As Time Goes By

By Susan Shinkai
shinkai@mlode.com
 

Date: Sun, 25 Oct 1998
Rating: PG
Classification: Crossover, Romance
Spoilers: X-files Movie
Keywords: Scully/Mulder, Scully/Skinner
Summary: An X-Files/Casablanca crossover. Aliens instead of Nazis,
Mulder was Bogart, Scully as Bergman, Skinner as Lazlo. It doesn't get
any stranger than this?

Intro: 'Casablanca' is one of the greatest movies of all time.
Adventure, romance, intrigue. Someone (Heather) asked what would
happen if you combine the timeless story with the engaging world of
the X-Files. I took a few liberties with the story line but tried to
stay true to the ambience of the classic film. So here goes? Play it
again, Frohike.

(In case you didn't know, "As Time Goes By" is the song that Sam
played again. The love theme, as it were of Casablanca.)

Disclaimer: Most of the characters and situations in this story are
not the legal property of the author or her agents.  Their use is not
intended to be an infringement to the rights of the legal owners.  Use
and distribution of this story is for non-commercial entertainment
purposes only.
 

AS TIME GOES BY

A brief history of the future?

  Shortly after Mulder and Scully uncovered the alien Mother Ship
hidden in the Antarctic, the plans for colonization accelerated.  The
vaccine developed by Russians and its sister compound created by the
Syndicate proved to be a poor weapons but a valuable bargaining tools,
once the all the human factions became allies.  The multi-national Big
Brother wanted only one thing ­ to preserve the human race even at the
cost of its freedom. The Alien race had the capabilities to annihilate
life off the planet but that would defeat their purpose of colonizing
so instead they formed an unholy pact with the secret powers behind
the governments of the world.

   In exchange for the cooperation of the governments, the use of
human hosts as breeding vessels would be limited and overseen by a
human task force.  The 'occupation' of individuals by the 'oliens'
life form would continue as planned but certain key individuals,
including those in the Syndicate, were 'vaccinated' to ensure their
cooperation.  Many of those who received the vaccine as part of the
early trials, like Mulder and Krychek, were allowed to live as symbols
of the 'good intentions' by the government.  Less high profile victims
were hunted down and killed, not by aliens but by government shock
troops.

    The plan for 'occupation' was insidious in design and evil by
nature.  At first, only incarcerated criminals were used, reducing
prison population and ensuring no repeat offenses. Then they focused
on the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled, calling it 'an
alternative treatment'.  It finally was unleashed on the general
population in high crime areas, 'to restore the lawful order.' Soon
everyone knew the plan for global domination but few dared speak out,
fearing they would be the next target.

    The overt war of resistance was brief.  Too few fighters with too
few resources found themselves backed into a corner quickly.  Since
many people had not been 'occupied' and only had to submit to new
rules of orders, most common citizens saw no reason to risk their
lives for freedom. They were convinced the government would still have
their best interest in mind. Even knowing the truth, many just plain
didn't care because it didn't affect them directly.

    People like Mulder, Scully and the Lone Gunmen rapidly lost heart
when no one would rally to the cause.  When given a choice of death,
'occupation' or submitting to the 'First Order', most surrendered
their cause in despair.  They scattered to the outer regions where
only a few people were actually 'occupied' although the citizens were
basically slaves to the new Master Race.  A few vaccinated humans held
token offices to preserve the illusion that this was all being done
for the good of the people.

   There were still a few 'free' nations. Small, technologically and
resource poor countries that didn't warrant the attention of the
aliens remained independent but had no ability to fight. Travel to
these countries was tightly controlled to prevent them from becoming
the bases for a New Resistance. A special 'Transient Authorization
Card (TAC)' or a restricted visa was required to leave or enter these
countries.  Dispersed cells of resistance existed throughout the
occupied areas but without the ability to concentrate their forces,
they posed little threat.

   Puerto Rico had become the jumping off point for the many refuges
leaving America and for the in flux of European refuges seeking a new
hope in the undeveloped countries of South America. Desperate throngs
flocked the streets daily making deal to buy their passage.  It wasn't
freedom but it a chance to start again, to live among humans.  Many
who came never left but became engulf in the machine of tyranny,
working in the plants that manufactured medical supplies for the First
Order.

   The darkness of the First Order oppressed the hearts and minds of
the human race.  But even amidst the despair and fear and
indifference, the spirit of humanity cries out for freedom as it had
for generations?

_________________________

March 3, 2003 ­ Aricebo, Puerto Rico

     Fox Mulder counted the receipts for the day. <Not bad for a
Monday. > he thought.  The club always did well later in the week as
the people needed more of a distraction from their oppressed lives.
He left the office and watched Frohike shut down the simulators while
Langly re-programmed the main computer.   Mulder wandered behind the
bar and poured himself a shot of whiskey, as he contemplated tomorrow.
He raised his glass and announced to the others "Here's to the
 future." Then downed the drink in a single gulp.

    Frohike and Langly just laughed. They all knew there was no real
future, not anymore.  There was only survival. Overall, the trio had
managed to survive remarkable well in the occupied state.  "Club X"
was one the hottest night spots in all of Puerto Rico. It was a stroke
of genius on Mulder's part to open a VR gaming center and bar. He
combined the two quickest ways to escape reality ­ VR adventures and
alcohol.  With the talents of the former Lone Gunmen, he had been able
to run a successful business. Of course he had to pay a portion of the
profits to the local law enforcement but since they had never used any
strong-arm tactics, he dismissed it as just another cost of doing
business.

    "Leave the 'High Speed Chase' machine on." Mulder instructed
Frohike. "It's Krychek's favorite and he's coming by later to pick up
his cut."

   "Whatever you say, boss." Frohike shrugged. He cranked up the
difficulty setting on the machine and smiled at Mulder. "You know it's
funny.  Five years ago you would have shot him dead on sight now he's
the Law and you pay him off. He's still corrupt but at least he's
human."

   Mulder smiled sadly. "Ever since the colonization, we're all
corrupt.  Every respectable person died fighting them."

    Langly chimed in "Cheer up, Mulder.  Since when were you
respectable?"

  "Byers was respectable." Mulder answered solemnly.  The room fell
silent in memory of the one among them who had resisted and was killed
trying to steal and copy a TAC. Honor, integrity, even revenge faded
in the stark light of reality.  Byers was betrayed and shot by 'free'
humans intent on a reward. That was when Mulder decided mankind
deserved to be slaves and abandoned all hope.  Mulder cleared his
throat and said, "That's enough reminiscing for tonight. Our future
depends of getting that new software running by this weekend.
Government paychecks come out this week. Who could have known 'oilens'
would like video games?"

   Langly and Frohike exited the room and Mulder sat alone in the
dark.  Suddenly there was a loud knock on the back door.  Mulder
unlocked the door expecting to see Krychek but there stood a small
round faced man. Mulder recognized him as a local black-market runner
who specialized in forged visas. He was panting as if he'd been
running and panic filled his eyes.

   "Mr. Mulder, you must help me." he insisted.

    "I don't have to help anyone. I don't put myself on the line for
anyone." Mulder answered coldly as he tried to shut the door.

    "Please, Mr. Mulder! I just need you to hold this." He shoved an
envelope into Mulder's hand with several hundred dollars worth of
credit notes.  "The money's all yours if you'll just hold this package
for me."

    "What is this? Some kind of set up?" Mulder replied angrily.

    "No, No. Please! You know me. I just deal in goods. You have a
reputation. I know I could trust you." The little man kept pushing the
money towards Mulder, pleading for him to take it.

    "This plus 10% of what you make selling this envelope." Mulder
countered.

    "Yes, yes, It's a deal." He shook Mulder's hand quickly and ran
off into the night.

     Mulder looked at the envelope and held it to the light. He couldn
't see anything within it so he stepped into his office and was about
to put it in his desk.  As a precaution, he pulled out the drawer and
taped the envelope to the underside of the desktop. He added half of
the credit notes to the stack of notes he had set aside for the weekly
pay off then stuffed it all in a pouch and left the office.

    When Mulder entered the main floor, he saw Krychek pouring himself
a vodka at the bar.  He was dressed in the dark uniform of the local
Police. The younger man smiled at Mulder, and commented "You're
getting sloppy in your old age, Mulder.  You left the back door
unlocked."

    Mulder shrugged and answered calmly, "I didn't want any of your
boys getting anxious and breaking down the door while I took a leak."

    Krychek smiled and poured a drink for Mulder.  "I don't need those
tactics any more with you. Why would I want to damage the most
profitable club on the strip? We're business partners now." He handed
Mulder the glass but Mulder refused it.

    "Just because I pay you protection money, it doesn't make us
partner." Mulder growled.

     "Easy there. Don't start reverting back to your old habits. It's
bad for business." Krychek grinned and drank both glassfuls. Two other
uniformed men came through the door and reported to Krychek that the
subject had been captured but that he was not carrying 'it'.

    "Take him to my office. I'll interrogate him there. And call the
old man." Krychek ordered. Mulder looked on unconcerned. Krychek
turned back to Mulder and said "It seems one of the local dealers got
a hold of two stolen TAC's.  How much do you suppose that would fetch
on the black market?"

   Mulder shrugged and replied "I only handle games and booze. Which
reminds me?" He handed Krychek the pouch.

    Krychek grinned again. "You're so much more pleasant to work with
when you're self-centered and indifferent. It gives us something in
common." As he reflected on his own words the grin faded.  Before
Mulder could detect any regret in his voice, Krychek headed for the
door. "Sorry, Mulder no gaming tonight. I have work to do." He tossed
the pouch back to Mulder and said "Hang on to that. It's not safe for
me carry that much around my men.  It might make them more ambitious.
I'll be back for it tomorrow."

    Mulder said nothing more and locked the door after Krychek left.
He quickly went to check the envelope the man had given him earlier.
As he suspected, it contained the stolen TAC's and access codes.  The
TAC's were all hard coded so they couldn't be copies or altered.
Anyone who had one and with the proper codes could travel freely to
any place in the world without being tracked. Even a stolen one couldn
't be cancelled unless they rewired the entire network.  It was the
key out of this place into a new life. But Mulder didn't believe he
deserved another chance. He'd lost the one chance he ever had for
happiness years ago.
_______________________

    Krychek's men were out in force the next day, searching for the
TACs.   Mulder even allowed them to search his place before opening
for business. He stayed out of the way by going to 'The Millenium', a
competing club down the street. Mulder quickly spotted Richard Black,
the owner of the club. Black was a large man in his mid fifties
wearing a light colored business suit, as he lorded over his domain.
He and his club had been the center of organized crime for years even
before the occupation.  Ever since Mulder's place became the refuge
for less traditional free-lance black market trading, Black wanted a
piece of the action.  Of course, Mulder never encouraged any
'unauthorized' activities but he turned a blind eye if his customers
wanted to engage in a little business on the side. If the police didn'
t care, why should he? Mulder strolled up to Black and sat at his
table without asking.

   "Mr. Mulder, one of these days your boldness will be your undoing."
Black scowled.

   "Next time I'll consult my 'Miss Manners' guide to business
etiquette." Mulder replied dryly. He casually ordered a drink from the
waiter.

    "Business, Mr. Mulder? Are you buying or selling?" Black asked
suspiciously.

    Mulder shrugged him off. "I'm just checking on my shipment of
Russian vodka.  Captain Krychek's been draining the bar again."

    "Come, come, Mr. Mulder. I know about the TAC's.  Rumor on the
street is that you have them and plan to use one and sell the other to
finance your departure."

    "Well, you should never believe rumors.  Not without evidence. Or
a lot of faith." Mulder felt the twinge of a painful memory and a
sadness crossed his dour expression.

    Black noticed Mulder's change in mood and commented, "You know Mr.
Mulder, I've always doubted the stories I've heard about your past ­
the FBI, the X-Files, your great quest for 'The Truth.'  But I see now
a small part of you wants that challenge again."  Black leaned closer
to Mulder and advised, "Let me handle the arrangements.  With what I
can broker for the other TAC, you can go where ever you want. For an
unreasonable price, of course. Fate has smiled upon you my friend.
Don't walk away from it."

    Mulder took his glass and stood up to leave.  After taking a deep
swallow of his drink, he replied coldly "I was 'walking away' from my
past when I ended up here. I've never trusted fate since." He set the
glass back on the table and concluded, "Just forget about those TAC's.
I don't believe in second chances.  Just make sure that vodka is
delivered to my club tonight."

   Black watched Mulder leave and whispered to himself, "But you want
to believe, don't you Mr. Mulder."
______________________________________

   Mulder watched his club fill up with players and prowlers. Dark
deals took place there daily and today everyone was looking for some
action on the stolen TACs.  He made his customary appearance on the
main floor, dressed in his usual black turtleneck and jeans. He
congratulated the winners and encouraged the losers. Unlike old time
arcades, these games included high stakes head-to-head competition and
betting. The fevered pitch over the latest rumor was good for business
he thought as he slipped back into his office. A few minutes later,
Langly came to his door with a young red-haired woman.

    "Hey, Boss, I think you might want to hear this lady's story."
Langly announced, as he escorted the woman to his desk.

   The woman was small, slender and beautiful with porcelain skin and
full red lips.  As Mulder watched her, she stirred a long buried
memory of another young innocent red-haired woman. He automatically
stood up to greet her but she cowered nervously.  "What can I do for
you?" he asked softly.

   "I have a problem, Mr. Mulder, and I was told that you might be
able to help." Her voice was timid and nervous. "My husband and I are
trying to book passage back to America. We thought we had all the
papers but Captain Krychek told me we needed a special visa from his
office. We needed another five hundred dollars before tomorrow.  We've
already sold everything of value so Tom, my husband, thought we could
come here and win enough to cover the extra expense."

     Mulder glanced at Langly. "He lost nearly two hundred before she
came in to stop him." he reported.

    The woman shifted nervously in her seat and continued. "So we're
even worse off then we started. I spoke with Captain Krychek this
morning. He said he'd wave the fee for the visa if I?I did him a
favor." Her face turned scarlet, almost matching her hair color. "You
know the Captain. What kind of man is he?"

    "Just like any other man, only less so." Mulder mused. <That rat,
Krychek. Still playing his old tricks. >

    The answer only seemed to confuse her. "Please, Sir, you are a
man. If someone loved you very much, so that your happiness was the
only thing that she wanted in the whole world, but she did a bad thing
to make certain of it, could you forgive her?"

    Mulder replied solemnly " I only thought someone loved me that
much."

    The girl continued her own confession. "And he never knew, and the
girl kept this bad thing locked in her heart? That would be all right,
wouldn't it?"

    Mulder stared the young innocent girl so eager to for permission
to sin if her husband's name. "You want my advice?"

      "I thought maybe I could recover some of what my husband lost if
I did something for you." She looked down at the floor, fully ashamed
of her own proposition.

    Langly quietly left as Mulder tapped on the desk considering his
answer "I don't want any favors from you." Mulder announced.  The
woman burst into tears before he could finish.  He stepped around the
desk and gently comforted her in his arms.

   "Please say you'll change your mind." the woman whispered, sobbing.

   "All right, you can do me one favor." Mulder opened the money pouch
that contained the protection money and pulled out eight hundred
dollars. He pressed the notes into her hand and lightly kissed her.
"Take the money and leave now. Tell your husband you love him and
never betray him again. Love means nothing if you have to lie to
protect it."

    She stared at the credit notes and dried her tears, as Mulder lead
her back out to the main floor.  Frohike was keeping his eye on her
husband to make sure he didn't get into any more trouble.  She ran to
her husband and kissed him as she told him they had the enough to
cover the their expenses, even the visa.  Frohike winked at Mulder and
said "You did the right thing, Boss."

    Mulder mumbled "Just don't let the word get around that I'm an
easy mark or everyone will be asking for their money back."

   Just then Krychek walked in. He spotted the young woman and grinned
as he approached her.  Before he could speak, the husband handed him
the five hundred dollars and asked for the visa. He frowned slightly
then told them to come to his office in the morning to complete the
transaction, all official and proper.

    "We'll be there at 6." The young man exclaimed

     "Fine" mumbled Krychek.  "I'll be there at 10."

    Just as the couple left, the woman turned to Mulder and thanked
him again.  Krychek glanced at Mulder and complained, "You know you're
ruining my love life. Where you're sense of romance?"

     "I sold it for five hundred dollar." he replied flatly.
"Frohike, give this man a drink on the house."

     "That's all right. Just put it on my bill. I never pay it anyway
but it does add to your receipts for the day." Krychek seemed amused
by his own logic as he sipped a beer.
"Mulder, I have to ask you a few questions. Don't worry; it's not
about the TACs." Krychek seemed almost reluctant to speak.  "Do you
remember Skinner?"

   "Yeah. First I heard he was dead. Next thing I knew he was rallying
the Resistance." Mulder replied cautiously.

    "Well they said he was dead, after he was captured and questioned.
Shot while trying to escape."  Krychek continued.  "They never made
any formal charges against him that would stick so when he turned up
very much alive a year later they were pretty pissed off." Mulder
couldn't help but laugh. Krychek didn't seem to mind and continued his
story. "We know he's working at trying to coordinate the resistance
cells and create an underground railway.  A report came to my office
this morning that he may be traveling through this area soon on his
way to South America.  We expect him to try to contact you, given your
past relationship." Krychek turned to look at Mulder directly. "What I
don't know is what you'll do if he shows up here."

    Mulder recalled the last time he saw Skinner.  He had called
Mulder and Scully to his office after they submitted a report
revealing all the details of the Syndicate's plan to facilitate the
alien colonization.  He promised to release the information publicly
but warned them to resign immediately and go into hiding.  They no
longer needed the resources of the Bureau to uncover the truth and
remaining as agents made them an easy target.  After much argument,
they finally agreed and that night they closed the X-Files for the
last time.  With the help of the Lone Gunmen, they vanished from
Washington DC to watch what happened when the truth was revealed.  Two
weeks later all hell broke loose in the Capitol and Skinner was
arrested for treason.

    Whatever debt Mulder owed Skinner for saving his life was negated
by the fact that his life had turned into an empty endless struggle to
survive. If Mulder had remained, he could have at least died with
honor. If they hadn't been forced to go on the run, he and Scully
would have never become lovers and she would have never broken his
heart when she left. Mulder closed his eyes and sighed "If Skinner
comes here, I might buy him a drink.  Other than that, his business is
not my concern. I won't put myself on the line for anybody."

    Krychek sighed with relief. "I believe you, Mulder. You really are
not the man you used to be. I think you finally understand why I'm the
way I am."

    The words didn't comfort Mulder at all.  Unable to look at Krychek
any longer he headed back to his office but was stopped by a pretty
young blond who Frohike had been flirting with at the bar.

    "There you are, Fox. I thought you told me to wait for you last
night.  Where were you?" she whined sweetly. She was obviously drunk.

    <Frohike must have been softening her up. > Mulder thought.  "I
said you could wait if you wanted. I never said I was coming" he
answered bluntly.

    "What about tonight?" she pouted.

     "I don't make plans that far in advance." he answered coldly.
Frohike jumped in and offered to escort her home. Mulder shook his
head with a knowing look.  Frohike flashed him a sour smiled then led
the girl to a waiting cab.  As she left in a huff, Mulder half smiled
at her boldness.

     Krychek shook his head. "Such a waste, Mulder, throwing away
women like that. Some day they may be scarce."

    "Let's just say I've had one too many in my time." Mulder growled
and retired to his office to contemplate ways to kill himself before
he became any more like Krychek.

     Krychek quickly became bored without Mulder to talk to so he
jumped into the cockpit of the high speed chase simulator. He drove
recklessly in the safety of the VR world, as he roared passed his
opponents and forced them off the road. Then he spun out of control
and his VR car crashed, bursting into flames. He could swear he felt
the heat and smelled the smoke when he realized he really did smell
smoke ­cigarette smoke. He turned his head to view 'the old man'
beside him.

     CSM waited as Krychek climbed out of the machine.  "Aren't you a
little old for games, Captain Krychek?" Krychek said nothing as he
waited for instructions. "Is Mulder going to be a problem?"

    Krychek shook his head. "No. Mulder has no love for Skinner or the
resistance. We've stepped up patrols and surveillance. Skinner has no
where to go."

    "Don't be so sure. He's escaped before and we can't risk turning
him into a martyr." CSM took a long drag from his burning cancer stick
and added, "His arrest and trial must have the full appearance of
traditional justice. If we can discredit him as we did Mulder, the
Resistance will wither away.  Just continue to do your job, Krychek
and you can play all the games you like." CSM blew smoke into his face
then disappeared into the crowd.

    Frohike had watched the exchange with interest. This was
information the other members of the local Resistance cell needed to
know. It was such a damn shame and a waste that Mulder had lost his
faith.  But love will do that to you, he thought to himself. Sudden a
silence spread through the crowd as a couple approached the bar.
"Well, I'm be damned." Frohike whispered to himself as he watched
Walter Skinner walk through the room with Dana Scully at his side.

     Skinner and Scully paused as they scanned the room as if looking
for someone.  A stranger approached them and appeared to be trying to
sell them something. At first Skinner brushed him off but suddenly he
listened with great interest to the man's offer.  Just as suddenly the
man skittered off into the crowd when he saw a dark figure moving
towards them.

    Krychek intercepted them before they reached the bar. "Mr.
Skinner! How long has it been? Four?five years?" His voice pretended
to be friendly, but his eyes betrayed his suspicion and uneasiness.

    Skinner regarded Krychek and his uniform. Scully, who had her arm
wrapped around Skinner's arm, tensed at the sight of Krychek.  Skinner
squeezed her hand tightly to signal her to calm down.  He squared his
jaw and said "Mr. Krychek, any issues between you and me are dead and
buried.  It's all in the past. My wife and I are just passing through
here and we don't want any trouble."

   Krychek grinned broadly as he looked at Scully. "You're wife? You
really have done well putting aside the past, Mr. Skinner. Welcome to
Aricebo, Mrs. Skinner."

   "Krychek, it's obvious your past still hasn't caught up with you."
Scully replied bitterly.

   "As charming as ever." he replied.  "Please have seat. Let me buy
you both a drink for old times sake." Krychek gave an order to Frohike
then escorted them to a table.  Scully excused herself and went to
speak to Frohike.

    "Frohike! It's good to see you again." Scully gave him a hug and a
peck on the cheek. "How are the others?"

    "Langly is here too, working his magic on these machine. Byers
couldn't take it anymore and tried to fight back. We lost him about a
year and a half ago." Frohike hesitated, wishing she wouldn't ask
about Mulder.

    Her voice softly asked "How is he?" So much for her not asking.

   Frohike looked away for moment and answered "I'm just a working
hack. Maybe you'd better ask him yourself." He paused then added
sincerely "It's really good to see you, Scully. Oh huh, I guess you're
not 'Scully' anymore."

    "Even to Walter, I'm still Scully. Some things don't change." she
answered sadly. She glanced over at Skinner and Krychek who seem to be
talking without arguing. Dropping her voice to a whisper, she asked
"Frohike, I heard a rumor that a man was arrested here late last
night."

    Frohike frowned and replied "Yeah. The guy was accused of
murdering two couriers carrying some important documents.  He died in
jail this morning."

    Scully fell silent and looked sullen. The only reason they came to
this place was to barter for the TAC's but now there was little hope
of a quick escape.  She sighed heavily and listened to the rock music
pounding through the speakers then asked Frohike "Can you change the
music?"

    "Anything you want!" Frohike offered. "Classical, opera, jazz?"

   "You know what I want to hear." she said pointedly.

   Frohike turned away and mumbled "Uh, I don't think we have it. How
about something upbeat, to welcome you here."

   "Please. For old times sake." she asked sweetly.

   Frohike knew he couldn't resist her and programmed the song. Quiet
guitar strains drifted into the air as the words began?

      "Tonight I'm tangled in my blanket of clouds
        Dreaming aloud
        Things won't just do without you
         Matter of fact?."

      Mulder sat in his office and heard the music change from random
noise to an older rock ballad, 'Walking After You'.  He listened for a
moment then felt a crushing pain deep in his chest as if he suddenly
became hollow inside.  He stormed from the room and grabbed Frohike
from the other side of bar. "I thought I told you never to play that
again!"

    Before Frohike could answer, Mulder felt a familiar touch on his
hand as he heard a voice reach out from the past. "Mulder, it's me."
Scully said softly.

     Mulder drew a sharp breath as he turned to look at her. Every
detail of her face and hair was exactly as he remembered it. The
vision stunned him momentarily.

     Even though she expected to see him that day, Scully was still
surprised to be so close to him again, after so much time. "How are
you?" were the only words she could muster.

   Mulder steeled himself, determined not to let her see all the pain
she caused.  "I'm fine." The words echoed the empty answer she had
given him so many times so many years ago. "Business is great. No one'
s trying to kill me. And I have my best friends as partners."

    The last remark stung like a killer bee. A short time ago, she had
been his best friend and his partner, and finally his lover. Just when
they had decided to start a new life together, fate forced her to
chose between the man of her dreams and the dreams of her man.  She
abandoned Mulder in pursuit of his ideals.

   The song played in the background was a sad reminder of broken
promises and unsaid apologies?

   "?If you walk out on me
     I'm walking after you?"

    Just then Skinner tapped Mulder on the shoulder and held his hand
out in friendship. "Good to see you, Mulder.  I'm glad you made it
through alive."

    Mulder nodded numbly as he watched Skinner take Scully by the
hand.  "I'm glad you did too, Sir.  You're moving pretty good for a
dead man."

      "Rumors of my demise were greatly exaggerated."  he replied with
a smile.

      "You've really made it a battle." Mulder said respectfully.

      "I try my best." Skinner answered modestly.

      "We all try. You succeed." Mulder answered enviously.

    "I would have been stopped, shot in the back, if it hadn't been
for Scully." Skinner gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek. "She'
s saved my life a hundred times over since then. She's a hell of a
partner, Mulder. And even better as a wife."

    Mulder's eyes widen with shock and Scully spoke quickly. "Walter
and I were married three years ago."

    Mulder held his raging emotions in check and finally took Skinner'
s hand and said hesitantly "Congratulations, Sir."

   Skinner shook hands and replied. "You don't work for me anymore,
Mulder. You can stop calling me 'Sir.' A lots changed since those
days."

   Mulder glanced bitterly at the complacent Scully and mumbled
"Apparently."

   Krychek approached and watched the tension build between the two
former partners.  "How long had it been since you saw each other?" he
asked hoping to judge Mulder's alliance.

   "Funny, that was just about three years ago as well." Mulder
answered bitterly "Strange coincidence, isn't it?"

   Scully tried not to look at Mulder. "I'll never forget that awful
day. It was the day Washington DC fell."

    Mulder stared coldly at her as he said. "I remember everyday,
before and after. Perfect memory.  But that day all I remember is you,
walking away from our safe house that morning. And 'them' walking into
the airport as they shut down the terminal."

    The chilling remark silenced the gathering until Krychek urged the
three former colleagues to join him at the table.  "As far as I'm
concerned, the past is a horrible forgotten business." Krychek offer
cheerfully. "Today, what I'm concerned with is that we don't ruin the
wonderful peace and quiet of this community." He focused on Skinner,
waiting for a challenge.

     Skinner just nodded, unwilling to be goaded.  Across the room in
a cloud of smoke, he saw CSM. No longer behind the scenes, he served
as the regional Liaison for the 'First Order', with the auspicious
title of Commandant. Even though people knew him and feared his power,
he still stalked quietly from the shadows, waiting for the right
moment to pounce.

     Meanwhile on the main floor, a group of 'oliens' was gathered
around Langly's latest game. It was an interactive multi-player
'first person shooter' in which players selected to play as Alien,
Oilen, or Human then battled each other and human guards to gain
control of the mother ship. The authorities saw no potential threat in
a game that allowed humans to fight back since the odds were rigged
against the human opponents, forcing every one to select the Alien if
they wanted to win. It was a cleverly subtle way to ingrain into the
minds of the average citizen the superiority of the 'First Order.'
Several 'oilens' were already playing, blasting away at their targets
as people bet on each player, cheering on their favorites.

    Skinner watched the players and gave Mulder a disapproving stare,
then turned to Krychek and said "Is this the peace and quiet you want
to preserve?"

   Krychek just shrugged. "It's just a game. A little harmless fun."

   "I'm glad you think so."  Skinner replied and walked up to Langly
and asked to play.  Langly glanced at Mulder who nodded quietly.
Skinner entered the game already in progress as the other 'players'
prepared to team up against him.  Skinner held his own despite the
odds as more people bet on him.  Before long, nearly every human in
the place had rallied behind him completely.  Unfortunately, raw
nerves and adrenaline can only last so long against such numbers and
Skinner was finally shot down.  The crowd cheered him anyway.  Even
though they had lost their money, Skinner's display gave them
something much more precious ­Hope.  Skinner threw off the VR headset
and addressed the Commandant, as well as the patrons and Mulder.
"Anyone care to see what would happen in a fair fight?"

     As the crowd grew more agitated, the Commandant spoke to Krychek.
Krychek nodded then announced to the crowd that a new curfew was in
affect until the stolen TACs were located.   As the people dispersed,
Krychek said good night to Skinner and Scully and 'requested' that
they stop by his office the next day. After they left, Krychek took
Mulder aside.  "Get rid of that game. I don't need this kind of
trouble."

    Mulder smiled to himself at Krychek's 'order'.  "I'll have Langly
tweak the parameters and take the human option off-line.  What wrong?
Morley Man tugging the chain too tight?"

    Krychek replied indignantly, "You overestimate the influence of
the Syndicate. I don't interfere with them and they don't interfere
with me. In this town, I'm in charge, I'm?"

   "Captain Krychek!" the Commandant barked.

   Mulder smiled at Krychek  "You were saying?" Krychek gave Mulder a
last stern look then excused himself to report to the old man.

     "We must not let Skinner leave here." The Commandant spoke in
clear determined tone.

   "But he hasn't done anything wrong.  It was just a game." Krychek
whined.

   "Yes, it was just a game. And it nearly started a riot. If he can
instigate a revolution with just a game, imagine what will happen if
he's allowed to run free."  The Commandant to a long drag on his
cigarette. "What about Mulder? Will he be a problem?"

    Krychek shook his head. "Mulder just wants to survive.  He has no
interest in politics. If anything he resents Scully for deserting him
and Skinner for marrying her."

   Crushing out the cigarette in Krychek's drink, the Commandant
replied "See to it that it remains that way.  And find a way to detain
Skinner." He lit another smoke and left the club.

     As Skinner and Scully hailed a cab, the stranger who had spoken
to them earlier approached them again and Skinner offer to share the
cab.  He identified himself as a member of the local Resistance and
once they were away from the police, he spoke more openly.  The TAC's
were still missing, he said but word had it that Mulder had them, even
though Krychek's men had already searched his place.  Skinner and
Scully looked at each other nervously, knowing they might very well be
stuck in Aricebo for a long time.
_______________________

    Mulder helped empty the club and shut down the machines.  Langly
and Frohike said nothing, knowing Mulder well enough not to try to
make him feel better.  They watched him move to the sound system and
try to enter a program.  When nothing happen he growled, "Frohike,
turn the power back on."

   The two former anarchists exchanged concerned looks and the older
man croaked nervously "I thought we'd do a maintenance check on it
since we closed early today. I?"

    "If she can stand it, so can I." Mulder snapped.  "Just play it.
You know which one."

    Mulder went back to his office and sank into his chair, preparing
to drink himself into a stupor, listening to the song that brought
back memories of a time when old dreams were lost, a new hope was
discovered and a future was destroyed?
____________________________

      It was the year 2000.  Mulder and Scully had been on the run for
nearly a year, trying to organize a resistance movement. Every major
government was in league with the aliens and little opposition stood
in the way of total domination.  The truth Mulder had sought to reveal
had finally shown itself in horrible completeness. But knowing the
truth and understanding it were different situations and most people
didn't seem to worry about becoming slaves and fodder to another race
if they were allowed the good life today.  CSM was right all along.

     It was in the course of their year of flight that Mulder and
Scully came to realize that their partnership held them together not
just by purpose but by love.  In the turbulent months after leaving
the FBI, they had each threaten to leave the other multiple times. It
was after one such incident that they first heard the song and adopted
it as 'their song.' It was also the first night they made love
together.

    But now, they finally realized they couldn't fight and run
forever.  What little time was left for the world they knew, they
wanted to spend together.  The Lone Gunmen had helped them hide for
the last year and they had idea.  All five of them would go to South
America were the alien influence was still minimal. Rumor had it that
resistance forces were amassing there. Once there, they continue the
fight or live a life in ignorant bliss.  But the government was
rapidly shutting down overseas travel.  They had made plans to leave
Washington DC before it was too late.

     On their last night together, they sat in the safe house,
remembering how they all meet and how their personal quests for the
truth bound their lives together.  There was a great deal of anxiety
about the future but Mulder reassured everyone that there would be a
tomorrow, and with any luck they would help shape it. If nothing else
they would be together.  As they finished off the last of the
supplies, Mulder found a bottle of white wine and offer a final toast.
"To the future?"

    Scully arranged to meet them at the airport because she wanted to
say goodbye to her mother one last time.  Her mother had been
'vaccinated' so she wasn't worried about her safety but Scully wanted
to tell that in a strange way she had finally found happiness in a
life with Mulder.  Mulder was concerned that 'they' might set a trap
for her so he arranged for Byers to stop at Mrs. Scully's before
coming to the airport.

    As their flight time approached, Mulder began to worry. There was
no sign of Scully or Byers and the terminal rapidly grew chaotic.
Word had come down that Congress had been disbanded and the President
committed suicide.  Everyone knew that this might be the last chance
to leave the country.  Finally Byers found Mulder and the other Lone
Gunmen in the crowd.

    "She's gone. There was no one at her mother's place or her
apartment." Byers reported said.  Then he handed Mulder an envelope.
"There was just this."

     Mulder seized it and tore it open?

     "Fox  (I hope I've finally earned the right to call you by that
name),

        In all the years we've been together I've never known you to
willingly abandon your hopes.  Your faith and self-sacrifice has
sustained us both for so long, I know of no other way to live. If our
love changes all that so be it.  But it doesn't change what I must do
today.

      I have a promise to keep and in doing so I may never see you
again. I'll survive ­ I always do.  Don't worry for me.  Instead, set
my mind at ease by leaving as planned and doing what you must.  You
can't survive in a cage; it's not in your nature.

     Our love is the only sanity in this world gone mad. Remember it
and cherish it as I always will, then set it aside to go on with your
life.  What we have is unique in all the universe and you have offered
me the greatest gift I could ever hope for. But my destiny lies
elsewhere so I must leave you now before I falter in my convictions in
favor of your love.

    Good bye, Mulder.

 Love,
                  Scully"

    Mulder crumpled the noted and began to work his way towards the
exit.  "I have to find her!" he cried in panic.

    Byers grabbed him and said "She's gone, Mulder. You have no idea
where she might be!"

    Langly glanced at the time. "If we don't go now, that's it. We're
stuck here."

    "I'm not leaving her!" Mulder shouted.

    "Mulder, she left you!" Frohike shouted back. "I'm sure she had a
good reason. Can't you trust her one last time?"

   "Shut up!  Just shut up!" Mulder collapsed in tears.  The Lone
Gunmen quickly grabbed him then escorted him to the gate.  They got
him on the plane before he knew what was happening.

     As it turned out their flight to freedom was short lived.  Mulder
was detained upon landing and held for questioning.  The Lone Gunmen
stayed loyal to their friend and waited for his release, which finally
came three months later.

    By then Mulder's spirit was easily broken and the 'First Order'
authorities realized he was no threat as long as they could keep an
eye one him.  His release would be a useful bit of propaganda.  There
was a media circus upon his 'relocation' to Puerto Rico.  The area was
not tightly controlled but traffic on and off the island was easily
monitored and the local Police Captain had a personal stake in keeping
Mulder under his thumb.  It was there the Lone Gunmen found him again
and they re-built their lives as citizens of the 'First Order'?
__________________________

     Silence filled the air as the song ended and Frohike came into
the office.  "Are you going to be all right, Boss?"

   Mulder held his head in his hand and murmured, "Of all the clubs in
all the hell holes in all the world, she walks into mine."

   "It must be fate." Frohike commented offhandedly. Mulder scowled in
reply. "Langly and I are going home before Krychek gets serious about
this curfew.  Are you sure you don't want us to stay?"

   "No. I know you have a few stops to make on the way home and I
wouldn't want you to get into trouble." Mulder answered.  He knew they
were meeting with the local resistance cell to pass on information
about Skinner's arrival. He was glad someone still had heart enough to
care.

   Mulder retired to his apartment upstairs.  In the darkness, he
heard a sound behind him.  Instinctively he grabbed his gun and spun
around. There she stood, her soft features bathed in moonlight.  She
silently waited for him to fire the weapon or lower it.  When he
finally set the gun on the table, she sighed in quiet relief.

    "Why did you come back?" Mulder asked bitterly.

   "You knew I would. You've always known." She whispered as she
approached him slowly.  "I need to explain?"

   "What's there to explain?" he interrupted. "You said you had a
promise to keep. Now I know who you made that promise to and what it
was for."  Mulder turned away and pulled off his shirt. "You'd better
go before he misses you."

     "It's not like that Mulder." She spoke soft and lightly touched
his naked back.

      He seized her hand and growled, "So tell me. What really
happened? Why did you leave me for him?"

     She pulled her hand away from his and sat on the edge of his bed.
"When I had cancer, Skinner made a deal to have me cured in exchange
for his participation in the conspiracy.  I spoke to Skinner about it
privately and he said it was worth selling his soul if it saved my
life." Mulder began to speak but she held her hand to his lips. "We
never knew what actually cured my cancer but what mattered was that he
was willing to sacrifice everything for me, for us. That's when I
promised Skinner that I would do everything in my power to prevent
them from using that deal to incriminate him."

    Mulder shook his head. "Scully, I can't believe Skinner would hold
you to that?"

    "He didn't. I did." she replied.  "Remember when we heard that
Skinner had been killed, we both felt responsible in some way.  We
both wished we could have done something to save him. Then on the day
we were suppose to leave Washington, I went to see my mother, and
there he was.  Skinner had escaped and was being hunted down. He had
no idea where we were and didn't know who else he could trust.  He had
been tortured and was in shock. I couldn't just leave him there to die
or to be sent back to prison."

    Mulder took her hand gently and whispered. "I would have stayed. I
would have helped. If you had just told me."

    "There wasn't time. I knew it was the last chance you would have
leave and I couldn't risk losing you because of a promise I had to
kept." She fell silent for a moment. "I'm so sorry Mulder. I had no
idea they'd be waiting for you."

   Mulder closed his eyes tightly.  "They questioned me for weeks,
wanting to know where you were. They didn't believe me when I told
them you left me. I couldn't believe it either."

    "I know. That's when I married Skinner." She admitted " It was the
only action of public record we could use to prove we were still alive
without risking arrest.  When you confessed to their charges without
implicating us, they stopped chasing us. They seemed satisfied to have
just you."

    "But you stayed with Skinner?" Mulder accused.

    "Mulder, we didn't know if we could still trust you after all you'
d been through."

     Mulder stormed across the room, "You betrayed me and you have the
nerve to wonder if I could be trusted."

    "I never betrayed you. I did abandon you without explanation but I
did it thinking it would protect you." She sighed heavily, "And
Skinner?I'm sorry but he was so kind to me and he needed me to
continue the work we started.  He made me a part of every aspect of
his life. Before I realized it, I really was his wife, not just in
name."

   Mulder threw his hands up trying not to picture them together. "So
why are you are tonight?  To say you're sorry? It's too late, there's
nothing left inside of me to forgive you with."

 "I'm sorry anyway.  I thought I could stop loving you and start my
life over with Walter. But now I know that you are a part of me
forever." Scully went to him and wrapped her arms around him.

   Mulder pushed her away and looked accusingly at her. "You want the
TAC's. For him. That's why you're here."

   Scully looked shamefully at the floor. "I came to find out if there
was still a part of you that believed in justice. If you still felt
that the truth mattered."

    "You're a little late Scully. About three years too late." Mulder
opened the door and waited for her to leave.

   "I'm telling you the truth, Mulder. I feel devotion and duty to him
but I will never love him the way I love you." Scully quietly pleaded.

   "I suppose that means you'll never hurt him the way you hurt me."
He motioned for her to leave and said, "Come back tomorrow night. And
be prepared to pay the price. Freedom doesn't come cheap."

    "Neither does a second chance." she whispered to herself as she
left.
_________________________________________

   Scully slipped quietly into her hotel room and slowly began to
undress.  From the darkness a gruff voice urged, "Keep going, FBI
woman."

    Scully frozen for a second then turned to her husband.  "I'm
sorry. I didn't know you were still awake." she whispered softly.

     Skinner rose from the bed and stood besides her, tenderly
wrapping his arms around her.  He placed a gentle kiss of her
forehead.  "I'm sorry you had to see Mulder like that.  It must be
painful remembering the man he used to be."

   Scully remained silent. Could he have known she went back to see
Mulder?  In the three years together, she had never told Skinner about
the intimacy between her and Mulder.  At first, she said nothing so
that Skinner would feel less guilty about causing her to leave Mulder.
But as the years went by and she grew closer to Skinner, she
deliberately avoided telling him more for fear that he would be
jealous, or worse, that he would leave her.  Scully was not a weak or
frail woman but she was a person of social habits.  Living 'on the
edge' as an outcast was not second nature to her, although it did
seemed to be for Mulder and Skinner.  The only way she could tolerate
this lifestyle was in the company a loyal and caring partner.
Suddenly she felt her own loyalties falter. Her thoughts and feelings
towards Mulder were nothing less than adulterous yet as she stood
there in Skinner's arms she felt safe, loved and protected.

    Skinner broke the silence as he causally asked, "Did you enjoy you
're walk?"   Scully tensed and took a short gasp.  How could she lie
to him after all they had been through together?  But how could she
betray his trust with her emotions? Skinner sensed her internal
conflict and mercifully withdrew the question.  "Thank you for letting
me rest. It's been a long day. Now it's your turn to get some sleep."

   She kissed him softly and whispered "I wish we could leave here
tonight.  This place is like a horrible nightmare?a reminder of all
the terrible things that happened before the occupation."

    Skinner sighed and replied "It wasn't all terrible.  You and
Mulder did some fantastic work, you saved a lot of lives." He felt her
tense again at the mention of her ex-partner.  "It's all right." he
reassured her. "I understand."

    Scully closed her eyes and summoned up her courage, determined to
tell him the whole truth.  "No, Walter, you don't understand.  There
are certain things I have to tell you before you can understand,
things I should have said a long time ago."

   Skinner hugged her tightly, then directed her eyes to look into
his.  "Dana, you don't have to tell me anything. I understand. And I
love you all the more because I do know the truth."

     From his lofty perspective as Assistant Director of the FBI,
Skinner had watched her naïve devotion and respect for Mulder grow
into a burning obsession.  And even from the earliest days of their
partnership, Mulder responded to her like no other, sacrificing his
self-imposed social solitary confinement to allow her to share his
passionate pursuit of the truth.  It was only logical that once they
were isolated from the rules of conduct and the need for restraint,
the partnership would proceed to the next level.  Having lost his own
wife shortly before he was arrested, Skinner knew the strength it took
to allow yourself to love another, knowing you could lose that person
just as easily.

    Gazing deep into his clear eyes, Scully knew that her husband did
indeed understand and that he always had.  He never dared to challenge
her love for Mulder but offer his own love instead. She sighed as she
settled into his arms. "I suppose that's why we're still together, why
I love you."  Scully vowed to herself never to betray or abandon this
man who understood her so well, even if that meant walking away from
Mulder once again. The painful memory of leaving Mulder burned away
the faint hope of rejoining him. Mulder had been right about one
thing ­ she would never hurt Skinner the way she hurt Mulder.
_____________________________

      Skinner and Scully went to Krychek's office in the morning as
requested.  After a brief argument, Skinner agreed to speak with
Krychek alone.  So Scully sat nervously in the lobby as she watched
Skinner enter Krychek's office without her to protect him.

    Skinner felt an eerie sense of deja-vu as he saw the Commandant
standing silently in the corner smoking his Morley.   Krychek greeted
Skinner cordially and invited him to take a seat.  Skinner had no
doubts that this wasn't a social gathering and cut through the games.
"So what kind of threat do you plan to make today?"  he asked
pointedly at both men.

     Krychek smiled and replied, "I admire you for you're directness.
But then you were never one for small talk." Captain's smile suddenly
vanished as he added, "I recall spending the night as your guest once.
You had very little to say."

    Skinner remembered that night as well.  Keeping Krychek in
'protective custody', Skinner punched the traitorous Krychek several
times before handcuffing him to the balcony, leaving him outside to
freeze.  Now Skinner was Krychek's 'guest.'

    "Mr. Skinner, we're fairly certain you came to Aricebo looking for
those stolen TAC's." Krychek began. "If we find any evidence of this,
you can be arrested for conspiracy to commit murder, since two
couriers were killed when the TAC's were taken." Krychek paused
expecting Skinner  to challenge him but the ex-AD refused to be
goaded.  "You should be aware that the man who last had possession of
those TAC's was captured by my police yesterday before you arrived.
Poor man.  Killed while trying to escape.  Or perhaps suicide. I haven
't decided yet."

     Outraged, Skinner finally spoke up.  "You cowardly son of a
bitch!  If you're so blatant about your corruption, why even bother
waiting for the evidence against me?"

     "Easy, Mr. Skinner." Krychek mocked.  "The First Order believes
in due process and a fair trial. We wouldn't dream of executing you
before your time."

    Skinner bristled but held his lips tightly closed. The Commandant
drew a deep breath and exhaled smoke.  "Do you think you can evade the
police forever, Mr. Skinner?  This is a small city. Nothing goes
unnoticed. One unwise move, one wrong step, then you and your lovely
wife end up in prison. Or worse."

     Skinner clenched his teeth together and growled "Maybe I should
just get out of town. I think I've over stayed my welcome."

     "I'm afraid that won't be possible." the Commandant replied.  "To
leave requires a visa and all visas must be signed by the good Captain
here.  Captain Krychek has assured me that he will not be signing any
visas for you or your wife."

   Skinner just barely held his rage at bay as he snarled "Don't you
dare threaten me"

   Krychek did his best to smile. "Threats? No, not at all. We just
wanted you to be aware of the consequences of your action. But we also
want you to be aware of your alternative. You see, the First Order
doesn't really want you and Dana.  They want the information you have
about underground contacts in the Resistance."

    The Commandant moved closer to Skinner and said calmly  "I will
find them, with or without your help. Your cooperation would save us
time and perhaps, save some lives."

    Skinner shook his head angrily.  "No deal.  Even if I was willing
to betray the Resistance, why the hell should I trust you?"

   "Look at Mr. Mulder." the Commandant replied.  "Once we secured his
cooperation, he was allowed to return to society at large and now he's
a responsible, productive citizen."

   Skinner got up and stood toe to toe with the Commandant as he
shouted. "You damn bastards destroyed the man that was Mulder. There's
nothing left of him but a bitter hollow man. You'll get nothing from
me or Dana no matter what the consequences are." Skinner stormed from
the office before he struck out in anger at either or both men.

    Scully quickly went to Skinner when she saw him tear out of
Krychek's office. "Walter, what happened? Are you all right?"

    Skinner nodded but looked back at the office with disgust.  Just
then Krychek looked out and addressed Skinner one last time.  "Before
you do anything rash, just remember ­ they were together for more than
seven years.  He trusted her to never leave him, she trusted him to
never give up.  They were both wrong. And you've only been married
three years?"

    Scully advanced towards Krychek, ready to strike him.  "How dare
you!" she yelled as her hand prepared to slap the Captain but two
police officers stopped her before she made contact.  Skinner stood
ready to intervene but knew better than to attack Krychek or his men
there in the office.

     Krychek stared into the fiery eyes of the raging red-head and
ordered his men to release her.  "Let her go. I deserve it."  Slightly
confused, the officers followed his orders. Scully's hand swung wide
and slapped hard against Krychek's left cheek. She backhanded him on
the other cheek then suddenly she stopped, ashamed by her outburst.
Krychek took the moment to whisper to her.  "The truth doesn't set you
free. It drives you insane and ruins your life."  Krychek rubbed the
sore spot on his cheek and looked at the stunned Skinner. Krychek
explained "It wouldn't have been a proper reunion if someone hadn't
knocked me around a little bit.  That was your one free shot." then
retired back into his office.

    The Commandant lingered and said to Scully. "If you're trying to
protect him, convince him to cooperate.  Life is cheap here in Aricebo
and there are those who wouldn't hesitate to betray him. You're free
to go about your business for now but remember my offer."

   The room fell silent as Skinner and Scully hurried away before
Krychek or the Commandant changed their mind.
_______________________________

    Skinner and Scully arrived at the "Millenium" looking for Mr.
Black.  After a waiter directed them to his table, they explain their
predicament.  Black nodded thoughtful as they spoke but could offer
little help.  "It would take a miracle to get you out of Aricebo, Mr.
Skinner, and I'm afraid the First Order has outlawed miracles." Black
concluded. "It might be possible to get one visa, for the young lady.
It would be difficult but I think it could be arranged."

    Skinner and Scully excused themselves to discuss the option in
private.  Standing in a corner of the crowded bar, Skinner said
seriously "I think you should take it. Splitting up might be the only
chance we have.  I'll keep trying to get out of here. I'll join you as
soon as possible."

    Scully shook her head. "Walter, if our situations were reversed,
would you leave without me?"

    Skinner looked unsure for a moment then nodded vigorously. "Yes.
Yes I would leave." His voice trembled as he spoke.

     Scully hugged him and said " Don't start lying now. It doesn't
suit you.  Don't you remember when I was wounded in a raid in Paris?
I was too badly injured to be moved and the other Resistance fighters
said they couldn't guarantee your safety with the increased police
patrols. Still, you stayed until I was well enough to travel despite
the danger."

    Skinner shrugged. "Every life is in danger everyday.  That's just
life."

    "But it's how we choose what dangers we face that makes all the
difference in the world.  Each decision makes a statement, a testament
to our beliefs." She pulled away from him and looked him straight in
the eye. "Do you remember what happened after I recovered?"

   Skinner smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, you said that you were proud to be
my wife. It was the first time we recognized our marriage as anything
other than an arrangement of convenience." He paused and kissed her
lightly. "And then it went on from there." They exchanged a final
glance then returned to Black's table.

   "I'm sorry Mr. Black, but for now it's two visas or none at all."
Skinner announced as he stood besides Scully with his arm wrapped
protectively across her back.

   Black studied Scully for a moment and replied.  "Yes, I can
understand your desire to remain together.  If it's any help, the TAC'
s remain unaccounted for and I believe Mr. Mulder has access to them.
He claims that even if he did have them, they wouldn't be for sell.
But one never knows what Mr. Mulder will do next. He's rather spooky
that way. It's an extreme possibility but it's worth a try."

    Skinner nodded thankfully and escorted Scully from the club.  Once
outside, he considered their predicament. "Looks like we may be here
awhile.  We should start looking for more practical quarters and stock
up on supplies."

   Scully nodded then sighed. "From the looks of this town, I wouldn't
get my hopes up."

   Skinner answered "Safe shelter is good enough for now.  Why don't
you start looking for a place while I go shopping for food and
supplies?  I'll meet you back at the hotel at six."

   Scully agreed and gave him a quick kiss then said good-bye. She
knew he would be going to ask Mulder about the TAC's but couldn't
think of a way to tell him that she had already tried to make a deal.
She wasn't sure if Mulder was sincere about selling the TAC's or if he
was just anxious to see her again.  The horrible part was that despite
all that she had said to Skinner the night before, she still wanted to
see Mulder. Just one more time, alone in darkness, searching for the
truth.

___________________________

    Just as Scully suspected, Skinner went straight to Mulder's place.
The club was just opening for business and Mulder was checking the
machines as they powered up.  Skinner approached him slowly under the
watchful of eyes of Langly and Frohike.

    Langly whispered to his counterpart, "What are we suppose to do if
there's trouble? We can't call the police."

    Frohike scratched his head then replied, "I guess we call Scully.
And take cover."

    Mulder ignored his two technicians and addressed Skinner directly.
"The fact that you're here alone tells me you want something but you
don't want Scully to know about it.  If it's a history lesson your
after, you can go back home and ask your wife," Mulder said bitterly.
"If it's something else, we can discuss business in my office."

    Skinner gritted his teeth at Mulder's cold-heartedness but
gestured towards the office. Mulder's expression didn't change at all
as he signaled Langly to finish checking the machines then led Skinner
into his office.

    Skinner wasted no time. "Let's get to the point. Dana and I came
to your club last night looking for a man who was prepared to sell us
those stolen TAC's.  And I came back today for the same reason.  The
question is?are you the man I'm looking for?"

   Mulder sat behind his desk reminiscing about the many times he
stood before Skinner's desk, throwing challenges and accusations at
the stubborn AD.  This time Mulder knew the truth that evaded Skinner.
Apparently, Scully hadn't told Skinner about her previous meeting with
Mulder the night before when she tried to strike a deal for the TAC's.
Was it possible that Scully planned to double cross Skinner? Mulder
decided to let Skinner show his hand first.

    "Yes I have the TAC's but I'm not the man you're looking for."
Mulder said cautiously. "The man you want gives a damn about whether
or not you get out of Aricebo."

    "You know I'm not doing this just to save my own hide." Skinner
growled back defensively.  "You know what's at stake here?why the
Resistance needs a strong leader?what Dana and I represent to them."
His voice shifted to a softer tone. "I can't believe you've given up
completely. I know you, Mulder."

   "You only know who I used to be." Mulder stood and faced Skinner
eye to eye.  "What good is the search for the truth if no one cares?
If it can't serve justice?"  Skinner said nothing as Mulder walked
away and headed for the door, ending the conversation. He paused then
turned to Skinner and added, "The world's problems aren't mine
anymore.  I'm just a businessman trying to make a living."

   Skinner clinched his teeth together but replied, "Are you enough of
a businessman to appreciate an offer of $20,000?"

   Mulder stared back and answered boldly, "I appreciate it but I don'
t accept it. And don't insult me by offering more.  They're not for
sale at any price. Not to you."

   Skinner was clearly angry but held his temper.  "Why not?" he
demanded.

    "Ask your wife." Mulder said as he left the office.  He wanted
Scully to know the shame of her deception and Skinner to know the pain
of her betrayal.  It wasn't true justice but he would settle for
ruining their lives in exchange for his own damnation as the
consequences of his selfish act of bitter jealously.
_______________________________

    Later that afternoon, the Commandant and Krychek stopped by to
talk to Mulder.   The Commandant studied the former agent and
commented "I heard Mr. Skinner came by to talk to you.  Did he learn
anything interesting?"

   Mulder shrugged and replied "I think he realized we watered the
drinks down." He could have told him the truth of how he sent Skinner
away, but it was a private matter between him, Skinner and Scully.

   The Commandant eyed Mulder then Krychek. Krychek just smiled
nervously and answered "You see.  Mr. Mulder is strictly a
businessman. And a dishonest one at that."

   A cloud of smoke hung around the Commandant, veiling his eyes as he
spoke. "Two couriers were killed when the TAC's were stolen.  Anyone,
ANYONE, in possession of those TAC'S will be subjected to arrest and
interrogation."

    Mulder replied dryly, "If you're making an offer, no thanks.  I've
already been there and done that."

    The Commandant blew a steady stream of smoke from his lips.  "I'm
not as easily deceived as the good Captain here.  I've never believed
you totally abandoned your cause. Nothing can change a man so
completely."

    Mulder thought about his last days of being a believer and said,
"The prison camps of the First Order can be very persuasive. But I
also have my own reasons for choosing money over martyrdom. Now if you
excuse me, I have a business to run." Mulder left the two men still
sitting at the table.

    Krychek leaned in close to the Commandant and commented, "There's
only one thing that can change a man that much. But it's not of alien
origin.  In fact, it's so human it's laughable. The fact that it was
Mulder's ultimate undoing is even more ironic.  All your plans and
plots, drugs and deceptions couldn't do what one woman did quite by
accident."
___________________________________

    Skinner returned to the hotel and found Scully anxiously waiting
for him.  She immediately recognized the intense expression on Skinner
's face and said, "You went to see Mulder didn't you?"  Skinner nodded
but his expression remained stern. "What did he say?"

    "He said the TAC's are not for sell. At any price. When I asked
him why, he told me to ask you." Skinner said straight faced.

     Scully's thoughts were frozen by the realization that Mulder
wanted Skinner to catch her in a lie.   "Walter, I'm so sorry. I had
no idea?" One look from Skinner and she fell silent.  Even after three
years together, she couldn't read his moods, not like she could with
Mulder.  Skinner's rigid stare could represent anything from
accusation to absolution. All she knew for sure was that she had
betrayed him in her heart, even as she tried to save his life.

    Skinner gently touched her hand and said sadly, "Life is full of
risks. I don't know everything but I know enough to realize you have
your own agenda with Mulder. But I also know you have your work, our
work, and that he can't be a part of it. Not if he won't give us those
TAC's." He stepped away and looked out the window. "We're being
watched by Krychek's men but I should be able to slip away after
 dark."

   Scully was still in shock over Skinner's acceptance of the emotions
she struggled so hard with but she heard his words and began to
comprehend what he meant.  "Are you still planning to go to the
Resistance meeting?"

   "I have to." Skinner replied. "What good am I as a symbol of hope
if I hide every time someone threatens my life?" Before she could
answer he added, "I'd better go alone.  We're too easy to target if we
're together.  If something should happen to me, you need to carry on
the work, rally the human race before it's too late."

    Scully said nothing but closed her eyes and nodded.  She silently
prayed for logic and reason to return to her life so that she might
know what to do next, as she found herself in a similar situation to
what she faced three years ago.  To continue the work, she needed the
TAC's and to get them she would have to face Mulder.  Once reunited
with him she found it impossible to bury her love and would ultimately
betray another man she loved. Scully saw no clear choice and only the
warm night breeze answered her prayers, as it carried the spirit of
darkness into her heart and soul.
___________________________________

     Because of the curfew, Club X closed earlier than usual. While
Langly down loaded statistics from each game machine, Frohike checked
the balance sheet.  "Even with the curfew, we should be all right for
at least a month as long as no one gets lucky." he announced.

    "How would you know, Frohike? You haven't gotten lucky in 10
years." Langly tossed out.

    Before Frohike could respond, Mulder intervened. "We all ran out
of luck a long time ago.  That's why we're all stuck with each other."
His partners weren't quite sure if Mulder was just kidding until he
smiled slightly and added, "Maybe now is the time to give you both
that paid vacation I've been promising. I'm shut down for a few days
until things cool down a bit.  At least that way I'd have this place
to myself for a awhile."

   Langly nodded.  "That's cool.  We can work on fixing a few things
around here?"

   "No, I said take few days off." Mulder replied firmly.  "We all
have work to do apart from this club."

    Frohike and Langly knew he was referring to their work with the
Resistance, which had stepped up their activities with Skinner's
arrival in town.  As for Mulder, the former Lone Gunmen knew he was
had issues to settle with Scully, in private.   But no one knew for
sure if these two agendas would cross paths again, drawing Mulder back
into the fight or Scully away from it.

    Mulder said good night to his old friends as they left for their
meeting, the nature of which Mulder asked them not to mention. He
figured everyone was safer if he could truthfully tell Krychek he knew
nothing about the local Resistance.  Mulder studied the lonely
darkness of the club and thought about how much the empty room
reflected his own life.  Complex and active, a thousand interactions
every night, but once the lights went out and the people went home,
there was nothing. Nothing but the wait for the next day when all the
activity would help him to ignore the painful past, images imprinted
in his perfect memory.  He climbed the stairs to his apartment and
opened the door.  He felt a warm breeze brush across his face and
looked towards the open balcony door.  There he saw her waiting,
silhouetted by the moonlight, her petit frame as unforgettable as the
ability to breathe.

      Mulder regained his composure as he watched her anxious face.
"I didn't think you'd show up after Skinner came by this afternoon."
He calmly crossed the room and poured himself a drink.  The slight
tremor of his hand betrayed his cool exterior.

    "I had to come." Scully replied solemnly.  "Walter doesn't know
about last night or that I came here tonight."

   Mulder kept a safe distance from her as he commented, "I figured
that. So what are you trying to hide, Scully?  Did you think that the
great Walter Skinner might be jealous of a washed-out ex-FBI agent who
can't even hold a good fantasy together?"

   Scully bit her lower lip nervously and ignored the cynically tone
of her former partner. "I came for the TAC's as we arranged."

    "If I recall, I didn't promise anything. The TAC's are not for
sale.  I thought by now your husband would have brought you up to date
but I guess you two don't have a totally trustworthy relationship."
Mulder felt angry and frustrated that Scully was still avoiding
telling the whole truth.

    Scully sensed his bitterness but tried to focus her objective.
"You know what his work means to the thousands of people who still
have hope.  It was your fight once, your cause."

    Mulder turned away. "That was a long time ago. Now the only cause
I care about is myself."

    "What chance do you have if the First Order controls our lives?
 Scully scolded. "If there's any hope for the human race, the
Resistance movement needs strong leaders who will organize and
inspire?"

    Mulder interrupted her abruptly. "Please spare me the stories of
how wonderful Skinner is and how important he is to the struggle.  Don
't worry. The human race will go on without him. Only slightly more
corrupt than before."

   Scully approached him and spoke in the determined voice she knew he
would recognize.  "How can you believe that? You know this
colonization will continue until the last human is occupied or dead
unless we take a stand now.  Skinner is one of the few people willing
to speak out against them and has rallied the forces that might oppose
them. But if I don't get those TAC's tonight, Walter Skinner will die
in Aricebo."

    Mulder stared back unflinching and replied "What of it? I'm going
to die here.  It's a good spot for it. And a good time."

    Scully's voice became more desperate as Mulder walked away from
her.  "If this is about what I did to you, all I can do is say I'm
sorry. Have you become so empty inside that you'll take the pain one
woman caused you and make the whole world suffer because of it? Are
you so selfish?" She stopped in mid-sentence and her mood shifted to
one of penance. "?No, that's not fair. I WAS the one that left you. I
can't change what happened. But you must believe me that I never meant
to hurt you or abandon you.  I loved you, Fox."

    "Fox is it?"  Mulder replied snidely.  "I wouldn't stir up old
memories of our last days in Washington DC together. It's bad
salesmanship."

    "But it's true." Her voice trembled as he crossed the room towards
the door and left her standing alone in the darkness.  "Everything I'
ve done, everything I became?it all happened because I believed in
you. After all you've seen, all you've experienced, why can't you
believe in yourself?"

    Mulder paused at the door and sighed. "Believe in the lie? The lie
that Fox Mulder was something special. That he understood things the
rest of the world was too blind to see. That one man can make a
difference if he believes."  He started to open the door when he heard
the familiar sound of a revolver cocking behind him.

    "Please, Fox. Even if it is a lie, it's all I have left to believe
in." The barrel of her weapon was aimed at Mulder's chest and her
expression hard and demanding. "I need those TAC's. Give them to me."

    Mulder turned to face her. "No." he said bluntly.  "The TAC's are
right here in my pocket. One shot and they're yours. If you believe
that strongly in the cause and in Skinner you'll stop at nothing to
get them."

   "Put them on the table." she demanded, trying to ignore his words.

  Mulder shook his head. "Go ahead. Fire. You'll be doing us both a
favor." Scully began to visibly tremble so Mulder stepped closer to
her until the barrel of the gun was only inches from his heart.  "I'll
make it simple.  Don't worry about choosing a non-lethal target." he
said coldly fully expecting her to pull the trigger.

    Scully burst into tears and dropped the weapon as she collapsed
into Mulder's arms. "I can't. Not again. I can't hurt you again."
Mulder held her close and felt the love that he had shut out for years
come rushing back into his heart.  In a small gasp, Scully cried "Oh
Fox, I've never stopped loving you."

    Kissing her softly, Mulder answered breathlessly, "It's all right,
Dana. I suppose I've always known that. That's why I shut you out so
completely."

  She began to relax as they embraced for the first time in three
years. She noticed how different it felt to be in his arms instead of
Skinner's.  While Skinner was safe, strong and caring, Mulder's touch
had always been electric and passionate. When he held her, it was as
if his soul entered hers, and pulled it to the brink of a wonderful
madness.  "I tried to convince myself that you had changed and that I
couldn't love you anymore. But I was only lying to myself." Gazing up
into his soft hazel eyes, she whispered, "Do you still love me? Can
you ever trust me again?"

    Brushing aside her hair, he kissed her again.  "Even now, you're
still the only one who believes in me.  You're still my one-in-five
billion. My one chance to be fully human."

   "I'll never leave you again. I couldn't bear it. I'll stay with you
here in Aricebo or anywhere."  She clutched him tightly as they sank
to the couch, melding into his body as his soul melded into hers. But
even in her rapture, her conscience nagged at her about the original
purpose of he visit.  "But what about Walter? You will help him escape
now, won't you."

    Stroking his palm along her cheek, he asked tenderly, "Is that you
want, Dana? To see him go away alone, without you?"

   Scully sighed, "I don't know what I want anymore. All I care about
is staying with you.  Nothing makes sense beyond that. My logic, my
ideals?it's all useless now." Settling her body against his, she
surrendered to the realm of emotion and intuition where he had always
led the way.  "I trust you, Fox. I have faith you'll make the right
choice. It's up to you to decide our fate."

    Mulder exhaled slowly, feeling the burden of his responsibility.
But upon regarding Scully once more at his side, he knew what he had
to do. "All right. I will."

    But for the moment, Mulder and Scully abandoned their
responsibility to anything other than each other.  Time and
circumstances waited outside the door as the two partners rediscovered
their love in the quiet shadows, just as they had first found one
another searching for truth in the obscurity of the X-Files.  It was a
moment of raw honesty amidst a world of lies, deceptions, broken
promises and lost causes.
_____________________________

    Frohike and Skinner dashed across the street towards the club,
hiding in the shadows.  They just barely dodged a police car and
ducked into the building.  Skinner's hand was bleeding slightly and
Frohike had him sit down while he looked for something to dress the
wound.

   From his apartment, Mulder heard the disturbance and looked out the
door. Seeing Skinner, he knew he had to get Scully out before he saw
her.  Scully wanted to explain the whole situation to Skinner but
Mulder convinced her that it would be best to wait until just before
he handed over the TAC's.

    Mulder called out to Frohike who started to explain the night's
events. "Krychek's men raided our meeting. Most everyone got away
including Langly, but they did manage to grab a couple. Sorry we came
here but it was the only place?"

    "It's OK." Mulder answered distractedly.  "I need you to come up
here and take care of the back porch light so we don't attract anymore
attention."

     Frohike seemed busy dressing Skinner's wound until Mulder
insisted he come upstairs immediately.  Frohike apologized to Skinner
and hurried up to see Mulder.  Once he reached the door to the
apartment, he could clearly see Scully standing behind Mulder. Before
the older man could speak, Mulder pulled him into the room and
whispered "See that she gets home safely. And don't let anyone see
you." Frohike just nodded and ushered Scully out the back door, while
Mulder went down to talk with Skinner.

    Mulder watched Skinner trying to bandage his bleeding hand.  It
wasn't a bad wound, just a cut he sustained jumping out of a broken
window, but it clearly marked the danger inherit in being a part of
the Resistance.  Mulder offered his help with the bandages then asked,
"Don't you ever ask yourself if it's worth it?"

    Skinner pursed his lips and shrugged. "You might as well question
why we breathe. If we stop, we'll die. If we stop fighting our
enemies, the world will die."

   "What of it? At least it will be out of its misery." Mulder
replied.

    "Mulder, you sound like a man trying to convince himself of
something he doesn't truly believe in his heart." Skinner's steely
stare bore down on Mulder.  "Back at the Bureau, I saw a lot of things
that made me question my faith but since then I've learned that there'
s something even more basic than right or wrong. Each of us has a
destiny, for good or for evil." Clinching his jaw, Skinner looked
around the room. "Hiding here, you're trying to escape from your
destiny but you're doomed to fail. The truth WILL find you, Mulder."

    Mulder looked away and exhaled heavily. "You seem to know a lot
about my destiny. How many years did you spend trying to change it?"

    "That's why I know what kind of man you are inside and where your
destiny lies."  Skinner tone changed to a softer voice as he said,
"And where your heart lives.  I know you love her. I've probably known
it even longer than you have, watching you two grow closer over the
years working together.  I love her for the same reasons you do and
just like you, I'd risk everything to save her.  Mulder, listen?if you
won't give the TAC's to me, use them to take her away from here.
Protect her if you can. I can accept dying as a martyr but not if it
costs her life.  I'm asking you as one man to another."

   Mulder shook his head and replied instinctively, "She'll never
allow it. How do you think I stayed alive all those years?"  Then
suddenly Mulder realized Skinner was giving him permission to take his
wife, and that Scully had asked him to decide the future for all of
them. But before he could say anything to Skinner, he heard a loud
crashing upon the front door.  Three policemen stormed the room and
arrested Skinner.

     Skinner demanded to know on what charges he was being detained
but they only answered that he would have to speak to Captain Krychek.
He glanced at Mulder but saw nothing but a blank expression. "It seems
destiny has taken a turn." Mulder remarked flatly as Skinner was taken
away.
____________________________________

    The next day at the police office, Mulder sat before Krychek
arguing on Skinner's behalf.  Skinner was being held on a trumped up
charge pending further investigation but both Mulder and Krychek knew
the real reason for his arrest.

    "You don't have enough evidence to hold him longer than a few
hours." Mulder pointed out.  "Why not let him go now and avoid all the
hassle of making up more excuses to kept him here."

    "I'm afraid the Commandant insists that we keep as much pressure
on Skinner as possible, even if only to discourage others from helping
him."  Krychek gave Mulder a questioning glance. "Why are you so
concern about his fate? I thought you had no interest in Mr. Skinner."

     Mulder sat up straight and looked cautiously around the room.
"That's not entirely true." He paused until Krychek motioned him to
continue. "What if you could get some real charges against him, with
real evidence? That would be quite the score."

    Krychek nodded thoughtfully. "That would make a difference. The
Commandant would be pleased. And maybe he'd get off my back for
awhile. But now I'm even more curious why this is a concern of yours."

    Mulder sat back and smiled slightly.  "Let's just say I have my
own reasons for wanting Skinner out of the way for awhile."

   "This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain red-head?"
Krychek asked.  Mulder just smiled again. "So it seems you do have a
heart after all, and a romantic one at that.  So what's your plan?"

    "You let Skinner out and I finish the deal to sell him the TAC's.
When he takes them you'll be waiting to arrest him. Then Scully and I
get visas and we're out of here for good."

   "You realized Skinner will be placed in a concentration camp, oh
excuse me, a 're-education center.' He'll probably die there." Krychek
said seriously.

   "It was just a matter of time before they caught him anyway."
Mulder rationalized. "For the last three years, I've only dreamed of
one thing and now that it's in my reach I'm not about to let anything
stand in my way."

   Krychek remained doubtful. "I still find it hard to believe you
could convince Scully to go along with plan."

   "She left the choices up to me.  Sure she cares about Skinner but
not enough to stay with him.  Where do you suppose she was last night
when he was arrested?"

   "So, you managed to corrupt her as well."  Krychek grinned and
commented, "I suppose this makes you only man in Aricebo with a moral
dip stick lower than mine."  Mulder just shrugged.  "So how do I know
you'll really go through with this?" the Captain asked.

   "I'll make the arrangements with Skinner right now in the holding
cell. You can listen in on your monitor."

    "She means that much to you?"

   Mulder swallowed hard and answered truthfully, "She means
everything to me."

   Krychek reached out to shake hands and close the deal.  "I'll miss
you, Mulder.  Things won't be the same without you around. No one to
remember how things used to be."

   "I would think you would want to forget those days."

   "For what its worth, old friend, you're the only person who ever
trusted me.  I realize that at the time you had little choice, but you
never stabbed me in the back either."  Krychek let go of Mulder's hand
and finished by saying, "I really did follow your work and admired
what you did with the X-Files. But I always knew you'd end up like the
rest of us, just trying to survive."

   Mulder stood, expressionless and added "On that note, keep your
goons away when we make the exchange.  I don't want anyone getting
trigger happy."

   Krychek nodded "As long as you keep Scully off me. I can handle
Skinner myself."

  "Don't worry.  She'll be with me."  Mulder replied darkly as he left
the office.
________________________________________

    On the way back to the club Mulder stopped to see Black at the
Millenium. Mulder made him an offer to sell Club X. After agreeing on
a price and ensuring Frohike and Langly continued to share in the
profits, Black and Mulder shook hands to close the hurried deal.  "I
envy you, Mr. Mulder.  Starting a new life, away from all this." Black
said as he surveyed the disorderly club.  "I might have considered it
myself, but I'm so accustom to this lifestyle I'm afraid I couldn't
adapt to freedom."

    Taking the cash portion of the sale, Mulder replied "Freedom is a
relative term. For the time being, I'm a slave to my emotions instead
of my ideals."

    "Good luck anyway, Mr. Mulder. Perhaps you'll find your destiny at
the point where your desires and your dogma meet."
_______________________________

    Mulder paced nervously in the empty club. He wondered if he had
made the right choice. Right or wrong he was determined to see things
through.  He'd spoken to Frohike and Langly briefly, giving them no
explanation for his decision to sell the club.  They accepted his
actions as being typical of the old Mulder they once knew. They also
knew full well they may never see him again. Mulder checked his watch
again when suddenly there was a knock.  "You're late." he said to
Krychek who stood at the door.

     "Don't worry.  Skinner and Scully just left. I had my men
watching the hotel. They have orders not to stop or pursue him so
we'll be alone as you requested." Krychek reassured him. "So tell me,
Mulder. Where did you hide the TAC's? My men searched this place
thoroughly."

       "They were hidden under the seat of your 'High Speed Chase'
game."

      Krychek shook his head. "That will teach me for playing on the
job."

      Just then, Mulder directed Krychek to hide as he heard Skinner
and Scully approaching.  Taking a deep breath, Mulder prepared to face
his destiny.

     Skinner approached him with an open hand.  "Mulder, I can't thank
you enough for all you've done." Mulder ignored his hand and focused
on the worried expression on Scully's face. Skinner took the hint and
replaced the empty hand with an envelope full of cash. "There.... as I
promised."

     Mulder waved off the envelope. "Keep it. You'll need it once
you're out of here.  I have you booked on the last flight out to San
Jose. From there you should have no problem connecting with the
Underground." Before Skinner could thank him again, Mulder suggested
Skinner place the luggage in his car.

    Once Skinner was out of ear shot, Scully whispered to Mulder,
"Didn't you tell him? Walter thinks I'm going with him."

     Mulder took her hand and said, "The less time he has to think
about it the easier it will be for him to accept it.  You still trust
me, don't you?"

     Scully sighed and answered "Yes, of course I do."

    "Then play along, no matter what happens. Everything will work
out. I promised."

      Skinner returned and noticed Scully standing close beside him.
He said nothing as Mulder handed him the envelope. Just then Krychek
stepped out from the shadow with a handgun pointed at Skinner and
announced, "Walter Skinner, you're under arrest for conspiracy to
commit murder for the purpose of stealing government documents."

    "What the hell is this?" Skinner roared as he held his hands up.

     Scully gripped Mulder's hand and whispered, "Fox, what's
happening?"

    Krychek smiled as he approached Skinner.  "Didn't you know? Mulder
's not the man you remember. His intention are no more noble than
mine." Once in range, Krychek took a swing at Skinner and connected
with a solid blow that staggered him.  "Payback is hell, Mr. Skinner."

     "That's enough!" Mulder shouted from behind Krychek.

     "Just having a little fun." Krychek replied amused but when he
turned to look at Mulder, he realized his old adversary had drawn a
gun on him.  "You lied, Mulder. We had a deal."

    "I said you could arrest Skinner. You arrested him. And Scully
didn't interfere.  Is it my fault you can't hang on to him." Mulder
replied with a sneer.

    Krychek just stared at Mulder when Skinner grabbed him in a choke
hold from behind and forced him to drop his gun.  "We're even now,
Captain Krychek." he growled.

    Mulder gestured Skinner to let him go then handed Krychek the
phone.  "Just to make things simple, call the airport and get us
clearance right up to the gate.  And remember, I have this gun point
at your heart."

   Krychek frowned and made the call as he commented, "My heart is my
least vulnerable spot. Unlike you." His remark distracted Mulder and
instead of calling the airport he patched the call through to the
Commandant's office.  "Airport Security?  This is Captain Krychek.  I'
ll be arriving shortly with passengers bound for San Jose on the last
flight tonight. See to it that we have a clear path to the runway."

   One the other end, the Commandant understood the message then
called police headquarters and ordered a squad to follow him to the
airport to investigate the matter.
______________________________

     Krychek said nothing as he drove Mulder, Skinner and Scully to
the airport. Everyone recognized Krychek and allowed him to pass
without question as he approached the small plane.  As he pulled the
car up to the hanger, Mulder ordered him to tell the ground crewman to
help Skinner load the luggage on the plane.

    As Skinner grabbed the bags, he said to Mulder, "You've got to
come with us.  Your life will be worthless here if you stay."

   "Don't worry about me." Mulder replied confidently.  "I've gotten
really good at taking care of myself. I'll staying to make sure that
plane gets off without any delays." Waving his gun towards the
recalcitrant Krychek.

    Skinner clasped his hand on Mulder's should and said, "Welcome
back to the fight."

    As Skinner left, Scully turned to Mulder with uncertainty in her
eyes.  "Fox, I don't understand.  Last night?"

    "Last night a lot of things happened." Mulder interrupted. "But
most of all, I saw the truth again.  About the fight, about myself,
and about trust. Trust was always the basis of our partnership because
we both understood that trust meant more than just keeping promises.
It meant making the best choices for the cause and for each other, in
spite the sacrifices and the compromises.  Tonight that all adds up to
you getting on the plane with Skinner."

     Scully took his hand and gasped. "No, Fox! I can't?"

     Mulder looked sternly at her while trying to keep an eye on
Krychek. "You can and you will.  If you stay here, we'll both end up
dead or in prison. Isn't that right, Captain?"

     Krychek nodded causally. "I'm afraid the Commandant would
 insist."

     Mulder gazed into Scully's troubled eyes and declared, "We both
know you're as much a part of the work as Skinner. Without you he's
only half as effective. More than that, he loves you and will never
desert you. If that plane leaves tonight and you're not with him, you'
ll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for
the rest of your life."

    Scully clutched at his hand and asked "But what about us?"

    "There's always the X-Files." Mulder answered firmly. "We lost it
three years ago but we found it again last night."

    "Fox, I said I would never leave you?"

    "And you never will." He kissed her tenderly on the forehead. "But
I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What
I've got to do, you can't be any part of. I'm no good at being noble,
but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little
people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. I know you
understand."

    Scully pulled away from him suddenly and said harshly, "I
understand, Mulder. Just like I did when we were with the FBI. And
just like then I won't accept being ditched again."  Krychek laughed
slightly and both ex-agents shot him a rude glare before focusing on
one another. "Mulder, I love you but more than that I believe in you.
Skinner doesn't need me. You're right. I'll regret leaving him but I'd
regret leaving you even more.  Skinner commands respect wherever he
goes. But your role isn't to lead others.  You fight the battle of
truth, uncovering the answers so that we can all understand who and
what we are fighting.  You can't do that alone."

     "But Scully, I can't protect you?I never could." Mulder whispered
painfully.

    "But you've saved me. Just like I've saved you. We're partners and
always will be." Scully stretched up to kiss his cheek, just as
Skinner approached, carrying Scully's luggage.

    "I think it's obvious I'll be leaving alone tonight." Skinner said
without a hint of sarcasm or bitterness as he placed the bag next to
Scully.  But before Scully could speak, he said softly "I said I
understood about you two.  So if Mulder is back in the fight, it's
only natural that you'll be with him, just as it's always been."

    Scully gazed lovingly at Skinner one last time. "I'm sorry, Walter
but?"

     "I said I understand. Our marriage started as nothing more than a
piece of paper. The feelings came later.  If you no longer feel the
same way, there's nothing to bind us together.  I can tear up the
paper and let you follow your true feelings." He hugged Scully and
whispered "We'll always have Paris."  Then he turned to Mulder and
handed him one of the TAC's. "I only hope you can both get off this
island safely."

    Mulder studied it for a second and said, "Langly's been dying to
get a chance to copy one if these things."

    Krychek spoke up suddenly. "If you're leaving, I'd advise you to
go now. The Commandant will be here shortly and he'll make this whole
good bye a moot point."

    Skinner nodded and shook Mulder's hand again. "Take care and I'll
be watching for you."

    Mulder smiled. "You can count on us not to let you down, Sir." he
replied, echoing words he had spoken long ago.

    Skinner rushed off to the plane. The others watched as it taxied
down the runway.  Mulder told Scully to get in the car and be ready to
leave as soon as the plane was off the ground.

    Just then the Commandant pulled up in his car alone.  Seeing
Krychek standing still in front of Mulder, he demanded "Captain, what
was the meaning of that phone call?"

     "Walter Skinner is on that plane bound for San Jose." Krychek
answered calmly.

     The Commandant threw down his burning cigarette. "You idiot! Why
didn't you call the tower to stop him?" he shouted and walked towards
the phone on the wall.

    "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Mulder threatened, shifting
his aim from Krychek to the Commandant.

     "You've never had the stomach to stand behind your threats, Mr.
Mulder." he replied as he picked up the phone.

     Mulder stretched out his arm to steady the gun and tightened his
grip. "I mean it! Get away from that phone."

     "I don't think so." The Commandant replied as he suddenly turned
revealing his own weapon. With the phone in his other hand, he said,
"We seem to have a stand off but either way I'm making the call."

      Suddenly a shot rang out and the Commandant dropped to the
ground.  Mulder, who hadn't fired, turned quickly to see Scully
leaning out of the car window with a smoking gun.  "And that's why I'm
not walking away from you." Scully said as she hid the gun from view
once again.

     Krychek kneeled at the Commandant's side and announced "He's
dead."  Just then the squad of police arrived and looked to Krychek
for orders.  Mulder froze in place, hoping to divert attention from
Scully.   Krychek looked at the still body at his feet then at the
anxious face of his one-time partner in the FBI.  "The Commandant's
been shot.  Round up the usual suspects."  The squad quickly left to
follow orders.

     Mulder breathed a sigh of relief. Krychek sighed also as he
watched the plane leave the ground.  "Well, Mulder not only are you a
romantic but you're a patriot. And I'll be damned if I'm not one as
well."

     "What changed you're mind?" Mulder said tucking his gun back in
its holster.

     "I've always done what I needed to do just to survive. Joined up
with whoever or what ever had the power.  But my whole life, I've been
screwed by whoever I worked for. I guess I figured, 'enough is enough'
." Krychek shrugged and continued. "It's time to fight for something I
believe is right. During World War II my family fought off an invasion
by another 'Master Race.'  Now it's my turn. I couldn't do any worse
than I am now.  "  Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out an
envelope.  "Here? two visas in your name and Scully's. Just like I
promised."

     Scully got out of the car and examined the documents. "Won't they
be looking for us?"

     Krychek shook his head. "Not for at least 24 hours. Until the
Commandant's replacement arrives. By then you'll be long gone and so
will I.  Once they uncover what happened here, I'll have no choice but
to join the fight on your side."

     Mulder nodded and handed him the TAC. "I'll get word to Langly
and Frohike that you're one of the good guys. You can use the TAC as
your credential."

    "With any luck I can catch up with Skinner and take Scully's place
as his back-up."
Krychek laughed.  "Won't that be the beginning of a beautiful
friendship?"  He suggested Mulder and Scully stay hidden at the
airport and take the first flight out in the morning while he headed
back to his office and prepared his escape. Just before he left,
Mulder reached behind the seat of the car and pulled out a bottle of
Russian vodka from the case sent by Black.

     Pouring Krychek one last drink, Mulder toasted him sincerely,
"Here's looking at you, kid."

    "But not for long." Krychek smiled back as he downed the drink
then vanished into the night.
________________________________

      Mulder and Scully huddled together in the backseat of the car
waiting for morning, occasionally sipping from the bottle of vodka.
Mulder whispered softly as he shared a drink, "To the future?"

    "Do you really think we'll make it out alive?" Scully asked
softly.

    "Yes. But only because I can't believe our destiny would lead us
to our demise in a tiny airport in the middle of nowhere that doesn't
even have a decent coffee shop."

    Scully smiled at his dry humor and cuddled closer to him.
"Destiny. Fate. Are there really such things or do we just pretend
they exist to explain our choices?"

     "I don't know." Mulder replied honestly. "All I know is that from
the moment I met you, my life changed. Everything I believed in and
worked for became clearer. Over the years even as my ideas and my
goals changed, it was always you that was there to help me find the
truth and believe in myself."

     Scully shifted so she could look into his hazel eyes. "Are you
saying we were destined to be together?"

    "I just know that without you, I lost everything ­ my faith, my
desire for justice, my self.  You made me whole again."

     "And you made me alive again." Scully replied. "You gave me
passion and intuition, made me face my fears and re-affirm my faith.
And somewhere along the way I also found love." She gently kissed him.

    Mulder stretched and peered out at the morning light glowing on
the horizon. "I found more than love. I found a partner for life." He
returned the kiss then slowly rose, preparing to finally leave the
darkness of the last three lonely years. Stepping into the light, side
by side with his best friend and lover, he said "Scully, I think this
is the beginning of a beautiful destiny?together."

(Closing theme)
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by

And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you"
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny

Well, it's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by
Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by

END
_______________________________

 OK it didn't have the classic ending of the original but even they
made an alternative ending.  With adequate prodding, I will write a
"Scully goes with Skinner while Mulder and Krychek walk off into the
night" ending but for now let's leave M/S to their own devices.
Please send any and all comments to shinkai@mlode.com

Story notes:
I hope the parallel between the Alien colonization and Nazi Germany
wasn't lost to the contemporary crowd.  I didn't continue the analogy
as heavily as the story went on because the story shifts to more of a
romance and the situation is already established.

The story line is more emotionally charged because of the past
relationship of the characters so events take place more rapidly.  And
I couldn't see Skinner leading the club patrons in a rousing rendition
of 'The Star Spangled Banner' so I used a VR game instead, showing off
his skill as a fighter as well as a leader. And Scully couldn't be as
confused and despairing as Bergman.

Much of the classic dialogue was modified to fit the X-Files world.
Mulder says "I won't put myself on the line for anyone." Instead of "I
don't stick my neck out for anyone." Mulder's line is reminiscent of
Scully's comment from 'Tooms'-"I wouldn't put myself on the line for
anyone but you."  Mulder's toast is "To the future" instead of "Here's
looking at you, kid" although I kept the line for Krychek.  Lots of
other stuff that any true X-Phile should spot ­ Krychek's reference to
his 'moral dip stick', Skinner's 'That's just life' etc.

As a side note, Claude Raines played the police captain in 'Casablanca
' but he's most famous for his portrayal of "The Invisible Man".  As
you may know, I'm the author of 'The I.M. (Invisible Man) Files"
alternate universe.

Mr. Black of the club Millenium pays homage to Chris Carter's other
child but the character himself reflects Sydney Greenstreet, the actor
who played the owner of the competing club in Casablanca, 'The Blue
Parrot.'

In my on going campaign to de-vilify Krychek, he makes a great
Captain.  If you don't understand his final scene, go check the
history books.  Nazi Germany invaded Russia which was met with bloody
and fevered resistance. More than likely Krychek's parents or
grandparents fought to defend Mother Russia.

The song "Walking After You" by the Foo Fighter was the closing theme
for the X-Files movie. But for this romantic ending, I chose to use
"As Time Goes By". Note a few important lyrics?.'No matter what the
future brings'? 'Hearts full of passion, jealousy and hate'.  They
pretty much reflect this story and its classic mood.