Kathleen A. Klatte

 

“The Truth Within” 

 

Feedback and commentary are most welcome. 

 

Disclaimer:  The X-Files is the property of Chris Carter, FOX, and Ten Thirteen productions, et al;  this is a recreational endeavor, no profit is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.  

XFMU Challenge #1 - The End of an Era

Notes on history/continuity:  Remember the ep with Agent Harrison and that creepy little kid?  Good.  That’s the last ep that “happened.”  J 

 

******************************************

 

She was gone, and he was frantic. 

 

******************************************

 

The day had started ordinarily enough...Special Agents John Doggett and Monica Reyes were slogging their way through the contents of their in-box and sipping at the sludge that passed for coffee from the basement cafeteria.  Doggett was threatening to recommend a remedial trip back to the Academy for an agent out in the woods of Wisconsin. 

 

“Don’t they teach these kids anything before they set ‘em loose?” he wondered. 

 

“Now, John, check the Agents on the scene...Agent Harrison -” 

 

“Monica we just went through this – that woman shouldn’t ever, for any reason whatsoever, be allowed out of the accounting office,” Doggett snorted. 

 

“- and a rookie,” Monica continued calmly. 

 

“Make that two rookies!”

 

“Between the two of them, it’s probably their first homicide investigation.  They’ll learn.” 

 

“If they’d bothered to read the coroner’s report, they’d have learned that the fatal cuts were made by a serrated blade, most likely a kitchen knife, most definitely not a werewolf!” Doggett retorted. 

 

“John, the bodies were completely drained of blood...that’s pretty scary stuff,” Monica admonished. 

 

“All the same, I’m gonna recommend - gimme that!” 

 

Monica grinned impishly, clutching the report she’d just snatched from his hands.  “I’ll handle this one.” 

 

Doggett made a grab for the papers and Monica’s smile dissolved into giggles as she pulled them out of reach.  At that moment, the office door opened, and the laughter died on her lips.  AD Skinner stood framed in the doorway and tension radiated from him in palpable waves. 

 

“Agent Reyes, Agent Doggett, have either one of you been in contact with Agent Scully this weekend?” 

 

“No sir,” they both muttered barely a beat apart. 

 

“Not since...what was it, Tuesday, when we went to Quantico to check out that autopsy report?” Doggett wondered aloud. 

 

Monica rifled through her desk calendar.  “Tuesday,” she confirmed. 

 

“Did she appear ill?” Skinner asked, consulting some notes he held clutched tightly in one hand. 

 

“No,” Monica answered. 

 

“Why?” Doggett demanded. 

 

“Agent Scully called in sick last Wednesday.  That seems to have been the last that anyone heard from her.” 

 

Skinner’s words chilled both agents. 

 

“It took a week for someone to notice she was missin’?” Doggett asked in a carefully controlled voice. 

 

Skinner’s voice was equally tight when he replied.  “Agent Scully no longer reports directly to me.  There’s a flu bug going around over at the Quantico facilities.  She called in sick, she had plenty of time on the books, so no one thought it unusual for her to take a couple of days to let the flu run its course.  When she didn’t show up for work this morning, however, her supervisor tried to call her at home.  Agent Scully’s home phone has been disconnected.  Her cell phone account has been deactivated.  I was apprised of the situation twenty minutes ago.” 

 

Monica and John exchanged stunned glances.  After a couple of false starts, she finally managed, “What do you want us to do, sir?” 

 

“Find her,” Skinner stated flatly. 

 

“Sir, won’t there be a question of jurisdiction?” Doggett asked.  “I mean, technically, this is a missing persons case.” 

 

“Dana and William Scully have both been the subjects of X-Files.  I’m officially reopening their cases.” 

 

Doggett nodded. 

 

Skinner looked from one to the other.  “John.  Monica.  If anyone can find her...it’s the two of you.  You know what you’re looking for, and what you’re up against, better than anyone.  I’ll see to it that you get any Bureau resources that you need, but I think we all know that you’ll have better luck through...unofficial channels.”  He turned to leave, then paused with his hand on the doorknob.  “Godspeed.” 

 

******************************************

Dana Scully’s Residence

 

The door rattled with a peculiarly hollow echo beneath Doggett’s fist.  “Agent Scully?  Dana?  Are you in there?  Are you OK?  It’s John Doggett and Monica Reyes.”  He turned to his partner.  “I’d say that’s probable cause.”  He braced himself to kick in the door. 

 

Monica grabbed his arm firmly.  “Probable cause to use the warrant Skinner got for us.  I’ll go get the landlord.” 

 

Doggett heaved a heavy sigh of frustration.  “Awright…but hurry it up.” 

 

******

 

The landlord was grumbling irritably as he unlocked the door.  “There better not be any more bullet holes in here.  I warned Miz Scully the last time…” 

 

“Thanks for your co-operation,” Doggett said curtly.  “Please wait out here.  This may be a crime scene.”  He pushed past the older man into the apartment.  His footsteps echoed eerily through the empty room.  Doggett stood for a long moment in the pool of golden sunlight that streamed in through the bare windows.  Abruptly, he turned on his heel and walked out. 

 

“John!  John, wait!” Monica called, hurrying breathlessly after him. 

 

“Wait fer what?  There’s nothing there, Monica.  Nothing.” 

 

“John...”  She laid a calming hand on his arm.  “We don’t know that for sure...we have to at least look.” 

 

“We’re not gonna find anything in there, Monica.  You know it and I know it.”  He heaved another sigh that was heavy with sorrow and anger and frustration and several more emotions that he was simply too tired to catalogue.  “She’s gone.  Just like Mulder.” 

 

Monica tightened her grip on Doggett’s arm, and waited until he made eye contact with her.  “John, she’s my friend, too.” 

 

“I know,” he said tiredly.  He slipped his arm around Monica’s shoulders and she leaned in close for a moment, hugging him back. 

 

“C’mon,” she murmured, “let’s at least take a look.” 

 

“OK,” Doggett agreed, reluctantly releasing her. 

 

******************************************

J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, D.C.

 

“The apartment was empty?” Skinner asked in weary resignation. 

 

“Yeah…furniture, rugs, personal items…everything,” Doggett replied. 

 

“We’ve got a forensic team going over the place, but it’ll be a while before we get any results,” Monica added. 

 

A pained expression crossed Skinner’s face.  “Have either of you been in contact with Agent Scully’s mother?” 

 

“No, sir,” Doggett replied slowly.  “We wanted to get your feedback first.”  

 

“Agent Scully and her mother are very close, especially since the baby…I don’t want to upset Mrs. Scully, but if she has any information, we’ve got to talk to her,” Skinner mused. 

 

“We can head out there right now,” Monica suggested.  “Forensics can page us if they find anything.” 

 

“I’m coming with you,” Skinner announced. 

 

Doggett nodded grimly as he handed Monica her jacket. 

 

******************************************

Maggie Scully’s Residence

 

Maggie Scully’s face paled as she saw the three agents on her doorstep. 

 

“May we come in, Mrs. Scully?” Skinner asked formally. 

 

“Dana?” she whispered. 

 

Skinner took her arm and gently steered her towards the couch.  “I’m afraid so, Mrs. Scully.  Can you tell me the last time you spoke with Dana?” 

 

“Last night.” 

 

Monica glanced sharply at her partner. 

 

Doggett shrugged slightly.  “Doesn’t mean anything…she coulda called from a payphone or a different cell phone.” 

 

Maggie seemed to be getting her second wind.  “I don’t understand.  I spoke to my daughter last night.  She said she was fine.” 

 

Monica decided to try another approach.  “Mrs. Scully, did Dana mention any plans to move?” 

 

The older woman seemed to shrink in on herself.  “Has it really come to that?” she asked no one in particular. 

 

“Mrs. Scully, if you know anything, anything at all, you have to tell us, so we can help Dana and William,” Monica said gently. 

 

Tears welled in Maggie’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks.  “When that awful man…when he came after the baby…Dana said that it wasn’t safe, that it was too easy for people to find them.”  Her shoulders began to shake and her breath came in harsh sobs.  “She said…she said that the only way to keep him safe might be to go underground, like Fox…  Has it really come to that?” she repeated. 

 

Monica moved beside the older woman and slipped a comforting arm around her shoulders. 

 

Doggett swallowed hard to keep his voice steady.  “Are you saying that Dana may have left of her own volition?” he asked carefully. 

 

“She was so scared…not just for the baby…I was there, too, when that man broke in…Dana was afraid…for all of us,” Maggie looked up at the three agents.  “…all of us that she loves.” 

 

******************************************

J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, D.C.

 

Skinner ticked off items on a large marker board he’d had set up in the basement office.  “Do we know when her phones were disconnected?” 

 

“Home phone Friday, cell phone…also Friday,” Monica supplied. 

 

Skinner dutifully jotted down her information.  “Apartment?” 

 

“Nothin’ yet,” Doggett answered.  “So far the place is clean.” 

 

Skinner’s expression conveyed volumes about his opinion of the forensics team and their level of expertise.  “What about Agent Scully’s vehicle?” he asked, just as Doggett’s phone rang. 

 

Doggett held up his free hand as he quickly made some notes.  There was a triumphant glint in his eye when he hung up.  “Agent Scully’ car was identified at a used car dealership in West Virginia.” 

 

“Have the local field office send out a team to check for evidence,” Skinner instructed.  “And tell them we need those results yesterday.” 

 

“Yessir,” Doggett replied, already dialing the phone. 

 

******

2 AM

 

Monica started up from a fitful doze.  She blinked owlishly and simultaneously tried to massage a kink out of her neck.  “Any luck?” 

 

Doggett looked up from his file.  “Zip.” 

 

“I still don’t think you’re going to find the answer in her old files,” Monica said quietly. 

 

“You got a better idea?” 

 

“I don’t know…” she sighed in frustration.  “It’s just…the only other person we know of who disappeared so completely is Mulder…” 

 

“And he left on his own,” Doggett completed the thought.  “Damn.” 

 

“John, I think we both need to go home and get some sleep,” Monica suggested gently. 

 

“You seem very calm about all this,” Doggett muttered, almost accusingly. 

 

“John, I’m as upset about this, and as puzzled as you are.  Look, I’m not sure how to explain this, but over the years, I’ve worked several cases that had a certain...aura...a presence, if you will, of something I can only describe as evil.  This just doesn’t feel that way.” 

 

Doggett gaped at her in disbelief.  “Agent Scully is gone.  Her baby is gone.  Her car turns up in another state.  Her apartment is empty.  No one knows where the hell she is.  An’ you’re tellin’ me that doesn’t ‘feel evil’?” 

 

“That’s right, John,” she replied earnestly.  “I just don’t feel in my heart that anything bad has happened.” 

 

“You really think she just picked up and disappeared - on her own?” 

 

“That’s exactly what I think.” 

 

“Just like Mulder?” 

 

“Or maybe to Mulder.” 

 

“And since Agent Scully was the only one who knew how to contact Mulder, we’re screwed.  Unless…”  Doggett’s voice trailed off as he flipped through the stack of file folders. 

 

“John?” 

 

“There may be one other person who can help us.”

 

“Who?” Monica demanded, all traces of exhaustion suddenly vanished.  She slipped out of her seat and padded around to Doggett’s side of the desk. 

 

Doggett finally located the file he wanted.  Monica leaned in close so she could see, lightly resting her hand on his shoulder.   

 

“A former FBI profiler…man named Frank Black.  He’s retired now…medical disability.” 

 

“Why do you think he can help us?” Monica wondered.

 

“Because he’s a trained profiler, same education as Mulder.  Same obsession with weird shit.  Same track record for making wild leaps of logic that turn out to be correct.  A lot ‘a stuff in his file is sealed and classified.” 

 

“Why?” 

 

“I dunno.  Let’s find out.” 

 

******************************************

Black Residence

 

Monica spotted a bent and worn-looking man puttering in one of the flowerbeds.  “Frank Black?” she called.

 

The man looked up warily.  “Yes?” 

 

“I’m Agent Reyes, this is Agent Doggett, from the FBI...may we have a few words with you?”  

 

Frank Black stood stiffly and dusted the dirt from his hands.  “Concerning what?” 

 

“We’re looking for a missing colleague...we thought maybe you might have some insights,” Doggett replied. 

 

Black’s eyes took on a guarded expression as he glanced from one agent to the other.  “I’m retired,” he finally announced curtly. 

 

“Yes, Mister Black, we are aware of that,” Monica said as persuasively as possible, “but as Agent Doggett explained, we’re looking for a missing colleague...and her infant son.” 

 

“I wish I could help you, I really do, but my retirement was not entirely...voluntary...and there are certain conditions...” 

 

“Look, if you're worried about losing your pension –” Doggett broke in angrily. 

 

“I’m worried about losing my daughter!”

 

Monica was struck suddenly by how old Black looked...far older than the age listed on his file.  She laid a restraining hand on her partner’s arm.  “Mister Black, we’re not trying to cause any trouble for you, but it’s very important that we find our friend.” 

 

“You have to understand...they can take my child away from me...”

 

“We do understand, Mister Black, truly...they tried to take Dana’s child, too.  That’s why we need to be sure that she’s safe.”

 

Black sighed.  His eyes scanned the area, as if searching for hidden watchers.  “Come inside,” he said finally. 

 

******

 

“My daughter will be home from school in thirty minutes.  You need to be gone before she arrives.” 

 

“OK,” Monica agreed. 

 

“Do you think your friend left voluntarily?” 

 

“Yes,” Monica answered, at the same time Doggett replied “No.” 

 

Black looked from one to the other. 

 

“We’re not sure,” Monica admitted. 

 

“Maybe it’ll help if you know who the hell we’re talking about,” Doggett said, passing over a file.  “You’ve met.” 

 

Black studied the photographs carefully.  “Yes…I think I have met these people.  Which one is missing?” 

 

“Both of ‘em, actually.  Agent Mulder took off shortly after the baby was born, to keep himself safe and to try and draw attention away from Agent Scully and her baby.” 

 

“And now?” 

 

“Now Scully and the baby are both gone, without a trace.  Phones disconnected, bank accounts closed, apartment empty.”  Doggett rattled off facts he’d become all too familiar with. 

 

Black looked at Monica shrewdly.  “You think she’s gone to Agent Mulder, wherever he is.” 

 

“Yes, I do,” Monica answered slowly, unnerved by Black’s piercing stare.  It was as though the years fell away once he had a puzzle to focus on. 

 

“Why?” 

 

Monica hesitated a moment, then realized that only the complete and unvarnished truth would serve.  “Because she loves him, and because she doesn’t think she can protect her baby alone.” 

 

“Her baby?” Black clarified. 

 

“Their baby,” Monica admitted. 

 

Black considered for a moment, staring off into middle distance.  Then his gaze settled on Doggett.  “Why do you think Agent Scully and her baby were taken away?” he asked. 

 

“Because attempts have been made before against Agent Scully and the baby.  Because I just can’t believe that she’d take off like that, without telling anyone – not her mother, not-”

 

“Not even you?”

 

“We’re her friends, dammit!  Monica helped deliver William!  She knows she can trust us, that we’d do anything for her and the baby!” 

 

“Or die trying,” Black intoned. 

 

“Yes,” Monica agreed in a strained whisper. 

 

Frank Black nodded, as if to himself.  “She’s protecting you the only way she knows how.” 

 

“We can take care of ourselves,” Doggett blustered, “she knows that.” 

 

“Agent Doggett, how long have you worked with Agent Scully?” 

 

“Almost two years.” 

 

“And you’re telling me that in that amount of time, you haven’t come to realize that there are forces at work that are too complex, too diverse, too…immense…to be reckoned with?  It’s easier to stand against them when you don’t have anything to lose.  I’ve already lost my wife.  I was given an ultimatum, to stand down or lose my daughter as well.  Jordan is all I have left in this world, all that’s left of Catherine.  I can’t lose her.  I can’t.  ” 

 

“Mister Black,” Doggett began, “I sympathize –” 

 

“John, let him finish,” Monica admonished. 

 

“Your friends, Agents Mulder and Scully…in their search for the truth, they lost people that were close to them, didn’t they?” 

 

Again, Monica was startled by the older man’s uncanny insight.  “Yes.  Mulder’s father and Scully’s sister was murdered during the course of their investigations.” 

 

Black leaned back in his seat and steepled his hands.  “You asked for my insights.  I think that Agent Scully has taken her baby and gone to join Agent Mulder.  I think that she decided that she was no longer able to continue her search for the truth, not without unacceptable risk to her son…and to anyone else that she loves. 

 

“Having been faced with the same choice myself, I can tell you that she did not arrive at this conclusion lightly.  As you’ll find out someday.”  Frank Black stared searchingly at the two agents for a long moment.  “My daughter will be home soon.  You need to go now.” 

 

******************************************

J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, D.C.

 

Skinner was waiting in the basement office when they arrived.  “The report on Agent Scully’s vehicle.  It was a cash transaction.  The salesman identified Scully from a photograph.  I trust your afternoon was more profitable?” 

 

“I’m not sure, sir,” Doggett replied.  “Do we know how stable Frank Black really is?” 

 

“I know he’s taken early retirement for medical reasons, but Frank Black is one of the most brilliant minds to ever work for the Bureau.  I’d be inclined to take him at his word.”  Skinner looked curiously at his agent.  “What is it that he said that you didn’t want to hear?” 

 

“Mister Black is of the opinion that Agent Scully left on her own…to be with Agent Mulder.  And sir…I think I agree,” Monica said. 

 

“I’ve known Dana Scully longer than either of you,” Skinner began thoughtfully.  “She lost her sister to the X-Files…she’s fiercely protective of her friends and family.  That business with the man who broke into her apartment might just have convinced her that she, like Mulder, attracts too much danger for the well-being of everyone around her.” 

 

“What are you saying, sir, we just give up?” Doggett asked angrily. 

 

“No.  You keep looking until we know for sure.” 

 

Monica’s phone shrilled, the sound startlingly loud in the tension filled atmosphere.  She answered the call, speaking quietly, then hung up.  “Sir, Agent Scully’s mother is waiting for you in your office.” 

 

Skinner sighed heavily, seeming to age several years before their eyes.  “Keep me apprised of your progress.” 

 

“What next?” Monica asked as the door shut behind the Assistant Director. 

 

“I got a rock I wanna turn over,” Doggett replied. 

 

******************************************

The Offices of The Lone Gunman

 

“I wish we could help you,” Frohike said apologetically, “but we don’t know anything.” 

 

“You guys always know something,” Doggett shot back. 

 

“Not this time,” Langly said.  “They both know that this is one of the first places you’d come looking, so they purposely didn’t tell us anything.” 

 

“If there’s any way we can help, just name it, but they didn’t give us any clue at all as to where they might go,” Byers added. 

 

Monica’s gaze drifted around the cluttered little room.  The welter of computer equipment gave her an idea.  “Email!  What about email?” she asked the room at large. 

 

“What about it?” Langly replied, mystified. 

 

“Dana used to go to a little cyber-café near her apartment…she used to get email from Mulder!” 

 

“Could you hack into that account?” Doggett demanded. 

 

Frohike shrugged.  “Sure.  Might take a while.  Grab a seat.” 

 

******************************************

J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, D.C.

 

Skinner paused outside his office to straighten his tie and fasten his cuffs before entering.  He thought ruefully of his suit jacket, hanging neatly inside the office, then mentally ordered himself to quit stalling and opened the door. 

 

Maggie Scully was seated in one of the visitors’ chairs, and she looked surprisingly calm. 

 

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Scully.  Have you heard from Dana again?” 

 

“No, not yet.” 

 

“Not yet?” Skinner repeated. 

 

“Dana will get in touch with me when she’s ready,” Maggie said serenely. 

 

“I’m not sure I understand you, Mrs. Scully,” Skinner said carefully, wondering if the shock of her daughter’s disappearance could have triggered some sort of dementia in the older woman. 

 

Maggie smiled gently.  “Mister Skinner, there have been some times in my life when the only thing that has sustained me is my faith in God.  You can imagine how much I’ve prayed since you came to see me and tell me that Dana was missing.  I think I would know in my heart if my baby girl was gone, don’t you?  But there’s no fear in my heart for them.  I just don’t sense that Dana and William are in danger.  Does that sound strange to you?” 

 

“Mrs. Scully, I’m not sure what I believe any more,” Skinner replied frankly. 

 

“It’s just…if Fox and Dana and the baby are safe, maybe…maybe it’s more dangerous to keep looking for them.  I believe…no, I know, in my heart, that they’ll come home to us, when the time is right.” 

 

******************************************

The Offices of The Lone Gunman

 

“You were right, Agent Doggett...there’s something here,” Froehicke finally muttered. 

 

“It’s for you,” Byers added, moving out of the way so Doggett could see the screen. 

 

 

My dearest John, and Monica, for I know that she is beside you now, as she is in all things,

 

I knew that you’d find this eventually, because you are one of the finest investigative teams I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with, but this will be the final page in your report, should you choose to include it.  Do not bother trying to backtrack this message, as we will be long gone by the time you receive it. 

 

I know that you’re wondering, so I will confirm for you, ‘we’ means all three of us.  We are safe and together, and that’s all that really matters. 

 

I know that I’ll never be able to repay you for your friendship and compassion and caring, but this was the safest action for all of us.  Perhaps someday, we will be able to return, but for now, I can’t see that far into the future.  The one thing that I hope you and Monica will learn from all of this is to cherish each other, and to cherish your time together.  Don’t wait until it’s too late to realize what you mean to each other...we very nearly made that mistake. 

 

As I told you once before, no one gets there alone.  I wish I could see you both one more time, to try and tell you what you’ve meant to me, but we’ve had to find a compromise between the truth and our safety.  It is an imperfect solution, and sometimes can seem very bitter.  The Bible says that the truth will make you free, but it seems we haven’t found the full measure of our truth yet.  Perhaps we never will.  I hope that you do...I hope that you have a long life together...and I hope that I see you again some day.  Until then, I remain -

 

Your loving friend,

Dana

 

 

Doggett stared for a long moment at the words that flickered on the screen.  He felt the gentle pressure of Monica’s hand on his shoulder.  “What does your heart tell you now?” he asked quietly. 

 

“That they’re safe...and that we should stop looking for them.” 

 

He reached up and covered her hand with his own.  “Ya think so?”

 

Monica nodded.  “I think that when they’re ready, they’ll find us.” 

 

 

Fin. 

 

Copyright © 2002 Kathleen Klatte

All Rights Reserved