'Did you know he was married?' She asked.
'To the ancient hag, Diana?'
Scully laughed in spite of herself. 'I guess you could use that to describe her.'
Krycek nodded. 'I knew. But he was young and stupid. What's the big deal?'
Scully flashed a huge smile in his direction. 'You're such an asshole.'
'How rude!' Krycek smiled back. 'And I was only defending my brother!'
'Oh I'm sure that's what you were doing.'
'Well it was a long time ago.' Krycek said, holding out a glass. 'It was way before you ever came into the picture.'
'Thank you.' She accepted the tea. 'I just don't know why he never would have told me. I think that's a little important.'
'That he was married or that he was married to Broomhilda?'
'Both.' Scully laughed. 'Bad enough that he was married and never told me. But what am I supposed to think? He could have told me about her, especially when she came back to the states. Not to mention that he was with her when he disappeared. Not to mention I have no idea what side she's on, she is as shady as you used to be.'
Krycek raised an eyebrow. 'Shady?'
'You are. Well you were. She's the same way, I never know who to trust around here.'
Krycek put a hand over his eyes. 'Please don't tell me I am comparable to Diana Fowley.'
'You played both sides like she did.' Scully took a sip of tea.
'As long as you don't tell me I'm that ugly.'
Scully laughed, spraying tea all over him.
Krycek looked down at his shirt. 'Charming.'
She started to get up, laughing. 'I'm sorry...'
'It's okay.' He stood up, laughing with her. 'No, no. Sit down, I'll get it.
Krycek mopped himself off, standing in the kitchen. He didn't notice that she was staring at him until a wave a sadness entered his mind.
'What's wrong?'
Scully paused, taking a deep breath. 'You really think I'm being too hard on him.'
'Dana.' Krycek threw the towel into the sink. 'I can�t tell you what to think. But I understand it from his point of view. It was a long time ago.'
She rested her head in her hands. 'He wasn't very receptive to any argument I've made since he's been back. He's been difficult to talk to and he doesn't think that his hiding things from me is wrong.'
'Finding me here was probably a huge shock. I'm sure he feels betrayed. Not only that, but how must it look. You're suddenly pregnant after telling him that you can't conceive.' Krycek smiled. 'Not to mention who the father is. I'm surprised he didn't shoot me.'
Scully put her hands out. She was frustrated and angry and needed to vent. 'He didn't give me a chance to explain!'
Krycek took one of her hands. 'I know, you're preaching to the choir. All I'm saying is I can understand that he'd be upset.'
She knew she was pouting like a little girl. She was backed into a corner with Mulder and didn't like it. No matter what she said to him, or vice versa, they weren't listening to each other.
Krycek kneeled down next her, feeling her confusion. 'Maybe you should talk to him again. Now you're both probably a little calmer and ready to listen to each other.'
Scully didn't look at him.
'You want me to call him?'
She considered, then shook her head. 'I'll talk to him tomorrow. That will give us time to calm down.' She looked over at him. 'How did you become so wonderful?'
Krycek shrugged. 'I was engineered that way.'
'Whatever.' She laughed.
He laughed and stood up. 'I'm going to head out. You should go to bed, get some rest.'
'Okay, Mom.'
He hesitated, eyeing her closely. 'Something else?'
Scully sighed, looking up at him. She grinned sheepishly.
Krycek nodded. 'I'll stay.'
'Thank you.'
'Don't thank me.' He said. 'Mr. Cheesy Koskie gave me the creeps too.'
***
Agent Koskie sat in his car, staring up at the window. How did he ever wind up with this stupid assignment? Everyone knew about Mulder and Scully. How many times they should have died, how much trouble they kept getting in, how many times they've been in trouble with the FBI. He certainly didn't want to get involved with any of it.
He knew how the FBI could turn on you in an instant, regardless of the service and dedication you've given them. How did the saying go? You fall in love with the FBI, but the FBI doesn't fall in love with you. Something like that.
And what the hell was Alex Krycek doing here? When he'd disappeared from the FBI and life in general, rumors went flying. He was working with Russia, with China, with France, with every country with nuclear capabilities. That he'd been murdered by the CIA. That he was working with England as a double agent. Working against Fox Mulder and the FBI. Now here he is, paling around with Dana Scully.
The whole thing gave him a headache. He wanted to stay as clear of the X-Files as he could. He'd just watch the place and keep his mouth shut.
His passenger door opened and someone sat heavily in the car next to him.
'That's the way to keep your eyes open.'
Koskie turned to see Fox Mulder pointing a gun in his face.
'Agent Mulder.' Koskie stuttered. 'What is this about?'
'You're going to do something for me.'
***
Scully couldn't sleep. She'd been tossing and turning, huffing and puffing. She finally got up and walked out into the living room.
Krycek was standing at the window, looking outside.
'Can't sleep?' She asked, standing next to him.
He shook his head, frowning. 'Feel that?'
Scully thought for a moment and shook her head.
'Your mind is busy, you're trying too hard.' Krycek said softly. 'Take a deep breath. Picture exhaling through your forehead, empty your mind.'
She smiled. 'Okay, Master Yoda.'
He smiled at the ribbing. 'Just trying to help.'
'I know, I know.' She tried to be serious. 'I'll try.'
Krycek looked at her, trying not to laugh. 'Do or do not, there is no try.'
Scully burst into laughter. 'You're not helping.'
Krycek suddenly looked over his shoulder, his expression alert.
'What?' She whispered.
'How did he get by without me knowing?' He walked towards the door, then stopped halfway there.
'Who?'
'Koskie.' He tilted his head to the side. 'But it's weird. Like there's someone with him, but I can't tell who.'
There was a knock at the door. Scully walked up to Krycek's side. He put a hand on her arm. 'Something's wrong.'
'Agent Scully?' Koskie called out softly. 'Someone was running into the building, I wanted to make sure you're okay.'
She went to the door and Krycek's voice stopped her. 'Dana, wait.'
She looked through the peephole. Koskie stared back at her. She turned to Krycek questioningly and he shrugged.
'I know its Koskie.� He said. �But he�s scared.'
The door was suddenly kicked in, knocking her backwards. She fell on the floor and Krycek was beside her in an instant.
They both looked up to see Koskie. 'I'm sorry.' He said.
A loud bang went off. They both looked up as Koskie fell forward on his face, revealing Mulder. He was standing behind him, smoking gun in hand.
Scully stared at Mulder. She didn't know how to put this together. She didn't know what to say.
Mulder stepped into the room, looking down at Koskie lying on floor, blood spreading out around him.
Krycek pulled Scully up, keeping a hand around her arm.
'Mulder, what are you doing?' She asked softly. Maybe he'd gone over the edge. Maybe all this business with Krycek had finally pushed him too far and he really believed she'd been plotting against him this whole time.
'Scully, I need you to come with me.' Mulder said, not looking at her.
'Don't you think we need to report this to the police, Mulder?' She was speaking softly, trying to reason with him.
Krycek took a step back, pulling her with him.
Mulder suddenly looked up and raised the gun at them. 'Maybe you didn't hear me.'
Scully glanced at Krycek; she felt genuine fear coming from him. Fear for her, and fear for the baby. She caught a thought he threw at her.
That's not Fox.
Scully licked her lips as they backed up another step. Mulder advanced towards them. She spoke soothingly as Krycek gently pulled her back and stepped in front of her. 'But Mulder, if a crime's been committed, we need to call the police.'
Krycek put his hands up, indicating compliance, as Mulder got within three of feet of him. 'Agent Koskie obviously did something wrong which led you to defend yourself.' He backed up another step to be close to Scully and hoped that she heard what he was trying to say.
Scully reached into his back pocket and gently removed the tube-like weapon, hearing the hiss as the thin blade came out.
Do you trust me, Dana?
In the space of one second, Scully made a decision that would forever change her life.
I trust you, Alex.
Krycek suddenly pushed Scully away and dropped as Mulder fired. He swept his leg around, knocking Mulder's feet out from under him. 'Now, Dana, now!'
Scully hesitated. What if this was Mulder? She couldn't very well just plunge it into the back of his neck.
Krycek looked up at her and that instant was all Mulder needed to toss him across the room. Krycek crashed into the coffee table and it splintered in pieces. He got to his feet in half a second, shaking his head to clear it. It was too late. Mulder had an arm around Dana's neck and the gun to her head.
Krycek stared in horror as Mulder's face melted into that of the alien bounty hunter. He didn't care who it was, as long as it wasn't the bounty hunter. The same thought kept running through his mind. What am I going to do? What am I going to do? He had no idea how to get out of this one. He knew there was nothing he could do, physically or mentally, to handle this situation.
It wouldn�t be so bad if he hadn�t been given three amazing gifts in recent time.
A friend.
A baby.
And the worst of all, a set of morals.
'Please.' Krycek said softly, resorting to pleading. 'Take me instead.'
'Patience, my friend.' The bounty hunter said. �We�ll need you soon enough.�
Krycek locked eyes with Scully. He could feel her resolve drowning in fear. Part of it was probably because she could feel his desperation.
What do you want me to do? He asked silently.
Let me go.
Krycek disagreed.
Let me go. The thought came again. You can find me.
He stared at her, helpless. There was no way he could watch her walk out that door.
There's nothing else to do, Alex. She thought. Let me go and find me later.
Krycek turned his gaze to the bounty hunter. He was furious. His eyes burned holes into the head of the alien bounty hunter. In return, the bounty hunter pointed the gun at Krycek. Scully's voice desperately invaded his head.
I'll be fine, Alex, I'll be fine.
Scully yelled in protest as a shot from the gun was fired. The bounty hunter slowly fell to the floor, clutching at the weapon that was lodged in the back of his neck. Mulder stood behind him, his face awash in concern.
'Are you okay, Scully?'
'I'm fine.' She said shakily as she looked towards Krycek.
He fell to his knees, holding a hand over his side. 'How many times can this happen to me?'
'Alex.' She rushed to him and bent down as blood seeped through his shirt.
'It just scraped me.' He said, looking up at her and stopping her hand from lifting his shirt. 'Are you okay?'
She nodded. 'I'm fine. I�m not the one who got shot.'
'Dana, I'm fine.' He walked on his knees over to the downed agent. 'Koskie's still alive.'
Scully bent down and checked him as Mulder came to her side. 'You're right, he is.' She began to apply pressure to the wound. Krycek put a hand on her shoulder.
'Let me.'
She looked at him and moved away wordlessly. Krycek put a hand over his wound. Mulder bent down next to him and watched in silence.
'He'll be okay.' Krycek said, leaning back and lifting up his own shirt to examine his side.
Mulder sat in awe as Koskie's eyes fluttered open.
'Where...What happened?' Koskie asked, eyes focusing on Scully.
She couldn't answer; she yanked up his shirt to look at his chest. It was completely healed over.
Mulder was speechless. Sure he had heard Krycek's thoughts, had some images planted in his mind. This was...extraordinary. He stared at Krycek with a new curiosity, a new respect, and a new fear.
'How?' He whispered.
Krycek smiled at him modestly. He was suddenly very tired. 'I don't know.'
Scully helped Koskie sit up. At the sight of Mulder, he recoiled.
'Easy.' Krycek placed a hand on Koskie's shoulder. 'Easy, my friend. It's not the same guy.'
Koskie looked down at himself, lifted up his bloody shirt. 'I thought I was hit. I was so sure I was hit.' He looked up at the three of them. 'What happened?'
'It�s my blood.' Krycek said. 'It got on you when I dragged you into the apartment. That other guy, he just hit you, knocked you out.'
Scully looked at Krycek's pale face. 'Alex, we really need to clean that up.'
'I just want to make sure Koskie�s okay.' Krycek said. 'Then you can do your doctor thing.'
Mulder helped Koskie up. 'Why don't you take the rest of the night off. I'll relieve you.'
'But the Assistant Director said-'
'I'll call Skinner.' Mulder said. 'You should get some rest. You've had a hard night.'
'If...If you're sure, Sir.' Koskie said, letting Mulder lead him to the door.
'We're sure.' Mulder said, closing the door. 'We'll see you tomorrow.'
'You think he's okay to drive, Mulder?' Scully asked.
'He's fine.' Krycek said. 'He's a little confused, but he's fine.'
Mulder turned to find the two of them standing next to each other. Scully appeared to be supporting Krycek, one arm around his shoulders, the other around his stomach. Mulder swallowed and tried to ignore the immediate bitter taste of jealousy.
'Scully, you should probably check him out out. He looks like he's in pain.'
Scully nodded and led Krycek into the bathroom. He could now see why she was so enthralled with Krycek. Hell, give him a day or two in Krycek's company and he'd probably be swooning over the man.
***
Scully bent down to look at Krycek's wound.
'It's not as fine as you said it was, Alex.' She said sternly.
'I'll live.' Krycek was grinding his teeth together. 'Pour some alcohol over it and slap on a band aid.'
Scully giggled. 'Is that your medical opinion, Dr. Logan?'
Krycek laughed as well. 'Never thought I'd hear that name again.'
'We did some stupid things in medical school.' Scully was shaking her head. 'Remember that time we all went down to the cape?'
Krycek's eyes lit up. 'I forgot about that.' They were silent, both remembering the overnight jaunt down to the beach. Krycek looked up at her, smiling. 'If I remember correctly through all that Bacardi, you puked on me.'
Scully blushed. 'I did not.'
'Bacardi Coke's. That's what we were drinking.' Krycek laughed. 'You were swearing up and down that you were going to get the damn Bacardi bat tattooed on your ankle.'
'If I remember correctly.' Scully said teasingly. 'You tried to kiss me.'
'I was drunk.' He waved a hand at her, then grinned. 'And desperate.'
Scully poured the alcohol over his wound, causing him to hiss with pain.
Mulder was standing outside the slightly open bathroom door. He heard them talking, heard them reliving all their medical school moments. When the hell did they go to medical school together? He had only come over here to speak to Krycek, maybe make some kind of amends. His mind raced, hearing all their memories, maybe they had been together and against him from the beginning.
***
'Do you enjoy inflicting that kind of pain?' Krycek asked through clenched teeth.
'Sorry.' Scully smiled. 'I was desperate to clean your wound.'
'Oh jeez.' He replied. 'You can dish it out, but you can't take it.' Krycek's head jerked towards the door. 'Agent Mulder, come on in.'
The door slowly swung open. Mulder stepped in, looking both angry and confused.
'What's up, Mulder?' Scully greeted as she put a bandage on Krycek's side. Her fingers brushed his ribs and he jerked.
'I�m sorry, did that hurt?'
Krycek grinned. 'It tickled.'
'So.' Mulder said, crossing his arms. 'You guys went to medical school together?'
They looked at each other. 'How did you know that, Mulder?' Scully asked.
Mulder leaned against the wall. 'I was coming up to the door and heard him say something about it.'
Krycek stood up and looked at his side in the mirror. 'I was sent into medical school to find the most brilliant scientist, the most intelligent student. Dana was it.'
�Have you asked him about your new mind-reading abilities, Scully?�
�What?� Krycek asked, turning towards her.
�It�s true.� She nodded. �I can hear things now. People on the street walking by, any one of you guys, but it�s not always there.�
Krycek sat on the counter and gave her a small grin. �When did this start?�
�Right after we had been on the street, just after I spoke French.�
�Shit.� Krycek said, looking in between her and Mulder. �Maybe I did turn something on.�
Mulder�s face suddenly twisted. He had put it together himself.
Krycek had noticed the shift in his feelings. �Something wrong, Agent Mulder?�
�It�s so blatantly obvious.� Mulder replied, looking down at Scully.
�It is?� She asked.
�Oh hell.� Krycek had picked up the thought from Mulder. �I can�t believe I didn�t think of that.�
�What?� She looked between the two of them. �The reason I suddenly developed alien traits?�
�The baby.� Krycek said.
Scully stared back at him. �What?�
�You�re carrying his child.� Mulder said softly, unable to believe he�d managed to force the words out. He gestured at Krycek. �Mr. Half Alien. The child has his genes, his DNA, his alienism, whatever you want to call it. It�s probably having an affect on you.�
�Just the way that the vaccine had a physiological affect on you.� Krycek smiled. �The baby is probably causing its own little bit of altering.�
Scully�s hand automatically went to her stomach, as if speaking of the baby reminded her that he or she was still there. She smiled and shyly glanced up at Krycek.
He grinned back.
Mulder nearly screamed.
'It's obvious we can't stay here.' Scully said out of nowhere. 'What are we going to do? The aliens, whatever, know we're here.'
'Maybe you should go into hiding like Spender said.' Krycek turned and looked at her. 'It's probably the safest choice you have.'
'I don't want Spender knowing where I am.' Scully said, looking at Mulder. 'I still don't trust him.'
Mulder returned her gaze, his eyes lingering on her face. 'What do you want to do?'
She didn�t trust Cancer Man, but she trusted Krycek. Scully turned towards him. 'Do you know anywhere I can hide?'
'Of course.' He smiled at her. 'I can hide you anywhere. Where do you want to go? We can't put you in this corner of the country, of course. There are all sorts of bad pieces of the evil puzzle hanging around the Northeast.'
Scully thought of the kind of life-style that she would love to be living. What was the complete opposite of where she was now? When was the happiest and most peaceful she�d ever felt. An idea formed in her mind and she smiled at Krycek, using the old, surfer lingo. 'Witchy.'
Krycek grinned back. 'Pure Salem.'
***
'Newport Beach?' Mulder asked. 'Scully, why on earth would you go all the way to California?'
'It's far away, Mulder.' She was throwing clothes into a suitcase. 'And I remember how much I loved hanging out in Santa Cruz.'
'But it's so far away.' Mulder protested.
She walked over to him and put her arms around his waist. 'You can come visit whenever you want. Since you're refusing to go.'
'Scully.' He hugged her in return. 'I can't just take off and disappear.'
'Why not?' She shrugged. 'I am.'
'I've got work to do.'
She released him and went back to packing. 'The X-Files can wait, Mulder.'
'That's not exactly what I'm talking about.'
Scully stopped packing and turned to face him. 'Please tell me you're not.'
He shrugged. 'I have to. It's what I believe.'
'Running back to your ex-wife.' Scully laughed without humor. 'That's just beautiful.'
'I'm not running back to Diana, Scully.' Mulder came over to stand next to her. 'I believe in what they're fighting for.'
'You believe wrongly, Mulder.' She resumed throwing things into her suitcase. 'Those people are wrong.'
'Well, I believe Spender and his idiot son are wrong.' Mulder said.
'How can you say that, Mulder?' She asked, looking up in his face, a hand on her hip. 'You saw what Alex did tonight.'
'That doesn't mean Spender is in the right. Or that Krycek hasn't been misled, again.'
'I'm going across the country, Mulder. I don't know when I'll be back. Why can't you come with me and leave all this behind for now. I'm going to be having a baby. Don't you want to be there? Don't you want to be with me?'
'Of course I do, Scully.' Mulder touched her face. 'But there's things here I need to do. Maybe I'll come out when I'm finished...'
