Title : Fides Procuro II : Quod neque nec respicio Author : Kelly Moreland Archive : Sure! Just let me know where Spoilers : None really, but I would recomend reading Fides Procuro first. Rating : NC-17 for sexual situations, and some language. Probably not for the kiddies. Category : Hard to say. It has angst, M/S/ other friendship, MSR... You decide. Summary : Colonization/Apocalyptic hell Feedback : k_a_moreland@hotmail.com Disclaimer : Deeply inspired by Chirs Carter. His characters you know and love. Mine.. Well, mine might be like chewing on tin foil :-) I don't own his, he don't own mine. 'Nuff said. Authors note : This picks up exactly where Fides Procuro leaves off. Now, before you get to the end and decide to scalp me for they way it turns out, there is more coming. Fides Procuro II : Quod neque nec Respicio by Kelly Moreland Kari Chandler followed a few steps behind Mulder and Scully, as they left the FBI Headquarters. Mulder had reluctantly released Scully's hand, so she could gather her things to leave. Now, as they exited the building, he placed his hand in the small of her back, his thumb stroking lightly along the back of her shirt. It was a gesture that spoke of deep intimacy. Kari wondered briefly, if he'd exaggerated when he'd told her they were not lovers. She quickly discounted the idea. Everything she knew of Mulder at this point, he didn't strike her as a liar. Not even a casual one. "Want me to push your bike?" She offered to him, thinking he would want walk with his partner. They had a lot to talk about. "Nope." He answered, with a mischievous grin. He looked down at Scully. "How did you get here?" He questioned, the grin remaining in place. "I walked. Thought I could use the exercise." She replied, noticing the grin just as Kari had. "Oh." He said, grinning broadly. The words and the grin didn't match. He was up to something. He suddenly grabbed the handlebars of his bike, and swung a leg over it. "C'mere Scully." "What?" She asked with true innocence, taking a curious step closer. Mulder patted the handlebars of the bike. "Right here." He grinned, his face transformed with boyish charm. "You've got to be kidding." She answered, taking a step back. "Either that, or on the rack behind me, or right here." He patted the top bar between his thighs. "And I don't think that would be very comfortable." "If those are my choices, I think I'll take the rack." She said without enthusiasm. Mulder sighed with feigned dejection, as she straddled the bike rack behind him, and placed a hand on each side of his waist. Kari couldn't resist a crack, she'd been around Mulder for too long. "Just out of curiosity Dana, is your will up to date?" Scully laughed, but Mulder gave her a death stare as they started off. Kari kept several feet behind them, even turning casual circles in the empty street, staying well out of hearing range. "Mulder?" His partner asked, squeezing his sides a little. "Hmm?" "How much weight have you lost?" Her tone was concerned. He chuckled softly, both amused and touched by the question. "I come several hundred miles across country, braving the elements, risking life and limb, to see you again and you tell me I'm getting skinny?" His voice dripped with melodrama. She sighed, and rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see the gesture. "You're.. ah.. just a lot firmer than I remember." "You don't know the half of it." He mumbled under his breath. "What was that?" "Nothing. It wasn't exactly a pleasure trip Scully. We made a lot of miles everyday. It was a two week long work out. I'm surprised I didn't run Kari to death, trying to get back here." "Where did you meet her at? Kansas City?" "St. Louis, Missouri. That was where her family was, she'd been out of town, and biked there to find them." "I take it she didn't find them?" "Not alive. What do you think of her?" "Mulder, I just met her. I don't have an opinion yet." "I think you'll like her. She's tough, and she's honest." "Scully, we went to your mothers house before we came here. I know about your Mom. I'm sorry. I should have been here with you. For you." His lips thinned, as he spoke. "It's ok Mulder. I was with her at the time. Bill had called and gave us an early unofficial warning. I left the office, and went to spend the night at her house. I buried her next to her tea roses. She loved those roses. Daddy planted them for her, the summer before he died." She recalled aloud. Mulder took his hand from the bars long enough to give hers a gentle squeeze. "Any one else we know that made it?" He asked, after putting both hands, and his attention back to steering them. "No. Not that I know of." She sighed. "I found Skinner in his office, a single gunshot wound to the head. I couldn't run any tests, but I'm pretty sure it was self-inflicted." "What?" The bike wobbled a little, as Mulder glanced back over his shoulder at her. "His service pistol was laying on the floor beside him, with one shell casing. I think he knew what was coming." He changed the topic. "Any theories on what exactly happened?" "Actually, yes. There was some footage of two.. aircraft fighting over Atlanta..." "Ufo's Scully." "Aircraft, Mulder. Of unknown origin." He chuckled soundlessly, some things would never change. "Anyway," She continued. "I think that when one was fired upon, and exploded it released an Electromagnetic Pulse that wiped out all our electronic devices." "An EMP isn't fatal. How could it kill all these people?" He asked, waving a hand that encompassed the empty streets. "The human brain sends and receives information through small electrical impulses. I've done some research on it, as much as I could anyway, and an EMP of 3Hz to 30kHz is all that's needed to effect all electrical and electronic systems worldwide. And it's a fact that electronic frequencies of 200kHz and higher can effect people in numerous ways.." "So," Mulder picked up her train of thought. "If this were, say, 500kHz or higher, it could have short circuited a persons brain." "Which would most likely account for the spontaneous nosebleeds. A majority of the victims may simply have died from blood loss." Mulder thought back to the terminal in Kansas City. "I don't think so Scully." They rode in silence for a few minutes. "Mulder." Her throaty whisper got is full attention immediately. "Yes?" "I'm very glad to see you." She slid her arms around his waist, and hugged him tightly. "Scully, Scully!" He warned. "Don't make us wreck. It'd ruin the whole mood I'm trying to set." She laughed, and burrowed her face into his back. Mulder barely kept a groan from escaping his lips, and forced his attention back to keeping them upright. Almost there, he thought. Five more minutes. Tops. "What mood would that be?" Scully asked, loosening her grip around his middle, but not letting go entirely. "I don't want to give away the surprise." He remarked cryptically. "You'll find out soon enough." "Should I be concerned?" She teased. "Scully, you should know by now, that you don't have anything to ever be concerned about when I'm here." She knew it, and knew that he meant each word. He stopped in front of her building, and held the bike still till she was off. Kari pulled up beside him, and dismounted. "You two go on inside. I've got an errand to run. I'll be back in a few minutes." They both looked at him with puzzled expressions. "Go on." He smiled. "What are you up to?" Scully asked. "I'm going to pick up something for dinner. I'll be back as soon as I can." He raced away, before any more questions or objections could be voiced. "There's no telling with him, is there?" Kari asked, as he rounded the corner out of site. "Mulder?" Scully smiled. "Never." Kari followed her up the stairs, and outside the door she spoke. "I think I should tell you. We came here first. I hope you don't feel intruded upon, but I was inside your apartment." Scully's face held a slightly confused expression. "Mulder had the key, but, I took it from him and made him wait here in the hallway while I went in first. Just in case." Kari looked slightly embarrassed by this, but Scully just nodded and unlocked the door. "I've got some bottled water in the kitchen, would you care for some?" Scully asked, as she kicked off her shoes. "Yes, please." She drew two glasses from a ceramic cooler in the corner and handed one to Kari. "Oh god." Kari sighed, after the first sip. "That's the coldest water I've had in weeks." She chuckled at the silliness of her words. Scully smiled. "I'd give anything to have the annoying task of filling ice trays again." "I understand." Kari nodded emphatically. They walked back to the living room. "Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to change." Scully stated, walking down the hallway. Kari sat down on the couch, but didn't really feel comfortable at all. Part of her mind said she should e xcuse herself now, and leave these two alone, but at the same time, that seemed rude. When Scully returned, dressed in shorts and a loose tee shirt, Kari asked. "Are there any hotels nearby?" Mmm. Not really, Why?" She sat down on the other end of the couch, and turned sideways, facing the other woman. "I need somewhere to stay tonight." "You can stay here. I have a guest room, and when ever Mulder stays over, he sleeps on the couch." Kari shook her head. "I don't think so, Dana-- Do you prefer Dana, or Scully? He always calls you Scully, but I'm used to calling people by their first names. Not their last." "Dana is fine, if you are more comfortable with it." She chuckled. "Mulder has called me Scully from the first. But never call him Fox. He--" "Hates it. I know. He told me." They laughed together for a moment. "You are more than welcome to stay here tonight." "I know that I'm welcome to. I just don't think I should." "Ahh." Scully nodded, chewing her lower lip. "Well at least wait till after dinner. Mulder would probably be a little upset if you were gone when he got back." "I'll wait till after dinner, but I just, um, wanted you to know that I didn't plan on imposing." "You wouldn't be." Kari was silent and still for a moment, then she spoke abruptly. "He's a good man. He's got a good heart. I don't know why I'm saying this, but he had nightmares. A lot of them. And he always called out for you. Telling you to run. That they were coming. He was so scared for you. His one ambition was to get here, to find you. And I was so scared that.. It would end badly. That's why I wouldn't let him come in when we got here. I'm not sure what he would have done." She ran out of breath, and took a sip of water, looking at Scully. Her head was cocked slightly to the right, her arms wrapped loosely around one raised knee. "He would have survived." She stated after a few moments of silence. "I'm not so sure about that." Kari disagreed. "He loves you. You know that, don't you?" "I know." Scully said softly, looking down at the patterned fabric of the couch. "And you love him too." It wasn't a question. Scully didn't answer. "I saw your face when in that hallway." Kari said firmly. "You can not sit there and tell me you don't love that man." She remained quiet, and Kari sighed in exasperation. "You know. Two people who truly, deeply, cared about each other was a special thing before the world went to hell. I think it's a once in a lifetime chance now." She paused, and studied the glass in her hand. "Touch passion when it comes your way, Dana. And never walk away if it calls you by name." Kari said nothing more, for a minute later they heard footsteps and mumbling in the hallway. "Get the door." Mulder yelled from outside. Scully got up, with a smile, and opened it for him. He strolled in, carrying a large cardboard box. "What's all this?" Scully asked, trying to peek into the carton. Mulder lifted it higher so she couldn't see it's contents. "This is dinner. On me. I'm cooking." Scully turned to Kari, who still sat on the couch watching the interaction with a bemused smile. "Be afraid. Be very afraid." She deadpanned. "I've never been more afraid in my life." Kari returned. "Oh ye of little faith." Mulder scowled, walking into the kitchen. Scully and Kari chuckled quietly to each other. "Are you sure you don't need some help?" Scully called out. "I'm very sure." Mulder said softly, returning with three wine glasses and a good bottle of Lambrusco. He uncorked the wine, pouring it and passing each of the women a glass. "To friends." He said, raising his glass. "To friends." They answered in unison. To Mulder's credit, he managed nicely with dinner. But no one can really screw up spaghetti. Scully had a two burner camp stove in her kitchen that might never recover from the ordeal, but the food was very good. "So," Scully laughed, catching her breath. "Here we both are, covered in manure, in the pouring rain, and he has the balls to tell me that I smell bad!" Kari yelped, and slapped a hand over her mouth to cover the sound, shaking with laughter. "Oh yeah. Laugh it up." Mulder grunted with a smile. They were well into the second bottle of wine, and very relaxed. "At least I never shot you!" He barked at Scully, just as she was getting herself together. Kari howled, and Scully nearly fell over, all composure gone in an instant. Even Mulder was laughing, and doing a very bad job at hiding it. When they'd all managed to settle down, Kari wiped the tears from her cheeks. "On that note, I think I'd better say goodnight. While I can still walk." She stood up, testing her legs. "Yeah. I can still walk." "What?" Mulder asked, as if he'd misunderstood. "Goodnight. You know, as in see you in the morning." Kari grinned at him. "Are you sure you won't stay?" Dana smiled pleasantly. "I'm sure, but I appreciate the invitation." Kari said, picking up her backpack. "Where are you going?" Mulder asked, still seated at the table. "To find a hotel to spend the night." Kari replied evenly. "No no. You should stay here." He said, shaking his head for emphasis. "There aren't any hotels close by. You'll have to ride a couple of miles to find one." "So, make sure you give me good directions." Kari said, unswayed from her decision. "Hang on." Scully said, leaving the table and walking down the hallway. "You don't have to leave." Mulder whispered when she was gone. "Yes I do, and if you can't figure out why, then I truly pity you!" Kari whispered back fiercely. That shut him up. "You need to tell her how you feel. Isn't it time too? You thought you had lost her. Are you going to wait till you really do, then moan about it?" Mulder didn't have time to reply, as Scully returned carrying a brochure. "How about this?" She asked, handing it to Kari. She glanced over it. "Perfect. Where is it?" "Two blocks down on the left." Scully smiled, then explained to Mulder, who looked confused. "The new apartment complex they just finished, down the street. It's the brochure I got on the mail just before you left. Remember?" "Yeah." Mulder nodded. "You going to be ok down there?" He looked at Kari doubtfully. "I'll be fine. You two need some time to talk, and I'm beat. I'll drop by in the morning." She paused at the door, Scully had walked with her. "Night Mulder." "Night." Kari was surprised when Scully leaned in and gave her a quick hug. "Night Kari. Come by in the morning, we'll have breakfast. Don't worry, I'll cook." "Night Dana." She said, vanishing out the door. Scully shut it, and locked the deadbolt, there really wasn't a need, but old habits die hard. Mulder stood up, and started picking up the dishes. "What are you doing?" Scully spoke up. "I'll get those." "No." He said. "We'll do them tomorrow. I know you hate that, but right now, I just want to talk. Dishes be damned." He took the stack into the kitchen, and returned, carry the last half of the wine. Scully sat down on one end of the couch, curling her knees up under her. Not realizing that to Mulder it made her look that much smaller, and more delicate. He sat down, and refilled her glass. "Mulder, are you trying to get me drunk?" "No. Just myself, and I don't wanna drink alone." He grinned. Scully shook her head slowly. They had shared many silences over the years, but this one was different as it stretched out between them. It was heavy and electric, expectant. "I have something to say to you." Mulder said, his voice uncertain. He cleared his throat softly. "But I think you already know." "Mulder I've known for a long time. You don't have to say it." He turned to her, and took her wine glass from her hands, setting it on the coffee table, then capturing both of her hands in his own. He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of her hands, discovering a softness he had never noticed before. He lifted one to his lips, and kissed it, grazing his lips over her knuckles. Scullys breath caught in her chest, at the heat and tenderness of his feather light kisses. He raised his head, and looked into her eyes, never wavering. "I don't want to tell you." His voice was low and husky. He pulled her hands to his chest, and spread them out against it, as he leaned forward slowly. He slipped one arm behind her, cradling her head, the fingers of his other hand delicately tracing the outline of her lips. The tips of his slender fingers detailed them slowly, before his lips took them under his kiss. Without preamble, or apology, his tongue pressed into her mouth and moved freely, rampantly, stroking, delving and tasting all of her. Her hands slid across his chest to his sides, then encircled his back, pulling her body up against him. Her tongue teasingly circled his, enflaming him even more. He tugged at her tee shirt with his free hand, pulling it from the waistband of her shorts, and let his palm slide up her ribcage to her breast. He could feel it's hard peak through the satiny material of her bra, and he tweaked it gently between his fingers. Her small gasp was his undoing. Forcibly he calmed himself, commanded himself to slow down, to savor, not rush. He circled both arms around her, and rose, bringing her to her feet, his lips never leaving hers. He bent, pressing her tightly against the length of his body, and lifted her, walking slowly and steadily to her bedroom. He gently lowered her to the floor beside the bed, and whispered into her ear. "If you want to stop this, say so now, while I still can." "No." Her voice was something between a moan and a gasp, as she ran her tongue along the pulse point of his neck. A groan that came from deep in his chest was her reward. She pulled away abruptly and turned toward the bed, folding back the covers, while he pulled his shirt over his head. She lay back on the sheets. He dropped his shirt to the floor, and kicked it away. He knelt with one knee on the bed, and took the hem of her shirt in his hands. He watched her eyes, watching him, as he slowly raised it and pulled it over her head. He slid his hands around her and deftly unhooked her bra, drawing it away as they returned. His hands covered her bare breasts, kneading them gently, relishing the feel of her hard nipples against his palms. He trailed his hands back down her body, hooking his thumbs in the waistband of her shorts, and panties. He slid them down her legs and let them fall where they may. His stomach jumped suddenly, at the feel of her tiny hands unbuttoning his jeans and tugging them down past his hips, which arched toward her helplessly. He kicked his legs impatiently, and they fell away, landing in a heap by the side of the bed. Scully traced the outline of his erection through the thin material of his briefs, the only thing that separated them now. Her thumb rolled over the connection of his glands to his shaft, and he inhaled sharply. He jerked away from her, and ripped the thin cotton down his legs, and threw them across the room. He took her small hand in his, and placed it in the same position as before, her touch electrifying his senses. She moved her hand slowly, in a light caress. He moved over her, and held her for a long time before kissing her. When he did, his lips honored her softly, and she moaned against him. With a soft touch he parted her thighs and acquainted himself with her mystery. Scully felt like a rare treasure being discovered. She was malleable and moist against his questing fingers. She felt his passion, hard, so hard as it rubbed against the nest of auburn hair between her thighs. He pressed his lips, softly, urgently, against her breasts, seeking her nipples. He made no lunging, thrusting motions, but suddenly she felt his intrusion and arched against that sublime, invading pressure. He filled her slowly, completely and the pleasure of his possession went on and on, rippling over her entire body. "Oh God, you feel so good." he whispered in her ear. "So good Scully." "Mulder." Softly she cried his name as he began to stroke her with shallow thrusts that gradually deepened. Her hands groped along his shoulders. Her body bowed and bucked. Her insides coiled tighter, and tighter as he reached higher and higher inside her to touch the very center of her womanhood. "Mulder!" she called as her world exploded into dazzling fragments. From far away she heard his own soft cries and they were all her name. His head was bowed against her chest, his thighs and shoulders still trembling from the force of his release. She laid her palm against his cheek. He turned his face toward it, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to its center, as he withdrew from her slowly. He shifted his weight, and lay down next to her, she rolled onto her side, and he spooned up tightly against her body. They fell asleep within seconds of each other. ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Kari rapped on the door early the next morning, and eventually Mulder opened it, wearing only sweatpants. She took one look at him from head to toe and smiled. "Good morning." She said with a bright smile. "Mmm" He growled back. "Sleep well last night?" "Uh-huh." "Eventually." She snickered. "Uh-huh" He grinned. "Where's Dana?" "She's in the bathroom. C'mon in." "I can't. That's what I stoped by to tell you. I've got something I need to do. An errand. So I'm going to skip breakfast. With any luck, I'll be back by this afternoon." "You shouldn't take off without a gun." Mulder scowled. "It's not safe. Remember Louisville?" "What happened in Louisville?" Scully asked, coming down the hallway, and joining them at the door. "We got shot at." Mulder said casually, kissing the top of her head. "By who?" "No idea. We never saw who it was." "Look, I don't even know how to shoot a gun, and you now that Mulder." Kari insisted. "I'm going to do this. I'll be back later. I promise I'll be careful. Good morning Dana." The last she said with with a knowing smile. "Morning." Scully smiled sleepily. "See you guys this afternoon. If you aren't here, should I look for you at the FBI building?" "Yeah." Mulder yawned and stretched, draping his arm around Scullys shoulders. Kari waved, and trotted down the hall. "You actually want to spend the day at the office?" Scully asked as he shut the door. "Well, maybe not the whole day, but there is something I've always wanted to do on that desk." "You too, huh?" Scully answered. Kari wanted the two of them to spend the day alone together, so she had found the perfect thing to do, and if she really pushed herself, she could make it to the truck and drive it back before nightfall. Mulder had loved the damn thing, and really hated leaving it behind. While poking around the apartment complex last night, Kari had found several filled gas cans, stored in a shed for the heavy equipment. Two of the smallest ones were strapped to the rack on her bike, as she peddled along interstate sixty six. She stayed low over the bike, peddling fast, and keeping her momentum going. It took a little less than five hours to get back to where they had left the truck. She emptied both cans into the tank, and lifted her bicycle into the back. "Hello." Kari spun around, gasping, heart racing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." The man said, his green eyes warm and friendly. "Th-that's ok. I just wasn't expecting anyone to be here." She laughed uneasily. "I'm sure you weren't." He smiled again. He was dark haired, and handsome, but something about him made Kari nervous. Or maybe it was just the surprise. She glanced around. "How did you get here? Surely you're not walking?" "Actually, you just saved me a trip, but you don't realize it." Kari took a small step back, alarms going off in her head. He matched her pace, keeping the distance between them even, but not close enough to be threatening yet. "I want you to give a message to an old friend of mine." He smiled, it looked less friendly each time she saw it. "I don't understand." "Tell Mulder that he is alive only because they want him to be." "Who is Mulder?" Kari lied, hoping her fear and confusion looked alot like innocence. "Don't play games with me." He stepped forward, and she stepped back again. "Tell him Alex says hello, and if he's smart, he'll make use of the map." Kari had backed into the truck, momentarily forgetting it was there. "I don't know anyone named Mulder. What do you want from me?" She had pinned herself against the tailgate, as he took another step. "You're wasting your time trying to lie to me." he smiled that same sick smile again. "We've been watching. We know. You've been with him since St. Louis." he took another step forward, less than six inches away from her now. Kari kicked suddenly, catching him in the thigh, a little off her intended mark. Alex grunted, doubling his body over in reflex. "You little bitch." he snarled. Kari lunged to the right, but he stretched out his left arm, and she ran into it. It felt like iron. He shoved her roughly to the ground. Kari hated the fear she felt in the pit of he stomach right then. "Now, you can do this, or I can kill you and do it myself. It's your decision." He let his words sink in. "Now what's the message?" He asked, leaning over her. "A-Alex says hello.And if he's smart, he'll figure out the map, and that he is alive, only because you want him to be." "Close." He shrugged. "He is alive only because THEY want him to be. Say it again." Kari looked up at his with undisguised hatred. "Alex says hello and if he's smart he'll figure out the map, and he is alive only because THEY want him to be." She spoke clearly, although her teeth were clenched. "Good girl." Alex said patting her on top of the head. "Run along now." Kari stood up slowly, her legs shaking. "I truly I hope I see you again one day." She said facing him with all the dignity she could manage. "Count on it. " "Next time one of us won't walk away." He laughed coldly at her, unconcerned. "Watch it sweetheart. I'm one of the good guys." "Yeah, right, and I'm the fucking pope." She got into the truck and slammed the door. The engine started on the first try, and she pulled away, watching him as he stood casual in the middle of the road. She thought about turning around, and running him over, but as shaky as she felt she'd probably get herself killed in the process. "One day." She promised the dwindling image in the mirror. Mulder leaned back in his chair, and looked over at Scully. "I can't believe you are actually filling out those expense reports." He smiled, the smell of her skin, and incredible taste of her that still lingered fresh on his tongue. "It's something to do," she looked up with a smile. "At least until you catch your second wind." "Third." he pointed out. "Third wind." "Whatever." She grinned. "You'd think that after all these years of those videos that aren't yours, you'd have learned something about stamina." "Who knew you were insatiable?" he shrugged casually, then ducked the pencil she threw at him. "And there is nothing wrong with my -- Hi Kari." He changed gears suddenly, letting the previous conversation slip away. "Hi." Kari said with the ghost of a smile. "Are you ok? You look a little pale." Scully said, her brow creasing. "Um.. Yeah, I'm ok. I just. Got the living shit scared out of me." "What happened?" Mulder asked, as Scully rose, and filled a paper cup with water. She handed it wordlessly to the other woman. Kari took it with a mumbled thanks. She sipped it, and fished into her pocket for the keys to the truck. "I went to get something you left behind." she smiled a little as he saw the keys dangling from her fingers. She took a deep breath. "I met someone who told me to give you a message. He was, ah, very specific." Mulder sat bolt upright in the chair, it's springs squeaking in protest. "Who?" He asked, Scully too was looking at her expectantly. "Alex said hello, and that if you are smart you'll figure out the map, and that you were alive only because they wanted you to be alive." She repeated the message verbatim, feeling a deep shame and sense weakness in her chest. Neither of the other two spoke, so Kari cleared her throat before speaking again. When she did, each word was measured and precise. "I know I'll regret this later, because I know how you are about being right, but um, you were right again Mulder. It's not safe for me to go somewhere alone and unarmed. It's time I learned to shoot a gun. Would you show me how?" He still sat in his chair, now rubbing his chin thoughtfully, and she wondered if he'd heard her. There was a current running between he and Scully, they looked at each other and spoke volumes without a single sound. "Now, or tomorrow?" He asked abruptly, not breaking his gaze or moving from his seat. "No time like the present. But I'm ashamed to say that I'm twenty eight years old, and I've never even picked up a gun. Think between the two of you I can learn?" Scully turned and delicately perched on the corner of the desk. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, and yes, I'm sure you can." Her gaze was meant to be reassuring, but Kari felt somehow smaller before her eyes. Intimidation didn't set well with her, neither did being victimized. And that's exactly how she felt. The Fox Mulder/Dana Scully handgun course had been informative, and out right riotous at times. Mulder had intended it to be both. It didn't require a Phd in psychology to see that Krycek had scared the hell out of Kari. The little run in had shaken her confidence. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but Krycek had scared the shit out of him too. More because of his message, than his presence. After, they had dropped her off at her apartment, she had flatly refused to stay with them at Scully's. He pulled out the map he and his partner were looking at now. "Do you think the numbers represent survivors?" She asked, peering at the map on the table. "That's a possibility. But why would he care if we found survivors? What would it matter to him?" "Well if they are, then we have two in New York, three in Philadelphia, four in Baltimore, and five in Atlanta. The rest are just ones again." "Doesn't seem right, does it?" He mused, his chin propped in one hand, his full attention on the map. Mulder studied it, trying to find answers in the simple marks on the paper. He moved so suddenly, that Scully was a little surprised. He snatched up the map, and held it up in front of a candle. "What is it?" Scully asked knowing he had found something. "The ones are survivors. The other numbers are steps of action, or destinations." "How do you know?" "I just do Scully. The only problem is, do we gather all the ones before we move on to the two?" "Do you have any idea what step, or action the rest are?" "Not yet. Maybe they are just destinations. But, if we are supposed to follow them in order, we'll be backtracking across the entire eastern seaboard." He sighed. "That's a lot of travel." "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line." Scully said, running her finger along the coast. Mulder's eyebrows twitched for a second. "Oh no. You've got to be kidding." "You've never been sailing with me, have you?" Scully asked, knowing the answer to her own question. "I think by land is our safest route." "By sea will be our fastest." Mulder didn't want to concede that point. "What about the ones?" Scully asked. "Are we supposed to find them all first?" "I don't think so. I think any of the ones can be the starting point. As long as one of them leads to, or follows through to the rest." "There's really only one way to find out." Scully said. Mulder nodded, chewing on his lower lip, silently. "Don't forget to pack your Dramamine." Fini~