were wide as he tried to look over the alien, take in 
all of its features for future reference.

I shouldn't be scared, he thought.  I've been waiting for 
this for years.

Shit, it's tall.

The creature hissed at him and Mulder involuntarily took a 
step backwards.  As if in response, the alien took a step 
forward.

'...Golly...Jeepers...Where'd you get those peepers...'

He and the alien regarded each other for a moment, the 
latter tilting its head to one side.

Mulder's mind was suddenly filled with curiosity.  Fear.  
Incredible sadness.

Tears filled Mulder's eyes.  His whole body began to shake.  
He'd never felt so scared in his life, so alone, and 
wondered if they were his feelings, or the alien's.

Don't do this, Mulder told himself as his resolve began to 
fade in sympathy for the confused creature.

It simply stared back.  Mulder kept getting the same 
feeling from the creature, over and over.  The only 
translation he could maybe understand was, why, why, why?

Mulder's lower lip began to tremble with emotion.  Scared?  
Hell, he was damn petrified.

He tried to assess the weight, the height, the color.  He 
couldn't.  All he could see was the eyes.

'...Peep show...Creep show...Where did you get those 
eyes...'

'Mulder?'

Koskie's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.  The 
alien hissed again and was gone in an instant, breaking 
their contact.  Mulder heard a surprised yell and tried to 
locate the source of the sound.

'Koskie?'

He only got music in response.

'...They're slinking out the back door...She gets up from 
all fours...Rhinestone pools and silver dollars...Curl into 
bitter tears...'

He scanned the layer of fog that filled the room, waiting 
for the alien and several of its friends to pop up and use 
him as a nail file.

'...Peek a boo...Peek a boo...'

'Koskie!'  Mulder yelled louder.

'...Golly...Jeepers...Where'd you get those peepers...'

'I'm okay.'  Came the strangled reply.

'Where are you?'

'Over here.'  Koskie's faint reply came.  'I'm okay.'

That statement alone spoke volumes and Mulder followed the 
sound of his voice, thinking to himself.  Isn't it supposed 
to be; 'I'm fine'?

He kept moving in slow, purposeful steps, scanning the 
haze.  'Where are you, Koskie?'

'Over here.'

'...Peep show...Creep show...Where did you get those 
eyes...'

Something grabbed Mulder's foot.  He let out a yelp and 
spun around, pointing his gun down and the figure on the 
ground.

'I'm okay.'  Koskie said softly.

Mulder cast a nervous glance around the room before 
kneeling next to his partner.  The front of Koskie's shirt 
was covered in blood.

'That doesn't look okay, Koskie.'  Mulder said.  He was 
torn between putting his gun away to check out Koskie's 
wound, and dragging his partner out while keeping his 
weapon at the ready.

'Can you walk?'

Koskie nodded.  'I think so.'

'Let's get out of here and call for backup.'  Mulder pulled 
Koskie up by arm with one hand and kept his gun in the 
other.  He got a closer look at Koskie's face.  He couldn't 
see much in the bad light, but he believed Koskie was in 
shock.  'You sure you're okay?  You look like you've seen a 
ghost.'

'No ghost.'  Koskie replied, his teeth chattering.  'Just a 
giant, rubber chicken with an attitude problem.'

***

Mulder leaned against the back of the ambulance, watching 
the paramedics treat Koskie.  He wanted a look at the wound 
under that shredded shirt.  He took another glance at 
Koskie's pale face and felt a twinge of guilt.  What must 
he be thinking?  Mulder had years leading up to a close 
encounter.  Koskie knew nothing about it and it must have 
been quite a shock to be clawed by an alien.

'You okay?'  Mulder asked for the tenth time.

'I told you, Mulder.'  Koskie snapped.  'I'm fine.'

Mulder sighed, he almost felt better hearing those words.  
Almost.

Three Town Cars sped towards them, kicking dust up into the 
air.

'Uh oh.'  Mulder said.  'Here comes the cavalry.'

Koskie glanced up and leaned out to see the cars sliding to 
a stop.  He grinned.  'Smackdown time.'

Mulder chuckled.  'It'll be my smackdown, don't worry.'

Skinner jumped out of the first car and stalked over to 
them, a stern look on his face.  'What the hell are you 
trying to do?'  He reached the back of the ambulance.  'Put 
me in an early grave?'

'Sir?'  Mulder and Koskie both responded in unison.

'I'm being told that there are several dead bodies in 
there, Agents.'  Skinner was furious.  'Several dead 
TEENAGE bodies.'

'Well, Sir.'  Mulder started.  'We haven't been back in 
there since our escape-'

'Escape from what?' Skinner's face was beet red.

Mulder nodded his head towards his partner.  'From whatever 
attacked Agent Koskie.'

'You were attacked?'  Skinner voice was harsh.

'Yessir.'  Koskie replied.

Skinner narrowed his eyes.  'By who?'

'By what.'  Mulder corrected.

'By whatever did this.'  Koskie said, pulling his shredded 
shirt open for Skinner.

There were four deep gashes across Koskie's chest.  Skinner 
leaned in close to get a better look before turning to 
Mulder.  'What did that?'

Mulder cocked his head at his superior.  'What do you 
think?'

'Don't tell me.'  Skinner said sarcastically.  'One of your 
little green men?'

'We prefer the term 'rubber chicken'.'  Koskie said.

'This the same chicken you were talking about at the 
shipyard?'  Cooper's voice materialized out of nowhere and 
they all turned to see him standing behind Skinner.  They 
all stared at him in silence.

'You found something...' Cooper prompted them.  'You said 
it looked like chicken skin.'

'Oh yes.'  Koskie said.  'Same chicken.'

Cooper turned to Mulder.  'How do we handle something like 
this?'

'I don't know.'  Mulder shrugged.  'I don't know how to 
follow it, unless it's leaving skin everywhere.'

'Damn!'  Skinner exclaimed  'What the hell is that smell?'

'That would be us, Sir.'  Mulder replied.

Skinner was clearly frustrated with everything that was 
happening.  'What happened?'

'We stopped at Nordstrom's on the way over.'  Koskie went 
on.  'Tested a new aftershave.  Eau de Les Sewer.  You like 
it?  Because it's on sale for fifty percent off-'

'Shut up, Koskie.'  Skinner cut off his rambling.

A guy in a suit walked up to Cooper.  'We've set up the 
perimeters, Sir.'

Cooper nodded.  'Has anyone brought in the fans that I 
requested?'

'They're setting them up now, Sir.'

Cooper turned back to the three men.  'If we're going to 
get a jump on the scene, now's the time.'

Koskie hopped down from the ambulance and the three of them 
followed Cooper.

The four of them stepped inside the warehouse and surveyed 
the scene.

It was grisly.

Three people, two male and one female, had been crushed to 
death in the stampede to get out of the building.  As for 
victims of the 'unidentified assailant', there were five 
victims and counting.

The dry ice and cigarette smoke was being blown out the 
doors and now open windows by the industrial fans that had 
been brought in.  It was eerie watching body by body appear 
out of the fog as it was all being blown out the back 
doors.  The sound system had never been stopped and 
'Closer' by Nine Inch Nails was blaring down at them.

Skinner shook his head as he let out a deep breath.  
'Mulder, this is going to reflect badly upon the Bureau.'

'I know that, Sir.'

Skinner turned towards Mulder.  'What am I supposed to tell 
the press?'  They were speaking loudly to be heard over the 
music.

'Well-' Mulder began to speak but Skinner angrily 
interrupted him.

'What am I supposed to tell the Director?'

'Agent Mulder's only concern was public safety.'  Koskie 
interrupted, a hand pressed against the wounds on his 
chest.  'When I displayed hesitance against entering the 
building, Mulder expressed concern for the people.'

Skinner stared back at Koskie.  'You didn't want to enter 
the warehouse?'

'I hesitated.'  Koskie said, choosing his words carefully 
so he wasn't lying.  'But Mulder was afraid that the 
rubber-um, the unidentified assailant was going to attack 
the people inside.'

'Is this true?'  Skinner turned to Mulder.

'Uh...' Mulder wasn't sure how to respond to this.  'I was 
worried...'

Koskie nodded encouragingly, signaling for him to 
elaborate.

'It was my opinion that the 'unidentified assailant' would 
react with hostility.'  Mulder said, trying not to break 
out in laughter at the pathetic attempt he was making to 
explain himself.

Skinner regarded him for a moment.  'You lucky bastard.'  
He said softly.

Mulder raised an eyebrow.  'Excuse me, Sir?'

'Scully was always covering your ass.'  He replied, trying 
to hide a grin.  'Now you've got someone else willing to do 
it.'  Skinner abruptly turned and walked away, towards the 
nearest cluster of bodies.

Mulder and Koskie exchanged a glance before following him.

Skinner reached the nearest body, a girl of around sixteen, 
and huffed as he turned back towards Mulder.  'What am I 
supposed to say about this?'

Mulder looked down at the body.  It was gashed open, the 
intestines hanging out.  'I don't know, Sir.'

'The media will eat us alive.'  Skinner said, turning 
towards Cooper.

'The media doesn't need to know anything.'  He replied, 
staring down at the fallen teenager.

Another body appeared as the fog retreated, then another.

'How do you expect to keep this quiet?'  Skinner asked.

'They cannot see through the walls.'  Cooper replied 
solemnly.

'There were a couple hundred people here.'  Mulder said.  
'I'm sure some, if not all of them, will talk.'

Someone had found the stereo and the music abruptly went 
silent as the disappearing fog revealed yet another slain 
victim.

'Agent Mulder.'  Skinner said.  'You were on this scene, 
which means you are responsible.  Please tell me you 
entered this building after all this was over.  Please tell 
me there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.'

Mulder was saved as Skinner's cell phone rang at his side 
and he snatched it up.

'Skinner.  Yes.  Yes.'  He flipped open a notepad and 
scratched a pen across it, taking a couple of steps away.

Mulder and Koskie glanced at each other, then turned and 
looked at Cooper.

He gave Mulder a small grin.  'Review panel.'

Mulder made a face at him.  'Bite my ass.'

Koskie laughed, then stopped and clutched his wounds.  'Ow, 
don't make me laugh.'

'Bend over and you'll get something implanted on your ass.'  
Cooper shrugged.  'It may not be the indentation of my 
teeth, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it either way.'

Mulder grinned.  'Don't turn me on, Chip.'

'Don't make me laugh.'  Koskie said again, holding his 
stomach.

Cooper pulled a straight face as the Assistant Director 
walked back towards them.

'Yes, Sir.'  Skinner clicked the phone down and glared at 
the two of them.  'There's been another murder.'

'What?'  Mulder and Koskie both asked.

'You heard me, Agents.  I need you out there, the Director 
sounds like someone lit a fire under his ass.'  He eyed 
Koskie.  'You up to this?'

'Yessir.'  Koskie said.

'It's barely been over an hour.'  Mulder consulted his 
watch.  'This is going to be a mess if the chicken isn't 
caught soon.'

'It already is a mess, Agent Mulder.'  Skinner ripped off 
the piece of paper and handed it to Mulder.  'This one has 
the governor nervous.  Get there ASAP, ignore the press on 
the way out, and Mulder?'

Mulder had begun to walk away after he snatched the address 
out of Skinner's hand.  'Sir?'

Skinner yanked a handkerchief out of his pocket and held it 
out towards him.  'For god's sake, wipe that blood off your 
face.'

***

'I can't believe we're going to another scene looking like 
this.'  Koskie said, looking down at himself as they drove 
towards Park Avenue.

Mulder grinned.  'Not to mention smelling this way.'

'I'm fairly certain there's regulations against our 
appearance.'  Koskie sighed and rubbed his eyes before 
looking out the window.  The sun was rising.  'I've been 
awake too damn long.'

Mulder suddenly slammed on the breaks and threw the car 
into park.

'What?  What?'  Koskie looked around.

Mulder turned on the hazard lights and got out of the car.  
'Cream or sugar?'

'What?'

'How do you take your coffee?'  Mulder leaned back in and 
looked at him.

'Black.'  Koskie replied.  He watched Mulder walk into a 
doughnut shop and shook his head.  Guy slams on the breaks 
and leaves his car in the middle of the street to get 
coffee.  Definitely spooky.

A dozen horns blared from behind and Koskie leaned out of 
his window and threw up his hands.  'What, are you friggin' 
blind?'  He yelled back in a New Yorker's accent.  'Can you 
see the hazard lights?  We got us a problem here!  Go 
around!  Go around!'

Mulder heard the commotion and looked outside.  He grinned 
at the sight of his partner; sleep-deprived and filthy, 
throwing up his hands and yelling out the window.  He shook 
his head and grabbed the cups of coffee, smiling his thanks 
at the man behind the counter.

'I see you're making friends?'  Mulder handed Koskie a cup 
of coffee and set his own on top of the car.  He turned 
back towards the angry drivers and flashed his badge.  
'Sorry about the inconvenience.  Official FBI business.  
We're leaving now.'

Koskie grinned as Mulder got in the car.  'Are we trying to 
break every rule and regulation within the first week of 
our partnership?'

Mulder looked over his shoulder and eased out into the 
traffic.  'If so, we're off to a fine start.'

'A damn fine start.'  Koskie took a sip of his coffee.  'Oh 
wow.'

Mulder looked over at him.  'Strong?'

'Bitter.'

'Putrid?'

'Rank.'

Mulder rolled to a stop, as it became apparent that the 
cars stopped in the street were there to stay.  'It's so 
nice to know that two highly educated men such as ourselves 
have such deep and though provoking conversations.'

'It restores my faith in formal education.'  Koskie said.  
'And I'm taking an educated guess by saying this must be 
the place.'

The whole street was blocked off by news vans and police 
cars.  They got out of the car and made their way through 
the mess of people and lights, the ever present helicopters 
buzzing overhead.

Koskie buttoned up his jacket to cover his shredded, bloody 
shirt.  'Damn reporters.'

A camera and a microphone were shoved in Mulder's face.  
'Sir, are you with the FBI?  What do you think of the 
Senator's murder?  Do you have any leads?'

'No comment.'  Mulder said, brushing past the reporter.

An officer with the NYPD stopped them at the crime scene 
tape.  'I need to see some identification.'

They both pulled out their badges and the officer shook his 
head.  'How many of you do they need in there?'

'The FBI is already here?'  Mulder asked.

'No Sir, but ATF is.'

'ATF?'  Koskie asked.  'What the hell are they doing here?'

The officer shrugged.  'I don't know anything standing out 
here.'

Mulder and Koskie ducked under the tape and walked across 
the perfectly manicured lawn.

'The house is on the corner.'  Mulder said.  'Directly 
across the street from the park.'

Koskie followed his gaze.  'Implying the chicken got here 
through the sewers and hit the first house it saw upon 
exiting that drainage pipe over there?'

'I was just wondering how much a place like this would go 
for.'  Mulder replied.

'Agent Mulder?'

They both turned as a man walked up to them, clad in an 
expensive, well-tailored suit.  He didn't offer to shake 
hands.

'That's me.'  Mulder said, instantly disliking him.

'I'm Agent Anderson, ATF.  We've been waiting for you.  I 
got a call from some goon with the NSA, instructing us that 
nothing was to be touched until you got here.  He said 
you've already been following leads pertaining to this.  He 
said you were to take charge here.'

'ATF is here because...?'  Koskie asked him

Anderson eyed Koskie with distaste.  'Who are you?'

'This is my partner, Agent Steven Koskie.'  Mulder said 
quickly, not wanting Koskie to shoot off his mouth and get 
them both reprimanded.

'Senator Fletcher was an avid gun collector.'  Anderson 
said, turning back to Mulder.  'He has damn near close to a 
small armory in his basement.  Illegal weapons.  That's why 
we were called in.  What I want to know is why the NSA is 
getting involved in a simple murder case.'

'I'm sure the NSA told you everything they needed to.'  
Mulder rubbed a hand over his face.

'This is my squad here.'  Anderson said.  'If there's 
something going on, I think I should be aware of it.'

'Of course there's something going on.'  Koskie replied.  
'A man has been murdered.'

'And I'm sure the NSA is concerned with the fact that the 
man was a Senator.'  Mulder said.  'We've been following a 
string of murders, which originated in a naval shipyard not 
too far from here twenty-four hours ago.  You have to see 
where the NSA would be concerned.  There may be a 
connection between a Naval shipyard and a Senator.'

Anderson didn't look convinced.  'The body's upstairs, 
third door on the right.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have 
some calls to make.'

Mulder and Koskie watched the man stomp away.

'That could have gone better.'  Koskie said.

'It's too bad he didn't like us.'  Mulder replied.  'I 
thought he was rather charming.'

'I don't think he liked our refugee-on-the-run image.'

'You think?'  Mulder asked as they began walking towards 
the house.

'Oh sure.'  Koskie nodded.  'It's either that or the cloud 
of stench that's hovering around us.'

Mulder shrugged.  'I thought he was just jealous at how 
quickly I linked the two murders together.'

'At least you didn't squeeze the underground party fiasco 
into your monologue.'  Koskie said.  'He probably would 
have had a melt-down right here.'

They both flashed their badges at another officer as they 
entered the house and made their way up the staircase.  
They took in the immaculate, sterile residence.

'Remember Ferris Bueller's Day Off?'  Koskie asked.

'Surely you're not going to suggest we play hooky today and 
hit a Yankee's game.'

'The way he described Cameron's house.  Like a museum.'

Mulder looked at his partner, wondering where he was going 
with this.  'Yeah.  What about it?'

'That's what this place reminds me of.'  Koskie shivered, 
looking around.  'Blah, gives me the creeps.'

Mulder stood in the doorway of the bedroom, looking at all 
the people inside, his mouth open.

Koskie didn't need to see inside the room to know why 
Mulder was so angry.

'What the hell is going on?'  Mulder asked loudly.  'I was 
told nothing would be touched until we got here.'

'We're about to start stringing.'  A female ATF agent said.  
'No one's been near the body.'

'How do I know that?'  Mulder asked, stepping into the 
room.  'Who's in charge here?'

'I'm in charge.'  The woman said.  'So I can tell you that 
the body has not been touched.'

'Who are you?'  Mulder asked, knowing he was being rude, 
but really too tired and too angry to care.

'I beg your pardon.'  She challenged him back.  'But who 
are you?'

'Special Agent Fox Mulder with the FBI.'  He said.  'I 
believe you've been informed that I'll be taking charge 
here.  My orders came directly from the NSA so if you or 
anyone else here has a problem with me, you can take it up 
with the Attorney General or the President.  Although I 
don't think either one of them would like to hear their 
phone ringing this early.'

She was silent for a moment.  'You're Fox Mulder?'

'Yes.  Now if you'd be so kind as to tell me who you are, 
we can get started here.'

'Agent Marie Koskie.'

He finally looked at her, confused.

She smirked.  'Steven never mentioned you were such an 
arrogant asshole.'

Mulder looked over the woman standing before him.  She 
looked young, possibly in her late twenties or early 
thirties.  She was a brunette, her hair falling naturally 
past her shoulders.  She was approximately five feet, six 
inches, with beautiful, deep brown eyes. She wasn't too 
skinny, and she had a beautiful smile, which revealed 
striking, white teeth.

Mulder grinned.  'I am sorry to say, that he left out the 
best attribute I happen to possess.'

'So it seems.'

'He never mentioned that he had a sister.'

'Doesn't surprise me.'

'Why is that?'  Mulder asked.

She finally grinned in return.  'You'll find out.'

'Confident, are we?'

'No reason for me not to be, Agent Mulder.'

'I don't see the similarity between you two.'  Mulder said 
sarcastically.

'Well, aren't you a peach.'  She smiled larger and tilted 
her head.

'Fresh off the tree.'  Mulder grinned stupidly.  'You 
aren't too bad yourself, you know?'

'I have been told that a time or two.'

'I wouldn't doubt it.'

'I am sorry, uh...' Mulder suddenly drew a blank and 
couldn't remember her name.

'Marie.'  She said bluntly.

'Yes, Marie.  What-'

Marie cut him off.  'Enough of the chit chat, is there 
something I can help you with Agent Mulder?'

'I was about to ask you the same thing.  I thought if 
anyone needed help, it would be you.  Thought I would do my 
good deed for the day, maybe earn my 'kindness to those in 
need' badge and I think that door to door sales time is 
rolling around.'

'Well, well, well. You possess wit and undying charm as 
well. Is that a package deal?'  She asked, mockingly.

'What have you discovered about the case?'

'Agent Mulder, why don't you take a step inside, and have a 
look at the body.'

'You wouldn't happen to have ordered an autopsy, would 
you?'

'Agent Mulder..." Marie began.  "Please excuse me for a 
moment.'  She walked away, towards a man that had caught 
her attention.

Koskie's voice announced his arrival.  'Hey, Mulder, I 
think I was right.  Agent Anderson does not like our 
fugitive look.  I say we go and grab a pair of shackles and 
hideous orange jumpsuits just to spite him.'

'What?'  Mulder asked, turning around.  'I think the 
outfits are cute. They make me look slimmer.  Did you know 
that no major department stores carry them?  Something 
about hysteria in the streets, I just can't imagine.'

Mulder saw Koskie's eyes fixated across the room, a huge 
smile spread across his face.

'Well, if it isn't Maria Tortilla.'  He said.

'Tortilla?'  Mulder raised an eyebrow at his partner.

Koskie waved a hand at him.  'A nickname from when were 
kids.  Long story.'

'You didn't tell me you had a sister in ATF.'

'Not something that really comes up during normal business 
hours, Mulder.'  Koskie unbuttoned his coat so he could 
examine his wounds.  'Not to mention we haven't exactly 
been playing 'Twenty Questions'.'

'Agent Koskie.'  Marie approached the two of them.

Koskie smiled back and nodded at her.  'Agent Koskie.'

'This is the new assignment you told me about?' She 
gestured her head at Mulder and he nodded in response.

'That it is.'

'Involved with the NSA?'  Marie smiled.  'My, you're 
definitely moving up in the world.'

Koskie laughed and she looked him over.  'My God, Steven, 
what the hell happened to you?'

'Ran into a chicken with an attitude problem, nothing to be 
concerned about.'

'Steven, you're hurt!'  She gasped and opened his jacket to 
look at his chest.  'Must have been one hell of a chicken!'

'It's nothing.'  Koskie closed his coat back up.  'Just 
some scratches.'

'And you reek.'

'Thanks, Tortilla.'

'What's up with your partner?'  She asked, looking over her 
shoulder.

Mulder was examining some scratches in the floor; he began 
to dig with a pen.

'He's a bit...' Koskie searched for the right word.  'Off.'

Marie tilted her head to the side and smiled at him.  
'Off?'

'Don't get me wrong, he's brilliant.  But he's still, off.'

'What is this business with the NSA, Steven?'  She narrowed 
her eyes at him.  'You aren't getting in over your head 
again, are you?'

Koskie grinned.  'Who, me?'

'That's what I thought.'  She replied as Mulder walked up 
to them.  He held up a small, plastic bag.

'Recognize this?'  He asked.

Koskie peered closely at the small object enclosed in the 
clear plastic.  His eyes widened.  'A claw?'  He looked up 
at Mulder in surprise.

'Look familiar?'

'Holy shit.'  Koskie whispered.

'Look like a chicken fingernail to you?'

Koskie smiled up at Mulder.  'Winner!'

Mulder handed the bag to Koskie and pulled out his cell 
phone.  'We need to get back to DC.'

'You going to take that to Quantico for comparison?'  
Koskie held the bag up again and Marie crowded close to get 
a better look.

'No.' Mulder said.  'But I do need the results from the 
body we found in the shipyard so we can compare the two.  
Nice to meet you, Maria Tortilla, see you around.'  He 
smiled at her.

She returned the grin and gave him a nod.  'Count on it.'

Koskie looked over at Mulder as he began talking.

'Heads up, Frohike.  I need to come down ASAP.  Can you get 
some info from Quantico for me?'

Koskie was confused.  'What are you doing, Mulder?'

'I have friends.'  Mulder grinned at him, then walked away, 
speaking rapidly.  'You need the case number?  It's X-
2491573.  We'll be down in a few hours, can you get that 
for me?'

Koskie glanced down at Marie.  'I guess it's time to go.'

She put a hand on his arm.  'Please be careful, Steven.'

'You know me.'  He shrugged.

'Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.'

Koskie grinned at her.  'I'll call you tonight.'

'Yes, I said, 'we'.'  Mulder held the front door open for 
Koskie as he continued his conversation with Frohike.  'I 
have a new partner, troll-man.  You'll meet him in a few 
hours.'

***

They drove down the freeway, heading to the Lone Gunmen's 
place.  Koskie could not remember the last time he'd been 
so tired.  Mulder seemed fine and just kept sucking down 
the coffee.  Maybe if he had an intravenous feed of 
espresso he'd be okay.  He keep dozing off, kept jerking 
awake.  The last time, his head hit the window and he 
looked over at Mulder to see if he'd noticed.

'Maybe you should take a nap.'  Mulder suggested.

Koskie shook his head.  'I'm fine.'

'We'll be there soon enough.'  Mulder looked over at him.  
'Unless you want me to take you home.  I can go alone.'

'No, no.  I just need something to keep me awake.'  Koskie 
stretched, then leaned over and turned on the radio.

'The Otherside' by the Red Hot Chile Peppers was playing.

Mulder drew in a deep breath as his mind took on a life of 
it's own.  He was suddenly in Scully's apartment, Krycek 
staring sadly at him as images collided in his head.

'...How long, how long will I slide...Separate my side...'

Scully and Krycek were sitting at a table across from 
Cancer Man and his sister, not too far away from a band 
which consisted of a banjo, a piano, a saw, a washboard, 
and someone playing the spoons.  He could smell the 
jambalaya, smell the Morley Spender was smoking; he could 
feel the smooth, cold glass of Krycek's bottle of beer 
against his palm.

The music was not only on the radio, it was inside his head 
as well.

'...I heard your voice through a photograph...I thought it 
up and brought up the past...Once you know, you can never 
go back...I gotta take it on the otherside...'

'Mulder!'

Mulder had no idea where he was.  He didn't know what was 
real.  A small part of him screamed that he was in a car, 
driving on the freeway.  But everything else he saw and 
heard was so far away.

Spender pulled out another chart and laid it on the table 
in between the two.  'This is the DNA of your unborn 
child.'

'...Centuries are what it meant to me...A cemetery where I 
marry the sea...Stranger things could never change my 
mind...I gotta take it on the otherside...'

'Mulder!'  Koskie grabbed the wheel and slowly drove the 
car off the road.

The voice interrupted him.  Mulder realized that he had his 
hands pressed against his face, covering his eyes.  There 
were tears in his eyes.  Krycek had just been told that he 
was going to be a father and Mulder was feeling everything 
he did all over again, for the second time in his life.

He suddenly stood up, in the restaurant, knocking over the 
chair in the process, and hastily walked towards the front 
door.  He could still hear Spender's voice, speaking to 
Scully.  It followed him out to the street.

'If you compare the DNA charts of the two of you to the 
chart of the child, you'll see, the child has both.'

Mulder felt hands on his arms.  He opened his eyes to see a 
freeway.  Cars whizzing past, honking.  On his right, 
Koskie was staring at him, concern in his eyes.

'Mulder?'  Koskie snapped fingers in front of his face.  
'You there?'

Mulder let out a shuddering breath, his voice thick and 
shaky.  'Turn off the radio.'

Koskie punched at the controls until silence filled the 
car.  Mulder began to feel a little better.

'You okay?'  Koskie asked.  'You...I had to take the wheel 
and let us coast off.'

'Sorry.'  Mulder barely managed to croak out the word.

'What happened?'

'I don't know.'  Mulder shook his head.  'I can't explain 
it.'

'Well try, Mulder.'  Koskie replied.  'You scared the hell 
out of me.'

Mulder hesitated, then wiped a hand across his eyes, 
sniffling.  'You know Koskie, you and I are gonna have to 
have a talk someday.  Not now, but someday.'

Koskie stared back at Mulder, at the haunted look in his 
eyes, at the tears on his face.  He felt sorry for every 
bad thought he'd ever had of his partner.  Felt badly for 
every joke he'd ever laughed at, every remark he'd ever 
made about Spooky Mulder.

'I assume it will be quite a story.'  Koskie said, opening 
his door.  'In the meantime, why don't I drive.'

***

'Who are these people?'  Koskie asked, listening to all the 
locks being disengaged.  'You hanging out with a right-wing 
militant group?'

'I have yet to figure out what group to lump them into.'  
Mulder smiled.  'I don't think they can be described as any 
one thing or another.'

Frohike opened the door.  'What's up, freak?'

'Nice to see you too, Melvin.'  Mulder stepped past him.  
'Meet Steve Koskie.'

Frohike glanced up at Koskie, distrust already in his eyes.  
'You prefer Steve or Koskie?'  He asked.  'We normally go 
by our last names around here.'

'Actually, I prefer neither.'  Koskie followed Mulder into 
the room.  'I've always been partial to Sugar Pants, Honey 
Lips, you get my drift.'

Frohike shut the door, already disliking Mulder's arrogant 
partner.  'How about punk ass?'  He growled at Koskie's 
back.  'You've probably heard that one a lot.'

'Oh that's perfect.'  Koskie turned to grin down at him.  
'And I'll call you my little pet bitch.'

'Don't make me get the can out.'  Frohike retorted.

Koskie grinned even larger at the response he was getting 
from the little guy.  'Shouldn't you be following the 
yellow brick road?'

'Enough.'  Mulder intervened.  He held out the plastic bag 
to Frohike.  'Check it out.'

Frohike's eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he held it up 
in front of his face.

'Chicken finger.'  Koskie said out of nowhere.

'Doesn't look like it'd be too good with honey mustard.'  
Langly's voice came from behind them.  'You smell maximum 
real, Mulder.'

'We worked hard at it.  Meet Agent Koskie.'

Langly looked at him, sadness in his eyes.  'You're 
Mulder's new partner?'

Koskie nodded.  'Although after the day we've had, I'm not 
so sure I'll live to see our next case.'

'Life around Mulder tends to be that way.'  He replied.  
'I'm Langly.'

'You CIA?'

'As in my last name, not Langley, Virginia.'

'Bingo.'  Frohike's voice rang out.

'Whatcha got?'  Mulder leaned over Frohike's shoulder.

'This genetic make up.  It's matching on three case 
numbers.  The one you had me get today, and two of your 
earlier cases.'

'How do you have access to all this?'  Koskie asked, 
joining them at the table.

'You can say, it Langly.'  Frohike grinned, looking 
tweaking an image on a monitor.  'I have to say it all the 
time.'

Mulder rolled his eyes at Koskie and said it with Langly.

'My Kung Fu is the best.'

'Okay.'  Koskie grinned despite himself.  'We got us some 
hackers?'

'They cover a far broader range of illegal activities.'  
Mulder said.  'Be careful you don't offend.'

'His smell is already doing that.'  Frohike said.  'This 
claw definitely matches whatever you found yesterday 
morning.'

'You said there were three matches.'  Mulder replied.

'Yes, some of it matches whatever organic material you 
found back in Phoenix all those years ago.  And I don't 
think this other match was from a case.  It's just records 
we have stored.  Medical charts, DNA strands, lists of the 
genetic make up of something.'

Mulder peered closely at the monitor, searching for an 
indication of what it was in reference to.  'Of what?'

'I'm looking for a name...' Frohike's voice trailed off.  
'There.  Gibson Praise.  Mean anything to you?'

Mulder didn't respond.  He was speechless.

'I'll take that as a yes.'  Frohike said, indicating 
Mulder's shocked silence.

'How could the chicken have Gibson's DNA?'  Mulder mumbled 
softly.

'Who's Gibson Praise?'  Koskie looked between Frohike and 
Langly, only to get shrugs and shaking heads.

Mulder tried to keep himself from shaking as he pulled out 
his cell phone and hit the speed dial.

'We're sorry...The number you have dialed has been 
disconnected...Please hang up and try again...'

'Damn.'  Mulder impatiently pushed buttons, dialing the 
number to the house in Newport Beach.  'How long am I going 
to keep calling her apartment?  Newport is 714, right?'

'Hello?'

Mulder grimaced at the voice on the other end.  'It's me 
Krycek, lemme talk to Scully.'

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

'Hello?'  Mulder asked sarcastically.  'You suddenly 
develop swimmer's ear from all that surfing?'

'Fox...' Krycek's sad voice softly floated back to him.

The serious tone of Krycek's normally cheerful voice 
confused Mulder for a moment.  He heard a baby began to cry 
in the background and suddenly he remembered.

Scully was dead.

He had forgotten.  He had automatically gone to call Scully 
to get her explanation on Gibson's DNA.  If anyone could 
have figured it out, it would have been her.  But she was 
dead.  He looked up to see everyone staring at him in 
confusion, pity, sorrow, as Krycek kept talking.

'I don't know what to say, Fox.'

Koskie put a hand on his arm.  The look on Mulder's face 
spoke a thousand words.

Frohike reached for the phone and Mulder gladly released 
it.  Koskie guided him towards a chair and he plopped 
heavily down and put his hands over his face.  Scully was 
dead.

'Alex?'  He heard Frohike's voice talking.  'Yeah, I know.  
I don't think he has either, but he'll okay.  We'll take 
care of him.  I know, Alex.'  The voice retreated as 
Frohike left the room.

'You okay, Mulder?'  Koskie asked.

Mulder tried to block the image out.  One picture always 
popped in his head when he thought of Scully.  It wasn't 
exactly his fondest memory, but it was the happiest he'd 
ever seen her.  Covered in orange slime, squishing the 
pumpkin goop in her hands all over Krycek's face.  She was 
giggling like a teenager, pregnant, her blonde hair grown 
out.  Why that image, he didn't know.  Maybe because it was 
the first time he'd seen the Scully he never knew.

'Mulder?'  It was Langly now and he knew he'd have to do 
something before they all went into Mother Mode on him.  He 
just couldn't figure out what to do.  Scully was dead.  He 
took a deep breath and forced his hands away from his face.  
Both Langly and Koskie were staring down at him.

'You okay, Mulder?'  The former asked.

He slowly nodded, he wanted to speak, but no words came to 
mind.  Scully was dead.  His face showed no emotion, his 
movements suddenly seemed sluggish.

Byers walked into the room.  'Hey Mulder.  When did you get 
here?'  He stuck a hand out in Koskie's direction.  'John 
Byers.'

'This is Mulder's new partner.'  Langly said as Koskie 
accepted his handshake.  'Agent Koskie.'

Mulder ran his hands through his hair, trying to collect 
himself.  His face was pale and his eyes were dazed.

Byers took a closer look at his friend.  'You okay, 
Mulder?'  He got no response and turned to look at Langly.  
'What's going on?  What happened?'

'I'll tell you later.'  Langly said softly before leaning 
closer to Mulder.  'You hear me, Mulder?  You okay?'

Mulder nodded again, finally forcing some words out, the 
only words that came to mind other than Scully was dead.

'I'm fine.'

Byers and Langly didn't say a word as Mulder suddenly burst 
into laughter.

He suddenly understood why Scully had been so fond of those 
words.  They were so easy to spit out when you couldn't say 
anything else.  He put his hands over his face again and 
continued to laugh.  After a few hysterical moments, his 
giggles turned to silent sobs.

Koskie was genuinely frightened for his partner.  Maybe he 
was in need of some Thorazine and a straight jacket.  
'Mulder, what the hell is so funny?'

'I don't think he's laughing.'  Langly said softly.

Frohike walked back into the room and held the phone out 
towards Mulder.  'Alex wants to talk to you.'

Mulder shook his head.  'I can't talk to him.'

'Mulder-'

'I don't want to talk to him!'  Mulder said harshly, taking 
his hands away from his face and glaring at Frohike.

Langly took the phone himself and walked out of the room.

'Mulder.'  Koskie put a hand on his arm.  'Let me take you 
home.'

'I'm sorry.'  He replied softly.  'I don't know what's 
wrong with me.'

'Oh, I wonder.'  Frohike replied.  'You just lost Scully.  
Not to mention all this other crap that's been going on, 
with Spender and Fowley and Alex.'

'Not to mention you haven't slept in over twenty-four 
hours.'  Koskie said.  'Been chasing the chicken through 
sewers.  Hit an underground party on the way.  It's been a 
busy couple of days.'

Byers glanced between Koskie and Mulder, not sure how much 
his new partner was aware of.  'Mulder, if you need-'

'I'm okay.'  He interrupted, forcing the next question out, 
directing it to Frohike.  'How's Krycek?  I heard the baby 
crying.'

'He's hanging in there, Mulder.  He seemed worried about 
you.'

Mulder chuckled nervously to get away from any thought that 
Krycek might care about him.  It was so much easier to 
pretend that Krycek still hated him.  'Why would he care 
about me one way or another?'

Frohike threw a scolding look at Mulder.  'Don't make me 
state the obvious.'

Mulder looked down at the floor, feeling defeated.  Frohike 
was talking about the fact that Krycek was his brother.  No 
one knew except Krycek, Skinner and Frohike.  Scully knew 
too, but of course, Scully was dead.

He reinforced the delusion.  'Krycek can't stand me.'

Byers shrugged and turned to frown at an image on one of 
many monitors before walking over to see what Frohike was 
messing with.  'Maybe he was just being polite, Mulder.'

Krycek had been nothing but nice to him since this whole 
mess began.  He had tried to get Mulder to see his side of 
the story, and when Mulder refused to deal with it, Krycek 
had given him the space that he needed.  He had even told 
Mulder that he needed to pull his head out of his ass when 
it came to Scully.  He had reacted stupidly, jealously, 
sensing that Krycek had feelings for her that maybe he 
wasn't aware of.  Krycek had ignored Mulder, insisting that 
Scully was in love with him so it didn't matter what kind 
of feelings he had.  Krycek pushed him towards telling 
Scully how he really felt, that he was running out of time.  
Mulder never did.  He had hesitated, and now it was too 
late.

He still hated Krycek.  Still blamed everything miserable 
in his life on him.  If Scully hadn't been pregnant with 
his child, she'd probably still be here today.  Not that 
the child was Krycek's fault, but still.  He needed to 
blame someone and Krycek was just as good as anyone else.

Koskie leaned over to speak softly in Mulder's ear.  
'Someday you're going to have to tell me what the hell is 
going on with Alex Krycek.'

'What do you mean?'  Mulder didn't look at him.  He was 
vulnerable and didn't want anyone seeing it.

'Last I heard he'd been killed, ran off to work with the 
CIA, became a double agent for the Russians, the 
British...Mostly I heard that he was your nemesis, that he 
was specifically working against the X-Files.  But the 
night I was watching Scully's apartment, you were all 
there.  And he and Scully didn't exactly seem to hate each 
other.  I just want to know, if I'm going to be getting 
involved in any of this in anyway, what the hell is going 
on.  Doesn't seem fair for me to fight for something I know 
nothing about.'

'I told you, Koskie.'  Mulder said softly, still trying to 
shed the weird soggy blanket that had fallen over him.  
'When the time is right, you'll get your bedtime story.  
Right now I'm more concerned with the chicken.'

'Where did you find this?'  Byers asked, looking at the 
claw and the monitor.

'New York.  It's from an EBE.'  Koskie said, managing to 
maintain a straight face, it sounded so stupid.

'Thus, the chicken reference.'  Frohike said.

Byers glanced over at Mulder.  'Anywhere near where they 
took you after you were abducted?'

Mulder stared back, his mouth open.  He shook his head.  'I 
never even thought about that.'

Koskie sighed, letting his head fall back.  'I'm seeing the 
Manhattan skyline...'

***

They entered the building through the back door of the 
basement.

Mulder pulled out his flashlight and swept it over the 
room, searching out a path amongst the pipes, machinery and 
ducts.

'Mulder, do you have any idea what the hell we're doing?'  
Koskie asked, swatting at a spider as he ran into a web.

Mulder grinned.  'Well, it's got a nice beat you can dance 
to.'

'Always the smartass.'  Koskie said.

'I've reserved that title for you, Sugar Smacks.'  Mulder 
said, ducking under some pipes.  'Watch out for those-'

Koskie ran into the piping and grabbed his head.

'Pipes.'  Mulder finished.

'Thanks, Fruity Pebbles.'  Koskie said, wincing.  'Oh, 
damn, that hurt.'

Mulder stopped and shined the flashlight in his face.  'You 
okay, Cookie Crisp?'

'I'm fine, Captain Crunch.'  Koskie said, holding up a hand 
at the light.  'Get that outta my face.'

'Sorry.'  Mulder mumbled, continuing ahead.  'Grape Nuts.'

'Whatever.'  Koskie replied.  'Count Chocula.'

They walked in silence for a few minutes, sweeping the 
flashlights from side to side.  Koskie suddenly began to 
sing softly.

'When you find your life's in danger, when you're 
threatened by a stranger, when it looks like you will take 
a lickin'.'  He clucked like a chicken before continuing 
on.  'Bok, bok, bok, bok.  There is someone waiting who 
will hurry up and rescue you, just call for super chicken.  
Ba-KAK!'

Mulder picked up.  'Steve, if you're afraid you'll have to 
overlook it.  Besides you knew the job was dangerous when 
you took it.'

'Ba-KAK!'  They both clucked before continuing on together.

'People drink his super sauce and throw the bad guys for a 
loss and he will bring them in alive and kicking.  Bok, 
bok, bok, bok.  There is one thing you should learn, when 
there is no where else to turn, just call for super 
chicken.  Bok, bok, bok, bok.  Just call for super chicken.  
Ba-KAK!'

They continued walking on in silence before Mulder shook 
his head.  'I must be losing my mind.'

They both laughed softly in the darkness as they came to a 
ventilation shaft.  Mulder looked around the room, then put 
the flashlight in his mouth so he could remove the grati