Title: Phantom - By: Jolee Patkai Storyline: My idea came from Mulder and Scully's experience working on the Amber Lynn LaPierre case, and also touched on "The Gift" episode! Disclaimer: All characters are the property of FOX and 1013. The storyline is strictly from my own imagination! Enjoy! ----------------- The day started like every other day...first with hope, and then upon full wakefulness...reality hits, crashing heavily upon her heart. Agent Dana Scully, Titian hair tumbling around her porcelain face, closes her blue eyes against the harsh light pouring into her bedroom. How, she wonders, can the sun still shine so brightly, when within her world, everything is so very dark. Looking at the clock, she sees the time - 6:00 am - and rocks herself to and fro, hugging her comforter for dear life. Life goes on, and work never ceases. Ever since Mulder disappeared, she had been holding the fort at work. The new agent, John Doggett, was almost as skeptical as she once had been. If the truth were known, she still was a skeptic - in her mind's eye - but in her heart, a believer had been born. She remembered the exact moment she believed. Skinner had come to see her in the hospital and had blown her away with his account of what had "really" happened in those woods in Oregon. Sensing the new life inside her, and hearing the words pour from Skinner's stern mouth...Skully believed! "Well, time waits for no woman!" groaned Scully, swinging her legs over the edge of her queen size bed. She heads for the bathroom and starts the tub running. She had never liked showers; baths were more her style. Mornings were short affairs, but it was her evening baths that she yearned for from 3:00 onward. She had just settled into the bubbles, when her phone started ringing. Ignoring it, she sank lower into the fragrant depths of her bath. She heard the answering machine picking up and wondered who would be calling her so early. "Dana, don't forget to check it before you leave!" she scolded herself. Mornings were not always her best time of day, especially these days! But as often happens, after dressing and grabbing her light breakfast of yoghurt and grapefruit, she totally forgot about the curious caller and as she closes the door behind her, the answering machine light blinks urgently..unnoticed. One thing about starting the day early, was you got a break with the traffic. Today was no exception, and she arrived at her office by 7:30 am, well ahead of many of her co-workers. Taking the elevator down to the basement was no easier today than yesterday. She had a feeling it never would be a ride she looked forward to. Every single time she walked toward his door, she automatically raised her hand to knock. She caught herself just as her hand began to rise, and bit her lip in frustration. "Damn...I will get through this day, I swear I will!!" With head lowered, she entered the office and walked right into a muscled chest, squeezed into a crisp white shirt. "Jeeze, Agent Scully, I didn't expect to see you here this time of day!" rasped Agent John Doggett. "Did you get my message this morning?" "Message?? What message..oh that message...oh well, actually I was out the door when the phone rang. I figured if it was important my cell would be called." "Yeah, well I tried your cell, but it wasn't picking up...Ahhh did you turn it on this morning, Agent?" Doggett's eyes twinkled as he spoke. "Of course I have it turned on, you must have dialed a wrong number...I...damn!!" Scully starred unbelievingly at her cell phone in the off position. "I'm sorry Agent Doggett, it looks like it is working up to be one of those days! What was your message about??" "Well, it seems we are starting the week off with a new case..an X- File. Are you up for a meeting with DD Kersh?? He is expecting us ASAP and he sounds nervous as hell! I poured you a coffee, looked up files that may pertain to the case and you can look them over briefly while we head on over!" Doggett looked at Scully with what looked like expectation. Or maybe challenge was a more appropriate definition for the look he was directing her way. Scully didn't raise to the bait. She knew this new agent was choking on his assignment with the X-Files. Just like Mulder choked when he had to do regular background checks or stakeouts. Agent Doggett was an old fashioned cop, and having been assigned to the X-Files was giving him some sleepless nights. If only Agent Scully knew that his sleepless nights were not all due to the weird cases he had to work on. If only she realized that working with her was a bigger problem for him, and not just because she was a woman and his boss. Mostly it was because he was steadily becoming attracted to her and was confused as to her relationship with Agent Mulder. She was so private with her feelings, he was at a loss as to how to handle the situation. "I appreciate you doing this background work, Agent Doggett. Fill me in while we walk, would you?" Scully scanned the file in her hand and her eyes widened when she saw the pictures. Doggett's voice seemed to be coming from far off and her ears started ringing. Darkness passed over her eyes and she stumbled into the wall. "Agent Scully!" yelled Doggett, "What's wrong?" Unable to answer, Scully accepted his help and sat down quickly on the floor. Her black suited skirt rode up her shapely leg, and Doggett couldn't help but glance. "Here, put your head between your legs, Agent Scully...that's it. Do you feel any better?" Scully, realizing her ungainly position, pushed his hand away and struggled to her feet. Her dignity battered, her face flushed, she pushed his steadying hand away. "Agent Doggett...that was totally unnecessary. For heaven's sake you almost broke my neck!" She smoothed her skirt down over her thighs and her hair swung wildly as she struggled to keep the file from falling. "Agent Doggett, where did you get this file??" "Well, actually, I found it when I unlocked this morning. It was just laying on the floor, like someone had slipped it under the door. Why the reaction, Agent?? What can you tell me about this case file?" "Trust me, Agent Doggett, anything I could tell you, will be worth nothing, once Kersh gets through with us...it never is!" Scully headed towards the elevator doors. Her stomach was churning, again, and she hoped she wouldn't be sick. The pictures she had seen had brought the whole thing back again. "Agent Mulder and I worked on a case of a missing child, last year. The little girl's parents were accused of her disappearance and it looked like they would go to prison for kidnaping and possibly murder. Agent Mulder believed the parent's story that they were innocent of the charges..and I was also convinced. There were just too many facts stating that other forces were at work. If you read the file, you will already know the outcome. Agent Mulder believed that "Walk-ins" or "Old souls looking for new homes" had taken the girl before she could come to a horrible end. Following his beliefs, we apprehended a man who had bodies buried in his back field, bodies of children, who he had abducted after they had visited his Santa's Village attraction. The only thing that was left unexplained was the fact that the little girl in question was not among the bodies we uncovered." "So why would this case be brought up now, Agent Scully?? From what I read, it was more or less closed and even Agent Mulder was satisfied with the findings. What am I missing here?" Scully looked at Doggett and motioned him back into the office. "Agent Doggett, I know this is going to make us late with Kersh, but I'll risk it. I want you to understand the state Agent Mulder was in during this investigation and what he swears he found out. Please have a seat and I'll try to get to the quick of it!" Scully closed the door and settled behind Mulder's desk. As always, she felt uncomfortable on this side of the desk. This was Mulder's domain and she never failed to recognize that fact. Scully handed Doggett the file, and he opened it and examined the photo's carefully. "The little girl's name is Amber Lynn LaPierre from Sacramento, California. We were not initially involved with the case, but Mulder insisted on being allowed to help. As you know, Mulder lost his sister when she was only 8 years old. He believed her to be taken by aliens and for years she has been his sole purpose in life. Trying to understand why she was taken and he was left, has pretty much consumed his every waking moment. Sometimes, Mulder gets really hooked on a case, and this one really struck a chord in him. When he saw Amber Lynn, he saw his sister, Samantha. Having also lost my sister, Melissa, I can relate to his feelings, but other's at the Bureau don't share my understanding." "Well, Agent Scully, I know where you're coming from....and believe it or not, I can understand Mulder's obsession. I worked many missing cases dealing with children, and it is something you never get used to. Do I take it that you're not completely happy with the findings of this case?" "Well, scientifically, I can't explain it. I was always the one to base answers on facts..things I could understand and put my hands on...but Mulder was never like that. He was always willing to walk on the edge and reach for the impossible..something I have a hard time doing, Agent Doggett. Mulder truly believed that Amber Lynn had been taken by these walk-ins to save her from a terrible death. He claims to have seen her and others like her while we were investigating Amber Lynn's' disappearance. But most of all, he claimed to have seen his sister, Samantha!" "Seen his sister?? But how Agent Scully? How is that possible. If she was indeed taken when she was 8 years old, she would be full grown now. If she were alive, why wouldn't she just come to Mulder in person?" "Well, that's just it, Agent Doggett!! She is dead or at least Mulder's believes it to be true. He said she was taken when she was 14 years old to be freed from all the terrible tests her abductors subjected her to. Whether or not it is true, is not the issue...it is what Agent Mulder believed, and his belief brought him peace for the first time in many years. So whether or not "I" believe, is irrelevant." Doggett looked at a point just over Scully shoulder. His memory was conjuring up an image that up until now, he had put down to his overactive imagination. He was remembering the night he had sat trying to write up the case report of Mulder's secret case. He remembered what Skinner had told him. That to just keep it between themselves and not involve anyone else. He looked at Scully, who was looking at him questioningly. He knew he had to tell her about seeing Mulder that night, but how to do that without evoking her curiosity as to why he was here that night! Somehow he must!! "Agent Doggett, is there something you need to say?? I get the impression you were looking at something just now...what is it??" "Well, Agent Scully, you know that I am still leading the task force to find Mulder, right?? And that mostly I work at it on my own time, when the X-Files are slow?" "Well, the other night I was here at the office...just..you know..going over some stuff, and I swear to God, when I looked up..there he was!!" Scully looked puzzled. "There who was?" Looking into her eyes, he just laid it out ..."MULDER!" Scully stood up so quickly, the chair crashed back on the floor! "Is this some kind of a sick joke, Agent Doggett? Because I don't find it funny. I am trying to bring you up to speed on this case..this heartbreaking case...trying to let you into Mulder's head a little bit..hoping that you would better understand the man...and you DARE to make JOKES?" Doggett quickly stood up and cut off her exit to the door. "I swear to you, Scully, I saw him." "Right over there!" he motioned to the table. "Well, what did he say to you, Agent? What did he do?" Scully demanded with tears filling her eyes. Looking at those blue eyes swimming with tears, Doggett just got his answer as to what was going on in that flaming head. He realized with a sinking feeling, that Dana Scully was very much in love with the absent Fox Mulder. "He didn't say anything! He was just there one minute, and gone the next. Now I think I understand it. He was just like the kids in this case file here. A walk-in! I think he was trying to tell me something!" "Agent Doggett if he was a walk-in, like the children in this file, here, then it means he was trying to tell you only one thing!" Scully whispered on a throat that no longer functioned. "What's that, Agent Scully?" "Mulder believed that the children he saw were souls of children taken before their time to save them from terrible deaths. Mulder was abducted...Oh..I know you don't believe that, Agent..but it's true. If you saw Mulder , as you described, then it means only one thing.....Mulder was taken by the Old Souls to save him from a painful existence...and if that's true then it means that Mulder was trying to tell you not to bother looking for him. It means Mulder is ...DEAD.... Doggett reached out a hand to her, but the ringing of the phone stopped it in mid-air. What was the use. The more he tried to help her, the more he pushed her away. Mulder was more present today then ever before...like his essence was here coming between Scully and himself. Scully reached for the phone. "Yes, Agent Scully here. Yes, I know we're late, we were just going over the file and......Oh really?? Well in that case, we will be right over..sorry for the delay, Sir!" Scully turned away from Doggett to compose herself. "God, I really don't have the heart for this right now...I don't think I can do this again....ahhh Agent Doggett?" "Yeap..." "Are you familiar with this case enough to go to Kersh without me??? I need some time here to think this through?" "I would, Agent Scully, but in all fairness to you, I think you should be at this meeting. The message I left for you this morning was for a good reason." "Oh, the message...well why don't you just tell me what was on that stupid message, Agent, and stop playing games with my head?"" "The message I left was this: Amber Lynn was found in Sacramento, California, sometime last night. She seems to be in a coma of some sort, and in pretty bad shape. Kersh wants us to investigate and report any findings we can." Scully grabbed Doggett's shoulders, and backed him into the corner of the office. "How could you not have told me immediately?? Do you know what this means?? It means that if Amber Lynn is alive...then maybe Mulder is, too!!" Hope filled her eyes and her mouth quivered with emotion. Pulling Doggett close she kissed him soundly and turning on her heal, hurried for the elevator and Kersh's office. Doggett was left standing in shock in Mulder's ghostly office with the image of Mulder in his head, and the taste of Scully's mouth on his lips!. ____________ The sound of the elevator door being opened, jerked Doggett out of his daze, and he grabbed his jacket and raced after Scully. "Agent Scully...Hey...hold that door!" he choked. Scully looked at him, a puzzled look on her face. She was distracted, to say the least, with the thought that Mulder could well be alive, somewhere. She new it was a stretch, but at least this was a solid lead they could work on and, maybe, find some answers. As she looked at Agent Doggett coming towards her, face flushed, she realized what she had just done. She had acted out of impulse, and now she had to face the consequence! "Agent Doggett...Oh God..I am so sorry. I didn't mean to...well what I want to say is I didn't intend to....I was excited, OK?? It wasn't meant to alarm you, in any way! I am not flipping out, Agent Doggett....I think you know I never do that. Will you accept my apology?" Doggett just looked at her with a strange gleam in his eye. "Agent Scully, consider your apology accepted...but really you have nothing to apologize for. I mean, you have been through a lot these past months, and it's natural you would be excited at the prospect of a new lead on Agent Mulder. I've forgotten about it already, OK?? Does that make YOU feel better?" Scully stared into his eyes and was a little taken aback!! He had forgotten about it already??? Well, that was a little humiliating...not that it wasn't a good thing..God!! The last thing she needed right now was more complications in her life. Agent was a good cop and was shaping up to be a great partner....BUT he just wasn't Mulder...Nobody was... "I'm feeling better...yes, I am - Thank you Agent Doggett!" She answered stiffly. "Now let's get going. Kersh said on the phone that someone representing Amber Lynn's parents are in his office and they want to see Agent Mulder and me...but seeing as Mulder is not here, it's you and me. Kersh sounded stressed, so we had better get there now!" "I'm right behind you, Agent Scully. Oh and by the way...Thanks!" "Thanks for what?" Scully asked, looking over her shoulder at Doggett. "Thanks for letting me in to your head a little back there. If we are going to work together and do it right, we have to learn about each other, what makes us tick. And I think I know what makes you tick." "Oh really, well tell me what you think makes me tick?" "Agent Mulder makes you tick and I understand now why you are the way you are now that I know that. I don't like being in the dark about the person who covers my back. I think it's important to know my partner like I know myself. I can do my job better now...don't you feel the same way??" Scully was feeling uncomfortable with this conversation. The kiss was nothing compared the direction this was heading. She didn't want everyone to know how she felt about Mulder, it was too close to talk about, and she wanted her private life kept private..and that meant Doggett, too. "Agent Doggett, I don't know what you think you understand about my relationship with Agent Mulder...but whatever it is, I would appreciate it if you kept it to yourself. You know how difficult working for the FBI can be. Walls have ears and all that?? Let's just agree to disagree on some things and lets keep my personal feeling for Agent Mulder out of it, OK??" "I wasn't implying anything shady, Agent Scully. Don't insult me by expecting me to turn a blind eye and deaf ear on things I see. I'm not stupid. You and Agent Mulder have a thing, and I'm OK with that. In fact, it will make working with you much easier knowing where I stand and where HE stands. Now let's drop this and get to Kersh's office. We can pick up this conversation later. If we want to keep our jobs, so we can find Mulder, we had better make tracks!" Once again, Scully was struck dumb. The nerve of this man...he presumed too damned much for her piece of mind. But...OK..she would drop this for now..but later...she would let him know just where he stood with her...NOWHERE!" Tossing her hair back, she straightened her shoulders and faced Doggett. "OK, Agent Doggett, we'll talk about this later. God..all this just because I kissed you on impulse. I can see I will have to be more careful in the future. I promise you this...It won't happen again!" The doors opened and the two flustered agents emerged. They headed straight to Kersh's office where his assistant was pacing the floor and waiting for them. "Agent Scully, Agent Doggett, you can go straight in. I don't have to tell you that he is a little anxious!" encouraged the frazzled woman. Scully reached the door first but Doggett reached around her and opened it. Their eyes met, in challenge, and she decided to let him have this round. Men...they were so annoying. Doggett smiled when he saw her give in to him...Women...they were so exasperating! The door opened and Kersh immediately stood up and came around the desk. "Agent Scully, Agent Doggett...I would like you to meet Mr. Gyula Pakard. Mr. Pakard is a close personal friends of the LaPierres' and he has come to request you accompanying him to California. I've already explained about Agent Mulder's unexplained disappearance." Scully turned to the man who was just standing. Holding out her hand to him, she noticed how cuddly he was. He was about five foot seven, with curly red hair. His eyes were kind, and she felt immediately at ease with him. "Mr. Pakard, Agent Doggett and I will be happy to come to California with you. I met your friends only briefly during their daughters disappearance, but Agent Mulder and I worked the case together. I am just very sorry that Agent Mulder can't be here, but I am hopeful he will return..soon.." Scully glanced at Doggett with pleading in her eyes. She didn't want her outburst in the office common knowledge. A small nod of his head had her breathing again. He would keep her secret. "This is Agent Doggett, my partner!" The two men shook hands. "Well...I have tickets in order, agents, so maybe we can leave as soon as you can get packed. Who lives closest? We can stop there first!" queried Mr. Pakard. "Well, actually, I already have a bag packed..always do in case of emergencies." stated Agent Doggett. "Agent Scully?" "Well, actually I don't. So I guess we can head straight to my apartment. It's in Georgetown, do you know it??" she asked, glancing at Doggett. "No problem...Thank you Deputy Director Kersh for your prompt take in this matter. The LaPierres are most grateful for all the help they can get. Amber Lynn is their life, and having her back is wonderful..but they want to know where she was and hopefully if they can figure this out, they will be better able to help her recover!" "Good Luck Mr. Pakard! Agent Scully, Agent Doggett...I will expect to hear from you when you arrive and I want to be kept abreast of the circumstances surrounding this case. You have two weeks to work on it, so do your best!" "Of course, Deputy Director, we will give it our best shot!" Agent Doggett said with conviction. Scully only wished she felt so convinced they would find answers for these people. She only wished she could find answers of her own. Mulder life depended on it!! ---------------------- The flight out to California was one of silence. It was impossible to even think of the possibilities of what they might learn, let alone speak of them. Scully was growing very tired of all the verbal clashing she and Agent Doggett had been sharing. Her body and mind ached with fatigue and she felt so stressed and brittle inside, that it scared her. She must remain strong, she must not break into the thousands of tiny pieces she knew she was ready to shatter into. Doggett kept looking in her direction, trying to get into her head..to know what was going on in there, but as always, he was coming up against a brick wall. Mr. Pakard, on the other hand, was silent due to the sleep aid he had taken before liftoff. Flying always made him nervous..so sleeping through the experience was his only choice. Arriving at the hospital, where Amber Lynn was being held, felt like an anti-climax to Scully.. Agent Doggett was just curious about the girl and her condition. Scully knew he did not really believe Agent Mulder's case report about her; he was looking at it through the eyes of a dedicated cop. A cop who had worked child abductions in the past and would settle only on the complete truth of the incident. He was not about to be caught up in any mumbo jumbo crazy ideas. Unfortunately, that was Scully's department now, and one she was still not comfortable with. "Agent Scully? Is it you? Where is Agent Mulder?" A woman came forward, hand extended in greeting. Amber Lynn's mother, while still a beautiful woman, had aged since Scully had last seen her. The loss of a child could have that effect. Scully knew from experience!! "Mrs. LaPierre, I am very sorry to tell you that Agent Mulder couldn't be here. I would like to introduce you to Special Agent John Doggett. He is my partner now and works with me on the X-Files. Can you tell us what exactly happened and how you found Amber Lynn?? How is she doing?" Mrs. LaPierre's eyes filled and still holding Scully's hand, she motioned Scully and Doggett to a waiting room, situated outside Amber Lynn's hospital room. She seemed to consider Scully a life line of sorts, as if by holding onto her, she would hold on to her sanity. "I don't know if you knew, Agent Scully, but my husband and I have been parted for some time, now. The strain of losing Amber Lynn was too much for us to bear, and we just sort of fell apart. I prayed so many times for her to come back to us, so we could be a family again....I just never knew it would really happen. Our baby girl is back...but she's very sick, and we just don't know how to help her. The doctors are stumped. I only hoped Agent Mulder and you could help us find the answers." Doggett looked from one woman to the other and a funny look crossed his face. "Mrs. LaPierre, could you please take us through this one step at a time?? I want the facts, as they happened, and we gotta try to keep on track. There are clues that we must find if we're to figure out what really happened to Amber Lynn. I've worked child abduction cases in New Orleans, and I know there are always certain patterns that are used. Our job is to find out what pattern fits Amber Lynn." "Oh..I'm sorry, Agent Doggett, I didn't mean to shut you out!! It's just been a very trying time for me and when Amber Lynn reappeared so suddenly, all I could think of was Agent Mulder. Where is he?" "Agent Mulder was abducted last spring. We have an ongoing task force dedicated to finding Agent Mulder, and I am certain we will find him. Everything has a pattern, in my experience, and we just have to find it!" Doggett assured her. "Now, tell us everything!" "Well, I hardly know where to start. I don't know how to explain it, but then I didn't know how to explain her abduction, either. I was in my bedroom, when I felt a vibration of sorts. It wasn't so much a shaking of the ground, but more a shift in the very air around me. A strange light filled the room, sort of orangy and glowing. Not like a bright light, more like a soft light. I know this is difficult for you to understand, but .....!" "Don't worry about how strange it sounds, Mrs. LaPierre," assured Scully, "We see many strange things in the X-Files...right Agent Doggett?" "Oh....right....lots of strange things! Please continue, Mrs. LaPierre." Biting her lip in concentration, she continued. "Well, I have been living alone for about three months, ever since my husband moved out, so I knew that someone or something was in the house. I left my room and moved down the hall, towards Amber Lynns bedroom....and there under her door, was the strange light. It sort of pulsed....you know?? I tried to open the door, but the handle was very hot and I burned my palm...see?" She held up her hand and sure enough, there was a circular burn on it...blistering and sore looking. "I ran to the kitchen for an oven mitt and managed to open the door...and there she was. Laying on her bed, just like we left her all those months ago. At first I thought I was dreaming..sleepwalking or something..but when I felt her hair and held her, I knew it was REAL. Amber Lynn was returned to us through my prayers..I just know it, Agent Scully." "Did you find anything in her bedroom that may explain how she just appeared in her bed?? Was the window open..doors locked?? Anything?" "Nothing, Agent Doggett. I swear to you, that this was God's work. He took Amber Lynn to protect her from harm, and returned her when she would be safe. When they caught that man who had done all those abductions and murders...God saw fit to return our little girl. I know this seems crazy, but I know that's how it was....Agent Mulder knew, too!" "We would like to see the little girl, if we could. Talk to her if we may, and see what she can tell us. Do object to this, Mrs. LaPierre?" "Of course I don't...Agent Scully....it's just that Amber Lynn hasn't spoken a word since her return. She is in serious condition and although she will recover, her doctors say she may be traumatized for a long time. We just don't know when or if she will speak again!" Scully and Doggett exchanged looks, and together stood and entered the hospital room. Inside was filled with flowers and stuffed animals. In the middle of the room a very small, still form was resting in a semi-upright position. Amber Lynn seemed to be sleeping..but her eyes were open. Advancing toward the bed, Scully took the little hand in hers and rubbed it. It was so small and cold...as if the very life had been sucked out of her. She seemed like a shell, instead of a living, breathing little girl. As she stood looking down at Amber Lynn, another image materialized in front of her. Instead of Amber Lynn laying on the bed, it was Mulder, and he was staring at Scully and saying something. As suddenly as he appeared, he vanished, and Scully was left with an empty feeling inside her. Feeling eyes on her, she turned her head to Doggett and said, "Did you see him, too?" Doggett looked puzzled, "Seen who, Agent Scully?" "Never mind...nothing..no one....Agent Doggett, I don't really know what we can do in this case. We have already gone over the crime scene and found nothing. Whoever took this little girl, returned her unhurt, physically, but finding out what's going on inside her head...the damage done there..is impossible. We cannot communicate with her in this condition. Do you have any suggestions??" "Well, I say we go back to the motel and look over the old case file, again. Maybe we missed something. If someone took her and returned her, you can be sure there will be a pattern to locate. Find the pattern, find the perp. On this I'll bet my life !" Back at the hotel, Doggett lay on his bed, shirt unbuttoned, and shoes off. He was reviewing the case report Mulder had submitted. If it hadn't been for his very own sighting of Mulder in the office that night, he would have laughed the whole thing off. How rediculious it all would seem to any sound person....but Doggett was starting to think that Fox Mulder wasn't the only spooky agent working X-File cases. He was starting to get spooked himself. Closing his eyes, he visualized Agent Scully, as she looked this morning when he had given her the news about Amber Lynn's miraculous return. Even now, his stomach clenched, remembering. Damned Fox Mulder to Hell and back. Doggett was even more dedicated to find him, even if it was just to get Dana Scully to realize that the world didn't have to revolve around the man. There was so much more to life than pining after a man who didn't want to be found or commit himself to anyone. Rising from the bed, Doggett searched out his shoes and knocked on the adjoining door. Scully was brushing her teeth when the knock sounded, and with toothbrush still in hand, she went to the door and opened it. "What is it Agent Doggett??" "I want you to tell me what you saw today in Amber Lynn's room, Agent Scully. Did you see Agent Mulder?? Look, if we are going to solve this case and find Mulder, we have to start being more open with each other...no more secrets. I want to find him, too, Agent Scully, just maybe not for the same reasons you do!" Scully turned back towards the bathroom and finished brushing her teeth. The nerve of this man. What could she possibly tell him that he would believe. He thought she was half nuts as it was, and she could see no way to tell him what she believed to be true..and have him understand. Returning to the room, she was surprised to see him looking at her notes left on her bed. Fury rose inside her, and she stormed across the room and snatched the notebook from his fingers. "Just what are you doing, Agent Doggett?? You have no right to be looking at my stuff. How can we work together if you keep stepping over the boundries?? If I have anything to share with you regarding this or any other case, I'll show you....but otherwise, stay out of my business!" "Well, see, this is just what I'm talking about. Because looking at those notes, I can't help but think that you have a private agenda going here. Just who were you planning to meet at that there address you wrote down...where did you get that address...Agent Scully, you have to stop taking off and ditching me like this. If you were to get hurt or in an impossible situation, how could I find you to help you. Let's not forget the last time you ditched me!" Scully looked very uncomfortable as she remembered the slug incident. She felt shame wash over her. She knew she was being unprofessional here, but honest to God, she was so confused. Mulder would have jumped at this stuff, but Agent Doggett?? He just didn't !! "OK...I know you are just going to roll your eyes at me and spout statistics, believe me I once did the very same thing. But you have to listen and if you really want to help me on this, try to stay open. Today in Amber Lynn's room, I saw Mulder...and he mouthed the word SANTA to me. If you've read the case file, you know that he was referring to Santa's Village on Route 74. I have to go back there...it's where I'll find answers and maybe Mulder. Now whether or not you agree, I am going there...don't even try to talk me out of it!" "7:00 am, sound good to you?" He asked. "What do you mean??" she replied "We leave first thing in the morning. Remember, Agent Scully, I saw him, too, and there is a possibility he was trying to tell me something, too. I just didn't get it...You did. Get some rest, and tomorrow we'll see what happens!" Looking at the man in front of her, shirt undone, and eyes locked on hers, she felt something stir in her.....hope! Maybe there was hope for them all, yet. "7:00 would be fine...tomorrow, Agent Doggett!" He turned and walked through the door, closing it gently behind him. This time it was Agent Scully left standing with her mouth opened and the image of John Doggett in her head. A knock at the door was what woke Scully next morning. Struggling to sit up, she instinctively cradled her stomach with her hand. Looking down, she stroked the swell that was now showing. Maybe today would be the day they found Mulder. She felt hope rearing it's head. Swinging her legs to the floor she stood and opened the door leading to Doggett's room. A very surprised Agent Doggett stood on the other side, and for a moment, Scully was puzzled as to the look on his face. "Ahh..Good morning, Agent Scully, I thought you would be ready to go by now...I'll give you a few more minutes....OK??" stuttered Doggett. "I overslept, Agent...sorry about that..is there anything wrong?? You seem a little nervous." asked Scully, with a raised eyebrow.. "Nervous.....nawww...just..you know...it's not every day I get greeted by you wearing just your silk PJ's. Not that I don't like the look...but I just wasn't expecting it" Before Scully could react to his words, he was turning toward the door of his hotel room, "I'll meet you in the restaurant. We'd best eat before heading out, Agent Scully. I'm no good on an empty stomach!" Once more looking down, Scully's face burned as she realized she was in bare feet, with most of the buttons on her top undone. She had the most restless sleep ever, last night, and she looked it. "Lord, please let this day shape up to be a good one...please??" Prayed Scully. Closing the door she headed for the shower and sanity. The hot water felt wonderful and after working a lather into her hair, she stood under the hot spray for ten long minutes. Not daring to keep Doggett waiting any longer she reluctantly stepped from the shower, her hand searching for a towel. Surprised when it landed perfectly in her hand, her eyes snapped open to find Amber Lynn's mother in the room. "Mrs. LaPierre, what's happened, is it Amber Lynn?? What are you doing here?" questioned a flustered Scully, draping the towel over her naked body. "Agent Doggett is in the restaurant and I'm meeting him there for breakfast...why don't you go there and I'll meet you in a few minutes?" "Agent Scully, I'm sorry to barge in, but I just had to see you. I sat with Amber Lynn all last night, and once, in her sleep, I thought I heard her mumble a word. It may mean something to you. Agent Scully, she said "santa". I know it means something...something to do with that terrible place on Route 74. I had to tell you...I don't know what else to do!" Scully walked toward the shaking woman and putting an arm around her, hugged her for comfort. "Come to the bedroom, and I'll call Agent Doggett to come and meet you. It won't take a second." Sitting the crying mother on the bed, Scully rang Doggett's cell number and waited for him to answer. "Doggett here!" "Yes, Agent Doggett, it's me...I have Amber Lynn's mother here at my room, and I need you to come and walk her to the restaurant with you. I'll meet you in a few minutes. I'm still not quite ready." "I'll be right there. Oh...I ordered the working man's breakfast for you, Agent Scully...I figured you could use it!" his voice was smiling as he said it. Scully opened the door when she saw Doggett approach, and once again was met with his shocked stare. "Agent Doggett...please..I know you're not used to seeing me in a towel...but you will get over it..trust me. Mrs. LaPierre had a bad night and she needs to talk. Take her with you and I'll be right there..I promise." Doggett couldn't help but look at her. She was so beautiful.. with her hair wet and curling from the shower. Her skin glistened from the water, and her eyes seemed deeper blue than ever. Christ...how was he supposed to concentrate on this case if she kept greeting him at the door half dressed?? Swallowing ...hard...he motioned for Mrs. LaPierre to join him. Together they walked to the restaurant. Seating Mrs. LaPierre, and making sure she had a coffee, Doggett proceeded to draw her out. "Can you tell me what was so urgent that you came here this morning, Mrs. LaPierre?? Did Amber Lynn speak?" "Well, Agent Doggett, only in her sleep, like she was dreaming...but after all that has happened, I couldn't just ignore it. I think she was trying to tell me something. Does the word "santa" mean anything to you?" "Well, Agent Scully and I are heading out to that Santa's Village place this morning. She feels it has significance and we are going to just check it out again. I've never been there, myself, and maybe I'll see things other's overlooked. Anything's possible! Why don't you come on out with us..if it's not too distressing for you? I think visiting the scene may help you to deal with what has happened to Amber Lynn and may help put old ghosts to rest ." She bit her nail and shook her head, "I don't know if I could, Agent Doggett, it seems so soon and that place will be full of terrible feelings, I just know it!" Reaching for the hand she was fast chewing to the quick, Doggett said, "It's been my experience, that the best way to deal with our fears, is to face them. Amber Lynn cannot be hurt by this man ever again. If this is a chance to help you understand her illness, then I think it is worth the risk to visit this place, and maybe find the key to helping her recover. If you feel she was trying to tell you something, this could be it!" They both looked up, startled as Scully breezed into the restaurant, turning heads as she went. Doggett noticed how that happened a lot when Scully was with him. Kind of made it hard to keep a low profile, when your partner was a knockout!! Sitting down to a big breakfast, they ate and discussed the day ahead of them. Scully thought it was a very good idea to have Mrs. LaPierre along for the ride. Maybe between the three of them, they could find some answers. If they couldn't Mulder, at least they could unlock the mystery to Amber Lynn's disappearance and her silence. As they neared the turnoff to the attraction, which was now closed, they could all feel tension seep into the car. They talked about Amber Lynn and how she had been returned to her bedroom, and how no one could really make sense of it. Scully talked of the "Walk ins" that Mulder had seen, and how maybe they really did exist. And if this were so, maybe they took Amber Lynn to protect her from being kidnaped and returned her when they knew she would be safe. "Well, I guess what I'm trying to say, is that anything is possible. This isn't a normal case or a normal happening. We may have to open ourselves to the possibility that maybe forces beyond our understanding were at work here. Mulder certainly believed it, and seeing what I've seen recently, I'm starting to believe, too!" Spoke Scully, in hushed tones. Agent Doggett glanced at her, and wondered. Making up his mind, he said, "Mrs. LaPierre, Agent Scully and I have both seen Agent Mulder as a "walk in" and we know that it must have been the same thing you saw. You are not alone, here, and if three people have seen these people in whatever form they come in, it must be real...no matter how unreal it may seem to others. We have to take comfort from that and hope for the best!" Silence descended in the car and remained for the rest of the journey. Arriving at their destination, they all sat for a moment, taking in the feel of the place. Satisfied that there seemed to be no bad vibes surrounding the place, they began a careful search . Keeping each other in sight, they went over every inch of the buildings and surrounding grounds. Finally they all walked to the field behind the buildings, where the bodies of the children were found. It was a sad, eerie walk, and each of them were bombarded with images of little children, laughing and playing. The images came unbidden, and seemed so out of place, considering this was where their lives ended. Mrs. LaPierre was openly crying, as was Scully, but Agent Doggett was just struck dumb by the pictures his mind was drumming up. He didn't know what to make of it. Looking over at Scully, he could see that she, too, was struggling with what her mind's eye was seeing. A gasp from Mrs. LaPierre, had them both jolting out of their stupor and running over towards her. "What's the matter...have you found something, or seen something?" Scully demanded. She took hold of the woman and gave her a little shake, for she seemed lost in another time and place. "I see him...Agent Scully...I see him!" Scully hardly dared to believe what she knew would be the next words out of Mrs. LaPierre's mouth. "Who do you see..tell me!" "Agent Mulder....he's with the other children. He's looking right at you, Agent Scully!" Scully pressed her hand to her mouth and turned in circles, searching for him. A sob escaped her when she couldn't see him. "Why can't I see him.....why can't I feel him? What is he doing...is he hurt or in pain?" Shaking her head, Mrs. LaPierre smiled. "No, he isn't hurt, he looks fine, and, Agent Scully he's smiling. It...it's like he's trying to let you know he's OK. I think he is saying for you not to worry....that he'll return to you..but not now, not at this time. He's need to stay where he is" "Can you see him saying that to you?? Is his mouth moving?" asked Scully. "It's more of a feeling that is pouring from him. He's also telling me, that Amber Lynn will be just fine...that in time, she will be well again, and have only good memories of her time in the starlight. He says not to be afraid, for yourself or the baby....What's he talking about, Agent Scully? What baby?" A small smile formed on Scully's lips at these words. And a peace flowed through her body. It was true, Mulder really was OK. He knew about the baby, and that made her even more certain that she wasn't crazy..that none of them were crazy. They really did see walk ins, and they really did exist. This last message from Mulder left her in no doubt. "Agent Doggett, I think we just found the answers we were searching for. Amber Lynn will recover, and Mulder will return...when I don't know, but I feel it will happen. I just have to be patient and, when the time is right for him to leave this place, he will come home again." Doggett knew it would be unbelievable to everyone else, but he was certain that what Scully said was the truth. Walking to the two women, who were hugging each other, he encircled them both with his arms and began walking them back to the car. It had been a day, nawww..make that a week, of crazy stuff and even crazier discoveries....and even though he felt certain that it was true...it was still going to be a bitch to write up for Kersh. He had a feeling the shit was going to hit the fan when they returned to Washington. But he wasn't going to think about that now. Right now, he was going to enjoy the company of two very beautiful ladies and take them to dinner. He had a feeling they would talk well into the morning about their discoveries today, and he was actually looking forward to it. Not too bad for a down to earth NYPD Cop. Stopping just before she climbed in the car, Agent Scully put her hand on Doggett's arm. "I just want to thank you for being with me on this, Agent Doggett, and for keeping an open mind. I know you're worried about Kersh, but I'll back up whatever you write in your report. I want you to know, that you have really come a long way since I first met you. I think Mulder would like you!" Smiling down at Scully, he couldn't help but notice what a pretty picture she made. "I think I would like Mulder, too, Agent Scully. But I can't help being a little bit jealous of him. He sure picked a winner, when he picked you. I hope he lives up to your faith in him. Nawww..don't look at me like that..Agent Scully...I only meant that you're a great partner, and while he is gone, I'll look out for you. And when Agent Mulder returns, I'll step aside and let him reclaim his rightful place beside you. I only hope he knows what a wonder you are and will think twice about ditching you again!" "Don't worry, Agent, I won't let him ditch me again. This time, I'll call the shots!" She said smiling. "OK, where to for supper, and I'm buying!" Shouted Doggett Needless to say, ride back was not a silent one, and the sun was coming up when they finally parted ways. Amber Lynn was awake when her mother returned to the hospital room next morning and it looked like she had come out of her waking sleep. "Well," Doggett said to Scully, "At least that is one thing I can write up that Kersh will understand. Thank God for that. As for the rest....well...I am not going to go there...You Agent Scully?" "No way..I'm not going to go there, either, Agent! Now we had better get going, we have a plane to catch...Let's go home, Agent Doggett!" "Yeah...Let's go home!" He replied. ................ The End.