^*^*^ Radisson Hotel Holding the sleeve of her shirt in her left hand as she headed for the phone, the garment dragged along the carpeting. Laying the top on the back of the chair, she lifted the handset to her ear, "Scully," and moved to sit down. "Agent Scully, is Mulder with you?" A.D. Skinner's voice dashed her hopes as she slowly sank back into the cushion, unconsciously covering her bra with her other hand. She mentally noted his rather brusque tone. More brusque than usual, she amended. "Uh, no he isn't, Sir," she nearly choked out, stifling the laughter than threatened to bubble at the thought of talking to her boss in her bra. She then reminded him that Mulder was probably still in northern Vermont, although she wondered why she felt the need to do so since Skinner was very aware of her partner's whereabouts. If Skinner noticed the strangled sound, he gave no indication as he continued, "Well, if he contacts you, have him call me immediately." Sitting up now, her curiosity and concern piqued by the A.D.'s words, Scully stated, "What's happened? I know Mulder spoke to you before he left. Has something changed?" Direct and to the point; that was one of their superior's finest attributes, although at times, she knew they could have both used a little more humor, a softer touch. Nonetheless, the fact that he spoke to her succinctly was appreciated. Scully had never developed an appreciation for the couched wording or double-speak often used to blunt the truth. "Well, from what I can tell from early reports, it appears that Mulder's new associates may have been set up." He paused, but then moved on quickly to reassure her. "From what the Albany Field Office A.S.A.C. has been able to report, the three of them made it out of there in one piece, but I thought they'd be back by now. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about." Scully sucked in a breath and started pacing. Honesty first with Skinner was usually the rule, but she worried nonetheless. When Mulder wasn't where he was supposed to be, she would always be wonder. Lord knew she'd had enough supporting evidence over the years to lay claim to feeling. Before she could ask for any more information, Skinner told her to hold on. Hearing the 'click' followed by the sanitized elevator muzak, she knew she'd been placed on hold as her boss took another call or spoke with Kimberly, most likely. Feeling chilled now, she pulled her shirt back on, thoughts of heading to the gym long since banished. His next words had her sighing with relief. "They've been spotted. Seems they needed to stop for gas, but are on their way back toward Burlington. See that Mulder contacts me when you hear from him, Agent." And with that, the connection was severed. Holding the receiver for a few seconds longer, she considered her options. She wasn't going anywhere until she heard from Mulder, but she could at least get more comfortable. Setting the phone in its cradle, she quickly changed into her leggings and a pair of work-out socks and tossed aside her shirt in favor of one of Mulder's tees. Taking a deep breath and wrapping her arms around herself, she sighed into the warm feel and heady scent of his shirt, a wistful smile creeping to her lips. Sinking into the chair, she decided she wasn't going anywhere tonight. ^*^*^ The Given Building Sub-basement Level 2 10:00PM Diana's impatience was only exceeded by her smugness and cunning. Had it been any longer, she might have worn a path into the tiled flooring as she waited for Aja Sonjah to arrive. Beside herself with glee, excitement and, if she were able to admit it to herself, anxiety, the former Agent could not sit still -- refused to stop moving. She vaguely recalled having read about certain syndromes that were often diagnosed by the constant fidgeting, need for movement and the sometimes large sweeps in mood. Clinically conducting a self-assessment, she paused, wondering not for the first time, if something were truly wrong with her. Of course, she knew the root of whatever might be troubling her; knew full well that it was perpetrated upon her; that she was an unwilling participant to her current state. It all seemed to revolve around her untimely entrance into the damn portal this summer. She'd tried, unsuccessfully, to reconstruct all the details leading up to her unexpected and unwitting role as a test subject. Time and time again, she would recall the great lengths to which she had gone to procure the only true test subject, Agent Dana Scully, but how those efforts seemed to be thwarted over and over again. Her benefactors, the true project designers, had wanted other subjects. Diana had tried to help them see the wisdom of her choice. The redhead had all the characteristics, the variables, if you will, to make her the key to achieving the intended goals. She had never intended Fox's inclusion, but if his presence helped secure his partner's then so be it. Although she would have never allowed him to be placed in the portal, she needed his assistance. Somehow, in some manner which she could not to this day explain, Dana, the bitch, she added hastily, had fucked things up. But that was as far as her mind would go in reconstructing the scene. Like a digicam replay, she saw herself on the platform, walking around and between Fox and Dana, both tied to their chairs, both gagged. She watched the paste being administered. Watched and gloated over the way in which Dana had reacted, how repulsed the woman had appeared. Diana had chosen to ignore, to the best of her ability, the look in Fox's eyes as he watched his partner. Diana chose to ignore the depth of his concern and outright refused to call that concern by its rightful name -- love. And that was where the digicam did the impossible. It skipped to her being shoved into the portal. Bewilderment crept up her spine, producing tendrils of dread. There actually could be something wrong, couldn't there? And she dismissed the thought out of hand. Not possible. Not her. No. She was just stressed from all her preparations over the last several months; they'd taken a lot out of her and she was seeing the results now. "Diana? Hello, is anybody in there?" Aja's crisp and overly-loud calls finally penetrated Diana's ponderings. Punching the keycode pad by the main door, the brunette asked the woman to state her name into the voice-reader to the right of the frame. Nodding imperceptibly as the pocket door whooshed open, Diana ushered Aja inside. Forgoing small talk, the two women retreated to the communications center at the hub of the control room. Showing her the pre-scripted dialogue, Diana crossed her arms and observed the good doctor as she read over her lines. "Do you really think she'll buy this? She's already suspicious of me. This Agent is no fool, Diana." Cutting straight to the point, Aja mimicked her superior's pose and tilted her head to one side, also observing. "Although it's not for you to question, Dr. Sonjah, my plan will succeed. You may think you've assessed Dana Scully, but it's not possible with your limited observations. What you're missing is her science as her truth." Grudgingly, Diana conceded that Scully would go to great lengths to ascertain the proof she needed on this technology. Shrugging, Aja re-read the script and then dialed Scully's hotel room. The Agent picked up on the second ring. "Dr. Scully, it's Aja Sonjah here." The ensuing moment of silence was not lost on Diana Fowley's top scientist. No superfluous response was forthcoming. Although she knew the tall brunette was avidly and eagerly observing the exchange, Aja studiously avoided turning to face the woman. Besides, she was well aware that Diana was about to put the call on speakerphone. Leaving the script behind, Aja continued. "I'm sorry to bother you so late but I thought you'd be interested in learning of my recent discovery." She quickly regrouped, sensing the redhead's reticence and possible disbelief. "As a matter of fact, I need someone to back up and hopefully substantiate my findings." Once again, she faced the silence. She'd give Dana Scully one Thing -- the woman wasn't reactive. No, this woman considered her options and weighed alternatives. "And what findings would those be," the Agent slash Doctor asked. Aja could almost feel the frostiness evident in her tone. This wasn't going to be quite as easy as Diana had led her to believe. Turning to the woman orchestrating the current scene, she raised her eyebrows in question. With an air of impatience, Diana nodded exaggeratedly and waved her hand toward Dr. Sonjah, urging her to finish it. "Would it surprise you to hear that I believe I've found a way to distill the powdered substance into a liquid form? Or that I suspect from there a gaseous state is readily attainable?" Aja allowed her questions to hang in the air between them, her own smile widening to match Diana's. "Why not just work with the other technicians? Dr. Radikel? You certainly don't need me to corroborate your findings." Aja watched Diana's index finger circling in the air as her head nodded furiously as she mouthed, 'reel her in'. She didn't need to add 'now' for Dr. Sonjah to understand her role. Adopting her most clinically detached tone, Aja replied, "Because Dr. Scully, your credentials far outstrip the others'," she paused, "and because I know of your interest in learning all there is to learn about this substance. I believe that once we know all its properties, we will also hold the key to its ultimate antidote." "Where should I meet you?" Aja glanced over at the Fowley woman, noting she, too was puzzled with the impatient yet still somewhat wary tone in Dana's voice. Bingo. Dr. Sonjah realized that Dr. Scully was hooked and allowed herself a brief moment of triumph. Glancing quickly behind her, she made note of the lop-sided grin on her boss's face. That grin scared her sometimes; more than the work she'd somehow found herself engaged in. "Meet me at the lab. How's twenty minutes?" Needing to buy some time to ensure that all the players were in place, Aja allowed herself some lead time. "Why don't you bring your recent notations so we can add my information into your report?" The last request had been improvised; possibly a long shot, but one she thought her boss would approve of. Although she knew she couldn't control the possibility that Scully would have made copies -- something she herself would do -- she could make a stab at appropriating any of the redhead's research on the substance. From the look on Diana's face, Aja knew it had been a wise improvisation. ^*^*^ Radisson Hotel Strange. The whole situation was becoming stranger by the day and Scully wasn't sure what, if anything she could or should do about it. On the surface, she was making headway on identifying the seemingly-mysterious qualities of the paste. She'd conducted her own research and she now had the assistance of a well-stocked lab and top notch personnel. And a top notch research scientist. Who she didn't trust as far as she could throw her. Well, in all fairness, Aja Sonjah was a preeminently credentialed doctor and her work was above reproach or question. The fact that she had just shared a rather astonishing finding with Scully appeared to confirm her expertise. But appearances could be deceiving. Replaying snatched scenes since her arrival for the Pathologist's conference, she mentally added other oddities to the list of deceiving appearances. Not the least of which was the presence of Diana Fowley. Taking a deep breath to still the suddenly rapid staccato of her heart beat, Scully considered the options. Again. There was no doubt in her mind that Diana wanted what she could not have. Mulder. The woman would want him until her dying breath. With an almost sardonic grin and snort, Scully asked herself *which* dying breath. That woman seemed to live solely to make her life hell. And Dana Scully had lived through quite enough Diana Fowley hell for one century. She knew there was something more than coincidence to the brunette's appearance in Burlington, but she was loathe to know exactly what that was. She also hated to admit that knowing the former Agent was in the city -- with her and Mulder -- bothered her. A lot more than she wanted to acknowledge. Scully moved around the hotel room, a whirl of conflicting thoughts and emotions wrapped up in doubt and, if truth be told, fear. She grabbed her cellphone from the desk and speed-dialed Mulder, disconnecting after two rings, knowing he'd probably have the ringer off given his present company. She needed more information, something to tell him. Why? She wasn't exactly sure. All she knew is that something felt 'off' and she needed to think more clearly. And she now had fifteen minutes in which to do so. She intended to keep the appointment. On the chance that Aja's discovery was on the up and up, it would be remarkable and would answer some still unresolved issues. If... She wasn't sure 'if' what. She just knew she had to know more. As she was hurriedly setting the phone back down, she inadvertently slid her thumb over the small settings buttons along the side, eliciting a shrill 'beep'. The small view panel lit, indicating that her ringer function was now set to 'off'. Answering her silent question about why her partner hadn't tried to call her; assuming he must have thought she couldn't answer. At least he had a message from her earlier. She quickly adjusted the setting to 'vibrate'. She next went to her laptop and backed up her recent notes to disk. Ejecting the first disk, she inserted another, making a second copy. Moving back to the work area, she opened the desk drawer and withdrew a hotel stationary envelope, writing Mulder's name on the outside, knowing he was supposed to meet her there when he returned. She then placed the disk inside. Reaching for the matching pad of Radisson paper, she tore off a sheet, quickly jotting him a note explaining the contents of the disk and where she was headed. Folding the note in half, she slipped it alongside the disk and sealed the envelope, setting it against the gold-tone base of the Barrister's lamp. She considered calling A.D. Skinner and then decided she'd do so from the lab, hopefully with some important information. Grabbing her zip-front sweatshirt, she shrugged it on. Picking up her backpack, she tossed the disk into the side pocket and stuffed her cell into the front velcro-flap compartment. ^*^*^ Sunoco Service Station Just Outside St. Albans Bay "Damnit Scully." Where the hell was she at this time of night? And why wasn't she answering her damn phone? She was the responsible one. She never lost hers, forgot hers, came home from the field with a damaged cellphone. She could be so completely unreadable in so many ways. So many ways he loved. And so very predictable in others. He could plan his life around her predictability. It lent stability to his existence and grounded him in ways no one else had. Why was the fact that she wasn't answering her phone setting him off? He had to talk himself down a bit. There was no way he could allow either of his 'colleagues' to witness his concern. Besides, if he didn't head back out to the truck soon, they'd come looking for him. 'Hunt him down' was more like it, he thought wrly. Maybe now would be a good time to report in to Skinner. Quickly checking to locate Zale and Jemel, he noted the former was still inside and the latter had pulled the truck away from the pumps, waiting in the cab for the two men to return. If either was concerned about his whereabouts, they were in no rush to track him down. Shifting from foot to foot in the increasingly chilled fall air, Mulder punched in his boss's office number first, assuming he'd still be there. Although the man appeared to have a 'desk job' on the surface, Mulder knew Skinner put in nearly as many hours as his field agents did; often burning the midnight oil from his spacious office. Mulder could almost feel the tight clench of his supervisor's jaw. "Sir, I'm checking in--" Mulder got no more than those few words out when he heard what he was sure passed for a chuckle from his boss. A rather disbelieving chuckle, but one nonetheless. The question was asked good-naturedly, but Mulder continued quickly before it could change. "It was a trap -- or at least that's what it looks like. No casualties, but the meeting broke up a little sooner than planned. We were able to take possession of the goods." Now it was Mulder's turn to snicker -- at himself -- he sounded like something out of a B-mob movie. Mulder could imagine the A.D. sitting back in his leather chair, loosening his already loosened tie and scrubbing one large hand across his face. "Where is Scully? I couldn't reach her." He knew his boss would hear the concern in his voice, but he also knew it wouldn't matter. The fact that Skinner said no more told Mulder that the older man had no other information on Scully's current whereabouts. A fact that unnerved him more than he cared to admit, sending a chill through him -- the same type of chill that always iced his veins when he thought she might be in danger. And why should this assignment be any different? Hell, she'd already been taken and assaulted, drawn into his case before she'd even known what he was into. The fact that Diana had shown up to dredge up painful and long-buried summer memories didn't help the situation. He willed himself to focus, instead, on their more recent history. Their reconnection -- the way they'd reconnected over and over again. God, he hated being away from her... Slamming his open palm into the bark of the nearest tree, he gritted out, "Something's not right, Sir. She had no plans to go anywhere tonight. She was waiting for me to return." As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew just how self-centered they'd sounded, but he also knew his boss would understand. And he wasn't wrong. Mulder knew that the A.D. didn't believe either option since he, too, was well aware of his partner's fastidiousness when it came to taking her cell. And then there was the fact that she was a light sleeper as evidenced by the number of times Mulder had instantly roused her in the middle of the night when a case just happened to drop into his lap. He hoped it was just the coincidence of him and Skinner calling her at the same time. , was Skinner's reply. Almost as an after-thought, he added, Stuffing the phone back into his pocket, he made it as far as the parking lot just as Jemel leaned on the horn, signaling him that it was time to leave. ^*^*^ The Given Building Bio-Sciences Lab 10:45PM She was running late, a fact that instantly made Diana Fowley suspicious. Among other things, Agent Dana Scully was always extremely punctual. Annoying punctual. She was ten minutes late. If she hadn't already known that Fox was out of town, she'd have suspected that the redhead had asked him to join her. That wouldn't do; not at all. Diana kept her distance from the lab, having found a lookout of sorts down the hall in the recessed entryway to one of the lecture halls. Although she'd already worked with the Department Heads to clear the building, she was worried about the stray student lab assistants who might decide that a late Monday night was the perfect time to get a little work done. It had actually been Aja who had advised her of this little fact. Of course, the tall brunette couldn't understand why on earth anyone would choose to spend any more of their time than absolutely necessary in such a dreary setting, but she conceded the doctor's point, although she never thanked her. Why would she? She was paying Aja quite well to keep her apprised of anything she should know about the functioning of the scientific community. Checking the black face of her Movado watch dial one more time, she felt her fury rising. Knowing there wasn't a damn thing she could do about Dana's tardiness. Not without giving away her plan. ^*^ Inside the lab, Aja was faring much better, knowing that although she preferred dealing with the exactness of her field of expertise, most other facets of life did not conform to such standards. Dr. Scully was running late, but so many variables could be involved that considering them did not warrant any wasted thought. Instead, she busied herself setting up the proper equipment, producing the preserved specimens and opening her laptop to her most recent data entries. She'd dismissed the last of the technicians and called Dr. Radikel's home to ensure that she would not be paying an unexplained visit to the lab tonight. Dr. Sonjah was actually deep in thought when the whoosh of the double doors indicated Dr. Scully's arrival. ^*^ Hearing the main doors to the hallway open and the rustle of the nylon backpack against fabric, Diana peered out from her hiding place. Catching just a glimpse of the unmistakable fiery hair, she left her post. Traveling silently down the back hallway, she entered the Bio-toxins holding area, already having obtained access through means she'd never reveal. Satisfied that she was no longer within earshot or view, she waved her palm across the auto-sensor, allowing a recessed light panel to illuminate her passage. Although certainly no stranger to beyond believable technology, she still marveled at the sheer genius of whoever had created the sensor which would appear only upon reading the correct palm -- and then disappear again once it had allowed her to light the way and access the irising door. Once inside, she dispatched Ward and Jorge, knowing that by now, the bitch would be waiting for them like a sitting duck. Careful to keep her black leather gloves intact until she was safely two levels below her present location, Diana made her way to the stairway. The stairway that would seal itself off once she reached the door at the bottom. She would view the remainder of the festivities safely ensconced in what was about to become Agent Scully's new home. ^*^ Given Building Bio-Science Lab 11:10PM "Hello? Dr. Sonjah?" Scully didn't see the doctor immediately, but could hear someone in the backroom, the sound of beakers clinking and being set on the marble counter top, loud in the otherwise still lab area. Taking a moment to look around, she pulled her glasses from the top section and tossed her backpack onto the chair at her usual workstation. The angle and force allowed the pack to stay put, but dislodged her cell from the velcroed front pocket, landing on the floor beneath the desk. She made her way to the doctor's laptop, one eyebrow rising as she eyed the data on the screen. "Aja," she called out once again, idly wondering why no answer was forthcoming. Moving closer to the computer, she put her glasses on, her eyes now wide with question. And a guarded interest. Scully barely noted that the clinking had ceased and that the lab was now completely devoid of any sounds other than her own rather loud breathing and the whirring of the laptop. Her finger on the scroll pad, she dragged a stool closer, perching on the edge. Interesting finding, indeed, she mused, her lips slightly parting as she absorbed what she was reading. "Dr. Scully, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in." The sudden appearance of her new colleague startled Scully so greatly that she jumped, her finger unconsciously scrolling the document until she was well past her discovery. Trying to slow the beating of her heart, she turned to face Aja, noting at once the rather complacent grin on her face. Pushing her glasses up into her long wavy hair, Scully stood with her back to the counter, a questioning look directed at the other woman. Not one to beat around the bush and somewhat embarrassed at being caught off guard at Dr. Sonjah's computer, Scully merely smiled wanly and replied, "I called out to you when I came in." She felt no need to explain her perusal of the doctor's notes. Aja made her way toward Scully, indicating with a slight nod of her head, the document on the screen behind Scully. "I see you've seen the reason I've called you down here." Scully turned back to the laptop, side by side with Aja who brought the document back to the page Scully had been viewing prior to the doctor's entrance from the back room. One hand on her hip, she glanced sideways at the taller woman. "The paste has been distilled to a liquid form?" Aja merely nodded, then succinctly added, "Becoming more potent, small amounts producing a minimally stuporous effect." "How?" Scully's curiosity was piqued. "For what purpose?" If she'd noted that Aja had moved farther down the counter, she gave no indication. ^*^ Diana watched and listened to the unfolding scene on the large color monitors two levels below. Aja was playing her part quite well. The unsuspecting observer would see nothing more than two scientists sharing in a discovery. Then again, there wouldn't be any observers; unsuspecting or otherwise. Diana had ensured the surveillance lens in the lab area had been disabled. She paid particular attention to Dana's non-verbal communication; the tilt of her head when she was skeptical, the way she looked either up and to the left if processing Aja's information or gazed downward as if she were running it through her own personal database, looking for answers. Her defiant stance had eased just a bit, too; her hands no longer firmly planted on her hips nor crossed tightly over her chest. And then Diana watched the hesitancy and reticence all but disappear with the way Dr. Sonja had *allowed* Dana to stumble upon the juicy morsel about the paste in its altered state. The brunette's smile grew to its full, slightly one-sided, potential as she realized just how close she was to the moment she'd been waiting for. She was about to have Dana Scully; the result of which would mean also having Fox. Oh, she wasn't so infatuated with him to think he'd come to her willingly; not at first anyway. Diana knew that the lure would be Scully; the woman he thought he loved. But once he was able to see just how weakened Dana had become, how she'd fallen for an obvious set-up -- not to mention what a wonderful test subject she'd certainly be -- well then, he'd come around. He'd remember just how good they'd been together in the early days of the X-Files. And in the bedroom. Diana had no doubt that he'd see the error of his ways. She had a lot to offer him. Including a few of his past nemesis' heads on a platter. In the meantime, the picture before her reeled forward and she drew herself closer to the monitor as if the proximity could bring it more to life. ^*^*^