Title: Vulnerable : Chapter One.Author: Tony.
E-mail: crokettuk@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13.
Keywords: DSR, MSR musings.
Feedback: Oh yes!
Disclaimer: John Doggett and Dana Scully and other characters mentioned here-in are the property of 1013 Productions.
Here's the first chapter of the sequel story to "There's Nothing Here But Us." I hope it's enjoyed just as much as the story that preceded it. There's a lot of Mulder in the opening chapter and he will feature very heavily in this story, but don't worry, the DSR vibes won't be overshadowed (too much). I'm hoping this story will also shed light on some other unanswered questions from the finale....Stand by for some more mythology, people!
This chapter is dedicated to my fave SHODDsisters (who know full well who they are) with a special mention to Meg who's joining the Air Force! Woohooh! I salute you, Officer Meg! Congratulations!
"If I hear one more word about the freaking X Files, or Agent Mulder, Or Agent Scully, even Agent Doggett and Agent Reyes....I'm outta' here, Leyla!"Leyla Harrison frowned sadly at her boyfriend Gabe Rodder's exclamation as they took a break from getting seriously down on the dancefloor of the "Twilight Zone" nightclub in a downtown area of Washington DC. As myriad couples around them continued to bump and writhe amongst the smoke and dry ice filling the large dance arena situated in the middle of the club, she attempted to convey to Gabe why exactly what was on her mind was getting in the way of them having a good time this night.
"I just can't enjoy myself wondering what's happened to them....those charges of treason that have been brought against them....Agents Mulder and Scully would never betray their country, neither would Agents Doggett and Reyes! They're champions in the darkness fighting forces out there that could destroy every one of us! And my bet is they've got too close to the truth...."
Gabe's face twisted into a sarcastic and tired grin.
"And just what truth would that be, Leyla?"
Leyla's eyes gave him a look in return that said to him the answer should have been blindingly obvious to him before he asked the question.
"The truth that aliens are infiltrating our Government....that the corridors of power are fillingup with alien replacements, replacements that Agents Scully, Doggett and Reyes had christened supersoldiers....They told me all about it when we visited the X Files office...."
Gabe rolled his eyes and made to order another ridiculously strong cocktail from the neon-lit bar they stood against.
"You know what I think is the truth, Leyla...?" he sighed. "I think the truth is you're a knockout gorgeous babe who's been working in accounts too long and whose imagination needs to hook into these people's crazy lives for some excitement! I mean, I thought you'd agreed to check out some happening clubs with me in DC for excitement! I didn't expect we'd be delving into that crack-head world of aliens and deep sinister conspiracies! I thought we'd come out to party, baby, not play hunt the ET!"
Leyla's eyes dropped, crestfallen at the ridicule from her companion.
"It's not a game, Gabe! These things are going on in the world all around us everyday, and Agents Mulder, Scully, Doggett and Reyes are the only ones with the vision to see them! They've tried to wake up everybody to the danger and now they're forced to go on the run because of it! They're heroes, Gabe! And heroes shouldn't be forced to go on the run! Especially with what they know!"
Gabe took a large swig from his new translucent cocktail and turned to Leyla.
"It's all about that Mulder guy, isn't it?"
Leyla gave him a puzzled look as he took another taste.
"You are so in love with Mr Dashing Fox! I mean, that's the only reason you go on and on about all this, isn't it? You got the hots for him, and now he's eloped with Daring Agent Dana you can't stand it, can you? I mean, what's he got that I haven't, huh? I mean the guy's certifiable, Leyla, they all are! My bet is they're all off on some little commune right now figuring out the best way to knock down a flying saucer or detect folks who can't bend their index finger! It's nuts, babe! This whole X Files deal is so whacked out! And if you get too wrapped up in it, you go off the deep end like your hero agents already have!"
Leyla started to get angry at his taunts and leaned over towards him in a defiant stance.
"You saw plenty of whacked-outness a few months ago....so how can you say that?"
Gabe laughed into his drink.
"Little boy creating monsters? Well, I didn't see any, I just saw Agent Doggett with a passed-out kid and Agent Reyes telling everybody she'd had monsters crawling around inside her. I sure didn't seem em....such a hoot standing in that basement hearing the four of you talk seriously about that stuff! And that I Want To Believe poster on the wall! That said it all, Leyla! Come on, babe!"
Leyla took hold of Gabe's glass with her left hand.
"You know, Gabe, I thought you were the kind of guy who could open his mind to these things, I really did! But now I know what you're really all about, just jumping me!"
Gabe gave her a strong grinning smile.
"Leyla, you are hot, you gotta know that! How could a guy not be interested in getting to know you? I can really give you a lot more than a bunch of people reciting space stories, babe, a lot more! Why don't we just drop this crap and just have some serious fun, hey, baby? Come on, huh?"
Leyla inspected the translucent drink he was swallowing down in the glass.
"Just what is that stuff you're drinking?"
"Hey, it's new, babe! Something called Absolute Truth, nifty name, huh?"
Leyla wrapped her hand around the glass and moved closer to him.
"Well, since that's the only truth you're going to let into your body, Gabe, I guess I've got to say goodnight!"
Slowly, Leyla tipped the glass, drenching her companion in funny-coloured cocktail.
"Sorry, Gabe." Leyla whispered tearfully as Gabe jumped to his feet to dry himself down.
"Hey, Leyla!" he shouted after her as she walked away from him. Reaching the edge of the dance arena, she wiped the tear forming in her eye away and straightened up, smoothing down her white blouse and dark skirt in an attempt to compose herself. As she watched the people having fun all around her, Leyla just couldn't connect with them knowing that the people she'd had so much respect for and faith in were out there now somewhere being hunted by sinister otherworldly forces the revellers here couldn't even comprehend were infiltrating this mostly-unsuspecting planet. She prayed that at least one of the Agents was here right now, so she could go with them and help them fight the good fight, help them clear their names from the obvious smear that had been painted onto them. How could she stay working in the mundane world of accounting when she had been made privy to plans to take over the American government by alien invaders?
Oh, Agent Mulder....Agent Scully....Agent Doggett....Agent Reyes....if only I could find you to help you, Leyla thought to herself as she stood there agonised.
Agent Mulder....
Leyla's eyes fell onto a familiar figure on the far side of the dance arena, making his way through the crowds at the other side of the club. Even through the flashing lights and smoky air she could make him out. She had looked at his visage on her bedside workdesk ever since she had appropriated a file photo of him and Scully and placed it in a small frame next to her computer, alongside the new one she'd appropriated of Doggett and Reyes which stood in a similar small frame. It was unmistakably him, the features lined with caution as if he was trying to avoid somebody. Her eyes opened wide that he was here in the middle of this nightclub in DC this night.
It was Fox Mulder alright, Leyla breathed excitedly.
"I don't believe it...."
Without even taking a backwards look to see if a very wet Gabe was following her, Leyla made her way through the crowds after Mulder, her heart beating with the adrenalin spotting him here had caused. She wondered if Agent Scully was here too with him, or Agents Doggett and Reyes, but she could see nobody with him as she continued to navigate through the people in the club to get to him. Eventually Mulder became closer. As she breathlessly reached him, Leyla gave a start as that familar face turned around to behold her.
"Agent Mulder!" came the greeting from Leyla's lips in a breathless cry.
"Agent Harrison?" Mulder's eyes filled with an expression of annoyance and fear as he ascertained it was indeed Leyla Harrison standing before him.
"Yes, it's me, Agent Mulder!" She almost had fresh tears in her eyes, she was that happy to see him.
Mulder tried his best to smile politely but was obviously extremely anxious.
"Agent Harrison, I'm afraid now's not the time for another X Files question and answer session!" Mulder exclaimed urgently, looking furtively around as he spoke. "Besides I thought I'd already cleared you up on what happened in Antarctica!"
Leyla noticed his discomfort.
"Is someone following you, Agent Mulder?" she babbled. "Is Agent Scully with you? What's going on, Agent Mulder? Those charges of treason, you having to go on the run....it's the aliens framing you, right?"
Mulder placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it tight.
"Agent Harrison...." Mulder said with unbelieveable patience and worry in his voice. "This really isn't the time for us to catch up! I can't explain any further right now, but it'd be in your best interests to forget you even saw me here, ok?"
Leyla's eyes filled with bewilderment.
"But how can you even expect me to do that, Agent Mulder? When I know what the aliens are doing to our Government, to you and Agent Scully?"
Mulder was about to give Leyla one final warning to disappear into the nightclub crowd when he beheld the reflection of two tall men dressed in long black leather coats appear in the mirrored glass by Leyla. As her gaze followed his to them, one of the men addressed Mulder. He sported razor-short hair and a finely-cut pointed beard and had a deep scar running down his right cheek. He reminded Leyla of a criminal from a Jean Claude Van Damme movie.
"Fox Mulder." The man's voice was very deep and throaty when he spoke. "I'm glad to find you are a punctual man." His steel grey eyes fell onto a deeply-unnerved Leyla Harrison. "And who is your charming companion? I did tell you to come alone."
Before Leyla could stutter her accusations of the man being an alien supersoldier, Mulder quickly interrupted, waving a dismissive arm at Leyla.
"Oh, just an old girlfriend. She saw I was back in town and wanted to re-live some old times. I told her I was a little busy right now."
As the man surveyed the look of surprise on Leyla's face, he allowed himself a cold half-smile.
"An old girlfriend? We had no idea you were such a lothario, Mr. Mulder. Certainly doesn't fit our profile of you."
Despite the tension and unease, Mulder threw the man an aggrieved little look. The man continued.
"However, a rain-check is precisely the right idea, Mr. Mulder. Make your excuses and follow us. Time is indeed pressing."
As Mulder made to follow the two men out of the club, Leyla breathlessly voiced her concern.
"Agent Mulder....who are they? You can't just walk off with them! What is going on?"
Mulder brought his face to Leyla's and spoke in a hurried whisper.
"If you really want to help me and help the X Files and everything Scully and I have worked for, trust me and don't follow me, Agent Harrison. Please."
Mulder departed after the men, leaving the blonde agent totally disorientated. As she watched them walk out of the club entrance, Leyla bit her lip fiercely then made to follow them. Despite Agent Mulder's warning, she told herself, following him was something she just knew she had to do.
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In an alleyway just opposite the club, Mulder and the two men stopped before a battered van with darkened windows that was parked there. As the man who had addressed him in the club swung back the sliding door on the side of the van and gestured for him to climb aboard, Mulder held back cautiously.
"I didn't expect a man like Martin Cartege to have such a poor choice in transport..." Mulder smiled, holding back.
The man walked slowly over to him, returning Mulder's smile, albeit it a lot more coldly.
"The well-documented laconic Fox Mulder wit." Cartege spoke quietly. "We don't want to advertise you're back in Washington DC, Mr Mulder. Especially with forces here desperately wishing to destroy you with what you know....and what I know too. You came this far to meet me, Mr. Mulder. Now at least you can go the whole way with me."
Mulder's grin broadened.
"Gee, it'll be my first time."
Cartege took him by the shoulder and led him towards the van, producing a high-powered machine gun from his large coat pocket.
"I've brought along some protection, Mr. Mulder. Now get in."
As Mulder clambered into the back of the vehicle and Cartege's right-hand man took his place behind the wheel, an alarmed Leyla watched from behind a large rubbish skip at the far corner of the alleyway. She delighted herself by mentally reminding herself of the fact she'd hadn't been drinking tonight with Gabe and her car was parked very close by to follow Mulder and his mystery companions. It was her duty to follow him and find out just what was going on. She owed it to Mulder and Scully, and Doggett and Reyes to help anyway she could. As she made to retrieve her car from the next street, Mulder turned to Cartege as he took his seat in the back of the van next to him.
"You really do believe, Cartege....I could have really done with the help of you and your organisation at Quantico. Why did it take you so long to come out of the woodwork and contact me?"
Cartege fixed Mulder with his steel-grey eyes.
"I had to have the hook to bring you to me. And I believe I have that now, hmm? You told me you wanted to expose the alien conspiracy a year ago, to fully have the power to protect Scully and your son. Well I have that power and together, Mr. Mulder, you and I can use that power to make a real difference....in fact I have already taken other steps to prove myself to you, Mr. Mulder. Steps towards a particular reunion you've been long awaiting...."
As Mulder turned with an intrigued look to Cartege, the van sped off down the alleyway, neither of the men yet aware that another vehicle was following close behind....
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Scully jolted awake in her passenger seat as she felt the four-by-four grind to a sudden halt. As her sleepy blue eyes came into focus on the smiling features of John Doggett, she looked around at the deep green country surrounding them and the long dirt road to the faraway house that lay ahead of them. She couldn't really believe they were here already and as she struggled to bring forth a voice through her dry lips, Doggett placed a reassuring and comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I was gonna' let you sleep a little longer before waking you, Dana." Those penetrating eyes of his radiated with a tender warmth. "I know how apprehensive you are right now. We don't have to drive up just yet....if you wanna' have extra time to prepare yourself...."
Scully placed her hand on the one he held on her shoulder appreciatively.
"Thank you. But I really think I'm as ready as I'll ever be...."
Scully had been trying like hell to stay calm and in control of the emotions rising within her at the thought of being reunited once more with the son she had loved so much and given away. John had been such an emotional strength in the time it had taken to journey here to the farm where William was living with his new adoptive parents. His presence and love for her had been such a comfort to her since leaving Mexico. The night before they had departed they had lay together, wrapped tight in her hotel room bed. Despite the temptations present, they had chosen not to make love that night but just lie holding each other. Since the wildness that Josef Kobold had partly incited in them had subsided, Scully had felt a little embarrased at the heat and passion that had erupted from herself and she knew Doggett felt the same. Not that they were ashamed of the hot consummation they had shared, but Scully felt, as she knew Doggett did also, that their next time together should be unhurried and most definitely on their own terms when both felt it was right. As she lay in Doggett's embrace, Scully's mind had also focused on the missing Mulder once more and how she still wished he could have held her and protected her in the same way. There was so much more love from Doggett for her than she ever truly felt Mulder could possibly have expressed to her and she still believed at this moment in time no other man could offer her the safety and security she craved. She could not fully determine what her feelings would be should she encounter Mulder again but for now she knew she was really coming to truly love John Doggett in the same way he had held such a love in his heart for her the past 2 eventful years.
She was swept out of her thoughts by that strong voice once more.
"I know how much you missed him, Dana. And how much I did. I always knew in my heart you'd want him back in your life. It felt so wrong when you let him go....I..."
Scully squeezed Doggett's shoulder lovingly as his eyes became full and watery.
"I know how much losing Luke hurt you....and I know you had problems understanding why I gave William up for adoption....why I would willingly give up my son when you lost yours so unfairly.. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever made, John....and now I realise how wrong it was for me to do so....how wrong for him...." She squeezed his shoulder tighter. "And for you....I know how much you loved him too...."
Doggett tenderly stroked the side of Scully's face.
"I would have loved him like Luke, Dana....I really would have....I really shouldn't say this but seein' you with him....I wanted so much to be with the both of you....providing for you both and protectin' you both...." He straightened up attempting to control his own rising emotions. "I am sayin' too much, Dana....too soon...."
"We promised to say these kind of things to each other...." Scully whispered, taking his hand and holding it to her cheek. "Don't be afraid to say what's in your heart, John....I don't want to feel like you're hiding secrets from me...."
Doggett smiled, relishing the feel of her hand on his.
"Then if you're ready, won't don't we get along and say hello to the kid, huh?"
As Doggett re-started the four-by-four, Scully wiped away a tear and composed herself as they began to navigate the path to the nearby house.
Up ahead, as they drove, they had no idea from the building ahead, a telescopic rifle scope was covering them both......
TO BE CONTINUED