For disclaimer, see part one of this story

Rated NC17 for language some violence and slash

X Files fan fiction
*Please note here that Alex Krycek still has both arms*
Thanks once again to Shawn and Amy for beta reading.

Questions In The Dark

Part Three

Mulder's Apartment

Fox Mulder took the keys from his coat pocket and fitted them into the door lock, he opened the door
and stepped inside.

It had been a long day and he was still no closer to finding his partner. He wondered if Dana was all right.
She was a tough, competent agent, but up against those Constortium bastards...
Depressed, he let the thought slide away.

He walked over to the fish tank that bubbled away in the corner of the small untidy apartment.
"Hi guys". He reached over and opened a can of fish food, sprinkling the dried flakes into the tank.
The fish soon swam up and began to snatch at the food. Mulder smiled. "Enjoy it little fellas".

"I'm sure they will".
Mulder straightened up, instantly reaching for his gun. Krycek walked out of the bedroom, a cool smile
on his face.
"What the fuck are you doing here Rat Boy"? Mulder snarled.
Krycek shrugged. "I guess I just couldn't stay away".
"You son-of-a-bitch, you broke into my apartment".

"Wasn't that hard".
Mulder gestured towards the door. "Get out"!
Krycek chuckled and shook his head. "Do you really want me to leave Fox, after all, I thought that you wanted
my help".
Mulder felt a tremor of rage pass through him. He pointed the gun directly at the Consortium operative.

"I am telling you for the last time. If you don't get the fuck out of here, I'll put a bullet through your gut
before you can even blink".
"Hmm, in that case, maybe I should leave, although if I do, you won't ever find out where they are holding
Dana Scully".

Mulder gritted his teeth. The trouble was, the little creep was right, and the most important thing was,
finding his partner.

"Look Mulder, I am here to help you, so why don't you just put the gun away and sit down, we can talk.
You know, like two civilized human beings for a change".

Mulder laughed. "Believe me Krycek, you are the last person I want to have a civilized conversation with".
"Now that's hurtful Fox, after all, I am trying to help you out here". Krycek spread his hands out. "Look,
no weapons, no tricks. I really do want to help you".

"Yeah, and you expect me to believe that". Mulder sneered.
"Come on Fox, I'm here in good faith".

"Yeah, right". Mulder ran his hand through his thick dark hair. Krycek could see how tired and stressed
the F.B.I agent was.

"If you are here in good faith, then why break into my apartment, why not just knock on the door like a
normal person"?
Krycek grinned. "I guess I'm just not a normal person Fox".

"That's for sure". Mulder replied drily. "All right then, we'll talk". He put the gun back into the shoulder holster. "Oh, and Krycek"
"Yes"?
"Quit calling me Fox".

*Skinner's Office*

Walter Skinner sat behind his desk, sorting through the various files. His mind only half on his work.
He glanced at his watch again, nine forty, he should have been here by now.

Suddenly the door opened and the Smoking Man entered the office.
Skinner glanced up at him. "You are late".

"I was...delayed". He replied. "Have you got it"?
"It's right here".
"That's it"? CSM pointed to the envelope lying on the desk.

Skinner picked it up and handed it to him.
CSM opened the envelope and drew the disc out, turning it over in his hands.

"Wonderful Mr Skinner, this is exactly what we were after".
Skinner nodded curtly. "I'm glad you like it. Now that you have what you want, I would like my agent
returned to me, without delay.

CSM nodded. "Of course, I always keep my end of the bargain, you know that".
"All I know you son-of-a-bitch is that you have kidnapped my agent and I want her back. You have your
goddamned disc, now I want Scully".

"Fine, I'll have her delivered to you tomorrow morning".
"Not good enough Spender, I said now"!
CSM stared at the furious AD, his gaze cool, almost speculative. "I said, tomorrow Mr Skinner, you are going
to have to wait".

Skinner stood up from his leather chair and walked over to where CSM was standing. He glowered at the
older man, who merely returned his gaze.

"We had a deal, no Scully, no disc. Simple as that".
"Not quite Skinner, after all, you were supposed to give this to Mulder were you not"?
Skinner drew in a deep breath. "It's more important that I get Dana Scully back in one piece. I'm sure that
under the circumstances, Mulder would understand".

CSM cocked an eyebrow at Skinner. "Do you really think so Walter, or is that what you are merely telling yourself"?
"What the hell do you mean"? Skinner demanded.
CSM smiled. "It's not easy you know Walter, being a middle aged man, sitting behind a desk all day,
shuffling paperwork, nothing but an overworked underpaid suit wearing bureaucrat".

"Better than a rat scuttling about in the shadows, doing the dirty work of others Mr Spender".
Skinner responded. "At least I can face my reflection in the mirror. But what about you"?
What can you face in the cold light of day"?

"The fact that I have helped bring about a better world". CSM replied. He pulled out a packet of Morleys
and slipped one into the corner of his mouth.

Skinner snorted with disgust, why even bother arguing with this man, how could you argue with someone
who was completely convinced that they were right?

CSM smiled. "Don't worry Mr Skinner, you will get your pretty little red haired agent back, and she will
know that is was you that saved her. I am sure that she will be...suitably grateful to you"

Skinner's head jerked up. "Take the disc and get the fuck out of my office you bastard". He said, his tone
coldly murderous. "And you had better deliver Dana Scully, unhurt to my office first thing tomorrow
morning, because if you don't, I will come after you personally. Do you understand"?

Unfazed, CSM tucked the disc into his coat pocket. "You will have you agent back Mr Skinner, oh, and
thank you for your cooperation".
He turned to go, when Skinner stopped him.

"Who exactly is this, Tobias Sorenson"? Skinner asked. CSM turned to the AD. "Who he is, is none of
your concern Mr Skinner, and I would suggest that you do not ask me again".
With that, he turned and left the AD's office, Leaving Skinner to stare after him helplessly.

*Mulder's Apartment*

Krycek sat slumped in the easy chair, watching as Mulder fiddled around with some Chinese food,
left on a plate. He looked over at the other man. "Sure you don't want some"?
Krycek shook his head. "No thanks, I ate earlier".

With a sigh, Mulder pushed the plate away, he was not really that hungry anyway. He glanced over at
Krycek, who was stil sitting, watching him. "How long do you intend to stay here anyway"?
He asked.

"Until I can get you to agree on my plan". Krycek replied. Mulder shook his head. "There is no way that
I am going to let you stay that long.
Krycek chuckled. "Fair enough Mulder, but I still think my plan is a lot better than what we are doing now".

"Which is"? Mulder asked as he picked the plate up to carry to the kitchen.
"Absolutely fucking nothing". Krycek replied.

Mulder came back out from the kitchen. "Well, let's see now. Your plan is to storm the Center, all guns
blazing, shoot our way in grab Scully, then shoot our way out again. Please feel free to stop me if I have
anything wrong here".

Krycek sighed. "Mulder, I'm not talking about going in like Dirty Harry".
"No, more like The Terminator". Mulder replied with a grin.

Krycek grinned back. "I'll be baaackk".
Mulder rolled his eyes. "Krycek, there's no way that we would be able to get out alive, let alone, get Scully
out either. We have to plan this out carefully. And we are going to need Skinner's help.

"No, no way. We do this on our own Mulder".
"We can't". Mulder replied, exasperated. "We can't do this on our own. We need help. Christ Krycek, we need a goddamn army".

"No, we need to get into the Center and get your partner out of there". Krycek snapped. He walked over to
where the fish tank was cheerfully bubbling away. he bent down to stare at the fish as they swam
past, happy in their own watery world.

"Tell me Mulder, why do you keep fish"? He asked, tapping the glass.
Mulder shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I like them. I take it you don't have any pets at all"?

"Had a dog once, when I was a kid, and I kinda like cats. But being an assassin I don't have time to take care
of pets. Not even something like fish".
Mulder heard an unaccountable tone of sadness in the operative's voice. Then Krycek straightened back
up.

"There's another way we can get your partner out". Krycek said suddenly. Mulder stared at him, curiously.
"What's that".
"You can come to the Center, pretend that you want to join up".
Mulder gazed at Krycek, waiting for the punchline, then realized that the other man was serious.

"What are you saying"? Mulder asked, his voice flat. Krycek sighed. "I have been thinking about this for
awhile. They have been wanting to recruit you for some time now, if you were to drop some
hints around..."
"Forget it Krycek". Mulder replied.
"But Mulder, it will get you into the Center, it will get you into the inner sanctum, to the very Elite. It's the
only way".

"No"! Mulder said, his face had become hard and cold. "Now I get it Rat Boy, this is all a fucking trick
isn't it? Get me to agree to go to the Center with you. Get me trapped in there. Why"?
He stalked over to where Krycek was standing. He grabbed the other man by his black leather jacket.
"What kind of deal have you made with them Krycek? Deliver me to the Consortium, so they can lock me
in a cell next to Scully. Is that it"?

Krycek grabbed Mulder by the wrists, trying to free his grip. "I haven't made made any deals with anyone Mulder. I was trying to think of a way to get you in there without arousing too much suspicion. Besides if they wanted you kidnapped, trust me, you would have been, no problem at all".

Mulder roughly shoved Krycek against the wall. Krycek head snapped back with the force of it,smacking
it hard enough to leave a faint crack in the plaster.

"Son of..." Krycek cursed as he shook his head, trying to clear it. Mulder cocked his fist back, letting it
fly, Krycek managed to block it, tightening his hand down on Mulder's fist. Mulder swore, trying
to pull loose of the other man's grasp.

Krycek swung his other arm around, knocking Mulder of balance. The F.B.I agent tried to regain his feet,
but Krycek was an experienced assassin. He quickly spun Mulder around, and half lifted half
dragged the other man into the bedroom.

He threw Mulder onto the bed, and kicked the door closed behind him.
"Listen to me you fucking idiot". He growled at Mulder, who was staring up at him in shock.
"I am not trying to trick you, or betray you in any way". He leaned over, grabbing Mulder by the chin and
holding his head up, forcing the other man to look directly at him.

"Don't you understand you stupid asshole, I would never betray you. Not to them. Never to them".
Krycek's eyes had suddenly filled with tears. "I need you to trust me".
"How can I ever trust you". Mulder hissed. "You were the one that killed my father".

"I know, but I had to, I never had a choice". Krycek replied. Suddenly he leaned forwards and kissed Mulder
on the mouth. Pressing his lips down onto the other man's.

Startled, Mulder tried to pull away, but Krycek was stronger. He dragged Mulder to his feet, his tongue running
over the other man's full mouth.

Finally Mulder did manage to pull free of Krycek's grasp. "Wha...what the hell do you think you're
doing"?

"Something that I have been wanting to do for a long time". Krycek replied softly. He reached out and stroked his fingers lovingly down Mulder's cheek.
Mulder slapped his hand away. "What the fuck is that matter with you Krycek, are you some kind of fag or
something"?

Krycek smiled bitterly. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am".
Mulder stared at him, then he laughed, shaking his head. "Christ". He muttered, then burst into laughter
once more. "What a goddamn fool I have been. To even think about trusting you. God, what
the hell was I thinking"?

Krycek watched as Mulder slumped back down onto the waterbed, the mattress sloshing underneath him.
"Why Mulder"? He asked softly. "What is it that you are so afraid of"?

Mulder stared up at the other man with red rimmed eyes. "What the hell are you talking about Krycek"?
"I am talking about you Mulder". He replied gently. "Look at you, look at the way you are living.
All alone, no friends, except for Scully, and that's only because of your work. But what else
have you got"?

Mulder sighed. "I have everything that I need Krycek. I have my work, and I have my...." He trailed off.
Krycek smiled, he could feel such sympathy for this lonely, driven man. A man so much like
himself.

"You have nothing Mulder, nothing but lonliness, nothing but despair".
He went over to the waterbed and sat beside the other man, placing his arm around Mulder's slumped
shoulders. He fully expected the other man to pull away, but surprisingly, he did not.

"Do you know how I have desired you"? Krycek said softly. Mulder lifted his head to stare at the operative.
"How could anyone desire somebody like me"?
For an answer, Krycek took him gently into his arms, running has hand through Mulder's hair, he kissed
him once more. This time, Mulder responded. His lonliness, his isolation, his unhappiness
temporarily forgotten.

Krycek suddenly lifted the other man to his feet and before Mulder knew what was happening, He was stripped
of his suit and underclothes. Then he was lifted back onto the bed. Suddenly Mulder felt
a something like panic ripple through him. What the hell was he doing? He was not seriously
going to have sex with a man he hated, an assassin....the man that had killed his father?

He struggled to get up, but felt a hand press against his chest. "It's all right Mulder". He heard Krycek whisper.
"It will be okay...I promise".

Mulder felt kisses trail down his neck and shoulders, he gasped and closed his eyes. This was not happening,
his mind screamed in protest, yet he was powerless to stop.

Suddenly, he felt Krycek take his hardened penis into his mouth. Mulder gasped and arched his back.
The other man continued to run his tongue up and down the engorged shaft.

With a groan, Mulder lay back, helpless under the onslaught of pure sensation. Krycek was absolutely merciless
Again and again he would bring Mulder to the brink, then he would stop, letting the sweating, gasping man
fall back onto the bed, trembling with pleasure.

Finally, when Mulder thought that he could endure no more. Krycek gently turned him over, lifting his slender
hip up. He grabbed some pillows and placed them under Mulder's stomach, lifting him up
even further.
Then suddenly Mulder felt slick fingers enter his opening. He gasped and tried to turn around, but a
gentle hand on the middle of his back pressed him back down once more.

Kyrcek ran the tips of his fingers down Mulder's spine, making him shiver with delight. "Just relax my beautiful
Fox". He whispered, leaning over to plant another kiss on Mulder's cheek.

Mulder felt his buttocks gently parted and suddenly he gasped, this time in real pain as Krycek slid himself
deep inside him.

Krycek groaned as he moved in and out, clutching Mulder's hips tightly. Mulder gritted his teeth. God, it
fucking hurt, but behind the pain, there was a warmth, a tingling sensation that was almost like pleasure.
Mulder had been with women before, usually brief one night stands. His disastrous affair with Phoebe
aside.
But it felt nothing even remotely like this. This was a pure, beautiful act of mating. No social politics in action here, no bullshit, no artifice. He was simply being taken.

Suddenly, he felt a hand reach around to grip his cock, the fingers running up and down the full length.
Mulder gasped and closed his eyes, pure sensation washing over him, lifting him up,
carrying him away. He had never felt anything like this before. And this, with a man that he despised.

Krycek's hand clamped down onto Mulder's cock hard, forcing a groan from his lips, a shudder coursed
through him just as he ejaculated. He felt Krycek's penis jerk deep inside him and then
slowly, it was withdrawn.

With a moan, Mulder collapsed onto the bed, the mattress sloshing under his weight. He rolled over,
his entire body, slicked with sweat.

A pair of green eyes gazed down at him. "That was fantastic." Krycek said, then laid down next to the
F.B.I agent. Mulder sighed and stared at the other man, so many emotions coursing through
him. Krycek reached over to gently stroke Mulder's hair.

"What's wrong Mulder"? He asked. Mulder stared at him. "This"! He replied. He sat up and swung his
legs off the bed. "Christ almighty, what have I just done"?
"I believe you just had the best sex of your life". Krycek replied evenly.

Mulder whirled on him. "You fucking asshole, what the hell did you do to me"?
"Nothing that you didn't want". Krycek shot back. He stood up, facing the other man, his naked body
gleaming in the dim light.

"What's wrong Mulder, let somebody get a little too close, and now you are going into panic mode"?
"Fuck you".
"No, I believe I just fucked you".
Something inside Mulder snapped. With an inarticulate cry, he launched himself at Krycek, his fists
pummeling at the Consortium operative's face. Krycek took a step back, the onslaught taking
him completely by surprise.

"Fucking son-of-a-bitch". Mulder gasped as he threw another punch at Krycek. He blocked it with his upper
arm, then landed a punch straight into Mulder's stomach. He doubled over, gasping in
pain as he clutched his stomach.

Krycek caught Mulder by the arms and hauled the other man back over to the bed, laying him back down.
"Don't be angry with me Fox". He whispered, pushing a lock of damp hair back from Mulder's forehead.
"Please, I just want to help you. Don't you understand". He leaned forward and kissed
Mulder deeply on the mouth, drawing a sigh from the other man.

Mulder shook his head, his whole world had just been turned upside down. The man that had been his worst
enemy, had now become his lover. He rolled over, tear slipping down his face.

"Leave me alone Alex, please just...leave me alone".
Hurt and confused, Krycek stood up. "All right then Mulder, I'll go. I call you when I have found a way to get
us into the Center, okay"?

Mulder rolled back over to face the other man. He gave Krycek a smile that was beautiful in it's misery.
"I'm still am not going in until I know for a fact that this is not some sort of trick, you got that"?

Krycek returned his smile. "Got it". With that, he turned and left the apartment, leaving Mulder still lying on
the bed. Krycek hurting, just as much as Mulder, two lonely men, both lost in their own world
of pain, loss and terrible sorrow.

*The Center*
Tobias Sorenson sat in the overstuffed easychair that was angled to face a large Victorian fireplace.
CSM was sitting in another easychair,covered with a soft rich mahogany coloured leather.
"Do you think he will tell Mulder about the disc"? CSM asked. Sorenson looked up sharply, his blue
eyes no longer watery, but sharp and clear, and very shrewd.

"Does it matter if he does"? He asked.
CSM sighed and gazed into the empty fireplace. "Yes, I think it does".
Sorenson leaned back against the chair, fingers steepled together. "Then, there is a solution, is there not"?

CSM fixed the old man with a glare. "And what sort of 'solution' would that be"?
Sorenson smiled, his thin lips pulling back to reveal sharp teeth that had yellowed with age.

"I think you know the answer to that, Mr Spender". He replied. "In fact, this is something that should have
been taken care of a long time ago".
"Agent Mulder has a very important part role to play in the Greater Design, I should not have to remind
you of that".

Sorenson cocked a quizzical eyebrow at CSM. "I suppose, but can we allow anything to jeopardize
the Greater Design? I think not. After all of our work, our sacrifices, it has to be protected at all
cost".

CSM nodded slowly. "I agree, but there are other ways around this problem. Ways that I think will prove
to be wiser...more prudent. Let us not throw all resources away just yet. After all, we will have
need of them one day".

Sorenson reached over and picked up a glass of Port that had been sitting on the small cherrywood
table next to his chair. "We do have one other resource that is starting to prove quite
valuable".

CSM smiled. "Yes indeed, but if we are to keep him, we must show an act of good faith".
"Return the lovely Agent Scully to him". Sorenson replied thoughtfully.

"We must be seen as men who keep our word, otherwise all of this will be for naught".
"I agree". Sorenson said. He took a sip of the Port, swirling the deep amber fluid around in the glass.

"Then I shall see that it is done". CSM rose up out of the chair.
"Make sure that Skinner knows where his loyalties now lie Mr Spender, after all it would not do to have all
of this come apart simply because our AD thought he was off the hook, so to speak".

CSM smiled. "I can assure you Sir that everything is going to plan".

*Skinner's Office*
The office building was quiet at this time of the morning. The office clerks and secretaries did not start showing
up until closer to nine.

Skinner had received a phone call from the Smoking Man earlier, telling him to go straight to his office.
"You will find something that you have been seeking". He had told the AD.

Skinner had left immediately, going straight to his office. He was relieved to see that his secretary Kim
Cook had not arrived yet, though she usually turned up earlier then the other office workers.

He quickly unlocked the door to his office and strode inside. It was still dark, he quickly switched on a
light. There, lying on the couch was the slender form of his agent.
"Scully". He breathed. He hurried over to where she lay. Skinner knelt down, checking her over, making sure
that she was all right. Her colour seemed okay, and she was breathing normally. They must have
given her something to knock her out so they could bring her here.

"Fucking bastards". Skinner whispered. Then he began to lightly tap Scully on her face. "Come on Dana,
I need you to wake up now. Come on, that's a girl". He grimaced, knowing what her reaction
would be if she had actually heard her boss refer to her as 'girl'.

Scully moaned, her eyes fluttering. "Oh God". She muttered. "What the...' Skinner could see that she was
still groggy. He gently helped her to sit up.
"It's okay Dana, I'm here". He told her. Dana groaned and shook her head slowly from side to side.
"Where am I... how'd I get here". Her words were slurred. Skinner could see that her eyes were still unfocused.

"You are in my office Agent Scully, they dropped you off here". Skinner replied as clearly as he could.
He could see that she was still doped to the eyeballs. "Can you remember anything at all Agent"?

"No, no nothing". She mumbled. She got to her feet, Skinner catching her as her legs gave out from under
her. He picked her up in his arms. "Come on Dana, I'm taking you to a hospital".

"No, no hospital". She mumbled. "I'll be fine, just give me a minute, please no hospital".
"Well, I can't leave you here". He replied, Skinner carried her out of his office and down to where his car was parked. He quickly stowed her into the front passenger seat, then getting behind the wheel of the car, he headed back towards his apartment.

He managed to carry her up the elevator and into his apartment, without any of his neighbours noticing.
He smiled grimly as he carried her into the bedroom and laid her out on the bed.
He could imagine what Mrs Earnfal next door would have to say. I always thought that Mr Skinner
was a nice man, but fancy my shock when I saw him carry an unconcious woman into
his apartment, what ever is he going to be doing next?

Scully sighed and rolled over, snoring lightly. Skinner smiled slightly, then he wondered if he should call
a doctor. Probably not, Scully seemed fine. "Let her sleep it off". He said under his breath.
That would more than likely be the best thing. He had wanted to take her to the hospital but she had
been adamant. Not that Skinner could blame her. After her illness, she must have had enough
of doctor's and hospitals altogether.

After checking Scully one last time, he walked into the living room and picked up the phone. Hopefully, Kim
would have arrived by now.

Skinner was right, she picked up the phone on the third ring. "Assistant Director Skinner's Office".
He quickly informed her that he would be in later due to a personal emergency. Kim promised to reschedule his meetings.
"Oh, and please tell Mulder to call me at home, the moment he gets in". Skinner instructed her. He hung up the
phone, then walked back into the bedroom, settling himself down in a battered old easychair
that sat next to the window. One of the things that he had brought with him here to his new apartment, after he and his wife Sharon had split up.

He sat and watched over his agent as she slept, enjoying the feel of the thin warm sunlight as it slanted in through
the window.

*The Center*
"You wanted to see me"? Krycek asked as he entered the large comfortable office. CSM looked up from
the file that he had been reading.
"I want you to get a message to Fox Mulder, let him know that his partner has been released".
Krycek nodded. "I'll call him and let him know".

"I want you to take the message to him personally". CSM replied.
Krycek drew a breath. "I don't think that is a good idea at the moment".
CSM frowned slightly. "And why not"?

Krycek's smile was bitter as he replied. "I think that I am the last person he would want to see at the moment".
"And why is that"?
Krycek mind was racing, there was no way he could tell this man the truth. It would be a death sentence.
Instead, he replied. "You know that Mulder does not trust me".

"And did I not tell you that you were to earn his trust"? CSM replied coldly.
Krycek opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. He was acutely aware of CSM's close scrutiny.

Finally he replied. "I'll go and find him, and let him know". With that, he turned and left the office.

*Mulder's Office*
Mulder walked in through the door, and stopped. There sitting behind his desk was the one man that he
absolutely did not want to see at this point in time.

"What the fuck are you doing here"? Mulder hissed. Krycek stood up from behind Mulder's desk, his lean body
uncoiling like a panther's.
"I've come to give you a message, that's all".
Mulder stared at him for a moment. Then curtly nodded. 'Okay, what"!

"The Consortium released Scully, they delivered her to Skinner's office this morning".
"Another lie Krycek"?
He shook his head. "No, I'm telling the truth. Call Skinner and check if you like".

"All right then, I will". Mulder replied. He walked over to the desk, then stopped, staring at Krycek for a
moment. The other man did not move from behind the desk.

"Get out of my office". Mulder told him, his voice cold.
Krycek stared at him, then ducked his head. "All right, I only came to deliver the message, that's all".

He walked around from behind the desk, Mulder never taking his eyes off him. Krycek went to pass him, then
reached out and grabbed the agent by his arm. Mulder tried to pull out of the other man's grasp,
but Krycek held him fast.

"Is this how it's going to be Mulder"? He hissed, pulling him close. "Are you ever going to face up to what
happened between us"?

Mulder said nothing, then He pulling out of Krycek's grasp, he rasped. "Get out"!
Krycek sighed. "Okay, I'm going Mulder". Then, he pulled Mulder around and before the other man
could protest, kissed him.

"Don't deny what happened Mulder". He whispered softly in the other man's ear. "Please don't do this, to either of us".
Mulder said nothing. Krycek let go of his arm, then he turned and let the office, leaving Mulder alone.

*Skinner's Apartment*
Scully forked some scrambled eggs and placed it in her mouth. They were delicious, she had no idea that
her supervisor could cook.

"How are the eggs"? Skinner asked, carrying his own plate to the table.
"Wonderful, thank you Sir". Scully replied. "And so is the coffee".
Skinner smiled. "One thing I insist on is a cup of decent coffee in the morning".

Scully smiled back. It felt good to be sitting with Skinner in his small neat kitchen. After spending, god knows, how many days trapped inside the Consortium's stronghold, the simple act of eating scrambled
eggs and drinking coffee with a man she liked and admired, made her feel a hundred percent better.

Not that she had been mistreated while in the Center, on the contrary, she had been treated quite well
and why not? After all, they had only kidnapped her to blackmail Skinner. And now they had
released her. Which meant that Skinner had struck some sort of deal with them. But what? She was mulling this over in her mind when her boss's voice broke into her musing.

"More coffee"?
Scully looked up. Skinner was holding a pot of freshly brewed coffee. "Uh, no, thank you". She held her
cup up. "I'm fine, thank you".
Skinner refilled his cup and sat down opposite her. "Is everything all right"? He asked her. Scully was touched
by the concern she heard in his voice.

"Yes, everythings fine. I guess I'm still recovering from the effects of the drug they used when they dumped me
in your office".
"I would still feel better if you were to go and see a doctor Dana". Skinner said.
Scully smiled again, she had hardly ever heard the AD called her 'Dana', it was kind of actually kind of nice.

She shook her head. "No really, I am okay. And I promise, if anything happens, I will go straight to the hospital".
Skinner looked at her doubtfully. Then finally nodded. "Okay, but I want you to go home and rest. Take as long
as you need. Just give yourself time to recover from this".

"Thanks Sir but I'll think I'll be all right...I'd like to get back to work as soon as possible".
Skinner frowned. "Do you think that is wise Agent Scully? After all, you have been through a lot".

Scully shrugged. "It really wasn't that bad Mr Skinner. They were really very...courteous".
"Still, you do need to give yourself time". Skinner replied gently. "Dana, the last couple of years have
been...difficult for you. And now this"...

"I know, and I thank you for your concern". She replied. "But I am just fine, thank you".
Skinner smiled at her. "All right then Agent, I'll take your word for it then".

Scully nodded and finished her coffee. Why was she feeling disappointed that he was no longer using her
first name? She carried the cup and plate over to the sink.
"You don't have to worry about that I'll take care of them". He took the plate from her, his hand brushing
hers accidentally. She drew back slightly, her heart suddenly thudding painfully in her chest.

"I think that I should be getting back to my own apartment Sir". She said.
Skinner nodded. "I can give you a lift Agent Scully".
"Oh, there's no need for that Sir". She replied. "I can call a cab, it's not that far".

"Nonsense Agent Scully, I can't expect you to catch a cab home. Not after all you have been through".
Skinner replied firmly. "I'll take you home.

*Scully's Apartment*
It was a relief to be home. Scully wandered around her apartment, running her hand along the furniture.
A fine layer of dust lay over everything. Scully sighed. She had only been gone for a few days,
but it felt like weeks.

Skinner had dropped her off, then headed straight to the F.B.I building. He had been hesitant to leave her alone.
Probably worried that I would get abducted again, she had thought wryly.
She decided to grab a hot shower when the phone rang. She picked it up. "Hello, Scully speaking".
"Scully, you're back"! It was Mulder.
Scully laughed. "Yes Mulder, they let me go".
"That's wonderful, look I'm in my car, I'll be there in ten minutes". With that, he hung up.

Mulder was better than his promise, he was there in five minutes. Scully opened the door and let him in.
Before she knew what was happening, she was swept up into a powerful hug.
"Oh Dana, I was so worried about you". Mulder to her. "Did those bastards hurt you"?

Scully shook her head. "No, they didn't, I'm fine Mulder". She stepped back and spread her arms out.
"See".

"Thank God". He murmured. He followed his partner into the small neat living room.
"So what did happen"?
Scully sighed and rubbed her hands over her eyes, she was still feeling a little headachy from the drug
earlier.

Briefly, she told Mulder about her meeting with Sorenson, and how she had told him that he had known
her partner from his days at Oxford.
Mulder shook his head. "He's lied to you Scully, I never had a professor Sorenson at Oxford or anywhere else
for that matter.

"I kind of figured that out after he drugged me Mulder". Scully replied drily. She told him about the rest of her
stay at the Center. "They allowed Skinner in to see me once". She said quietly. "I think he must
have struck a deal with them to get me out of there".

Mulder nodded thoughtfully. "I wonder what he offered them".
"I have no idea". Scully replied. "The trouble is Mulder, the reason they took me was to blackmail him".

"Why would they want to do that"? Mulder asked, more to himself, then his partner. Scully shook her
head. "I'm not sure. The Smoking Man told me that he wanted Skinner's cooperation".
"Great". Mulder breathed. Then he looked over at his partner. "Do you get the feeling that we have all
been had"?
Scully looked puzzled. "Mulder, what do you mean"?

"Wait here". He told her suddenly, then headed for the door.
"Mulder, where are you going"?
"To see someone and get some answers". He called back. Scully sighed. "Good luck". She murmured.

*Skinner's Office*
Skinner signed the last file on his desk, and placed it into the OUT basket. He glanced at his watch. It was nearly twelve.
He stood up and walked over to the mahogany coat rack and lifted his coat off the hook. Behind him, his
office door opened.

Fox Mulder walked into the AD's office.
"Mulder, what can I do for you"? His supervisor asked.
"I have just come from seeing Scully Sir". He said. Skinner nodded. "Yes, I take it that you got my message
then".

"Actually, it was Krycek that told me". Mulder replied. Skinner looked up at him surprised. "Krycek"?
"Yes, he was in my office this morning. He was waiting for me there". Mulder replied.

"I see". Skinner hung his coat back on the rack. he then walked back over to his desk. "How is she now"?
"She's fine". Mulder replied. "But there is someone else that she is worried about now".

"And who is that"?
"You". Mulder replied. Skinner frowned. "Me? What the hell are you talking about Agent Mulder"?
"Scully told me that the Smoking Man informed her that she had been taken so as to blackmail you".
"I see". Skinner replied thoughtfully, aware that Mulder was watching him closely.

"So what was the deal that you made with them AD Skinner"? Mulder asked. "What did you promise them
to release Scully"?

Skinner stared at his agent for a moment, weighing up exactly how much he could tell him. Then he slowly
sat down behind his desk.

"I struck a deal with them Mulder, not only to secure Scully's release, but also because I knew that I had no choice".
He went on to tell Mulder about Sorenson and about the disc.

"Sorenson"? Mulder replied. "But he was the man that kidnapped Scully in the first place".
"WHAT? Oh my..." Skinner's said, stunned. "That son of a bitch".
Mulder smiled grimly. "I wouldn't mind meeting this Sorenson face to face".

*The Center*
Sorenson was speaking on the phone, when the door opened. He looked up. CSM entered the large, expensively furnished office.
He spoke a little further, then finally hung up the phone. Then he turned to the Smoking Man.

"Well, what news do you have Mr Spender"?
"Agent Scully has been returned safely".
"Good, and Mr Skinner"?
"Everything is proceeding as planned". CSM replied evenly.

Sorenson nodded, satisfied. "Then Mr Spender, I think that we can put our plan into action".
CSM nodded, a shark like smile touching his lips. "Here is to our success".
"Indeed Mr Spender, indeed".

To be continued

Click here for Part One

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Click here for part Four

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