By Michele (starshine24mc@yahoo.com)
Rating: NC17
Fandom: X-Files
Pairing: M/Sk
Date: January 24, 2002
Beta: none
Spoilers: War of the Coprophages, Folie a Deux, Kitsunegari, who knows what else…
Boring but necessary disclaimer: C.C., Fox and 1013 own them, I’m just borrowing them for fun, not profit, and I promise to return them only slightly bruised
Archive: put it wherever you like, just leave my name on it
Feedback: Yes, PLEASE!
Summary:  The plot thickens! This chapter is for everyone out there, who, along with me, is petitioning to cancel January! (and you know who you are...sugar...son)

***

"Are you kidding?" Scully exclaimed.

McCormick gave her an indulgent smile.

"As you can see, Agent Scully, I have plenty of men to take care of this. Now I suggest you and the Assistant Director head on back to Washington." He glanced pointedly at Skinner. "We'll be sure to call if we turn up any trace of your boy."

"I don't think you quite understand the situation here," Skinner growled as he stepped forward. This time Scully didn't stop him.  Something about the way McCormick was looking at her, with that 'don't-get-your-panties-in-a-knot-little-lady' smirk made her want to simultaneously pull her gun and run a security check on the guy.

"Sir, as I was saying to Miss Scully here-"

Skinner moved in kissing close.

"You listen to me, Ranger Jack. One of my agents is lost out here, likely injured as a result of foul play, and while I understand that you and the rest of the cub scouts here have jurisdiction over this case, these woods, you have to understand that hell will freeze over before either myself or Agent Scully will abandon this case!" Skinner gave McCormick a shove. Not a big one; the man barely stumbled; but enough of a chest-to-chest push that he made both his anger and his dominance perfectly clear.

"All right!" McCormick held up a supplicating hand. "Jesus! You don't need to go all Alpha male on me-Christ!"

Now Scully did move closer.

"Come on, sir," she said in a neutral tone even as her eyes were tossing daggers into McCormick. "Let's see what Josan's got for us on that area west of here." She resisted the urge to take Skinner's hand, suspecting that McCormick would have a field day with something like that, no matter how innocent the actual circumstances.

Scully and Skinner walked away from the ranger's SUV, and as soon as they were out of earshot, McCormick reached for the cell phone clipped to his belt. He flipped it open, thumbed the first speed dial key, and tapped his foot impatiently at the computer voice that told him to leave a message.

"It's McCormick. The Fibbies aren't giving an inch on this one-I think the old guy's queer for Mulder or something. Anyway, you might have to move the lab in a big hurry if they get too close. Some eager beaver in this unit's tipped 'em west, but I can probably get 'em lost out there easy enough. I'll keep you posted."

McCormick clipped the phone back onto his belt, then whirled, gun already in hand, as he heard something behind him. Detective Josan raised his hands and backed away from him, saying "Hey, relax, it's just me."

McCormick sighed gustily and re-holstered his gun. "Shit, you scared the crap outta me!"

Josan grinned. "Hey, you're supposed to be the big brave ranger around here," he said. "I should be the one pulling my gun every time a twig snaps."

"By the time it's dark, you'll probably be doing just that," McCormick replied grimly.

"By the time it gets dark, I expect to be home and getting me some." Still smiling, Josan turned to walk away, adding, "The Feds are hot on this thing, and we've got a pretty clean trail to follow. I'm sure we'll find something soon." He paused, looked around. "Where'd those two get to, anyway? I'm supposed to be taking them out to quadrant C-those cabins west of here."

"Oh." McCormick glanced off in the direction that Skinner and Scully had gone, then waved his hand in the opposite direction.  "They're on a tear, that's for sure. They might even beat you out there."

"Thanks. I'll keep the radio clear in case you guys find anything else." With that, Josan crashed back into the bushes. McCormick took a moment to check the load in his pistol, then followed after the young officer with a grim frown on his face.

***

"Scully, it's getting dark. We should wait for Detective Josan." Skinner took hold of her slender arm, and was surprised at the vehemence with which it was wrenched from his grip.

"Sir, with all due respect, you saw the trail. The blood. Can you honestly tell me that you don't want to get out there and find him?" Her eyes were wide and shiny, and Skinner knew he wasn't alone in his feelings for Mulder.

"I think you know the answer to that one, Dana. But we can't just hare off into the woods, not knowing what or who may be out there. We won't be helping Mulder if we wind up stumbling around lost out there with him." When she still didn't seem convinced, he added, "Use your head."

She looked ready to argue for a moment, and then smiled sadly. "It'll save my ass, right?"

He returned the unhappy look. "Yeah."

"Well, sir, I say we give him five minutes, and then, I don't know about you, but I'm willing to put my ass on the line."

"Absolutely." As he spoke, his hand slipped into his pocket and squeezed the jewelry box there like a worry stone. "Five minutes..."

*Five minutes, Fox. Get your ass in gear!

*All right. I'm coming. Jeez, don't give yourself a stroke, big guy!

*We almost didn't get seats tonight, and if we're late...

*I know, I know...Relax, there's plenty of time.

*God, Mulder, you look-

*Like a penguin, I know. Help me with the tie, would you?

*Seriously, Mulder, this is a good look for you-chin up-who knew you'd clean up so well?

*Ha ha, you're funny. Not so tight! I gotta say, Walter, basic black is working for you big time.

*I feel like an extra in the Sopranos-not that type of feel! Quit it!

*Come on, Walter, let's just skip the show and go to bed.

*As tempting an offer as that is...

*But you have to keep the tie on

*We're leaving now...

*Aw, just when things were starting to get interesting. Well, all right then. Come on Tony; let's make someone an offer they can't refuse.

"Shut up, Mulder...

"-Mulder?"

"What?" Skinner only realized he had barked when Scully recoiled. "Sorry."

"I said what do you think is going on here, and how would it involve Mulder?"

"You and he are the experts here, Scully. I'm just trying to keep up."

A crackling of leaves and twigs alerted them to the arrival of another person in the clearing in which they were waiting.

...okay, I can do this. Just gotta stay focused. I can't let the pain in...have to get these ties loose somehow. Can't take another...oh, hell, I think I just made it tighter...damnit! I didn't have this much trouble that time Walter and I...ow! Shit-no thinking like that! God, I can barely feel my arms anymore. Not that they could compete with the pain in my...Jeez, what if they've done something permanent...Walter's gonna kick their asses if they've fucked up my plumbing...Damnit, this isn't working at all!  Now what the hell was that? Is it the kid again? Maybe I can convince her to...what the hell? Since when is the global conspiracy run by fucking boy scouts? Hey, what are you--oh, shit, is that guy dead? I can hear her again--that little girl--crying, crying like Sam...is she--wait--I remember, that place in Canada...what is this place? What the fuck do you want from me? Oh, no, don't--