Guardians Book III: Wrestling Illusions - The Collector's Edition
by Junko Mitani
<mitani3@beige.ocn.ne.jp>

Rating: PG-13

Fairfield Central Hospital
Mulder's Room 9 AM


	"Agent Scully, you have no idea what this is doing to the case."
The federal prosecutor Mitch Warren curtly declared and slammed shut his
briefcase. Skinner massaged the bridge of his nose, lifting his eyeglasses with
the tip of his thumb. Scully stared at her hand and when she looked toward Jake,
she saw that his fingernails became the focus of his life.

	"I'm sorry, sir. If we had any way to avoid this situation..."
Scully began but the man stopped her by his raised hand.

	"Don't bother. At least you've told me. You cannot commit perjury
in the federal court at all cost. I won't allow that as I've been telling you.
Mr. Kathler, your deposition will be given by you, and as yourself. The same
goes for Agent Mulder. And I don't give a damn what objections he may have. It's
his mess, he better clean it up." Jake winced at the man's tone, remembering one
of his business partners' remark when he brought Vera into the heated office
meeting.

	"We've already been scheduled for pre-trial settlement meeting to
determine whether we can keep this mess out of the courts."

	"No." Jake and Scully declared simultaneously, getting showered
with Skinner's outrage.

	"If we settle this first case out of the court, there'll be a
greater chance for the other charges to be dropped or lost. If we put the
fullest weight of the law on this one, the rest will move along with the
seriousness that these cases deserve." Scully replied, aiming Warren a gaze fit
for a pair of daggers.

	"It'll glorify your career, I'm sure." Jake tipped in.

	"What about the paperwork for the cancer treatment that you talked
about? Is it going through the FDA trials?" The man asked, his eyes declaring
Skinner as the safer target.

	"They are notified. As for who gets to pursue it, I've
no clue." Skinner kept his arms crossed in front of his chest.

	"I'm sure it'll be a huge hit among medical communities." Scully
added, wanting Warren to move quicker and leave. She and Jake still had
Skinner's pending wrath to deal with. Both of them were still surprised Skinner
went along with their initial plan, which meant Skinner was no less desperate
than they were in this infinitely delicate situation. She hoped Mulder and his
mother were all right. 'Who knows what kind of accusations and sparks are flying
in there within Vera's earshot?' Scully half-expected to see Mulder shuttered
in pieces as she walked back to Vera's room. The guards informed her of Tina
Mulder's departure a few hours ago. Scully nodded a thanks, and opened the door
with a heavy heart. She had no energy to shoulder Mulder's emotional burden any
time soon. But instead, she was greeted by a firm embrace and the warmest of
smiles manageable from him, topped by a kiss on her forehead. She widened her
eyes and returned the gesture.

	"Mulder, I take it your meeting went well. Oh, you look exhausted."
Scully picked up her briefcase off of the floor, still stunned.
Mulder guided her to the chair beside the bed.

	"Hi, Dana. Fox's okay now." Vera said as she reached for her.
Scully smiled, and gave Vera a good morning hug.

	"So I see. " Scully said, and sat down in the offered chair.
Mulder was writing furiously.

	"Fox and Mrs. Mulder were up all night talking. Well, you know
what I mean." Vera said, and sat up. Mulder handed Scully a note.

	"We've been exchanging nothing but pleasant and pretentious
comments until after about six hours, which was when Vera fell asleep. The devil
in me grew horns along with a fashionable tail, and I began to push her. I
didn't mean to start any interrogation, but it couldn't be helped. We've said a
few things that made us both cry. But I apologized, and we danced together hand
in hand for the first time, to soft classical jazz. That went on for hours until
the nurse came in and embarrassed us. Mom left quicker than a thief." Scully
gasped at his last statement.

	"Mulder! I told you..." Scully's words were cut short when he
pressed his index finger on her lips, effectively shutting her up. He soon
handed her another note.

	"I told you, we made up. And, she promised me she'll tell me the
truth when she was ready. Plus, the son of a bitch hadn't been in touch with
her. That's the best I could hope for from this, Scully. Anyway, how were you?"

	"All right. By the way, you may have to learn to sign."

	Mulder wanted to shout in shock, but his scream of pain would have
to do. "I've been up all morning and last night working on our battle plans in
courts. I wasn't working on the serum reports like I told you. It was not a
complete lie, but I'm still guilty. You've got no right to spit nails on me,
though." Scully watched Mulder's expression change from hurt to surprise to
understanding. She waited for his next response.

	"I knew you weren't letting on as much as I wanted you to. Let me
guess. You've been up all night trying to decide with Jake if you should
continue with the undercover plan and pretend he's me. Then, your good Scully
conscience kicked in, and it told you to let everything out in the open so the
cases remain legitimate. You fished for a good excuse to make me go with you on
this, and decided on telling me if we all went with it, we won't be thrown into
jail for perjury."

	"Right on, Sherlock." Scully replied, raising her eye brows.
Mulder nodded, and began to write, pausing for a moment to rub his aching hand.
But when Scully expressed her concerns, he insisted on keep writing.

	"It's from writing for about twelve hours nearly non-stop. I put
some ice on the hand to cool it down, and I've taken anti-inflammatory pills
along with my other medications. I'm fine, Scully. The flu's almost gone and I
can leave here pretty soon. The evidence we've been holding will be in the
direct custody of the courts. Then, Jake's loft won't be needed as a warehouse.
Anyway, you'll have to tell me what we'll be doing. What's the plan?"

	"Well, Mulder. You've got a lot to listen." She began snapping
open the briefcase. Mulder was about to start writing again when Jake knocked on
the door.

	"Hi, Mulder. What's up?" Scully said, indicating the opened door
and the guard outside. But soon she recognized Jake's look. He'd been summoned
by Skinner out of her or Mulder's presence. Mulder recognized the sign, too.

	"Skinner just ordered you two to bed until dinner time. He knows
we've been up all night, and he also knows Mrs. Mulder visited you. You ought to
go back to Mulder's room, or he'll have my ass for a punching bag. He's been
advised by the doctors to keep Mulder in bed, and Skinner doesn't want anyone
questioning his professional conduct or his work ethics for treating their
patient this way."

	"Oh." Scully snapped the briefcase shut again. This wasn't what
either of them expected to hear, but Scully knew Mulder needed the rest. Mulder
shrugged, and stood up a little stiffly. Scully noticed it, but was met with his
"I'm fine" look and decided to let it pass.


Fairfield Central Hospital Main Lobby
Noon Same Day



	Scully glanced at the man who was arguing with another agent at
downstairs lobby on her way to the gift shop.

	"What's the problem here, agent?" Scully asked the young agent
then to a middle aged, stressed-out small man waving papers at the younger man.
Registering Scully's presence, he straightened himself and handed her the folder
he was holding.

	"What's this? Financial statements?" Her eyes narrowed. The man
nodded, clearly frustrated that he'd have to restart the explanation.

	"Yes, I need to see Jake Kathler. Now." It was more the tone he
used than the blunt words that hardened her expression.

	"He has been admitted with a critical condition..."

	"Yeah, yeah. I know, and that's why I had to see him right away.
Or, his colleagues will have no choice but to cut him out of the firm."

	"Medical cost?" She asked, grimacing at the numbers decorating the
papers.

	"Yes. He did get the deal for the cruise ship and the shopping
mall to be built by the French firm last time, but he hasn't delivered them to
us yet. The cruise contract was for Mr. Kathler only. The girl had no health
insurance since she was an orphan, and unless he's willing to start getting rid
of his assets or mortgaging..."

	"Hold on, sir. I'm personally assigned to protect Vera Kathler,
and I know Jake's going to want to hear this. But for now, will you talk to
Special Agent Fox Mulder? He's the closest to your client in more ways than one.
I'll take you to him right now, and we'll get everything taken care of. Okay?"
Scully had to get out of the younger man's earshot. She thanked the young agent,
and led their way to the elevator. This man needed to learn the truth, or Jake
will have to put up with an added humiliation of having Mulder see his financial
statements. Just from the cursory glance, she could see how much Jake had to
sacrifice just by financial means. His own medical bills was pea-size compared
to Vera's. Looking at these files alone, she could see how lucky she was to have
the FBI on her back to pay for her cancer treatment. On the way to Vera's room,
she explained in general what their plans were. Aaron Brace rounded his eyes,
but quickly nodded as they entered Vera's room. The guard let them in, and Brace
greeted Jake as "Agent Mulder" until the door was closed again, and the three
huddled around the bed for a private talk.

	"It's all right, Jake. He knows. And, you should hear what this
man has to say." Scully told Jake before excusing herself and Vera out of the
room for a little fresh air in the lobby. The guard hesitated but agreed after
Scully suggested he accompany them.

	"They need a little privacy." Scully declared finality. She then
felt a tug on her arm.

	"Jake's in trouble, isn't he?" Vera's gaze spared no room for a
lie. Scully nodded.

	"Yes, and he'll do whatever he thinks is the best to solve it."

	"I know it has to do with his money, the house, and the car."

	"Is that what you read from the man?" Silently damning Brace,
Scully decided not to volunteer any information.

	"And something about a ship." 'Hold on, Dana!' Scully ordered
herself. She wasn't going to surrender her composure.

	"Do you like ships?" She attempted a change of subject.

	"Big ones." 'This isn't helping' Scully thought. Of course cruise
ships are big. Then, her Ahab came to mind.

	"My father was in a Navy. He sailed a lot. He went on and sailed
all the seven seas. Mulder gets sea sick, so I don't suggest his going on it
again." Vera looked toward the guard again, making sure they were far enough.

	"I'm worried about Jake. He looked scared when that man walked
in."

	"Well, there's another man protecting him outside, remember? He'll
be fine, Vera."

	"But, I don't know about this time. Can you help him?" Her
pleading look made her heart muscles contracted too fast, too much. She
swallowed.

	"Skinner maybe able to pull some strings, but I honestly don't
know. Mulder maybe of some help, too. But, I just don't know." Scully didn't
dare try to get into Fox Mulder's inheritance from his father. He had, Scully
guessed, a significant amount of it. He just hadn't thought about touching it
because of the dysfunctional relationship they shared. And, the inheritance was
only a reminder of the reasons why Bill Mulder was murdered in the first place.
'Must've taken a lot to silence a State Department employee for decades besides
Samantha's abduction.' Scully thought bitterly. She was about to fetch another
cup of coffee when Brace left Vera's room and Jake in Mulder's suit followed
after, waving them over to him.

	"Be easy on Jake." Scully smiled and saw Vera walk away with the
guard. Scully needed to return to Mulder's room, and she knew the Kathlers
needed to be alone.

	To be realistic, after they found out there was absolutely no
miracle happening for Vera, Jake and the doctors had only been rearranging
Vera's death bed. The question was, how far can Jake go? Even after mortgaging
everything he owned, including the profit he gets from the firm's market stocks.
If the firm hadn't kicked him out before that happened - he may still not catch
up even after the cruise ship's blue-print fee came, sold all his computers and
related equipment, furniture, and laying Elly off. With all the troubles that
surrounded the Kathlers, Scully couldn't imagine what losing Elly would do to
Jake. Elly was practically serving the role of a surrogate mother to Jake and
Vera. Once Jake is forced to file for bankruptcy, Scully was sure Jake's firm
would cut him off completely and he'd have to not only move, but look for
another job.

	She took out her phone, and called her own mother before discussing
the issue with her partner. She didn't mean to delay the discussion
with Mulder, but she wasn't so sure if arranging Vera's death bed with Jake
would be of his option. 'Besides', she thought as she heard the phone summon her
mother. 'It's only temporary. Until we get to the civil court'. She didn't tell
Margaret that the money was needed for the dying girl. She explained as much as
she could, stressing to her mother that it was a temporary loan until they get
to the civil courts. Then, she'll even double the return price. Maggie told Dana
not to worry, that she knew what she could find out about the case.

	"I know a dying girl's battling with the same cancer you have. You
don't have to say anything, and I know she's a valuable witness." 'Maybe Mulder
was right', Scully thought. 'She can find out just about anything.' She rained
her mother with thank-you's and I-love-you's before letting her go. Next, she
placed a call to Skinner, who groaned and mumbled something about needing to be
in contact with the director and the financial department of the Bureau.

	"If that doesn't work", he added before hanging up, "then I'll
think of something."

	Finally, it was time to talk to Fox Mulder. He was still reviewing
the hypnosis session notes when she knocked on the door. Mulder patted on an
empty chair for her to sit, and returned to work. Scully contemplated on how to
break the news to Mulder. He was engrossed in work, but raised his head once he
took in her obvious discomfort and silence.

	"Mulder, we need to talk." He nodded, and pulled out his notepad
for a talk.

	"About?" This broke the ice. Scully detailed what she read on the
financial statement, and about her little fund-raising campaign. Mulder's
eyebrows jumped once he figured out what she was getting at.

	"Stop, Dana." He wrote, and pushed the notepad toward her. She
fell silent, and stared at her clasped hands. Then she saw Mulder's left hand
reaching to cover them. He kept writing with the right hand, precariously
securing the notepad in balance with his left elbow. "Dana? I understand how you
feel, but the guy's got high integrity. He won't go for this. Even now, it's
emotionally taxing for the guy, because his daughter's dying. If we help him
like this, without his asking or even to have the knowledge of it - guess what
that does to the man."

	"What? Are you telling me that we should just give up, and watch
him lose everything - literally everything, in front of his eyes for doing the
right things?!" Her eyes held a flush of anger, and Mulder sighed deeply. This
wasn't his intention. He shook his head no for an answer, and took one of her in
his left.

	"Scully, if I was in Jake's shoes and suddenly had people around
me tossing me free money..."

	"Loan, Mulder. Loan." Scully didn't let him finish.

	"Whatever. ...I'd still grind my teeth and refuse it."

	"He's not you."

	"Yeah. Believe or not, he's a whole lot more stubborn than I am in
some issues, and this is one of them. He knows the bottom line, Scully. If he
asks for it, I sure will get him what I can. But, I think you should call the
whole thing's off. At least until Jake asks for it himself, and it'll be
voluntary."

	"I may have been a little too impulsive." She settled down, and
raised her eyes to meet his serious ones.

	"I know how you feel close to Vera, but... I think you just
panicked, and lost your head for a while. Contact Skinner and your mother at
least to get the plan called off."

	"Skinner maybe able to pull some strings for the part of it, and I
think he's already on top of it. I'll leave him to where he is, but I sure will
let my mother know." She continued as she took out her phone. Maggie asked
repeatedly if she was sure that was what she really wanted. And again, Margaret
smothered Dana with the word of encouragement and love.

	"But remember, Scully. If it's his voluntary request, I'll do what
I can." Mulder wrote that much and squeezed her hands again. She could get used
to this. Mulder used his body language more in place of his voice. She laughed
briefly and excused herself to take a little stroll around the hospital floors.
She would have to go see Jake in a little while to get facts straight from him.

	Half an hour later, Skinner called her back and completed the
unpleasant task of delivering a "no".

	"It's all right, sir. I was just panicking, anyway. And Vera's
getting the best of the care in here as she would practically anywhere. Unless
they start kicking Vera out of this hospital, I think we can just stay cool.
Mulder's willing to do what he can, but Jake has to come to him for help first."
Mulder was listening to her intently, staring off to somewhere far away.


Fairfield Central Hospital Executive Conference Room
8 PM Same Day



	Skinner had been right to call for an emergency meeting with the
entire oncology department and Scully's oncologist who took the first flight out
of Georgetown that day because of a supposed discovery made in his lab two days
ago. None of Skinner's agents were notified of the meeting or the doctor's
return to Fairfield for security reasons.

	"Are you sure about this?" Skinner asked the department chief. The
man nodded, pointing out the report he typed up during his flight and had printed
up in the office printer. It was clear and simple. The serum won't work on Dana
Scully nor Vera Kathler.

	"Yes, sir. I've contacted two other test subjects that Dr.
Claiborne and Mr. Shaw found through their personal channels. It was Dr.
Claiborne's idea to keep this a secret from any of you. His intentions were
nothing negative, mind you. This was his problem for a long time, but he just
couldn't quite put his finger down. We've had an on-line meeting before I began
testing his theories with Agent Scully and Miss Jarvis's samples you handed to
us for further reference. I need to actually run this test on both of them to be
absolutely sure, but I believe the branched DNA they both acquired worked to
diminish the serum's function to zero. It seemed to work on Miss Kathler at a
point, but it probably was a coincidence. That, when the tumor's growth slowed
down, it wasn't due to the serum. These things are known to happen, though it's
not so common."

	"And your other patients including Clive Shaw, are on their way to
a complete recovery after the treatment?" Skinner swallowed a chunk of air, too
fast. The doctor gave Skinner a sympathetic look, but he nodded in affirmation.
Skinner exhaled deeply, enough to make him feel as though his lungs were being
exhaled with the air. Zero hope for the very two people they strove to cure.
And full of hope for the rest of the abductees. The situation couldn't have been
more ironic. "Are you telling me  their branched DNA is the only thing that
interfered with the serum's function?"

	"Yes, sir. We'll still go for the general release of this serum
for the cancer patients with similar or identical medical history and
experiences. But we won't risk testing it on Agent Scully, nor Miss Jarvis. We
know so little about it, that if we tried the treatment on them, there is no
telling what will happen. Their system may show resistance enough to risk
weakening their immune system. You knew about Miss Jarvis, didn't you?" The
man's expression darkened at Skinner's nod.

	"Yes, we knew she was probably too late. We've known for some time
that her tumor wasn't hereditary nor acquired, but a combination of both. During
her first abduction, she had her inherited cancer gene somehow modified to
develop into the tumor she now suffers from. During her second abduction, this
modified tumor was made to accelerate its growth rate and she was given the
branched DNA. This is a knowledge my team shares. But for Agent Scully, we've
been holding back the start of the treatment in fear of the treatment causing
her recovery a further setback."

	"Well, I appreciate your concern, because it would do nothing but
give her the side-effects. We should still go for the general public release of
this serum. There'll be a representative from the FDA arriving here tomorrow for
assessment. We'll need both the Assistant Director and Agent Scully." The
oncologist replied solemnly. He was also to give Scully her monthly treatment
while he was here, knowing Skinner couldn't afford to give her another trip
across the country just for it. Skinner appreciated the doctor's personal
involvement.

	"Let's have Agent Scully up here. She needs to know every detail,
and I believe she deserves that." Skinner said as he took out his cellular
phone. The doctors nodded in unison.


Fairfield Central Vera's Room
11PM Same Day


	Vera was out for another check-up, and Jake was left with Scully,
who explained their progress. But Jake was more worried about the next day's
court hearing for adoption proceedings. And tonight, he certainly felt uneasy
when he saw a name he didn't recognize on the list of witnesses who were
supposedly to speak on his behalf. It mostly consisted of his colleagues,
mentors and other office employees. But he couldn't remember meeting anyone by
the name of Eve Austin. Neither Linda nor Karen would tell him anything more
than that he knew her from high school.

	"High school?! You gotta be kidding me! It wasn't my best years,
if you know what I mean." Jake fidgeted nervously. He wanted nothing more than
to return to the hospital after the day's proceedings were over. Jake decided to
ask Scully if she knew the identity of the mystery woman, but he was again met
with a wall of silence. Since the file was on the woman, she couldn't show it to
him, even if she was his witness. "Dana, I just need to know. Is she one of my
one-nightstands? I'm not proud of it, but I've gone to bed with a lot of girls
when I was in high school. Only one at a time, mind you." Seeing her expression
changes, he quickly added the last part. It hardly helped. Jake blushed, cleared
his throat, and moved to explain further. "Don't get me wrong, Dana. It's a
long, boring story that should stay in the shadows. I got involved with a
wonderful girl at the end of our junior year, and ...no, our sophomore year, and
it lasted until I changed school. My parents got tired of me, and sent me off to
Chicago for boarding school."

	"Yeah, it's mentioned in the court documents." She doubted he knew
about the court documents filed by Mr. and Mrs. Hedgwick. Scully wasn't going to
volunteer any information, not wanting to risk losing the woman's trust in her.
She had to know how much Jake knew first. Seeing that Scully was waiting for him
to continue, he walked over and sat down on the edge of the table.

	"I ...I hate to ruin my own reputation in you, but I was pretty
much a crew-up. I had less than impeccable grades. My home-life was a mess, and
my father savored displaying his control over me. He was a Marine. I know your
father was in the Navy. My father was smart, and didn't rough me up. But he knew
the ways, Dana. Just the right trick to use, just the right things to say at the
right timing, to make me feel worthless. He used to waggle my grade-cards in
front of Nicole ...my said girlfriend, and blamed her for taking up my study
time. Boy, was she angry at him for that. ...Anyway, before I met her, I had
this raging desire, or a curiosity to sleep with girls, because they valued me.
In such a simple context, but they didn't deny me. I was welcomed ...into their
beds, their arms, and eventually into their bodies. I took every precaution
necessary, which was rare in those days.

	"I didn't want to be thrown into jail, so I didn't sleep with
anyone under seventeen, which is the collage freshman and the seniors in high
school. I didn't want them to fall in love with me, because I couldn't risk
getting hurt. I was already hurt enough as I was, so why should I take more? You
know what I mean? And I didn't sleep with virgins ...until I slept with Nicole.
Until then, I made sure these girls were experienced and only wanted a roll in
the hey. There were several girls whom I kept in touch for more than two dates,
but neither of us wanted a relationship. In a way, it was a sport, or a game.
You change partners. They got different taste and style in their hands. I didn't
dare treat them like cheap goods. To me, they were very valuable. I made sure
everything was fine, that we both enjoyed the experience."

	"Could've been a lot worse. You could've sought escape in other,
less plausible ways." Scully nodded to herself. Jake sighed, and shook his head
no.

	"I still feel terrible that my reputation as a play-boy, and in
some cases a sex-addict, served to destroy Nicole's credibility. You know how I
got sent to Chicago?" His persistent gaze told her he already knew she had the
knowledge of it.

	"The drug possession accusation?"

	"Yeah. Her parents told me how great it'll be if I left. They were
nervous about our senior year an collage, because they thought their daughter
couldn't afford any negative reputation much less abandoning her study and sleep
with me."

	"Why Nicole?" She tried to stay away from the mine field.

	"She was my best friend. I didn't want us physically involved,
because she was the only one who truly understood me. Did you read the article
she wrote on the school paper for me?" Seeing Scully nod briefly, he continued.
"I had my physical needs under control. But Nicole was so intelligent. So
...direct, and so incredibly honest. I said I made sure my one-nightstands
weren't in love with me, because I knew I had to fall in love first, not the
other way around. Well, I did fall for her big time. Every time she defended me,
she proved to me her loyalty. I used to wonder why she bothered. Even after I
told her I loved her and she returned my feelings, I didn't get physically
involved with her. By that time, I already cut off all contact with the others,
because I was sure that she was the one I've waited for. She knew my secrets.
She learned my good and bad sides. She understood my strengths and weaknesses
far better than I ever did. We were very much like you and Mulder. You two
practically share and understand everything in your lives except the bodies. But,
you are one step ahead, because you're a doctor and you know the clinical
aspects of each other."

	"But..." Scully started, stopping upon seeing Jake's raised hand.

	"I'm not implying anything here. ...Nicole was the one who took
the final step. She kissed me, outside the public library. But I still
hesitated, because I thought I was cheapening her by making sexual contact. She
defied me, though. I panicked when she told me I was her first. I dare didn't
believe I deserved the honor. I gave her as many chance to back out as I could
find. I gave her a full body massage and watched how she responded. It was a way
to find her sensitive spots. And I noticed how I trembled. We were still fully
clothed, and I was close to passing out. Because for the first time, I was
actually in love. After the massage, I told her to sleep on it before really
making up her mind. She shook me awake in the middle of the night, and told me
she didn't want to wait any more." Jake laughed shyly at the memory, and shook
his had again. Then he noticed Scully looking a bit uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. I
forgot who I was speaking to."

	"It's all right. ...Seems like it went great. Didn't you keep in
touch?"

	"I thought I told you I was forbidden to contact her until we
entered collage." Jake's eyebrows furrowed.

	"Yes, you did. But there must have been more than that. I mean,
you could've written, called, or visited." Scully stopped when she heard what
was probably the most bitter laugh she'd heard in a long time.

	"Oh. I wrote, all right. Hundreds of pages of letters. None of
them was answered by her personally. For two damn years. ...I believe she wised
up and moved on with her life. Who could blame her? I was falsely accused of
doing drugs, had reputation as a sex-addict, had less than good grades, and was
begged by the Hedgwicks to leave their daughter alone. They begged, Dana.
Literally begged me to leave her. Can you believe it? I certainly don't blame
Nicole for leaving me like she did. Hell, she even made her parents answer my
fucking letters. She didn't write a word on her own. And they were always the
same. 'Quit bothering her. She doesn't want to see you any more, anyway. She's
got a new rich boyfriend who's very interested in her and treats her nice. Etc,
etc. ...I don't see her name on the witness list, and I suggest you don't call
her, Dana. I know I deserve all the criticism she probably has to give me, but I
can't afford to lose Vera. ...What's wrong, Dana? Did I make you uncomfortable
again?" Seeing her gaze jumping everywhere except on his face, he crouched down
on the spot to level his eyes with hers. He had a sick feeling. A theory. "Dana?
Look at me. Face me, please." When she tried to move for the door, he grabbed
her arm and drew her close to let her stand again in front of him. He gently
took her face in his hands.

	"It's confidential, Jake. I'm sorry. I can't let it out." She
pulled out her last defense.

	"And I'm still in Fox Mulder's place. All I have to do is reach
over and read the file." The intensity in his eyes even managed to scare Scully.

	"Jake, I can't. She met with Mulder face to face and had a
conversation. Apparently, she made him promise never to tell anyone until the
trials are over and she is needed as your character witness. Mulder is a person
who keeps his promises. He never said a word of it to me, and now it looks like
he never will. She's actually refusing to see you, and asked to be scheduled in
court outside of your presence." Scully had to keep Nicole's current identity a
secret. She hated doing this to Jake, but this was a secret better stayed
hidden.

	"When did you find out about this?" His voice was so soft, and so
low, it sounded hoarse. And that further intimidated her.

	"Just last week. I called her to verify the story myself and we
parted less than friends. She doesn't want to talk to us again. She's told
everything to Mulder and said if he doesn't remember, too bad."

	"Oh, fuck." Jake squeezed shut his eyes.

	"Jake? She left you for good reasons. You had your career, and you
did what few of us could even dreamed of doing. I'm sure she's fine, too." Then
Scully abruptly remembered Mulder's badly swollen lips the night he told her
about their secret meeting. He didn't dispense any detail, but apologized to her
for keeping the meeting a secret. Mulder then only said he 'was hurt by a girl,
mistaken for someone else', and iced his lips for hours until the swelling
receded. If that was Miss Hedgwick/Austin, she could understand the woman's
rage. She had no idea how Mulder upset the woman to that extent. But knowing
Mulder and that woman's short temper, she could imagine some sparks flying,
especially considering their near-identical features. Of course the truth of the
matter was, Scully knew she was nowhere near the whole story.

	"Dana? That's true. I did good work and it, combined with Alex,
taught me how much I suck at relationships. All in all, it's better to stay out
of her way. She's like a hurricane when she gets mad, and I know how intelligent
she is. If I can't count on her to still at least remain loyal to me, you better
cross her out of the witness candidate list. She can single-handedly destroy me,
if that's what she wants." Jake's eyes now held the intense grimmer commonly
seen in a fleeing prey. Scully couldn't blame him. If their positions were
switched and she was the one who wrote for two years without getting one
personally answered, then get punched in the face later, she'd doubt this course
of action. "The truth is, I don't know why she's even coming to us and talking
about our twenty years-old, one-year-long relationship."

	"Jake, it's too late. She's already met with Miss Lowry and Karen
Kosseff. She's a world-famous political speech writer now, so I'm sure she spoke
well for you, too."

	"What?! I thought that was Eve Austin. The one on that witness
list." Scully bit her tongue.

	"She is. And so as Miss Hedgwick." 'At least it wasn't a lie.'
Scully thought as she mentally bull-whipped herself. Jake's eyes narrowed, then
he reached out again to grip onto her shoulders. She winced at the pain.

	"You don't meet people like them every day. What are you hiding,
Dana? It's my life and Vera's life on the line here. Don't think you can hide
secrets from me." Scully had never seen Jake being angry at her. But when facing
him with it, she felt his eyes like cork screws drilling into hers.

	"Jake, I already told you. I can't dispense any more detail
because I'm not allowed to." She pleaded with her eyes, but he wasn't taking any
of it well. Jake dropped his arms, and stood on his full height.

	"Fine. I'll find out by myself. Go do ...whatever it is that you
have to do." Jake shook his head dismissively, and walked out of the room before
she could stop him.

	"Damn it!" She kicked at the leg of the table in front of her,
then allowed herself a moment to rub her throbbing shoulders. She took out her
cellular to reach Nicole / Eve again. Whatever happened between Jake and her,
between Mulder and her, needed to be out in the open or they were bound to see
some nasty scars.


California State Family Court
Sacramento, CA
10 AM Next Day



	Jake hated being away from Vera, but he was needed in court. Just
because Vera is in a hospital, didn't mean he has to. Jake tried to negotiate
his way into delaying his case for the day, but the judge and Karen Kosseff
refused to budge. Jake dragged his butt into the courtroom, anxious to get done
with whatever is needed and leave. Even after hours of asking around, he could
find nothing more about the mystery witness than he already knew. He damned
himself for being so focused on his architectural work, father duty, plus
helping with the investigations, that he did nothing other than to fill out the
necessary paperwork and appear in court whenever he was needed. Between keeping
track of Vera's medical conditions, treatments and diet restrictions plus
exercise requirements, Jake had no spare time to observe just who was going to
do what. He only knew what he had to do. And now, the consequences were
stubbornly knocking on his door.

	After the sleepless night, he eventually surrendered and decided
to take whatever was coming to him, instead of trying to find a way out of his
responsibilities. He wanted Vera to share none of his troubles, especially his
painful and long-forgotten high school memories. To the hospital staff's
delight, after failing to shut out this new line of threat from his mind Jake
asked to have Vera sedated for the night. Facing the deserted courtroom, he
looked for the state family lawyer whom he met only twice. But more importantly,
he looked for Dana Scully. He didn't find Scully until the court proceeding
began. She muttered a muted apology for being late, and joined Jake at the
council table to explain again to the judge about Vera's latest update.

	When Eve Austin's name was called, Jake tensed instantly, and
fought to keep his 'cool exterior'. As the woman calmly took the stand, he
fished through his high school memory in search of anything about the woman that
rang a bell. To his horror, nothing came up. The woman was about 5'8", slender
though very athletic, had mid-night dark hair and striking blue eyes. Her lips
were rather thin and long, her shapely jaw. She also had a small, charming nose.
All in all, she was a knock-out. He would remember the woman if he met her
anywhere, any time. But he didn't. The woman didn't even look at him long enough
to focus on his searching eyes. But in turn, he felt Scully's eyes on him,
studying him closely.

	"I can't remember her, Dana. I don't think I've ever met this
woman before in my life." He whispered in her ear as Miss Austin began
introducing herself to the court. Scully said nothing in return, and he
painfully remembered the confrontation he set out the day before. He leaned in
towards her again and dropped his voice even lower. "I'm very sorry, Dana. For
my inexcusable behavior earlier. I remember how tight my grip was on your
shoulders, so don't even try to tell me I didn't bruise them. I tend to lose my
head about anything relating to Nicole, so... I won't blame you if you file an
official complaint against me."

	"Jake, just listen. You'll know what she came here for." Scully's
voice was kept just as low and monotone. Jake nodded and focused on the words as
the mysterious woman spoke in his support.

	"Yes, I believe he is very much capable of parenting. I knew Jake
until he transferred to Chicago, to an all-boys boarding school. He was a very
responsible student." Miss Austin spoke with a rather thick Spanish accent, and
Jake noticed Scully furrowed her eyebrows at the woman's voice.

	"What's wrong, Dana?" He whispered the question again, but she
shook her head no.

	"I knew she speaks at least three languages, but I didn't know
just how much of which she was familiar with." Scully muttered before focusing
back on her.

	"Yes, I know about his being accused of possessing narcotics. ...I
have all the questions previously presented to me by the state counselor, Your
Honor. And I am prepared to fully answer all of them. Jake was being considered
for the position of the varsity basketball team captain at the time, and the
members of the guilty party were already being questioned by the police for
their own narcotics possession suspicions. Jake Kathler, to these students, was
the perfect target. But these accusations were later proven false by a witness
statement made by a cheer-leader in our high school." This time it was Jake's
turn to furrow his eyebrows. This was the first time he ever heard about his
being a candidate for the basketball team captain. And it wasn't mentioned in
the article Nicole wrote. As Miss Austin went on to detail about the suspected
child abuse at Jake's house, the lines on his face grew deeper.

	"How the hell did this woman know so much about my private life?"
Jake asked Scully in a tense whisper, getting her shrug of 'I don't know'.
Seemingly oblivious to Jake's frustration, Miss Austin continued.

	"Jake began dating about the sophomore year, to a Nicole Hedgwick.
I knew her very well, like my own family. And I remember what she's told me."
Ignoring the open-mouthed Scully and Jake at the council table, the woman
described everything from Samuel Kathler's attitude, how Jake's birth was
unplanned, how he was neglected and denied affection from his parents, to the
details of court orders filed by both the Kathlers and the Hedgwicks. Although
she spared about the letters and the confessions she's made to Mulder regarding
her feelings for Jake, it was damn near everything. And there was a lot Jake
didn't know before. He was ready to start screaming when the woman answered she
didn't know where Nicole was, that after her graduate school graduation, she had
practically "dropped off the face of the Earth." Considering the nature of
X-Files investigations, this statement failed to soften up anyone's mood. "We
pursued the same career, same goals, and we shared intimate details of our lives
until after the graduate school graduation. We sort of terminated our
communication there. But, as I said before, Jake Kathler's childhood details
have impacted very positively in his adult life. I believe he wants to be a
father he couldn't have for himself, and I know he is a very patient man. And
parenting do require a lot of it."

	To this statement, Jake raised his head out of his hands. She sure
sounded a lot like Nicole because of her wording. He then wondered for the
thousandth time since she took the stand about how it was that he never knew
this woman existed. He wondered why Nicole didn't bother telling him about her
confider. The state lawyer's comment about her failing to locate Nicole Hedgwick
as Miss Austin left the witness stand didn't ease Jake's mind. And now, it was
his turn to take the stand and answer the lawyer's questions.

	Jake began by confirming Miss Austin's statements as truths, and
what he didn't know as simply 'theoretically correct', or 'plausible'. Jake kept
focusing on Miss Austin, who now sat as one and the only audience. She wore a
large pair of sunglasses, but took them off a moment later and intently studied
him back. As he studied her closer, more and more he could believe the woman
knew Nicole all her young years. The way she acted was very much like Nicole.
From the way she ran her hand through her hair to the way she scratched at her
jaw from time to time, it was just the way he remembered Nicole.  And it made
him wonder how Mulder managed to find her, when even the state lawyer couldn't.
Jake concluded there must still be a lot he was being kept out of.

	As if Jake's detailing Alex's suicide wasn't hard enough, he had
to listen to his former psychological counselor who was assigned by the state
after the suicide occurred for three months, speak in detail about his final
evaluation of Jake's conditions written three years ago, and about how the
doctor doubted Jake's capabilities as an adoptive father. Scully took the stand
after lunch to explain the FBI findings in the case, as well as Vera's medical
condition which was "terminal and steadily progressing". Scully went on to
describe her impressions on Jake's care for Vera, which almost drove Jake to
tears of gratitude. Then Jake returned to the stand to detail almost everything
he remembered about Vera and about how he felt he could be responsible for her
care. All the while, the mysterious Miss Austin remained, taking in all details.

	None of them mentioned a word about Vera's pending hypnosis
session for the next day. This relieved Jake, Scully, and apparently Skinner,
who arrived last and took the stand at the very last to confirm Scully's FBI
findings as well as to speak in Jake's support. Skinner was the only married
witness closest to Jake to speak on his behalf, and though he had no children,
his judgement as a professional supported Jake a great deal. Jake shook the
man's hand upon judge's adjourning the court for the day. This was the last
required court appearance for him until the judge made up his mind.

	Once he began to calm down, Jake felt tipsy, as if he was walking
in a cloud or being a leaf sailing over the seven seas. How could he been so
stupid to doubt Nicole's loyalty? She practically saved Jake's life by keeping
Miss Austin as her confidante. And he couldn't even begin to imagine how angry
Nicole must've been to shut her family out of her life. But when Jake finally
turned to look for Miss Austin in the audience, she was gone.

	She felt bad enough needing to keep this a secret from not only
Jake but also from Mulder. The call she placed after the confrontation with
Jake, to contact Miss Austin led Scully to a revelation outside the courthouse,
at their final pre-hearing meeting called by the state lawyer on behalf of Miss
Austin. Scully was nervous at first, wondering what dirt rose on the case this
time. She was surprised by Miss Austin, clearly upset and barely holding her
composure, as she led Scully and the others to a revelation. One Scully didn't
expect. It was a fair exchange of truths with truths. They had about forty
minutes before the hearing actually started. The state lawyer then went into the
courtroom to answer questions and make small-talks with Jake to keep him from
getting suspicious about the hearing and about Scully's delay. When the state
lawyer left, Eve Austin introduced herself to her audience, then took out a
small micro-cassette recorder followed by an accompanying tape. Miss. Austin
directly addressed Scully.

	"Take these, and thank whatever the divine intervention or a
miracle that you believe in. This tape exists out of a sheer chance. I believe,
that when I motioned to hit ' stop', I accidentally hit 'record'. My hand was
inside the purse with the recorder, so I didn't make sure. I could have, if
Agent Mulder delayed one more second to spot me. ...I lost my fucking speech
because of this stupid thing, and I had to make another tape during my flight. I
was reviewing my speech in my car to prepare for deliberation by a politician in
Baghdad. You're damn lucky I didn't destroy the fucking tape before Agent Scully
called me. I didn't know where it was until I returned to U.S.. The day you
called me, Agent Scully, was the day I found this. This recorder I used for this
two-hour cassette tape didn't have the auto-reverse function. As the result, the
whole sixty-minute didn't get erased when that side of the tape ran out on my
way home."

	Scully still remembered the way Eve ignored her open-mouthed
reaction. The way Eve clutched at the cursed microcassette tape in her hand as
she stretched it across the table to her. Scully could never forget the strength
in the woman's slender fingers holding onto the small tape as Scully reached for
it. And Scully will never forget how she felt Eve's pain as Scully used both her
hands to slowly remove the woman's trembling fingers from the tape. Scully
thought it was almost as if she was asking an enraged person about to commit a
crime to surrender his or her gun. The judge then let Miss Austin in his private
office to compose herself, since the room had a restroom and a small liquor
cabinet where the old man kept his stash of whisky.

	All the while in the main room, the judge, Scully, and Jake's
former psychological counselor listened to the taped conversation of the secret
meeting between Fox Mulder and Eve Austin / Nicole Hedgwick. The resemblance
between her own difficulties compared with that of Jake and Eve's tragedy hit
Scully and later Skinner full force, as Skinner joined the meeting late and
stayed at Scully's insistence long enough to listen to the tape himself. The
judge and everyone else began the hearing procedures. Scully came to witness
Eve's iron will as she calmly emerged out of the judge's office without a sign
of her previous distress. She breezed through the small meeting room and into
the courtroom without even acknowledging the stares she got on the way. And
later when she finally testified, she shocked everyone who had been present in
the meeting room by giving out almost every single detail with professionalism
sculpted to perfection. Scully became afraid that Eve may grow even more reckless
as the result of this revelation, and suggested with everyone's agreement to
keep Jake and Mulder in the dark.

	"Are you all right, Jake?" Scully asked him, placing her hand
lightly on his slumped shoulder when she escorted him out of the court house to
return to the hospital. Jake nodded weakly, then decided on honesty and shook
his head no. Scully took his hand in hers as they descended the stairs.

	"You have one more court appearance day after tomorrow, right?"
Jake barely managed to complete his sentence through the shock-induced haze. She
nodded.

	"Yes, and that'll be my final appearance in the family court. The
rest should go easy, and you don't have to be there. You better be with Vera."
Scully hoped it didn't sound like saying 'you shouldn't be here, it's not
something you wanna hear' in Jake's ears. The man's perceptibility leveled that
of Mulder. But Jake was too preoccupied to think anything more than the thought
of returning to his future-daughter. Jake nodded again and buried himself in the
back seat of the assigned escort car. Scully didn't pull away nor pushed him
away when he fell into an exhausted sleep and accidentally came to rest on her
shoulder. Scully saw his moist eyelashes, and didn't have the heart to deny him
a comfortable nap. She shook her head slightly and positioned her body carefully
on her side, reclining against the door. Right now, she was glad she wore
trousers. Scully noticed Skinner eyeing her and more likely, the earphones she
wore that connected to the cassette player Miss Austin handed to her as an after
thought. Ignoring Skinner's silent questions with a pressed index finger on her
lips, she rested her right foot on the floor of the car. Since she wouldn't be
able to even mention the tape to Mulder and she won't have any privacy when she
returned to the hospital. She needed to deal with it by herself now or never.
She wanted to listen to it again. Taking her time, so she won't be caught dead
with it by Mulder.

	She took off her left shoe and inserted her left leg in the narrow
space between the sleeping Jake and the back of the seat. Skinner said nothing,
but kept an eye on them as he saw her carefully slide Jake's body down to
stretch him out across the backseat, using her own body as a make-shift
mattress. She then rested her right arm over Jake's shoulder, her left hand
supporting her head and gazing out of the rear window. Scully was grateful for
Skinner's discretion when her shoulders began trembling, her hand moved now to
cover her mouth. She left her tears free to fall.

	It was Skinner who caught Eve as she was about to leave, to clear
out a few detail on the 'promise kiss' that was clearly recorded in the tape
with both their lugged breaths and muffled moans, because he was the agents'
superior, and Mulder could face some repercussions. But Skinner didn't get to
explain half his reason before Eve glared at Skinner with perhaps the same
intensity she had since high school, and began spitting words like nails while
her eyes worked like hammers to pound them into Skinner's head.

	"Assistant Director Walter Sergei Skinner of the FBI," She began
just as bitterly as the time she argued with Mulder. "For the record, Agent
Mulder had no choice. He had no way of resisting me when I threw myself at him.
His hands were busy grabbing the chair to keep us from falling down and make an
even bigger scene. I believe, now that I've had some time to re-evaluate our
actions, that he was trying to speak several times to stop me, because it was
hurting his face. Initially I thought he was returning me the favor. But
listening to his partner's witness accounts about his being in pain and
occupational hazard, I think he was too wind up to remember to kick me off of
him with his legs. It was in no way agent Mulder's intention to disobey the
precious FBI codes of professionalism. He may have talked me into talking more,
to reveal more details out of our meeting. But, it was in no way intended to
express inappropriate feelings. If you listen to it enough times, you'll notice
that agent Mulder actually attempted repeatedly to divert that line of ...t
houghts, and used the opportunity to become a confider, not an FBI agent. And
certainly not Jake Kathler's impostor. He became a confider who knew and advised
me to do what was right. So, if you even think about punishing Agent Mulder in
any way  because of what I've done wrong, I'll promise you I'll do everything in
my power to..."

	"All right, Miss Austin. I know the rest of your speeches..."
Skinner waved his hand in dismissal, but Miss Austin wasn't satisfied.

	"I think you should know and learn to appreciate the value of
those agents, Mr. Skinner. Because they may have just saved Jake's life, and
that little girl's life hanging by the thread. In more ways than one, and
certainly above and beyond the call of their duty. It is very clear to me that
you're not doing enough for them." Skinner sighed deeply, trying to keep calm.

	"Miss Austin. It's not your problem to direct the agents under my
command."

	"I've heard you were a Marine, and that you're a very ethical and
moral person to work with. Well, so was Samuel Kathler. His service records and
professional reputations are along the line of superb excellency until his
retirement and his death, even though he was a dead-beat father and no one had
the heart to tell him he was going about it the wrong way. Marines protect and
take care of their own, right?! Well, that's outta change once in a while. I
believe Agent Scully will testify in detail about the Kathlers' deaths. You
should be there to listen to her, and realize what an idiotic way the fuckers
chose to go."

	"I've read the police report, Miss Austin, there is no need to
repeat the information..."

	"That Sam was drunk as a skunk, and had Cindy driving like a
couple of educated, socially aware adults. I know. Only until Sam began
harassing her and she lost the control of the steering wheel. The fucker killed
his own wife, Mr. Skinner. And they still and the police still had the nerve to
rule it as an accident. It could've been a suicide attempt for all things
considered."

	"You certainly have done your homework, Miss Austin. Although I'm
left to wonder why these information were available to you."

	"Don't consider Sam Kathler as one of your own, Mr. Skinner. Sam
Kathler was a criminal who should've served time and paid fines for what he's
done to Jake and to his wife when they died in the so-called accident. ...This
adoption case better come through." Skinner didn't know how to react, but her
words felt like a series of blows to his face. This woman was good at what she
did. She was naturally good at making people snap.

	"Miss Austin, I need to return to my job..." Skinner was about to
leave the hysterical woman when her iron grip on his arm stopped him.

	"Take good care of Agents Scully and Mulder, Mr. Skinner. And keep
your eyes on Jake and his future daughter. Good company is hard to find these
days, and it's even harder to keep them."

	With that, she slipped on her sunglasses and walked away, never
giving Skinner the time to reply.


Fairfield Central Oncology Department
Noon. Next Day


	Jake watched as Vera was placed onto the radiation machine. Vera
had verbally requested his presence in the outer room, behind the clear fibre
glass wall of the main room. Jake gladly agreed. Skinner told Jake his house
would be cleared out by the end of the day, and he was free to return to it
after Vera's and eventually Mulder's release from the hospital. He thanked
Skinner but the man had insisted on setting up about half a dozen agents as
guards while the trial number one stayed in session. Plus, at Scully's
insistence, the hospital was going to let Scully, some volunteer physicians and
nurses taking turns to administer Vera's medications at his house to minimize
their trip to the hospital. Jake knew Scully has been fighting for this for some
time, and he couldn't ask for more. He would miss Elly, who is to be held in a
safehouse for the time being. He hadn't had any home-made dinner for such a long
time he'd craved for it. And he was sure Vera and Mulder had been, too. Skinner
also insisted Jake of getting a permit for firearm. Jake flatly refused the
idea, but he'd been carrying Mulder's Sig Sauer for over three weeks and he now
fully understood the fact that he'll be the only guard as well as legal guardian
after the FBI eventually left. So he reluctantly changed his mind and told
Skinner he would do so if Skinner arranged for it.

	Jake knew Scully was summoned to a meeting between the oncology
doctors and an FDA representative. He hadn't seen her for over twenty-four
hours, and since he chose to be with Vera the whole day, he was unable to see
either Scully or Mulder. When he asked Skinner for an update, he was told the
meeting hadn't gone too smoothly. Also, Scully apparently had received her
cancer treatment by her own oncologist for convenience right after the meeting,
and she needed to be off the hook for at least another day. Jake promised
Skinner not to see her unless she came to visit him herself. After what happened
during the past two days, he thought Scully needed to be left alone. But Jake
was sure the news hit  Mulder the hardest, because Jake, Dana, Skinner and even
Scully were sensing it coming from their previous data. And because Dr. Dana
Scully lived with the tumor studying it well inside and out much like Clive Shaw
had been. Only Shaw hadn't suffered from the damaged DNA.

	When asked who's with Mulder, Skinner told Jake the guard posted
at the door was now inside, watching him. The doctors were not only afraid of
his flu coming back because of the torture Mulder's put himself through in the
past week, but also his mental state since the news broke. Jake nodded, and
promised to also leave Mulder alone until he came to visit him on his own free
will. Skinner then left for Jake's house  now that everything became an official
evidence, tugged and listed in proper computers. Not even Cancer Man would be
stupid enough to tamper with all of them. And the new evidence room in the
headquarters had tripled its security level for their case.

	Last night, in an agony-dripping tone, Mulder asked Jake if he
thought the release of this serum to the general public rather than about the
safety issue of his partner or Vera Jarvis as Skinner has led them to believe,
was the reason Skinner so closely guarded the case and the investigation. That,
Skinner may have known about the existence of such serum from Consortium and
wanted it protected. After all, Skinner had nothing to sacrifice except his
reputation. It may have been a part of a very well-planned, complex chess game.
Jake could believe it, though he decided not to. Skinner was as honest as anyone
could afford to be in his position, and he did what he had to in order to save
Mulder's life. He knew Vera couldn't be fooled by anyone's mind game, and she
still stuck with Skinner. Besides, as the three of them agreed quietly after the
court proceedings, the entire case was still a huge success and a victory for
them all.

	After he returned to Vera's room with her, he worked on his own
projects, needing to be himself for a while again. Between short breaks, he
called in the veterinary clinic where Stella was being held for physical therapy
and observations, and received an update that she's doing fine, but is missing
her owner. Jake laughed softly, feeling the warmth slowly filling him up. He
told the doctor he would at least try to come see her if she presents any
problem to the therapist. Then he was told about how she became the idol of the
entire hospital staff, and complimented Jake on how well-trained she was. Stella
had always made Jake proud, and he felt himself beaming with pride.

	"The truth be told, I got lucky. I trained her well but for the
most part she already knew what to do and what not to do all by herself. I don't
know why. So don't think it's because of me. I'm proud of her more than ever,
and it's hard to do, because I've been proud of her ever since I got her." Jake
said as he heard the doctor laugh. After hanging up, he wanted desperately to
see the subjected skyscraper being built. He craved to see something being
built, and grow against all the destruction and corruption that surrounded him
at the moment. The last time he saw the building was when it was still a
skeleton, and about twelve floors short. He knew by now it had some flesh over
it. The building was like his own child to Jake, and he felt that way for every
single project he's ever done. He missed the late-night meetings with his
partners, even the arguments. Those men knew him for such a long time, and no one
threatened his life or his means of existence. No one had dumped him into a
trash chute. No one had placed him in handcuffs and put a hood over his head.
And, no one made him cut down his mirror-image left barely alive and hanging
upside down from a tree in a golf course.

	Jake thought about the long list of abductees' names Mulder and
Scully found recorded on the digital computer tape the team ended up in a
three-way stand-off for. He wondered just how many of them were still alive. And
wondered how many more was added since then. A list of lives to be sacrificed.
His educated mind took him back to the stories about his ancestors that his
parents told him, and the memory from history classes he took in college as a
part of the general education requirements. Although he was not a pure-bred
Jewish, just by witnessing the recorded fragments of horrible world history was
enough to make him lose his sleep. It was still happening, only to different
people on global scale. Almost arriving the dawn of the twenty-first century,
the world changed dramatically on the surface. But so little changed within the
collective conscience of the political leaders, that Jake declared them an
embarrassment for the entire human race.

	Jake fell asleep sometime after helping Vera with her dinner and
hardly noticed when Vera began singing ever so softly. Her hands gave him the
much-needed comfort, just so he maybe protected from the nightmares he's been
suffering from for the past three weeks. Jake knew that Vera witnessed his
suffering even when he couldn't remember, because she woke him up a few times
during his irregular sleeping hours, telling him everything was okay because he
was awake now. Vera suffered much less nightmares since her regression hypnosis
sessions, and Mulder theorized it was because she now faced and understood the
origin of her nightmares. Jake knew on the surface level about what happened and
why. But to understand his enemies he had to know Consortium and especially
Cancer Man. 'Yeah, what are the chances of that happening?' He thought.


Fairfield Central Hospital
Mulder's Room Same Time



	Using the brief time of much needed privacy, Mulder opened up his
laptop and directly went into the e-mail program. Without his speech ability,
this was the quickest way he could take to get in touch with anyone. He needed
to know if Miss. Covarrubias was all right. He needed to know if the Lone Gunmen
were safe. He needed to know how to be in touch with Cancer Man without any of
the investigation team noticing. Now, that was no easy task for anyone. But no
one expected him to make a move, especially not as bold as this one. Mulder knew
if he kept talking long enough, someone would figure out who he wanted to meet
with and why.

	Mulder wasn't surprised when Marita Covarrubias responded to him
first. They quickly went into a private chat room.

	"George, you can't be serious. You can't expect your old man to
just give you everything you want."

	"I'm willing to deal. For the witnesses, not his life. I can't
have the circus end like this. It's been raining too much lately and I'd like to
see the sun." Mulder deliberately kept everything cryptic.

	"And you're sure you want to do this? You won't see your pet
lioness again, George. Are you sure you want to let it go? You never know what
the old man would do to her." 'Amazing,' Mulder thought. The woman had
remembered Sam's favorite zoo animal. Lions were her favorite also in circuses,
a tie with elephants. He'd only mentioned it to her in a passing, hurried
conversation.

	"As long as she is kept alive and safe; as long as our office is
open for business; I'm willing to go for it. Tell the son of a bitch I'll expose
his scandal. I'll distribute the photos I have of him and my mother if he
doesn't agree with me."

	"How do you even know if he'll bring out the right animals to the
stage, George? For all I know, they could be the untrained ones from another
cage." If Marita was referring to the clones, she read him well.

	"I know, because I have right assistants with the right knowledge.
They know how to sniff out fakes and impostors. Their senses are very sharp, you
know. Especially the dogs."

	"And why are you so confident that the deal will stand?" The Lone
Gunmen's reputation as the government watchdogs served right for the occasion.

	"Because I know they're ready to cut him loose. He's close to
being finished, anyway."

	"So you want your office kept open for business, and guarantee the
safety of the witnesses, in exchange for keeping his existence out of the
courts, and giving up your beloved lioness?"

	"The son of a bitch is lucky I'm keeping him out of the public
eye. He's abused too many circus pets in the past. It's a wonder no one has
reported him, yet."

	"I'll tell you who you can contact for this deal, but I can't do
this for you personally. It's too risky for my own business reputation, you
know?"

	"I know, I know. And I'm sorry I'm making you do this again. The
last time was close enough to lose you. I want us in the same league, and I
don't want to ever lose another associate again. Also, you are my personal
friend, and friends are to be treasured."

	"I'll be all right, George. Just don't contact me after this until
the case is over in court. Animal abuse cases are hairy these days. They're
bitch to get rid of." 'Yes, and they're also a bitch to keep.' Mulder thought.

	"I understand. I'll be waiting for your answer. Thank you very
much again. Oh, and something else. Don't tell the old man about the trade I've
made with my colleague earlier. It needs to be kept a secret. I'll work it out."
Mulder said, referring to the switch he'd made with Jake. Miss Covarrubias
however, hanged up without a further reply. But Mulder was confident that she
read the last part.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU, Vera's Room
Next Day 10AM



	Mulder knocked three times on the door before entering. He hated to
disturb Vera, but it was urgent. As expected, Jake opened the door and ushered
him in.

	"What's up, Mulder?" Jake got straight to the point. Mulder sat
down in a chair, and held out his notepad. The note was apparently pre-written
as Jake read through it.

	"Skinner probably told you about us all getting out of here
together, but Vera and I need to return to Prescott once in a while for
follow-ups. But in that case I'll escort her and Scully can stay with you.
Skinner's going back to D.C., to return to his workload and to get things
started in the  courts. Skinner and I were just wondering if we should avoid
returning to your house, and move us into a safehouse instead. It all makes
sense. Returning to your house is suicide, and we won't have as many guards in
there as before because of Skinner's absence. Even if his SWAT team remains,
without him to coordinate the guys, it's actually more dangerous to have all
these people around. You've heard my reputation. Who's going to willingly guard
me? And how do we know who's loyal? I don't want too many people around us,
Jake. With just us and a couple of back-up guys, plus the local authority on
alert, at least I know who I can shoot at."

	Jake frowned at the statement. Skinner was ditching them. "When
does the deposition start?" Jake asked, and watched as the man ran his practiced
hand over the pages.

	"We've just decided not to settle out of court, so the preliminary
hearing is going to be our next move. The only defendants are the Barrington
Hospital officials and the learning center in San Francisco that I've gone to.
That shouldn't pose any direct threat over us. It's the others that need the top
care. We have Bionix Research Center to go after for participating in the
Jarvis' double-homicide. Then we present the fact that the girl presumed dead is
indeed alive, and the body that was originally identified as Vera Jarvis had in
truth belonged to some homeless girl. Then, we'll tell them about the Jarvis'
research, followed by the fact hat the FDA's going through the works to research
the serum. That's when we pull out our star witness, and call Dr. Claiborne and
Clive Shaw to the stand. On the charges for murdering an FBI agent and injuring
of the five others including Scully in Vancouver, one of the three assassins is
alive to stand the trial. The man's singing like a canary, confessing in
exchange for a witness protection program admission. As for who attacked your
house, I had composite sketch previously done as well as to submit my full
official statement. The man's blood sample and genetic bloodwork's in the
computer to be compared, so he'll be identified if and when he's found, probably
dead.

	"Elly's there to back us up especially on the witnessed accounts
of attack at your house, and wherever else my memory loss won't allow me to go.
Stella remembers the assailants well, if she could smell them. But you and I
both know that's probably too late, that we can't catch them in time. And I'm
sorry I didn't have a security camera installed the moment we've arrived. You
can testify on the guys who abducted Vera. You've seen them, heard from them,
and you know that they're the same guys who negotiated the deal with you and
hanged me upside down from the stupid tree. What hurts us all is Vera's memory
loss. But I refuse to put her through the second hypnosis like I originally
suggested. Her testimony on abduction experiences are going to be struck down
from the court because of its illegitimacy. The hypnosis was mostly for her own
benefit, anyway. And I still think it was well worth the pain. She's speaking
for herself now."

	"Stop, Mulder. Right there." Jake said, quickly sensing the man's
hidden agenda. Mulder stopped his hand movement, and met with Jake's gaze.

	"I don't know who you think you're protecting by hiding stuff from
me, but let's face it. Sure I can give depositions and statements, but that
won't mean anything unless you guys catch those doctors who operated on you, and
the men who took me for the wild ride and got blown up with their car. So,
unless there's a way you know to bring back the dead, it's hopeless. Everything
we've seen and experienced will be on the record, and mostly they already are.
But they'll never go to the courts. The FDA isn't going to help our case. The
rest depends on whether or not we can catch the bad guys in time. And by saying
'bad guys', I meant the surviving terrorists. The guys who abducted Vera in both
incidents are still loose because I didn't see their faces. Oh, and don't even
ask me to guess. The guys who torched houses at Cancer Man's command will never
be brought to justice unless their arrests come first. As for Cancer Man, what
the fuck do you want to do? Find that snitch Krychek and expose the smoking
bastard?!" Mulder's raised hand stopped Jake.

	"No. Calm down, Jake. You know I can't do that or my sister gets
killed." Mulder wrote in a rush. It wasn't that simple, but Mulder figured his
reasoning alone was convincing enough for Jake to understand. Jake slumped
against the chair he'd been sitting in. He nearly forgot about Samantha.

	"Sorry." Jake muttered, and got Mulder's dismissive hand for an
answer.

	"It's okay, really. Sometimes ...no, often times, especially after
being given the magnitude of this case I wonder if I should just tell the SOB to
take Samantha in. Just don't kill her or hurt her."

	"Are you saying you want to make a deal with the SOB?
To give us what we need - the guys who attacked us, and the guy who took Vera -
for sacrificing our chance to ever see your sister again?" Jake couldn't believe
it. But the deeply etched old pain in Mulder's haunted eyes told Jake that all
it took was a right phone call.

	"It costs too much, Jake. Just because I want to see her again, I
let the SOB get away with so much evil for so many years. This time, it cost us
your daughter's life."

	"Huh?" Jake's expression was blank. Mulder let out a small
laughter.

	"They didn't tell you yet, because Skinner's the first one to
know. He let me do the honor. Congratulations, the judge just approved your
case. Present yourself to the judge's office as soon as we get out of this
hospital, and we'll take it from there. No one has to see you two there except
Karen Kosseff and the judge's staff." Mulder finished, looking at the brightened
man in front of him. Jake turned to a sleeping Vera, and decided against doing
the victory dance. Jake gave Mulder a firm handshake and a brief hug.

	"Thank you. All of you, very much." Jake barely finished before
leaning over Vera and kissing her forehead. "A month ago, I thought I'd never
see her again. And now, she was not only returned to us, but was given to me.
I'll try and live up to it." Jake sat back down, then realized Mulder had
attempted again to take his mind off of the current issue. "Mulder, don't get me
off of the track here. You can't give up on your sister. Not now. Not when
you're so close." The pain on Mulder's face returned in an instant.

	"It all depends on my mother's confession of the real truth, but
I'm not sure if it's worth it. The chances are, he'll keep using my sister as a
bait to get me to do his dirty work. He sells hope to the hopeless. I can't keep
doing that, Jake. He'll probably never give her back to me. And think about how
many times I'll have to sell myself like a whore for the sake of finding her? If
it means to bring this case to some means of closure, I'm willing to give up
Samantha. Just as long as she keeps living in a safe environment. After all,
that's what I want the most for her. Besides, I'm thinking she just might be 
better off without me or my mother. Stay here, Jake. Spend as much time as possible
with your daughter. Tell her to call you her Dad when she wakes up." Mulder then
put down his pen, and left the room before Jake could finish reading it and
stand up fast enough to stop him. Just then he heard Vera stir, and stretch
herself under the covers. Jake swallowed the grief, and returned to Vera's
bedside.

	Jake knew that with Mulder's current medical condition, the man
couldn't make a move to execute any of his plans without Scully or Skinner
leaning about it. Jake wanted to contact Scully, but she was still recovering
from her treatment. Jake was learning just how much impact the case had on
Mulder. Scully was right from the beginning. Mulder wasn't handling the pressure
well at all. It was resurfacing, especially after the bombshell about the serum.
Two weeks of his personal hell had gone wasted before his eyes.

	When Vera was asleep again, Jake told the guard to watch Vera
while he stepped out for a moment. He checked Mulder's room first, but was told
by the confused guard that Mulder was supposed to be with Jake. He swallowed
hard, and avoided alarming the guards by telling them there was nothing to worry
about, because it was just a misunderstanding. Jake took another brief moment to
think before heading up to Scully's private room. He didn't enter the door, but
merely tiptoed passed in front of the door to see if Mulder was inside. She was
alone, laying in her bed and making her journal entry. Jake was gone before she
ever noticed him. The last stop he made was to the roof, but he didn't spot
Mulder. Instead, he was grabbed roughly from behind by his arm, and was slammed
against the nearby wall. Jake groaned with pain, but gritted his teeth. When the
men turned him back again by the shoulders and shoved him forward, Jake came
face to face with a thin tall man with grey hair and an obviously expensive
business suit. Jake narrowed his eyes. The man's features somehow rang a distant
bell in his mind, but he couldn't remember them meeting before. Jake didn't have
to wonder for long. The man lit a fresh cigarette. Jake's blood ran ice cold at
the first sight of the letters on the cigarette pack. Morley.

	"Well, well, well. If this isn't our cleaver Fox." The man's fist
words indicated Jake was again mistaken for Mulder. Jake killed off the surge of
fear threatening to take him over the edge, and desperately kept his teeth from
chattering. The man's steel-cold gaze couldn't have melted in the hell's
furnace. 'So,' he thought bitterly, 'this is Cancer Man'.

	"Yeah, I'm surprised you'd kindly show up here. But if you're here
to touch a finger to Vera, I swear I'll kill you."

	"Relax, Agent Mulder. After all, we've grown so personal recently.
No need for introduction, just wanted to chat with you about your proposal."
Jake almost lost his lunch. 'Sweet Jesus! Mulder really made the deal.' Jake
kept his rigid posture before Cancer Man's attack dogs finally let his arms go.
Jake moved them a little to maintain their normal circulation. Though he had a
good idea, Jake needed to find out what kind of offer Mulder made.

	"So, what do you want from your side? I thought I told you
already."

	"Yes, you were very clear to our associates, Mr. Mulder."

	"Just Mulder. Mr. Mulder was my father and your colleague. So, are
you going to take it or not?" Jake couldn't help rubbing a little dirt on the
man's skin, making it clear Fox and Bill Mulder had very little in common
besides their last name and Fox's inherited middle name.

	"I would. Only if it didn't involve with the matter of the
X-Files. Pretty smooth move, Mulder. Very personal. Keep me out of the court
papers in exchange for the surviving witnesses. Keep the X-Files open in
exchange for giving up the search for your sister. Sounds fair, doesn't it?"

	"No, it's never fair compared to the deeds you've done. You know
how hard and long I've searched for Samantha. And you know you've successfully
shut down the X-Files until Skinner and my contacts reopened them. You close the
X-Files again, the same thing will happen. It's useless for you to close it. You
might tell me again, that you are trained to be invisible. That, you are always
ahead of us in the game. Well, not always. Because if you're smart, you know how
many evidences are piling up against you in this investigation, and you know I'm
ready to expose your secret affairs." Jake was pulling every piece of information 
provided for him so far. It seemed to be working, as the man's narrow eyes
grew narrower and he finished off one cigarette still in its middle. He
immediately lit another.

	"Yes, Agent Mulder. You've done yourself well this time. Are you
sure about this? I know that Assistant Director Skinner nor Agent Scully know
about all this. Otherwise, they'd have stopped you."

	"Mind your own business. Give me a concrete evidence that
Samantha's safe right this moment."

	"Pushing your luck is bad for your health, Agent Mulder."

	"Are you going to take it or not?! This deal's good only until I
get to that door. You're going down." Jake began walking away when one of the
men reached for him to restrain him. Jake instinctively pulled out Mulder's Sig
Sauer, aiming it directly on the two men in turn. He wouldn't have hesitated to
fire at will.

	"Let him go." Suddenly Cancer Man's voice cut through Jake's
tension-hazed mind. Jake blinked as the men retreated. "Your offer is
compelling, Agent Mulder. Let me get back to you on that." Cancer Man mumbled,
and was out of the door within moments. Jake watched the three men disappear
from his sight, then dropped onto his knees, the Sig Sauer thrown carelessly on
the concrete surface. He covered his eyes with his hands, and cursed his
infinite stupidity and the negotiation method. Pulling a gun on the mafia boss
was as stupid a thing to do as a bank robber pulling his knife on an army of
cops surrounding him. He was practically giving Cancer Man a hundred reasons to
kill him. To finish him off.

	Jake abruptly stood up at the first attack of nausea, and sprinted
toward the edge of the metal fence to throw up. Just when he was wiping his
mouth with his sleeve, he felt a hand tapping on his shoulder, and screamed. He
had the Sig Sauer ready to fire when he registered Scully's face. She backed
away a few steps before realizing who it was.

	"Jake, what the hell are you doing here with that?!" Scully asked,
pointing at the gun. Jake failed to utter a word for a few moments, but finally
holstered the gun and stood up.

	"Sorry, I was just feeling sick." Jake shook his head in an
attempt to get rid of the cobwebs.

	"Don't lie to me, Jake." Her stern gaze was unnerving. 'God.' Jake
fought for his self-control.

	"Sorry. But I was really feeling sick ...jittery. I was talking to
someone."

	"I know. I saw him passing by my door. I was just coming up for
fresh air. What was that SOB here for?"

	"I don't know, Dana. I really don't. I was mistaken for him. I was
up here looking for Mulder. Then, these two men grabbed me from behind. Then, I
was face to face with Cancer Man."


Fairfield Central Roof
Twenty Minutes Later



	"You surely didn't agree with it, did you?" Scully asked Jake after
he explained the situation. Jake couldn't agree nor disagree with her question.

	"I didn't do anything! I didn't take it, nor refuse it. I lost my
head, okay?! I couldn't want anything but a bullet in his head! I kept thinking,
'You're my daughter's death'! It's Mulder's deal, he's the one to decide. I was
just here at a wrong time. I don't know how Mulder made the deal, but he's
mistaken me for Mulder, probably because I don't have the jaw fracture. I think
the SOB knows enough about our physical resemblance. He would be stupid not to
know that much."

	"Doesn't matter. Where the hell is Mulder?"

	"That's what I was trying to find out! I don't know why he didn't
show up if that happened to be the right time and place. Or he might just have
been hiding out and couldn't come out because he was afraid it would blow the
cover. Look. Cancer Man said he would get back to me on the deal. I don't know
what that meant, but I guess I pissed him off telling him I'd expose his secret
affairs and make him a wanted man by releasing those surveillance photos he was
in with Mrs. Mulder. I'm sure the fucker's popular on global scale. I shouldn't
have told him that. It's just that I was happy because of the adoption case going 
through the judge, and... Then I..."

	"Stop, Jake. We'll work it out. Thanks for being there, or Mulder
would have made the deal. Cancer Man probably was notified that the serum
wouldn't work on anyone with the branched DNA, and he's still savoring the
victory. I think he knew that a long time ago, but he wasn't sure of it as a
fact, because we're probably the only ones who replicated it."

	"So I didn't kill Mulder just now ...There?"

	"No, you didn't. I won't let him be killed."

	"If he names the time and place next time, I'll go. It's ought to
be that way. It's for the best. Mulder wouldn't have the guts to say no. I knew
Mulder was up to something. Cancer Man told me Mulder's giving up Samantha as
long as she's kept alive and safe, in exchange for leaving the X-Files open
forever. Then, to keep Cancer Man out of court proceedings in exchange for
handing us the witnesses we need."

	"Damn it, Mulder!!" Her face flushed with firly rage, and Jake
knew this was the right time to mention his suspicions.

	"Dana, listen. He's shell-shocked from the news about the serum.
For now, call Skinner and find out where the hell Mulder is."

	"I'll go change first." Scully indicated the white robe she wore
over her white pajamas. Jake nodded and escorted her back to her room. She came
out within ten minutes wearing a black business suit. She had her cellular phone
pressed against her ear, talking to Skinner. Jake was immediately alarmed at her
expression.

	"What's wrong, Dana?" Scully told Skinner she'd call back and
stashed the phone into her jacket pocket.

	"Mrs. Mulder just checked into a hospital. I don't know what's
wrong with her, but he said Mulder dropped everything and headed there. No one
had time to stop Mulder."

	"What?! Do you think it's..." Jake closed his eyes, trying to kill
another heave.

	"No, it's too soon. Cancer Man was here not twenty minutes ago,
and Mulder was gone before the meeting time."

	"But he said he'd get back to me. What if this was the way?"
Scully couldn't deny the possibility.

	"Maybe he knows about her visiting Mulder here. Jake, you stay
with Vera."

	"Let me go. You need to stay here. We're getting out of the
hospital soon, and you're sick."

	"Jake, I can..."

	"No. I won't give in this time. If Cancer Man did this to Mrs.
Mulder, then the hospital's the first place the fucker's gonna go. I'll find
Mulder and drag him back here even if I have to cuff him in the process. I'll
catch up before he arrives there. You can guard Vera better than I can. And if
the bastard contacts me, I want myself as far away from my daughter as possible.
Right now, I'm a danger around her. Go. I trust you." Scully was at a loss of
words. Remembering about the time Melissa was shot, the way Mulder told her to
avoid going to the hospital because that was the first place they're going to
look for her. And the part about Jake being a danger to his daughter was proven
less than fifteen minutes ago. She nodded and placed a reassuring hand over his
arm before heading for the stairway to return to Vera's room.


Castro Valley International Airport
Castro Valley, CA
Three Hours Later



	Jake kept dialing his own cellular number in order to reach Mulder,
but it was turned off. 'Smart ass.' Jake thought. 'You just know how to live
right, don't you?' He was a little surprised to find Skinner eager enough to
help him by ordering Jake a chopper ride to the Castro Valley Airport, hoping to
catch Mulder as he comes to board his plane. They knew Mulder took a car to
Oakland to catch a shuttle to Castro Valley airport. Jake found out soon about
Skinner sending himself to the airport, having checked all the flight out of
Castro Valley and San Francisco that heads out to Martha's Vineyard. Skinner and
his SWAT command leader soon narrowed the possibility down to three flights, and
they split. Skinner let the chopper wait in the airfield, away from major
airlines. All there was around the chopper was a row of rear-jets and large carg
o planes.

	Jake tore through the crowd, his well-toned leg muscles enabling
him to dodge the incoming sea of pedestrians like wind. After two and a half
additional hours of searches turned up empty handed, the team's frustration grew
like sand storm. Mulder was trained to crawl through the tightest of security
barricades and to dig a tunnel up through the depth of hell. Even in this
situation, Mulder was an incredibly hard person to search out. 'Talk about a
needle in a hay stack', Jake thought. He still kept Mulder's cellular in one
hand, hoping that Mulder might just turn it back on in time. He was not only
afraid for Mulder's life but also for his own, because he was now somebody's
father. Who knows how many of Consortium's snitches are crawling around, looking
for Mulder? And, most of all, Jake was Mulder in their eyes. But then, that
should divert their attention, and he just might escape without much incident.

	The moment he reached the suspected gate, he pulled out Mulder's
budge and asked the receptionist if she saw anyone who looked exactly like him.
The woman narrowed her eyes and shook her head no. Jake had no idea what alias
Mulder chose this time, and he took a chance by getting inside the aircraft to
check. When he didn't find Mulder, he asked the same receptionist to keep alert
for him. The woman nodded eagerly, itching to get rid of him before the flight
delayed. When Jake called Skinner, he was simply told to keep up the search.
Jake remembered about the secured route for officers to go through the maze of
airports, and he asked the security guards to let him look through them. Jake
knew Mulder could have gone through, because Mulder still had his clip-on badge
and back-up piece. Plus, Mulder remembered his own budge number by heart. Jake
this time sprinted through the tidal of government officials and security guards, 
checking for every possible route to the flight gates he was posted for.
He knew Skinner and the SWAT guys would be thorough enough to eventually follow
him.

	His basketball-trained peripheral vision worked full force for the
occasion, and when he made the final turn again in vain, he caught the familiar
figure slipping through the crowd to the flight gate. His excitement and relief
didn't last long, for his vision also spotted a man trailing shortly behind
Mulder, and the man didn't look like anyone following Mulder out of coincidence.
He quickly called Skinner who told him to wait, but Jake hanged up as his
answer. Snapping off the cover of the Sig Sauer holster, he removed the safety
without actually drawing the gun. Just the way Mulder had done whenever he
sensed danger. Jake knew it must've been often, because Mulder once did it as a
nurse entered into Jake's hospital room while he was recovering from nasty
infections. He then reached for Mulder's budge, ready to pull it out anytime the
suspicious man showed the slightest sign of attacking Mulder.

	Jake slowed down to a trot once he was about fifteen feet from the
suspect, carefully blending in with awaiting passengers. He glanced toward the
ticket counter, and spotted the female employee searching for Jake. When their
eyes met, the woman gave him a slight nod of confirmation. It was Mulder. Jake
nodded back, and approached slowly toward the suspicious man in a navy trench
coat. Jake nearly missed the brief glimmer of a blade the man was concealing in
the front pocket of his open coat where his hand was. The man was no further
than five feet from Mulder. Jake knew this was his cue. He closed their distance
in three strides, pulling out the gun and pressed it hard against the man's side
abdomen. The man bolted at the touch, and threw Jake off balance as he ran.

	"Freeze! FBI!" Jake yelled, the gun still pointed toward the
fleeing man. But of course, the man didn't stop. All the hell broke loose among
the crowd, making it even harder for Jake to focus on the fugitive as he gave a
chase. He didn't want to leave Mulder behind to fend himself against any further
attempt, but he saw no alternative. "Federal Agent! Stop right there!!" Jake
yelled again for a test, then heard a welcoming,

	"Freeze! FBI!!" from Skinner. Jake stopped chasing, pointing his
thumb toward the gate, asking the man for a permission to return to Mulder.
Skinner gave him a go, and Jake bolted again in search for Mulder. This time he
pulled out the handcuffs, and snapped one end on his left wrist. He grabbed the
same female receptionist at the ticket counter, and was told that Mulder had
probably slipped into the aircraft along with the rest of the panic-stricken
passengers. The gateway was still crowded, and Jake knew by instinct that Mulder
wouldn't go for it. Jake figured Mulder probably headed out of the airport, or
to one of the two remaining gates in order to still attempt to reach his mother.
Jake left the chaos for Skinner and the SWAT leader to take care of, and looked
through the two remaining gates. Then bumped head-on into Mulder, who just came
out of the men's room. They stared at each other, startled for a moment. But
before Jake could respond, Mulder slammed him up against a wall and roughly
pushed him to a corner of the men's room. Jake didn't bother trying to read
Mulder's expression, and without a word or a moment's pause, snapped the other
end of the handcuff on Mulder's right wrist. The noise was hardly noticed by the
passers by.

	"Mulder! You of all others, should know this is one of Cancer
Man's tricks." Jake's voice was a hushed hiss. Mulder's eyes questioned, so Jake
told him about the meeting with Cancer Man, and the man's promise of 'getting
back' to him. Mulder's eyes first held a hint of shock, then the familiar dark
flame of hatred toward Cancer Man. Jake finally breathed easier now that he had
real Mulder with him. "I'm sorry about your mother, but you know you can't go.
You'll be jumping right into the fire. And Skinner, not to mention Dana,
wouldn't give the bastards the satisfaction and neither will I. You're coming 
back with us. That man could've easily killed you. He had a blade. Not a knife,
but a blade in his hand, ready to slit your throat from behind." Jake said as he
exited the restroom with Mulder silently following him.

	Jake hated to admit, it was easier to deal with a silent Mulder.
Just then, a realization hit him  and Jake froze on spot, before slowly turning
back to face Mulder's haunted eyes. "Tell me I'm imagining this. Tell me you
didn't know anyone followed you. Tell me you weren't waiting for that one
perfect moment to attack the guy. Tell me you didn't deliberately choose to stay
in one spot, so the guy would be close enough. Tell me you weren't playing mind
games with the guy and tell me you weren't gambling with your life." Jake
already read the answers written all over Mulder's rigid face. Jake spotted a
corner of Mulder's mouth twitch momentarily, and before he could respond,
Mulder's hand swiftly reached inside his jacket for the Sig Sauer. Jake barely
had time to let out a gasp as Mulder rapidly fired three bullets from under
Jake's armpit. A man's scream was heard from about fifteen feet behind Jake,
followed by a heavy thud.

	Jake stared Mulder open-mouthed as the onlookers ducked in search
for cover, followed by the inevitable explosion of panic. Mulder quickly
uncuffed their wrists, and pressed the gun into Jake's hand. Mulder then pulled
out his FBI budge from the other pocket of his jacket that Jake wore, and pushed
it into Jake's hand before forcing his arm up in the air. Jake finally snapped
out of the shock, and quickly put on a neutral, in-control mask on his face.

	"Everybody please stay calm!! Federal Bureau of Investigation! The
situation is under control. Go about your business as usual." Jake announced,
reciting the lines from a documentary he once saw, and responded to Mulder's
insistent tag to move toward the fallen foe, struggling to get up. Two bullets
were lodged into the man's feet, one on each foot. The last bullet hit the man
in the arm, knocking the silencer-equipped gun out of his hand. Jake swallowed
at the sight of the blood and the precision of Mulder's shot, because Mulder was
focusing on the target all along only by his peripheral vision, because his eyes
were focused onto Jake's eyes. Mulder fired three bullets, the move unseen to
the unsuspecting target because of Jake's body shielding the assassin's view.
And none of the resulted injuries were fatal. Jake handed the gun and the budge
to their right owner and took off Mulder's tie he was wearing. Mulder watched as
Jake tied the man's ankles together in a way that immobilized the man and slowed
down the bleeding at the same time. Mulder kept an eye on the surroundings, the
gun still ready to fire. When finished with the ankles, Jake reached for the
fallen assassin's necktie, and used it to stop the bleeding on the man's arm.

	Within minutes, the siren from airport security's cart was heard,
followed by Skinner and the SWAT commander's hurried footsteps. That was when
Jake heard Mulder sigh with relief, and placed the gun back into the holster
clipped onto Jake's waist. Jake decided against snapping the cuffs back onto
Mulder, now that he felt Mulder won't run away. Then, Jake had the much better
pleasure of hand-cuffing the assassin as he read the man the Miranda rights.

	"I can't believe you'd actually use yourself again as a bait.
Don't you think once was enough?" Jake scolded at Mulder, finally figuring out
the man's true intention other than to reach his mother. "You've got that jaw
fracture to prove that. Of course if you moved alone, major attention will be
focused on you. And true, you probably would have been able to deal with these
guys by yourself, because you're used to that. But you've got to start acting
like a team player. No wonder you played captain in your basketball team, and
Dana keeps complaining about your ditching her." Jake pulled them both back on
their feet. "I bet you're excellent at making the shot at a long distance. You
have good aim." At this, Jake was rewarded with a small smile from Mulder, and
Jake shook his head. That was when Skinner finally caught up with them, staring
inches away from their faces.

	"Agent Mulder, tell me you're the one who fired the gun."
Skinner's questioning gaze turned slightly smoother by Mulder's nodding.

	"Well, all I did was the first aid, reading rights, and the
snapping of the cuffs on the guy." Jake indicated the bleeding man groaning on
the floor. "Oh. And he made me make the standard announcement." Jake added with
a shrug. Skinner nodded, but they all knew Jake's FBI duty was still not over.

	"Mr. Kathler, come to the chopper with us and return to the
hospital. It's the best for all of us." Skinner said as he began walking away,
indicating the security guards' presence around them.

	"Sir? With all due respect, I'd like to get to Martha's Vineyard.
It's a family emergency." Jake got a long hard stare from Skinner and Mulder who
stood beside him. "After I escort Mr. Kathler to the chopper." Jake added, and
saw Skinner's resigned look. He didn't like it one bit, but he was willing to
let Jake go. Jake followed with Mulder as he pulled out Mulder's cellular and
pressed the first speed-dial button. He could feel Mulder's eyes as he pressed
the phone against his ear, keeping close attention on Jake's side of the
conversation. Soon enough, Jake handed him the phone.

	"I think Dana's got a few things to say to you." Jake said, and
kept walking one step behind Mulder. Jake heard Mulder chuckle, followed by lots
of grumbles and uh-huhs. Judging by Mulder's facial contortion, Scully was
mercilessly lecturing him. After awhile, Mulder handed the phone back to  Jake,
rubbing his ear with his hand for effect. Jake laughed and seeing that the phone
was already hanged up, he stashed it back into a trousers pocket. "By the way,
what should I bring with me?" Jake asked, handing Mulder a small notepad he
carried around for occasion. One thing he couldn't pretend to have was Mulder's
eidetic memory. Mulder wrote a few things down in a list before handing it back
to him. Jake saved the fun for later, and placed it right back into the inner
jacket pocket. Tina Mulder never met Jake, and it was unlikely she'd notice the
difference until the moment he decided to speak.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU Vera's Room
Fairfield, CA 4PM Same Day


	As expected, Scully was full of questions and fumes when Mulder
entered the room.

	"Don't make Jake worry for you again." Vera joined force. "He
knows you are in trouble, Fox. Don't run off by yourself again. Dana's been
worried sick, too." Mulder rolled his eyes. 'You ought to be shitting me, this
can't be a ten-year old talking.' In a gesture of apology, he planted a kiss on
her forehead as he held her in a tight embrace, and did the same for Scully,
only a little more gently because of her healing gun shot wound. His entire body
was screaming, 'please forgive my ruthlessness', that Scully had to give up a
further fight. She knew her earlier lecture about him ditching her again was a
little too harsh since everyone involved knew she was recovering from her own
cancer treatment. But, Scully knew Fox Mulder well enough to know what he did.
That, Mulder  made 'them' come to him, so he would be able to deal with them in
a battlefield instead of the confinement of the crowded hospital rooms.

	"Skinner has the update, Mulder. Your mother's fine now. She's
being kept for observations but so far nothing's life-threatening. It's a
resurfacing of her cranial circulatory problems, but they said no neurological
damage was done by this incident. Now, if Cancer Man was the one who went there
or sent someone down there to directly threaten her, she needs to be under
twenty-four hour security. We have it covered. Agent Hall's finally off the hook
and is coming in. Then we'll take turns, all right?"

	"Fine. I've written myself off of the privilege to object to you
for now. No guarantee how long it'll last." Mulder handed the note to her, and
was rewarded with the signature soft Scully laughter. She instantly turned
serious.

	"Jake's no match for you in your mother's eyes, but I trust him to
keep her safe. And you're not going to make that deal with Morley Jerky." Mulder
laughed at the expression, but regretted it as pain shot right through his head.
"I can't wait for the court to give me the chance to take that witness stand. I
even dream about it, and Cancer Man's always in it. He's either sitting in one
of the defendant seats smoking Morley against court regulations, or on the
witness stand, sweating his balls off. The bastard still has the nerve to start
smoking while we roast him to ashes with questions and truths."

	"I can picture it oooh so well. I wouldn't have it any other way,
Scully." Mulder was a little concerned about their language in front of Vera,
but she read his thoughts, and shook her head no. 'Don't bother', her eyes said.
This was something refreshing. Mulder returned to writing, which by now forced
everyone around him to be patient enough to adjust their conversations to his
pace. "Any word from our favorite trio? How about the Golden Beauty?" Mulder
never missed Scully's eyebrows arching upward at his description of Marita.

	"No. Sorry, I've been trying to locate them both. I think they're
in too much danger to risk contacting us, especially Miss Covarrubias." Mulder
couldn't hide his disappointment, but it was gone just as quickly as it came.

	"Jake should've stayed here, Scully. I shouldn't have let him go.
The man finally got to be a father. Vera hides her own needs so well, because
she understands how scared we all are for her. We're the ones protecting her,
and she's the one giving us comfort." Mulder handed her the note, and resignedly
shook his head. Scully read it, and literally threw the notebook at the
sidetable sat five feet away. It landed with a loud thump. Her hand painfully
grabbed his head by the hair and yanked it down hard, their eyes only an inch
apart. Scully's fury made Mulder flinch, and he was sure she felt it.

	"Mulder, you're doing the best you can. Shut the hell up before I
have to slap you and drag you in front of a mirror, and make you tell yourself
that none of what's happening to me nor Vera is your fault!" Rigid silence was
Mulder's response until she let go of his head, and they both took a shuddering
breath. He reached for Scully with a trembling hand, and held her close until he
could breathe normally.

	"I agree with Dana." Vera's voice made both agents turn toward the
bed. Vera was getting up, and soon stood up on the floor, walking toward them.
Mulder began shaking his head, telling her there was no need for her to get up.
But in return Vera shook her head just the same, and took his hands in hers. Her
expectant look and a wide toothy grin gave Mulder one of many flashbacks of
Samantha. Mulder gladly lifted her off the floor and into his arms. Vera
laughed, and placed her arms around his neck. Scully recognized the signs and
moved to excuse herself, but Vera told her to stay just as Mulder reached for
her arm. Vera pointed to the radio that was playing soft rock and modern folk
music. Scully stared at the pair with slight amazement. It was as if Vera was
Mulder's voice.

	"Fox loves this song." Vera said, and Scully saw Mulder grin.
Scully had never heard Mulder listening to "Wild Horses", but understood her
partner loved the song for the same reasons why a dozen musicians sang their own
versions of it. Words were intriguing, and especially this Rolling Stones
version had guitar and drums that hit just the right spots. In this room with
the three of them, their situations were just so perfect. Scully responded with
a small smile.

	"You can dance, can't you?" Vera asked, already feeling Mulder
move along with the slow rhythm of the guitar and the drums. Mulder stopped dead
at Vera's words, but was even more surprised when Scully walked over to the
radio and turned up the volume. Mulder gave Vera a look, but she only laughed,
and jumped up higher to get a better hold of his neck and the shoulders. Mulder
held her body with his right arm, and reached for Scully with his left. Scully's
wide smile grew even wider as she took the offered hand, and placed her left arm
to lightly embrace Vera as well as to support her weight on Mulder's right arm.

	When she looked up, she saw Mulder's eyes were closed shut, and
his face was pressed against Vera's. Scully was startled as she saw and felt
Mulder relax. She rarely saw him at peace. Being a graceful dancer, Scully and
had no trouble picking up the rhythm. Soon she let her eyes close, drowning in
the bitter sweet words and the warmth filling the room.


Logan International Airport
Logan, Massachusetts
2: 30 PM Two Days Later


	Jake waited as the plane was parked in its space, and the fatigue-
soaked passengers flooded out of the gate. He originally wanted to drive
home to avoid risking excess public exposure, and the chances of causing any
more catastrophe as so happened in Castro Valley. But he knew the court date was
set, and nothing he told them could make them reschedule. And he wasn't going to
miss it at all costs. Tina Mulder safely returned home to West Tisbury. Jake
wished he also lived in the quiet surroundings of the Martha's Vineyard once he
saw it. Tina Mulder was about to have another stroke when he introduced himself
to her to explain their situation. She was still reluctant to talk to her son,
let alone to Jake, or to agree to testify against Cancer Man if they caught him.
Jake could only hope that she'll come around. She was now under personal
protection of Agent Hall, who volunteered for the job, now that he was finally
out of Oakland. And, because he'd never been to Martha's Vineyard.

	Jake took his seat, taking out his laptop to start setting up, so
he could begin working on the blue-prints the moment 'buckle-up' lights turn
off. The seats were still being filled as the passengers trickled in, passing by
him hurriedly. Jake couldn't help looking around once in a while to check for
any familiar faces, reassuring himself each time that he would be all right. He
turned on the laptop just to test its function, and turned it off with
satisfaction. After the take-off Jake was lost in thought, drinking in the view
from the small window. He barely sensed it when a man sat next to him.

	"Hello, Agent Mulder." Jake literally jumped in his seat, hitting
his head on the side wall as his knees hit the small pull-down table. The man's
dry voice rivaled Sahara Desert.

	"I hope I didn't give you a stroke." The devil's advocate released
a slight laughter and put his right foot on the top of his left knee,
successfully denying Jake any movement. Then, he reached into Mulder's jacket
Jake wore, and pulled out the Sig Sauer. The astonishment upon seeing his sworn
enemy vanished from Jake's eyes as they filled with hatred. Cancer Man placed
Mulder's gun inside the net pocket in front of him, behind all brochures and
magazines. Jake glared at the man with all his might. Cancer Man didn't even
flinch.

	"What the hell are you doing in here? Don't you know I can arrest
you in this instant and announce the whole Goddamn crowd who the fuck you are?!"
Jake hissed the words through his teeth.

	"Yes, I know all that, and more. Except you're not going to do
it." The man's light, almost cheerful tone further enraged Jake.

	"How kind of you to pay me a personal visit. What, you couldn't do
it at the hospital with my mother around?" Jake understood that Mulders had a
deep history with Cancer Man, filled with secrets and lies. Cancer Man never
changed his expression.

	"I've already seen her. She always looks very graceful in navy,
behind candle light. Always. Just the way I remember." Jake's jaw clenched
involuntarily, followed by an equally involuntary shudder from his struggle to
maintain self-control.

	"Leave her the hell alone. You almost killed her twice. How about
try saving lives for a change?"

	"I have. I save lives everyday with the secrets I protect, and
truths I shield from the public."

	"I find that hard to believe. Truths and justice are natural
rights." Jake had to remind himself of who he was at the moment. It was no easy
task. He had very little clues to how this devil's right arm and Mulder
communicated. 'Interpretation and expression', Jake recited to himself.

	"You have grown so fond of your mother in the past three years. I
worry about you, Agent Mulder. How her secrets will damage you." Jake glared at
the man with bewilderment.

	"Who the fuck are you to tell me that? You're the one who wrecked
our lives, and held my sister away from us!" Jake's words were a series of
fierce whisper, so contrary to Cancer Man's  calmness. Jake was losing it. He
knew Mulder would be just as calm as Cancer Man.

	"You've had some time to think about my offers, Agent Mulder. I'm
here for your answers."

	"You're the one ruined the game, you son of a bitch. If you
thought giving my mother another stroke will make me comply with your stinking
deal, you're as blind as a bat."

	"You're young, Mulder. Naive as a baby. You have no clue just what
she's done. What kind of person she really is. How big of a piece she is in the
puzzle. And you have no clue just how large the game board we play. Your passion
is compelling, Agent Mulder. But you're the one flying blind in a dark cave."

	"Don't bother giving me the sneak-previews. She'll tell me when
she is ready. Maybe she already has. It could be a letter. A tape. Or even a
diary. I have to do is to find it. Give it up, Cancer Man. Your time's over. And
nothing my mother has ever done will win over my love for her."

	"Don't be so sure about that, Agent Mulder. None of us will ever
learn the absolute, whole truth. But when you know enough, you'll know just how
much and for how long I've protected you." Jake gripped the edge of his small
seat until his knuckles were bone-white. But he had to admit his curiosity. 'Not
everybody looks like the way they really are.' He remembered the line he uttered
in the bar to Thomas. Doubt about Tina Mulder sneaked down into the depths of
his mind for the first time. Cancer Man had a point. Jake had no idea who Tina
Mulder was, and he knew from the fierceness Fox protected his mother, that he
was probably too close to her heart to step back and view the woman as a person
with devastating secrets.

	Cancer Man caught the slight change of lights in Jake's eyes and
released a slow breath. "All is in the game, Agent Mulder. You've played very
well, and I'm ready to accept your offer. Very simple. Keep me out of courts,
and you'll have whoever's left of the witnesses. But I won't be stupid to
guarantee X-Files will be left alone."

	"I'm not giving up my sister, then. I probably never will. I was
desperate enough to raise the issue, but I realize you're not high enough up the
ladder to do it." Jake returned Cancer Man's favor by rubbing salt on the man's
carefully-hidden wounds. Cancer Man merely removed the foot that was blocking
Jake's movements, and prepared to leave. "How do I know you haven't killed them
all already? I wouldn't say there isn't a way, but it's hard to take a witness
stand if they're dead, you know?" Jake asked, finally searching for a
comfortable position for his legs. Cancer Man froze on the spot, slowly turning
around to face Jake.

	"This is the gamble, Agent Mulder. You risk the chance of losing
your bet. Remember to invite me to your mother's early funeral." Cancer Man
moved to walk away.

	"Then, I'm sure we'll hear the beautiful chorus of the entire
Navajo tribe in courts." Jake knew he hit the jackpot at the spiteful man's
reaction. Jake hadn't known the details, but he knew Cancer Man had a close
brush with a Navajo priest named Albert Hosteen two years ago. He savored the
small victory a moment longer before speaking again. "Give me your word that the
doctors operated on Jake Kathler will be there. Promise me you'll let us have
Vera's abductors. We remember them well, because we have Stella to sniff them
out. Just the part about your refusing to guarantee not shutting us down is sore
enough. Leave Vera and Jake Kathler alone. You killed Vera already, and they
don't have much time left together. You know that her recovered memory of
abduction will be inadmissible in courts. You had your fun, leave them in
peace."

	The last part Jake spoke in all honesty, and failed to hide the
emotion showing in his eyes. But Cancer Man slipped out of his sight without
turning around, and without the 'I'll get back to you'. Jake knew that was the
end of this round. He finally allowed himself to take a few deep breath, and
turned on his computer to bury himself in his own projects. He knew he should
call Scully and Skinner about this meeting, but his heart chose to disobey.
'After the court.'


Fairfield Central Executive Conference Room
10AM Next Day


	Mulder and Scully watched as Jake entered the room with Vera in one
arm, just as the day before. He gave the agents a quick nod before going inside.
Mulder and Scully looked at each other, wondering if something was wrong.
Skinner sat in the chair closest to the inner door, staring at it as if drilling
a hole through its mahogany surface with the force of his intense gaze.

	"Sir? Aren't you going to look at the monitor?" Scully asked
Skinner, but he refused. Mulder studied Skinner quietly. To him, the dramatic
change in Skinner wasn't entirely surprising. What surprised him was the earlier
phone call from Jake, telling them Vera was coming in for another hypnosis
session. Scully questioned Jake whether Vera was ready, but was told that Vera
insisted. 'She wants to remember more', Jake said. Mulder nodded in
understanding. Mulder himself wanted to remember every single detail of
everything that had to do with Samantha, and his desire was now strong as ever
before.

	"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen." Sims announced as he came
through the door, shaking hands with the three agents before giving a warm,
genuine smile for Scully. Mulder stared at Scully's slightly embarrassed smile,
then back to Sims as he entered the inner room and shook hands with Jake.

	"What am I missing in here?" Mulder's eyes questioned her as she
settled down and took a sip of her coffee.

	"Nothing, Mulder. We just had a nice talk yesterday in the
cafeteria."

	"So?" Mulder's curious eyes and raised eyebrows pressed her for
more details. She sighed.

	"Mulder, you don't have to know every damn word I say to everyone.
It's confidential." Scully had to try hard not to laugh at him who at this point
looked like a small boy who was rejected by a group of kids playing basketball
in the school yard - before being laughed at.

	"You two, continue with the chit chat some other time." Skinner's
voice successfully terminated their conversation, making them squirm in their
seats like a couple of disobedient school kids in the principal's office. They
looked at each other for one moment before quickly putting on their headphones.
'At least he didn't stick his tongue out', Scully thought. Soon Sims began to
guide Vera through the same stairs, toward the door to the answers needed.

	"Vera, tell me what you see." The same neutral voice shot up the
room's tension level.

	"They're taking me ...Away from my house." Vera's faint voice
followed, her face contorted with concentration, and possibly the physical pain
the intruders' rough hands caused her. Following his own hypnosis experience,
Mulder again let himself slip away into a trance, focusing to visualize.

	"How are they taking you away?" Sims's neutral voice always made
it easier.

	"They ...put something in my mouth so I couldn't speak. Oh, I
can't speak. I want this out of my mouth or I'll swallow and choke on it. I
can't... I can't spit it out, I can't move my tongue..."

	"Vera? You're only remembering. All things you see are from your
memories. They're not here with you. They will not harm you. Take a deep breath,
and you'll know you're all right." Scully saw in the monitor that Jake quickly
ran his hand though his hair, but kept his eyes on the two people in front of
him.

	"...Okay. I'm okay now." Vera said, still panting but breathing
considerably easier.

	"Good. We'll keep going. Remember, you are safe. Now, what do you
see?"

	"They... A man gave me something... A shot, that made me sleepy. I
knew he was the one who picked me up and took me away. I know, because I can
smell the cigarette smoke on his coat.  Oh, I'm so sleepy..." Vera's body swayed
a little before Sims reminded her of her current situation. "I don't know how
long I was sleeping. ...It's strange. I can't feel anything. Like I'm falling.
Falling... falling..."

	"What do you see?" Sims didn't want her slipping out.

	"Walls are swirl of yellow and brown. I'm in a room, but there's
not much light. I'm ...Oh, no! I'm floating! I ...I can't touch the ground. I
don't know where the ground is any more. The room is like a big ball. It's round
and has no door. I don't know how I got here!"

	"Calm down, Vera. Remember, you are safe."

	"I'm trying to move to the wall... Egh! Gross! It sticks to my
fingers. It's slippery and I think the whole thing's covered with it. Yack."

	"Is there anything or anybody else in the room?"

	"No. Nothing else. ...Wait. The wall is moving. There's a hole
growing on the wall in front of me. It's growing bigger, and the wall around the
hole's moving in circles, like the twisters." Scully watched Vera's finger
drawing a tight circle, and suddenly remembered one of the documentary series on
cable Vera once watched was about tornadoes. Scully smiled idly.

	"It's getting bigger... Someone's standing behind it. I don't know
who... AHH!!"

	"Vera?" Jake voiced his concern and braced himself for another
panic attack. But she took deep breathes one after another, and told him she was
all right.

	"He's ...He looks weird. He ...Oh, wait. He's changing, too. ...He
looks like someone from kids' TV shows. He's got big pale eyes, and he's wearing
a silvery metal things... like an armor. He's got real greasy-looking, black
hair." Mulder furrowed his eyebrows. 'Here's something he hadn't heard before',
Scully thought.

	"He's telling me something, but his mouth isn't moving."

	"What is the voice telling you?"

	"Just... telling me that I will be all right. That, no one's going
to hurt me. He's asking me how I am. I think I feel a little dizzy, but not so
badly. ...He's leading me out of the room. I'm scared, but he kept going, taking
my hand and pulling me with him. I'm floating. There's hundreds of balls just
like the one I've been in! They're all floating. This place... I can't see where
it ends, but it's like a field. There's nothing that I see but the balls
floating. ...Wait. I see another door opening. Weird. It wasn't there before.
The air's opening like a row of curtain. It's completely dark behind the opening, 
I don't want to go in there... I said I don't want to go! Let me go!!"
Vera's arms frantically searched for a way out. Jake half-stood, ready to scoop
her up.

	"Vera? Remember, you're safe here. No one will hurt you." Sims
repeated.

	"Okay."

	"Now you follow the man in front of you. What do you see?"

	"I don't know ...I'm in a room. A different room. Oh wow! That's
amazing! There's a lot of people here."

	"People?"

	"Yeah, people. Just like me. It's so weird, like that really long
sci-fi movie. You know, one with Dave and his computer, Hal. People are walking
on walls. I mean, side walls and the ceiling. I don't know where I'm standing."
Jake's jaw dropped. 'That's where the three dimensional drawings came from', he
thought. Although he couldn't see the three agents in the next room, he betted
high they all had the same thought. And the movie she referred to was
unmistakably '2001 Odyssey'.

	"I try to talk to them, but no one's answering. I don't know what
they're feeling. They aren't smiling or crying. They're not even trying. They're
like zombies."

	"Let's get out of that room, all right, Vera? Now what do you
see?" Sensing another panic coming, Sims guided her away. They could come back
later if they needed to.

	"I'm surrounded. ...A group of small children or something, but
they're not people. They look pale grey. They're gathering all around me.
They're sitting down, and I'm standing in the middle. I don't know what they're
doing, but they're not touching me. They're speaking to me, at least I think so.
They're asking me all kinds of questions. ...Who I am, where I came from, what I
like, about my mother and father... Dad?! Mom?! Where are you?? Where...?"

	"Everything's okay, Vera. Tell me, what do you see?"

	"They're still asking me questions. I answer them, but they speak
like that tall man in shiny clothes was. I don't know why, but I'm not afraid of
them. I feel weird and creepy but not afraid. I should be, but I'm not. Why?"

	"Only you can answer that, Vera. Let's go back, all right? Where
are you now?"

	"I'm in another room. I'm in my bed, but I don't feel like
sleeping. There's a fluffy thing under my body. It feels like a mattress, but
it's too soft. No, not really... I ...It feels like it's made of a chunk of air,
or foam. You know, tiny bubbles. It's not clear in color, but it's half
see-through. I can dig my finger into it, and it sinks all the way in. But it
never breaks. I kick at it, but my foot comes right back up. ...This is fun,
really. I bounce on it, and I can jump high. I mean, real high. I can see the
rest of the room. It's huge, but not as big as the field of balls I've been."

	"Is there anybody with you?" Sims began the next stage of
questioning.

	"No, I'm alone. I know there are people in the beds, but they look
so still. Like they're dolls in boxes. They all look to be asleep, but people
don't sleep with their eyes open. I go over to the bed next to me. I want to
talk to somebody who can be my friend. But no one's answering. I pat on their
heads, hands, and even legs to wake them up, but no one's responding. They're so
still, it's weird. It's like they're... AHHHHH!!"

	"Vera?"

	"Daddddyyy!! Mommmmyyy!!!" Her breath expired quickly and her
voice died out. She now gasped for air on the floor, hyperventilating. Jake and
Scully were immediately alarmed when Vera began choking, clutching at her
throat, unable to breathe.

	"Vera, I'm going to count to three, and you'll be wide awake, and
you will remember everything about this discussion." Sims tried not to hurry,
but still, he used all his self-control just to prevent Jake and Skinner from
touching her until she was out. "One, two, three." Sims snapped his fingers, and
Vera's eyes blinked. Jake's arms scooped her up in a matter of moments,
inspecting her terror-stricken eyes and fully open mouth. She was trying to
breath without much success. Scully burst inside, commanding Jake to hold Vera
down while she breathed in Vera's mouth, because her body had to remember how to
breathe properly. Skinner moved to call a doctor, but Scully stopped him.

	"No, don't bring anybody in. That'll only scare her more." She
kept talking in between assisting Vera breathe.

	"Why did you tell her to remember everything?" Jake fired his
question as well as an accusation towards Sims.

	"Because she wanted to." Sims answered, knowing Jake will
eventually calm down and see the logic in his answers.

	"She's stable. Take her to her room, quickly. Come on, move!"
Scully switched gear and ushered Jake and Skinner to bring Vera out. Jake
cradled her in his arms, making it easier for her to breathe. Skinner opened the
door, followed closely by Jake taking Vera to the elevator. Scully told Skinner
to stay with Mulder and to let her go with Jake and Vera. Skinner readily
agreed, and watched as the door closed in their faces. When Skinner returned to
Sims and Mulder, Sims was still in the inner room with his face pressed against
his palms.

	"I don't recommend her doing this again any time soon, sir." Sims
looked up to meet Skinner's eyes. The man sighed, and sat down on the couch Vera
just vacated.

	"I don't, either. If she had more time, we wouldn't think to take
this risk in the first place. Both Agents Mulder and Scully were rather against
the idea of her going through this today. We just didn't have a choice. And this
time, it was Vera who requested being put under. Mulder said she told him how
much she wanted to remember. She might be able to handle it as she claims to be,
but will we able to handle it? Can we handle hearing her scream? Listen to the
horrors behind her words? She's only ten years old. She's under control now,
because she doesn't know what she's really facing. She can only take it as she
takes it. She doesn't know what happened to those comatose people laying next to
her."

	"You said Vera was somehow trained to use her mind to read others'
thoughts. It takes almost everything I have, just to keep my thoughts blank."
Sims said under his breath, and Skinner nodded with understanding. Neither men
hardly noticed when Mulder stood up slowly from his wheelchair, and gingerly
made his way towards them.

	"Mr. Kathler, what do you think you're doing? You need to stay in
your seat as directed by the..." Skinner's reprimand was cut short when Mulder
handed him his notepad. Skinner sighed and practically ripped it out of Mulder's
hands. Mulder looked like a dog just survived a war. In short, he looked like
shit. Skinner never missed the familiar haunted look in those hazel eyes. The
same lost look Mulder had when Skinner walked in his basement office and tore up
Mulder's letter of resignation in front of him. Skinner read the note quickly.

	"Sims doesn't need to even try to keep his mind blank. Outside the
actual hypnosis session, it's safer for him to expose it all for her to see. Or,
she'll never trust him. The chances are, she already knows more than enough
about him. She freaks out every time she tries to express, or think about
anything that relates to the concept of death, or dead. She's very quick to
connect her parents' deaths with those incapacitated people she's seen. It is my
belief, that all her memories related with her artistic and language skills
which I believe to have been enhanced in the suspected surgery she went through,
had been spared from deletion. It is probably out of luck they didn't erase
events she experienced before being transferred into this supposed research
facility. They only wanted to erase the part of 'alien abduction' process, and
what they did to other test subjects. She mentioned the screams she heard, and
her fear of 'the dark room'."

	Sims looked up toward Mulder, who held his gaze. Mulder retrieved
his notepad and began writing.

	"The more you try to hide yourself, the more suspicious she
becomes of you. Trust her to trust you." Mulder watched as Sims read the
sentences before walking gingerly to the door.

	"Mr. Kathler?" Skinner's question wasn't really a question. Mulder
turned toward Skinner, his fists clenching and unclenching, expressing unvoiced
pain. Mulder held Skinner's gaze for a while before taking out his notepad and
added something. Mulder then tore the page away, made it into a ball, and tossed
it to him, indicating he didn't want to walk back ten feet to give him a note.
Mulder then closed the door quietly behind him, and exited the room.

	"What does it say?" Sims asked Skinner, who handed the note to
him, and rested his hands on his waist.

	"I'll be in my room, doing reviews. Tell Scully I'm not riding in
the wheelchair again. If you believe Sims can be trusted, tell him the truth
about Jake Kathler and Fox Mulder."

	"What does this mean?" Sims started at Skinner, sensing the man
did trust him or Skinner wouldn't think to hand him the note.

	"Mulder and Kathler traded places for security purposes. This is a
top security information. Don't tell anyone about this. Vera, of course knows
this."

	"Wait a minute. Are you saying that the gentleman who just left
here, is Agent Mulder?!"

	"Yes. That's correct."

	"For how long?"

	"Ever since Mulder was kidnapped, mistaken for Jake Kathler."

	"I thought they were related or something..."

	"No relation. A coincidence. Mulder used it to protect Kathler,
and he made a right choice."

	"Oh, my God. No wonder she's so open to him ...I mean, real Mr.
Kathler." Sims muttered as he exited the room. He was going to need a lot of
rest tonight.


Fairfield Central Hospital
Mulder's Room  Noon Same Day


	Mulder couldn't believe how exhausting the trip back would be. It
took him nearly half an hour just to reach his room. Hallways seemed to stretch
for miles, his brains were a jumbled mass of nerves. His muscles became slabs of
pain, constantly threatening his determination to push one foot in front of the
other. He nearly blacked out when he finally threw himself on his bed. But even
through the nausea, pain, and delirium, what he heard from Vera still haunted
him. 'Is that what happened to Samantha?' Of course, Samantha's family isn't
dead except for her father, 'but who knows what they told her'? He was staring
at the ceiling, counting the small dots as he dozed off when he heard Scully
open the door and quickly close it. 'Oh-oh, she's upset.' He braced himself for
whatever the damage she was going to inflict on him. He pretended to be asleep,
but he knew she wouldn't be fooled for long. He felt her hands reaching for his
face, then the back of her hand slid down the side of his cheek, to his jaw
line, until it came to rest on his neck. 'Checking for my pulse and fever', he
thought.

	"Damnit, Mulder. Why do you do this to yourself?" Her voice was
low, indicating she had no intention of waking him up. "You're battling flu, in
pain, exhausted, and most of all, stressed out." She kept talking in a low
murmur as she began removing his shoes. Mulder felt the sudden rush of cold air
coming in contact with his cotton-clad feet. She removed the socks also.

	"I'm not surprised you just passed out in here. Your shirt is
soaked with sweat, your ...Jake's jacket, and trousers are hopelessly wrinkled."
She spoke as she moved to pull his arms out of the double-breasted jacket and
pulled it out under his body. Mulder couldn't help jerking with pain when her
hands moved to unbuckle his belt to remove the pants.

	"Sorry." She apologized a little louder. Mulder shook his head no,
telling her he just awoke. "Stay still, Mulder. These are soaked with sweat,
too. You know I've done this to you more than once." Mulder offered her a
half-grin in return, and grimaced as she pulled off his dress shirt. She was
right. He was drenched in sweat. His body twitched by reflex as she inspected
the burn marks on his torso. She left his boxers alone, though she's seen him
without a thread of clothes on before. First time being when he was shot in the
upper femur while they investigated Luther Lee Boggs' case. The ER staff then
cut all his clothes off, trying to stop his bleeding. During her ER residency,
she had to minister on numerous patients of both gender and all ages and ethnic
groups.

	"Now, get under the covers. I'll help, but you know the least
painful way to do it. This is Dr. Scully speaking, so don't even think you can
get out of bedrest by buying my pity. I'll pity you, but I'll still order you to
go to sleep." Scully said as she pulled up the bedcovers to create enough room
for him to crawl under. "You're handful, Mulder. Always. Why the hell do you
have to be so God damn stubborn? You've been following directions to the letter
until this morning. What happened to you?" She asked as she straightened up the
bedcovers around his chest. Mulder took a deep breath, and finally opened his
eyes to meet hers. She looked equally stressed out, and he was feeling guilty fo
r adding to her stress. He didn't even think about reaching for his notepad.
Instead, he reached out to her, and ran his hand through her soft auburn hair.
Resting it on her cheek, he gave her an almost undetectable smile. He wasn't
going to answer her last question.

	"Vera is fine. The doctors are burning us to well-done steaks over
it, but they believe she'll recover sometime soon. She's with Jake right now. I
know it must've been hard for you being there today. But that's no excuse for
ditching your lovely wheelchair and put yourself through a torture just for the
hell of it." Scully didn't try to move away, nor did she try to remove his hand
from her face. "I know how much, and why you don't like riding in it. You still
have functional legs, your muscles were trained from running, and all you have
is severely damaged soft tissue and massive pain. No ligament is torn, no broken
bone in anywhere near the legs. You feel like you are begging for pity, all the
while Vera is pushing herself to the limit right in front of you." Mulder's eyes
popped open. Scully laughed softly.

	"I know you, Mulder. You hate being restrained. And, you're also
thinking about how much time you've lost battling flu, and how much memory
you've lost. You feel like a burden to the investigation team and to the case
itself. You want to be strong again and walk around the building without anyone
following you. The more you move, the better it is. Logically, that's true. But
you still need to be careful." Mulder's lips curled up on ends. A slight shake
of his head told her enough. 'What an amazing woman you are, Scully", the
expression said. She returned his almost-grin as his other hand came to the
other side of her face, his fingers running through her hair and again resting
on her cheek. Scully relaxed into the warmth for a few short seconds before
breaking the contact and returning to her designated chair to type up her
report.

	Skinner visited them just as Scully printed up her report on her
portable printer. For convenience, she had him sign them on spot. Skinner nodded
his approval for the quality of the report. Skinner nudged his head toward
Mulder's bed where the agent fell into an exhausted sleep just over an hour ago.
She asked Skinner whether the transcripts from the morning session was
available, and was told his agents will be doing the transcription. Scully
considered a bit, then asked Skinner if she could do it herself.

	"Agent Scully, do you know how time consuming the procedure is?"
Skinner spoke as if to make sure he heard her right.

	"Yes, sir. I don't need to get out of the room unless Agent Mulder
does or some emergency occurs. I have enough time on my hands while Agent Mulder
catches up with the case reports. He's been working diligently for someone in
his condition, and I believe he'll be as updated as anyone can be within this
week." She didn't mention to Skinner the task would let her stay with Mulder.

	"Four more days?" Skinner said, crossing his arms in front of his
chest. Another nod from Scully.

	"Or three. He hates not being able to get out. He practically
passed out from pain today. He's frustrated because he feels as if he's begging
for pity. He hates restraints. Plus, he's just been given a massive doze of
shock from this case's familiarity to his own sister's abduction. He was fine
when we investigated this case little by little, discovered each clue by clue.
This time, his own words and moves are second-hand information."

	"I know, Scully. I know." Skinner lowered his voice and leaned
forward into the table. Scully swallowed hard, knowing exactly what he was
talking about.

	"Do you still suffer from it?" She asked, dropping her voice to
mere whisper. Skinner immediately grew uncomfortable, but he knew no one
uninvited was listening ever since a daily bug sweep was ordered. He nodded
reluctantly.

	"Not that much any more, but I still have nightmares about the
incident. I know Mulder said the woman was trying to protect me, but I'm not
inclined to fully support that. I'm still wearing my wedding band though
Sharon's still unsure about us completely renewing our relationship."

	"Are you still seeing her, though?" Scully didn't expect him to
answer the question. Skinner focused on his gold band before fingering it
fondly.

	"Sometimes. Not enough, by my standards. We have dinner,
occasionally go to a movie or a dance. We attend weddings and funerals together
for those we knew."

	"Do you two talk over the phone at all?"

	"Not much since I came out here." Scully winced at the thought of
how little sleep he had lately.

	"Try doing it more often. She wouldn't care what time it would be
even if she starts complaining about it. She would want to hear your voice, sir.
Especially considering the magnitude of this case, she'll be worried about you."

	"I feel like seventy years old today." Skinner muttered, very much
a surprise to Scully, but the man had practically no one to bitch to. Scully
gladly took the bait.

	"You're just tired, sir. I know you've practically been doing
triatherone for us since this investigation started. This is a landmark case for
the entire bureau. I just hope that you won't lose any friend over this." This
was something she wanted to say for a long time. Skinner shook his head.

	"Agent Scully, every day is just another life. Live as if it's
your last." Scully focused on Skinner as he stood up to leave with his copy of
her typed report, then she saw him eying Mulder. "I've agreed to order Vera to
rest in her room at least for the next two days. That should give your
oncologist and other doctors enough time to make a quick assessment on Vera and
Mulder's condition. Don't make Mulder leave the room. I don't care what he says.
His flu's still getting the better of him. He looked like hell this morning, and
I don't want him out of this room until he gets rid of it."

	"Yes, sir." Scully barely finished before the door closed.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU
Vera's Room  7 PM Same Day


	Jake was in an exhaustion-induced sleep, leaning over the bed at
Vera's side. His face was now  buried in the top bedcover. Stella was keeping
watch for him, and h never went anywhere without Mulder's gun. Last time when
Jake returned to the room with Vera, he remembered the last time she was in this
situation before. At that time, Vera was strapped down on the bed in restraints.
This time, they saved the trouble and left her alone with Jake and Stella soon
as she was stable and sedated. It had been torturous enough to see the doctor
fume at Scully and him for putting Vera in this situation. He didn't even get a
chance to talk to Vera before she was put under sedatives and everyone was
chased out of the room until their job was done.

	Jake felt Vera moving beside him, and half opened his heavy ridded
eyes. His arm was thrown over against the back wall behind her pillows. He
automatically reached out to touch her shoulder to draw her close. His mind
wasn't quite awake yet, and Jake nearly fell back asleep when he felt the
familiar touch of her fingers on his face. He relaxed into the touch and felt
the pressures from the tiny fingers increase to support the balance. He wondered
what kind of music was playing in the background, but he didn't remember turning
on any radio or a CD player. Somebody was singing, but the voice was faint and
the noise from the outside of the room was enough to serve as a back orchestra
that muffled Jake's senses further. In the end he decided it wouldn't matter. He
liked it, and that was that. A small moan escaped his lips as he drifted back to
sleep. Vera's hand stayed where it was.

	At five, the same nurse who'd been with them ever since their
arrival brought in their dinner and stayed for a little check-up on Vera.
Scully's personal physician was due for arrival at any minute. As the nurse left
with the cart and the door was closed behind her, Jake finally realized the
music he's been hearing in his sleep was still on. Jake shook himself awake, and
realized Vera had stayed awake. Stella was getting her fur brushed, and from the
look on Stella's face, Jake could tell she was in canine heaven from all the VIP
treatment. 'Stay in bed, next to Vera, eating human food and getting her hair
brushed by her favorite stylist', Jake mused, smiling to himself. 'It's an
equivalent of staying in a spa for a week.' Jake smiled wider at the though and
the familiarity of the scenes displayed in front of him.

	He walked to the portable CD player, but he didn't remember
bringing over any CD with 60s' songs in it. He froze when his brain registered
the familiar faint voice he first heard two days ago. That same sweetest voice
he ever heard in his life. He made a sharp turn, staring open-mouthed at Vera.
Her focus was on Stella as she kept her hands in motion. Jake's vision blurred
instantly, and his entire body grew frozen solid on the spot. Then it instantly
melted as he heard the song finish and 'Come Go With Me' came on, sang by the
same voice. Jake's brains were jam-packed with too many signals. But he managed
to walk back to the bed and sit down on the edge of it. He closed his eyes and
let himself focus onto the words. After a while he was composed enough to recite
lyrics with her, remembering every word from 'This Little Light of Mine', then
proceeded to listen to her sing Anamaniacs songs.  The tears began falling off
the moment he saw Vera look up to him, and smiled.

	"Jake." The voice was so clear he absorbed it into every ounce of
him. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth of it take over him. He kept nodding
in return, until he buried himself in her arms carefully without crashing her
against the mattress.

	"Vera...?" His words were muffled, but intelligible. He felt her nod.
Jake exclaimed with triumph when he was finally able to grab Mulder's cell phone
and hit a speed-dial for Scully's number. "Yes!" Her excitement never matched
that of his as he confirmed the news. "That's Vera Jarvis singing 'Over The
Rainbow'!"


Fairfield Central Executive Conference Room
10 AM Next Day


	Sims entered the familiar surrounding of the conference room. What
they told him about the sound-proof was true, since no unauthorized person had a
clue what they were doing in there. Sims was surprised at how tight the gag
order was. Just the way they liked it. When he received the news that Vera was
not only willing, but urging to put her under, he first worried if Vera became
addicted to hypnosis. It happened to many of his patients over the years.
Hypnosis is an ancient technology only recently modified and introduced to the
field of psychology and psychiatry. Its mysterious nature was attractive to
many, only because the patients disregard its danger. Mulder, now that he could
actually address Sims, disagreed with Vera's insistence after visiting her
himself. Jake, who was informed of the revelation, apologized to Sims of the
confusion before getting into anything else. Jake told Sims of the afternoon
they spent with Mulder in the room, when Mulder wrote his questions on the
notepad, and Jake translated it for Vera. She still hadn't shown any sign of re
covering her writing skills, and Skinner knew it would be tough to recover.

	"Mulder thought I was his clone." Jake said. Sims laughed a bit,
but Jake didn't.

	"After all the stuff I've learned, I can believe anything." He
said as he went into the inner room, where Vera waited for them to come in. The
only occupants of the room now consisted of Sims, Vera, Jake, and the X-Files
trio.

	Skinner took his seat in the same designated chair. He couldn't
believe his eyes two days ago, when he got a call and rushed to Vera's ICU where
he saw Vera, Jake, and Scully singing along to "This Little Light Of Mine". Jake
had Vera held high, dancing in a swift circular motion. Skinner heard Vera's
laughter, and could only lean on the door, his feet suddenly numb from relief.
When Jake finally recognized Skinner's open-mouthed stare, he motioned for the
man to join the party. Skinner settled for a good laugh and a simple hug from
Vera. Afterwards, Skinner asked Scully about Mulder. He was told Scully had
Mulder under a close watch by the guards. Mulder was of course unable to attend
the cerebration because of Skinner's direct order. When Mulder tried to leave th
e room, Scully placed him in handcuffs and dragged him back to the bed before
ordering the guards to watch him. Skinner was stunned, but told her she'd done
the right thing. Today, Skinner recognized the cerebration mood was replaced
with a certain air of confidence and an added strengths of hope. They were ready
to start.

	The session began smooth enough. Vera descended the flight of
imaginably stairs, and entered the state of hypnosis. Mulder, now grown dead
serious, adjusted his headphone for the last time before closing his eyes again,
relying on Vera's voice and his visualization skills to guide him along...

	When Vera mentioned to her captors about her missing her school,
they took her to the same room full of little grayish people to answer their
questions. When she complained, they'd taken her to another room. It was a much
smaller cubicle unit, just like any room Earthians used. There they gave her two
teachers to study their language with them.

	"They're making me draw these shapes and lines I've never seen
before. They're weird but I kinda liked their shapes. It took me a pretty long
time to know they were the alphabets used in their world. They watched me so
closely, it annoyed me. They were nice enough but they weren't my friends. I
wanted my Mom and Dad. I wanted my friends from school. They kept saying no. I
thought about escape the day they were going to take me to the Dark Room. I've
never been inside, but all I hear is scream whenever I pass by. I called it the
Dark Room, because nothing was visible through the wall. I knew I couldn't go
anywhere without using the screen door, so I watched how they did it. They
weren't using any switches or buttons. They were using their minds. Then I
remembered my language teacher telling me they'd teach me how to communicate
with them better. I didn't trust they would really send me home some day, but I
did trust nothing dangerous will be done to me.

	"I was scared going into the Dark Room. I was holding the hand of
the same man in shining armor. None of them had names, and I don't know how they
could tell each other apart. I just knew them by their faces. I watched them
open the screen door in front of me. They took me by my arms and almost carried
me in. My feet were barely touching the rocky floor. They were hurrying down the
darkness. I didn't know how they could see anything in there. I couldn't... I
lost it, and I began running. I didn't know where to go, I just ran. I fell down
so many times on my face, I could feel nothing but pain. My legs were burning
up, and so was my chest. But I couldn't stop running, I was so scared. I got
busted and they asked me why I ran. But they told me not to be afraid. That, it
was just a test room and who I heard was another test subject. That, whatever
done to that person won't happen to me. They lift me and carry me inside, so I
can't run. I want to go back, but the guards ignore me."

	"Vera, please step back a little. Don't get too close." Sims
warned, noticing she just spoke in present tense.

	"They didn't put anything on my face like they did to the other
women, and I wasn't naked like they made them be. I was just lying on that
table, completely still. I don't know how I could do that. I knew I was crying
because I feel the tears coming out of my eyes. I don't know what they're trying
to do. I... One of them is staring at me in the face from across the table,
where my feet are. Another one is at my head, looking down at me from above. I
don't know what they want from me. I ask them, and they tell me it is to make me
communicate with them better. My head hurts ...like it's going to explode! I
don't know what they are doing to me! I can't move!!"

	"Only your mind is on that table right now. You're here, with us."

	"I know I must have been scared out of my mind, because my throat
was dry and so as my mouth. ...Eghhh! They stuffed something into my mouth! I
can't breathe! They're sticking something down into my head, and I can feel
something tingle inside."

	"Vera, distance yourself." Vera paused for a few seconds, but just
as Sims moved to bring her out, she took a series of deep breaths to calm
herself down. Mulder closed his eyes again.

	"I don't know what they're doing in there, but I feel the tingle,
and not pain. I can feel heat in there, too. A little bits of heat, like hot
water splashing. It goes away quick but it's very annoying. I tried to spit out
whatever the slimy stuff they put into my mouth, but it didn't move. So I tried
to swallow it next time, so I could breathe. The thing stuck in my mouth. I
couldn't get rid of it no matter what, and it tasted like crap. I mean, it had
no flavor, but...  it felt like chewing on slime." Both Jake and Skinner
grimaced at the expression. Mulder quickly wrote something on the notepad, and
had Scully read it.

	"She said 'other women', Scully. They erased the details." She
scolded at him for a moment.

	"Save it, Mulder." She turned back to the screen, Mulder following
her a second later.

	"Okay, Vera. Let's just move on. What do you see now?" Sims didn't
believe Vera would be able to handle any more precise details.

	"That same man came to pick me up, and told me there's a work in
the field. He said it would rest my brains and give my body a chance to move."

	"Field?" Sims asked before he could stop. He wasn't supposed to
suggest or lead on the course of her testimony.' Sims looked at Jake, who only
stared him back as if to say, 'You screwed up, so what do you want me to do?'
Sims swallowed and listened intently to Vera.

	"Uh-huh. They have fields where they grow Earthian food. Grape,
tomato, bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, mushroom, pumpkin... You name
it, I think I've seen them all. Oh, there's a corn field, too. Next to the
fruits garden. I didn't know what they were at first, because the dirt wasn't
there. I mean, it was there, but it didn't have color. It was all crystal-clear.
That was cool. No need to remove them from the soil to study them. You can just
stand there in the field, and watch how they grew. And you know the neatest
thing about the fields is that there's no sky. I'm in their research center.
Like some space station. So if you stand in the field, you're surrounded by them
360 degrees. I don't know how they kept light in here. Even Mrs. Manners' s
cience class or The Learning Channel stuff wasn't this cool."

	Jake stared at Vera, fascination clear in his eyes. Even in this
state, her curiosity was intact. It reminded him of Scully. From behind the
door, Mulder wondered the same thing, smiling slightly. But until the session
was over, Mulder was going to keep rid on his thoughts. Scully stared into the
monitor.

	"Three people came into the bedroom and stopped in front of my
bed. Two were like the smaller, skinny looking ones and the other one was the
usual guard in shiny clothes. They told me my new training was starting today.
They said I was doing good, that I was recovering real fast. But whatever they
did to me needed some training to become useful. They took me to the school
building where they had me teaching the class on Earthian cultures. They stuck
me into the basement, and put me in a small room where they made me wear weird
thing that molded itself around my head, but avoided my eyes, nose, mouth, and
jaw. My forehead and cheeks were covered in the thing. I think there was a cord
that connected to somewhere in the wall behind me. I can't be sure, because I
couldn't move my body. They made me sit in a chair that felt like fresh clay or
rubber. When I sat down, it wrapped around my legs and waist. I hate this. I
hate being trapped!"

	"Vera? Remember, you're not trapped. You're only an observer..."

	"I know, I know!! I'm doing my best! Stop doing that. It irritates
me." Jake raised his head to face Sims's calm face. Jake had never heard Vera
complain. But then, she wasn't speaking until two days ago. 'Maybe she needed to
let it out. ...All of it'. Jake pondered, resisting the urge to rub her head.

	"I'm sorry, Vera. Let's continue."

	"They are teaching me ...to close my eyes and let them send images
into my head. ...I'll tell you about them, just wait. ...A doll. No, that's my
doll! It was in my bedroom. How did they...?! Wait, there's another one. I don't
know what this one is, but I've seen it in my Dad's books. It's like a twisted
ladder. Very colorful, I like that. It's beautiful." Scully knew instantly that
it was the DNA double-helix. "I see a drawing of a man. He's naked. I've seen
this one before, too. He's got his arms and legs spread apart and there are 
circles drawn in the back. Another one ...Oh, this one's moving. It's a pair of
horizontal lines, going up and down."

	Scully felt Mulder tapping on her arm, and tore her eyes from the
monitor to see his hand running a pen on the notepad. She craned her neck and
read it as the words were written. Her expression never changed, but her head
bobbed in agreement.

	"I have to agree with you, Mulder." She whispered so that Skinner
wouldn't be disturbed. Mulder looked at her, nodding back. Skinner stared at
their direction, and mouthed, "Voyager?" They both nodded in return. Their
suspicion was proven true as Vera described the rest of the infamous Voyager's
data into specific details. Jake stared at her reflection in the glass panel of
the picture frame in front of her. It was obvious as Vera's testimony continued
that by the time she got to this point, she had to have been with the
extraterrestrials for some time.

	"It came to me when I drew a circle. I looked at the stuff around
me. I was so used to watching people walking on all surface areas that I began
to see the circle I drew as a sphere. I drew that nice enough shiny man who came
to wake me up everyday, in the center of the sphere. I had him wearing his
weapon that looks like a boomerang but about a million times more powerful.
These people don't have guns. They told me guns were too primitive. Next I drew
a triangle, and it, too, turned into a pyramid in my mind. It was fun.
Everything I drew had four walls or four floors or four ceilings. I know that
this  never happens on Earth. But in there, that was normal. ...I began drawing
the alphabets they taught me. ...Those very interesting shapes. When I drew one,
I could picture it turning around and around inside my head. I could draw it
from any angle. I knew how it looked 360 degrees. From the side, from the
bottom, from above... Just anywhere. It was fun. I never thought of them that
way.

	"The nice man came back later, and looked at my drawings. He told
me I did great, and I could feel this ...warmth, flow inside me. It's kind of
like a smile. They express emotions differently than we do in here. I could
actually feel it. Feel them smile, feel them angry, feel them wondering. I asked
him if he would let me have the sketchbook and let me draw outside, in the
fields. He agreed with it, and I think that was what he wanted me to do anyway.
He left me alone for the rest of the day until I was tired and sleepy. Then he
picked me up and sent me back to my bed." This was something strikingly familiar
to Jake. That was practically what he let her do in his house. He added another
half a dozen questions on the list for Mulder.

	"I was needed in their lab again. He didn't tell me what it was
for, but I was taken to that basement room with the chair and the helmet. They
began testing me again. Sending me images and telling me to send it back to them
mentally. I wouldn't have minded it much if they could at least get rid of the
chair. I hate that chair, I hate it! ...I thought the images would be just like
the other ones that I've seen, but this time there were pictures. Photos. All
real ones. I don't know where any of them was taken from. ...There's a car on
the street, very close from the building. It's black and huge. I think there are
people running into the building. Hey! They're all wearing black clothes just 
like those people who took me away and, and..." Vera instantly grew snow-white,
shaking.

	"Vera?" Sims interrupted, looking at Jake who knew exactly what
was coming next. And, from Mulder's later assessment, so did Vera.

	"Get me out of here! Now!! Get me out of here, I don't want to go
there! Please!!" Vera shook her head violently. This time she knew what would
happen if she didn't do something. Immediately after the count of three and the
snap of Sims's finger, Jake scooped her up and crashed her to his chest. She was
breathing hard. Jake closed his eyes and tried to calm down as to transcend the
calm into her. He walked slowly in a circular motion, his cheek to hers, all the
while moving his hand up and down on her back. He didn't want to have to see or
hear her being afraid again. When he felt she had somewhat calmed down, he
exited the room and into the outer room where the three agents and Sims were
engaged in a heated discussion. Mulder was the first to break away from the 
circle, no doubt having a rough time keeping up the pace of the argument. Mulder
gingerly approached Jake and Vera.

	"I know it wasn't as horrifying as the last two times, and that
this time she knew when to back out of it. But that doesn't make me feel any
better." Jake said and recognized the haunted look in Mulder's eyes. The man
didn't remember, but Jake remembered everything Mulder told him. Mulder nodded
gravely, and gently touched Vera's shoulder. When his eyes returned to face
Jake's, his question was clear in his eyes. "She pulled through this long. She
might just be able to go all the way. I know she wants to. And Mulder? I'd like
to talk to you about the sessions sometime. In private if possible. I know
Dana's not a believer, and would probably give me her look of disbelief if I
asked you any of what I want to ask you about. Dana can watch Vera and we can
talk."

	Mulder's eyes widened at the statement, but he understood the
man's uneasiness. He looked back toward the three people behind them. He then
pointed to his wrist watch, then held up three fingers. Jake nodded. Vera
stirred in Jake's arms, bringing the two men's conversation to a halt.

	"Jake?" Vera's voice sounded a little hoarse now that she's been
talking for hours without a break.

	"Yes, darling?" Jake asked, smiling at this newly found pleasure.
Mulder smiled as wide as he could without causing too much pain, and walked back
toward his partner and their boss. Sims was just exiting the room.

	"I'm thirsty." Vera said, and Jake asked her what she wanted to
drink. He was rather surprised when she asked for a bottled water. But then,
Vera Maxine Jarvis was no ordinary girl. Jake merely said good-byes to the three
agents before walking out of the room with the guard waiting for them in the
hallway. Jake knew the investigation team was keeping transcripts for every
session done, and understood sometimes why it was easier to read the texts than
the actual recordings. Tapes were time consuming, since Vera's speech was still
a bit slurred, combined with her being in the state of hypnosis didn't help her
much. The result was a lot of long pauses between words and physical exertion
that taxed not only on her body, but also on her mind.

	Their little appointment worked out nicely as Scully's personal
oncologist arrived in the hospital and took Vera for assessment, accompanied by
Scully. Mulder was left alone, and Jake called in to have Mulder visit Vera's
room. Mulder typed up what he could of his own assessment of the sessions, and
handed Jake a printed copy. Jake thanked Mulder and offered him the chair pulled
up across from him. Jake read the report while Mulder watched Stella, who licked
his face and demanded him to pet her. Mulder obliged, then planted a kiss on her
small forehead as a bonus. Her wagging tail spoke her appreciation. Jake
recrossed his legs as he handed the report back to Mulder.

	"Mulder, I had so many questions ready, but you reduced them to
almost zero." He laughed, and saw Mulder grin. "I was wondering exactly the same
things you have been. I think Vera picked up her vocabulary from spending so
much time with us. No typical ten-year old's vocabulary contain words like
'visible', 'express', 'primitive', and 'sphere'. Let alone 'Earthian cultures'.
Besides as you said, when she started the sessions she was speaking like a
normal seven-year old with words like 'yack' and 'gross'. I also noticed a load
of 'weird' used." Jake shifted in his seat. 'Moving on to more delicate areas',
Mulder suspected. He motioned for Jake to continue.

	"You picked up on Vera loosening her guard towards the end. She
began addressing her personal guard, or whatever he was as 'the nice man', and
even began enjoying her time spent in their field. I think it's just a survival
instinct, too. But it's a very well-trained one. Having Agent Hall come up here
to make detailed computer graphic images of what she's been describing is also
an excellent idea, and since I was familiar with virtual reality stuff, I
thought about it right away.

	"I was also shocked out of mind at the analysis you and Hall's
done of Vera's drawings. I've looked at only a few of them myself, but they were
both dead-on. Plus, the ones she's done after she returned looked almost exactly
the same as your final analysis. I know you don't remember what you told Hall,
but he remembers them very well. You two should get together as soon as possible
about this. You guys never really briefed me on these details." Jake shook his
head when Mulder moved to apologize.

	"I know Dana must be raising hell at you for your beliefs in
extraterrestrials. And for seriously taking Vera's words when she said she was
held in the places she described. It's hard for me to believe, too. But I don't
think Vera makes anything up. She might cover things like she's done in
drawings. She added layers and layers of drawings to the one or more already
done. But I don't believe she can lie." Jake waited as Mulder wrote another
note.

	"I don't think she's lying either, but I'm not inclined to take
everything at face value. I'm skeptical until I'm convinced. The truth is, no
one has been with her throughout her abduction experiences. Scully's seen the
test results and knows she has symptoms of prolonged weightlessness. That's a
concrete scientific evidence. She's been having tough time proving her view, but
she denies the possibility flat out. We've uncovered evidences of alleged alien
abductions staged up by the military, by Consortium and various unidentifiable
international forces. We came very close to uncovering them, but we always ended
up losing in the end. They can do anything and go anywhere they want to. It is
possible that Vera had been incarcerated by her abductors for the entire two
years time, and had her memories erased. In its place, they may have implanted
these new scenarios. I hate to think that way but if this is the case, her fake
memories are what she recalls as reality. It's easy for them to take people's
memories away. Think about how easy it maybe for them to replace people's
memories with what never happened." Jake finished reading, and nipped at his
bottom lip.

	"So, you think all that's happened to her for real is the branched
DNA and the brain surgery they'd done to enhance her artistic and language
skills? What about the alien symbols and the fields? She was very much in
detail. She remembered slimy texture of the holding cell she's been in when she
first arrived there. And she remembered the gag they placed into her mouth."
Jake waited patiently as Mulder wrote down his response.

	"Surgery may have been easy enough for the doctors on this planet
to conduct. Combine the existing, state-of-art technology here on Earth with the
much advanced alien technology, it just might be possible. Also, they could have
someone teach her the alien language using already existing knowledge for their
culture."

	"You think that what she saw may actually exist, and these
extraterrestrial civilizations do exist for real, but her experiences themselves
were fake or imitations of the real thing? ...This is confusing." Jake furrowed
his eyebrows. Mulder nodded sympathetically as he wrote.

	"Yes, it is. And I think what you told me is where I'm willing to
go on official reports. In my heart, I want to believe every word Vera spoke is
for real. That, she's been held in their research facility and not their real
home. And, she wasn't directly abducted by aliens like my sister was. She was
abducted by a group of men in black uniforms on both accounts. That struck me
first as odd. But then, it's possible. That's where my doubts grew. With the
cutting-edge technique, neuropsychologist can show you how to stimulate parts of
the human brain to literally make you feel, see and even hear imaginary beings
standing next to you and your body believes your limbs are restrained even
though you're free. Abductees report seeing strange blinding light. This lab
experiment can show you a bright light even as your eyes stay closed. But Vera 
cannot be lying. I don't think she does that to anyone. You know her more than I
do, but from her childhood experiences, it's very clear her parents taught her
well." Jake nodded, trying to understand.

	"I know your dilemma. I don't have a clue what to believe as real
except Vera and your intentions. You have to be the investigator and take things
critically from every angle. Your background in psychology and behavioral
science collide with Dana's forensic science and medical science." Jake mumbled
and uncrossed his legs to lean forward closer to point out a part of the report.
"I knew you were thinking about Vera's ability being further enhanced by the
second abduction, when she began growing the tumor. I've heard of people talking
about how the human brain fights the tumor by trying to use the parts not
infected and most likely were never used by a normal human being. I just didn't
feel too comfortable going that far. After all, I'm an architect and nothing
more. I'm playing you out of luck." Jake shrugged. He took out Mulder's ID, and
undid the clip-on gun holster. He still handled them with reluctance.

	"As real Jake Kathler, I'm glad I won't have to live with this
thing every day. I don't even have a permit, and I'm more likely to shoot myself
in my foot. It rightfully belongs to you, and you are the real officer of the
law here. Not me. This is your sidearm. This gives you the power to enforce the
law, and I know very well you won't abuse your power like many cops tend to do.
If you could speak, I would've called my double duty a quit." He said, opening
up and pointing to the blue and white printed 'FBI' and the 'Special Agent'
section with his index finger. Mulder chuckled, and began writing.

	"Keep them for now. Call Hall for me. No need to tell Scully or
Skinner. I usually don't report to Skinner until the end of the case, or maybe
once or twice in the middle. Never like this. He's rarely gets personally
involved in official X-Files investigations, and never this deeply. It's a
saving grace the bureau has more than one Assistant Directors. Get Hall started
on this right away. I'll order ...no, you order to have the full session tapes
delivered to him. Scully's done the transcripts from the last session for some
reason, and you can ask her for the copy. Since Vera regained her speech, she
can tell Hall what he's doing right or wrong."

	Jake agreed, and as instructed, tore the written pages into shreds
before discarding them into the trash. He watched Mulder exit with the report he
came in with, then pulled out Mulder's cell phone.


Fairfield Central Hospital
Mulder's Room 8 PM Same Day


	"So, how was it?" Mulder held up the notepad the moment Scully
walked in the room. She sighed, and dropped into the chair next to the bed.
Mulder stood up, walking towards her while offering the report he wrote. Scully
took it, giving it a cursory glance. She gave him a nod of approval and tossed
it on the table. Physical exhaustion adding up to her already exhausted mind,
she didn't even try to speak. She took her shoes off, and stood up from her seat
to use the room's private restroom. Mulder quickly, or as quickly as he was
able, pushed the two other chairs against the far wall, and took his seat in the
chair Scully had vacated. When she returned, he gestured for her to sit down on
the bed and talk to him. She placed her hand on her waist, quickly recognizing
Mulder's motive.

	"Mulder, not now. Wait until tomorrow to talk, all right? I've had
tough enough day. But, if you must know, my doctor thinks Vera's lucky to have
two months. The serum was administered by him this afternoon, and he's watching
her in her room with Jake. The pediatrician thinks she's done with the
antibiotics therapy and gave go for the serum. Right now, it's all in my
oncologist's hands. Oh. In turn I got a free check-up for myself, if that makes
you any happier." Scully said as she perched herself on the edge of the bed. But
when she realized what Mulder was really trying to do, he was already up on his
feet, swiftly hoisting her legs onto the mattress.

	"Mulder, I'm fine. I'm supposed to be doing reports ...my report,
to be turned into Skinner. He won't accept yours and neither will I." Scully saw
Mulder's eyes close momentarily before he began unbuttoning her jacket and
pulling her arms out of it. Scully resisted for a moment, but remembered the
night she returned from Seattle. That same look was on his face. If he could
speak, he'll probably deliver the same speech he did then. He draped the jacket
on the back of the chair he was sitting in, then scooted her up high enough for
him to lift the covers and slide her legs underneath. All the while wading off
Scully's half-hearted attempts to fight him off. Scully couldn't believe it. She
thought she hurt him enough by her insistent push. But he wouldn't budge as he
undid her gun holster and laid it gently on the sidetable.

	"Mulder, I really don't need that much sleep. Just a quick nap
will..." Scully protested when his hands came to her shoulders and pushed her
down onto the mattress. Mulder's index finger was pressed to his lips. Scully
really was exhausted, both mentally and physically. With a groan, she finally
shifted to find a comfortable position. He was careful even to try to take the
wrist watch and earrings off of her just to make a point that he won't give in.
When she told him she could do it, he stepped back. After days of sleeping on
chairs and couches, this was a welcoming change. As she lay staring at the
ceiling, Mulder handed her a note, presumably written before she returned from
the restroom.

	"Scully, you don't look fine. You're in need of a rest ten times
more than I do, and you haven't eaten dinner. I don't care what your reaction
will be to my pointers. You can cuss, punch, and kick me anywhere except in my
groin and jaw. You can even shoot me again if that satisfies you. Just don't
expect me to show up at your professional conduct hearing and get you off the
hook. However, it may earn you some extra bucks and a few cases of good Irish
beer from the top. Either way, I insist you to rest. I hate to pull ranks on
you, but I'm your immediate supervisor. Go to sleep, Scully. I think I can
defend myself when necessary."

	Only Scully's eyes moved to meet his smiling eyes, but she
recognized the seriousness behind them. She crumpled the note into a ball, and
threw it in his face. It bounced square on his nose and landed back into her
hand. She threw it again without a pause, but this time Mulder caught it in his
hand. He grinned in response and dimmed the light beside the bed. He then
mouthed a 'good night', and moved to turn off the fluorescent lights on the
ceiling. He chose to rely on the lamp sat on the round table for reading. Scully
pursed her lips and watched as he walked away, still gingerly holding himself.
Probably even more so, from Scully's earlier protest. She gave up the fight, and
surprised herself by almost instantly dropping into sleep.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU Vera's Room
9 AM Next Day


	Both Daniel Sims and Scully's oncologist insisted the X-Files team
to hold off on the hypnosis session for three days for an intensive examination
/ treatment on Vera. Jake readily agreed, but Vera diligently protested.

	"I told you, I want to remember! I want to know! I want to know
what they did to me, and I'm only half-way through! I need to know what they did
to my family, and I need to know what they've done to me and Jake when they took
me for the second time. Why don't I get to choose?!" She made a fish face as
Jake knelt before her as he's always done. 'Talk time', her face said.

	"Vera, please. It's to treat your cancer cells. They need to be
killed, or at least stopped from growing more. I want you with me as long as
possible. I want you to live. Not just for the trials, but for me. I'm not ready
to lose you, and I don't think I'll ever be. I know now why and how much
hospitals are like prisons for you. Dana will be with you during treatments, and
I'll be with you in the room when you're done. Stella and the guards at the door
will keep both of us safe."

	Her ability to understand and learn were exceptional, but she was
still a ten-year old girl who had been in the spotlight of attention for most of
her life. She was used to personal attentions. Her parents, her abductors, the
media, Jake and the X-Files investigation team, all gave her very close
attention. Her behavior, as Mulder suspected in the beginning, could be
misinterpreted as being a selfish, spoiled child. But he knew the truth. Vera
knew she was dying from cancer by Skinner's own admission. She knew from Jake's
confession that everybody needed her to prove what she's been through since her
parents' violent deaths as truths. She knew she was valuable to everybody
including Skinner, who bared his soul to her. She knew from Scully's confession
to Jake, that it was torturous for Scully to be staying with her during
procedures because she was suffering from the same cancer as she does. The
important thing was for her to learn how much she needed the treatment. Thus, as
Jake and Mulder predicted, she agreed after being provided with a full
explanation on the treatment she'd be going through for the next three days.

	This three day period turned out to be just enough time for Mulder
to complete the case review including his undercover operation tapes. When he
read the notes on the Bionix International security system codes, he noticed one
of them read 'GREGORS' spelled backwards before a string of numbers followed. He
kicked himself for not noticing them when he had his memories. He remembered
bitterly of the exchange he had to make with the bounty hunter before. Scully
for cloned Samantha. He wondered what the connection was to Bionix Lab. Most of
important leads in the case involved alien abductees, Consortium, and not much
else. He knew the fire destroyed most of the answers to the puzzle. He needed to
have the Lone Gunmen contact him.

	Scully watched as the doctors, her own and the hospital's oncology
department chief, debated in the hallway about which treatment to use first on
their tiny patient. Scully felt the tag on her arm, and looked down to face Vera
and Stella staring at her. She gave them a small smile.

	"You said I'll be sick after the treatment. Just how bad are we
talking here?" This was a question Scully didn't want to have to answer.

	"I don't know, Vera. It all depends on the person. You are strong,
so..."

	"Dana, please." Scully flinched. Vera never bothered to hide her
frustration, and insistence for real answers. And, this was a ten-year old
talking.

	"I don't know how to put it in words, Vera. I feel nauseated
often, can't sleep too well, and I feel really exhausted even if I didn't have
to go anywhere. That's the reason the doctors want to give you three days. Today
for treatment, the other two days for recovery." Vera didn't reply, and chose
instead to simply swallow a chunk of air and stare at the ceiling. "Jake knows
everything that is to be expected, Vera. Don't worry." Scully said as if to
convince herself. But again, Vera knew her intentions too well.

	"Dana, I worry about him. He's really scared." Scully had to throw
in a towel. There was no room to maneuver in Vera's statement. There was no
fooling-little-kid stuff with Vera.

	"Yes, he is. But only because he loves you. He'll pull through,
Vera. For you, Jake is like Mulder for me. They both are scared to death for
what we're going through. But they try twice as hard to find the ways to help
us. They both love us the same way. They both want to protect us, want to see us
being with them for as long as possible, and they want us to be honest. They
want us to be straight with them, and we both have tendency to hide things from
them."

	"Does Fox cry as much as Jake?" The question threw Scully off. But
then, Vera had seen Jake crying more times than Mulder or she had.

	"Well, I don't know. Mulder very rarely cries. I know Mulder's
extremely strong, but I never know. I don't live with him like Jake lives with
you. There is a part of him that is very vulnerable. I've learned to see that
side of him a long time ago."

	"I want Fox to know that I'm doing the best I can."
Vera's voice was almost a whisper.

	"We all know that about you, Vera." 'Who doesn't?' Scully silently
questioned.

	"Fox is always sad, or angry. Why?" Vera knew exactly what
questions Scully didn't want to answer. She looked around uneasily for a second
and took Vera's hand in hers.

	"...Fox lost his father to a murderer, and his mother is in and
out of hospitals because she had a stroke. His baby sister has been missing for
twenty-six years. This is why it was hard for him to see you at this hospital
when you were found the second time. I saw him crying then. His sister's name is
Samantha, and she was taken in a very similar manner to how you were taken away
from your family. And Samantha was eight years old.

	"When I think about it, Jake is a whole lot more honest and direct
than Mulder is. Jake has close to zero tolerance for secrets. Especially when
interacting with people he trusts. He's good at knowing who has secrets that
would directly affect matters and people in his life. I feel safe to say that it
had a lot to do with what happened to Alex. Her secrets completely destroyed her
in the end. Mulder is a very hard person to reach, because he won't let anyone
in to share his feelings. He let me in, but not completely. Not the way Jake
embraced you entirely, inside and out. Jake's very open, and wants us to see and
feel everything about him. That's what makes it harder for any of us to hide 
ourselves from him. He doesn't want to hide anything from us even when he has to.
I guess that's what makes him the way he is.

	"You have a sort of the same gift, Vera. We've only known you for
over a month, and you know some of our darkest secrets as Jake does. You managed
to reach Skinner, and he's the toughest rock to crack. You reached him so
...naturally. That amazed all of us, and we've known that man for five years."
Scully was about to speak again when the door opened and the doctors entered.

	"The serum you've been investigating is working incredibly on Mr.
Shaw. However, we've received word just a few minutes ago, and Dr. Claiborne
found the serum practically useless on anyone who doesn't have the nasal
pharyngeal mass that you two do. We'll do chemotherapy first since the rate of
tumor growth is the first thing need to be targeted. We'll test the serum right
after that. If we shock the cancer cells in Miss Jarvis's system by doing an
initial chemotherapy, the serum just might work better. I understand the
problems with her branched DNA have been cleared?"

	"Well, it'll never be completely cured, but she's as ready as
she'll ever be." Scully replied as calmly as she could. What the doctors
suggested meant there would be even more severe side-effects than Scully
experienced on regular basis. Scully's worry was not lost on Vera, because
Scully felt Vera flinch under her hand. But nevertheless, Vera refused to back
out.


Fairfield Central Hospital
Mulder's Room 10 AM Same Day


	Scully frowned as she looked over the file on Nicole Hedgwick. She
knew exactly who she was looking for, and at. But she had to dig deep to find in
her medical record about the cosmetic surgery. 'Just what made this woman to go
to this extent?!' She wondered. Being a woman, she knew the desire to be
beautiful in many women. She'd seen it first-hand in an X-File. But to file a
restraining order against each member of her own family and the Kathler family,
to change her name, and then to choose a high-risk, high-stress job as a
political speech writer/civil rights activist that left no time for an ordinary
life, there had to be a whole lot more than what was on paper. Not that what
she'd seen wasn't enough. In Miss Hedgwick's medical file, there was no record
indicating a child abuse. However, her recent medical records and hospital
admission records leveled those of the X-Files team. It didn't take a lot for 
Scully to assume Miss Hedgwick / Austin was extremely self-destructive and plain
reckless. 'Too emotional, maybe?' Scully thought as she dialed the listed
number. She had to get the whole story. Her previous frown returned at the
persistent series of "no" that the woman shot at her.

	"I've already spoken to Agent Mulder. I made him promise never to
tell anyone any of it until the trials are over..." Scully sighed. Of course
Mulder spoke to this woman. The problem was, he doesn't remember any of it.

	"Ma'm? I hate to tell you this, but he doesn't remember meeting
you."

	"That's impossible. He has photographic memory." 'Now, how did she
know about that?' Scully wondered just how long and in how much detail Mulder
got this woman talking. Must have been a lot, since he didn't brag about his
gift.

	"Yes, he does. But he was kidnapped mistaken for Jake Kathler, and
as a result of what was done to him, he has lost his memory of the past five
weeks. He doesn't even remember investigating this case. This is a highly
confidential information, and the press was being kept at bay."

	"Excuse me, Agent Scully? I still don't see why I should be
talking to you." Scully winced.

	"I understand. But from your reports and Miss Lowry's assessment
reports, I believe you are the only reliable source to whether Jake..."

	"Agent Scully? Promise is a promise. I don't have anything to do
with your partner's memory loss. Too bad he's lost it, but I have to go. I have
no desire to dredge up the past again. What you know now is all you'll get."
Scully sighed in frustration. This woman was used to be in control.

	"I understand, Miss..." She raised her voice, trying to break
through.

	"No, you don't! Agent Scully, you even know about my restraining
orders and cosmetic surgery. I've got a call from my doctor, asking me why the
FBI is checking into it. I don't even want to be in court the same day Jake will
be. My promise to Agent Mulder included my trying to talk to Jake again to
resolve some ...unfinished issues and about what's happened. I've told him
everything, and absolutely everything about our childhood. I told him
extensively why I am convinced that Jake Kathler will be an excellent adoptive
father. Ask yourself, Agent Scully. What if some stranger comes to you and
demand the details of your life? Your darkest secrets? Once is enough." Scully
couldn't argue with that. She couldn't bring herself to recall her own abduction
experience.

	"Please, Miss Austin. You're the only one who can be a witness
credible enough to be called on stand on Jake's behalf. Don't do it just for
him, but for the little girl. She's got cancer, and doesn't have a lot of time
left." Scully exclaimed. She was begging, and couldn't care less about
professionalism or dignity. More reasons to hate the sons of bitches who
operated on Mulder. Now she began to understand what the 'something' Jake said
Mulder needed to talk about. Jake's colleagues and former collage professors
said the exact same things about Jake being a hard-working, idealistic, talented
and responsible student. But they collectively lacked in details of Jake's
personal life. Especially about how Jake socially interacted, and most
importantly, how he lived during his childhood.

	"I'll show up for the court hearing as I was requested. I'll
deliver to you what is absolutely necessary. But nothing else. Don't expect me
to go beyond that."

	"But you made promises with Mulder, didn't you?" This was as far
as Scully will allow herself to push. She heard something close to a snarl and a
laugh in response.

	"Well, if he doesn't remember, it's as good as pickles on your
sandwiches. And you know what's ironic, Agent Scully? I regretted ever meeting
that beautiful partner of yours, and I literally asked him to forget about me.
About what I told him. I was at a loss when he told me about his eidetic memory,
but now I got what I wanted. It's your loss, not mine. Now, I really have to go.
Senator's waiting for me." Scully sighed for the last time. This was a no-win
situation.

	"All right, Just get here in time. Don't expect Jake to be absent,
though. That's not my problem." Scully's own temper exploded before she could
catch herself.

	"Fine. Whatever." Miss Hedgwick / Austin didn't wait for Scully's
reply before hanging up. She gaped at her cell phone, and resisting the urge to
crash it against the wall, she threw it back into her jacket pocket. She
couldn't possibly mention this incident to Mulder, because there was nothing he
could do. She just had to trust the woman to keep the promises already
forgotten.


Fairfield Central Executive Conference Room
10 AM Next Day


	Though still a little tired from the side effects of her initial
chemotherapy, Vera still insisted everyone to put her under hypnosis and quickly
get through the rest of the mess. The agents were surprised, but Mulder and Jake
agreed with her intentions. Scully agreed after remembering how Jake had been
for the past forty-eight hours. He was never ready for the side effects Vera was
returned with. Sims reluctantly took his designated seat in front of Vera, and
so did Jake. Sims placed Vera under hypnosis as before, but carefully chose his
words to spare Vera from any unnecessary distress.

	"Let's start from where we left off." Vera nodded her agreement.

	"Okay, I'm in that chair again. There's a picture of... water
tanks. They look like any fish tank at the pet stores, but the water is too
dirty. They're all green." Mulder snapped his head up, startling Scully. He
wrote down 'Erlenmeyer Flasks' on the notepad and let her read it. Scully's eyes
rounded, but she brought her focus back to the session.

	"They're telling me to remember them all because people on Earth
will need to know. But not to say anything until I find the right people. They
said I was doing just fine, but I didn't know if I was. I used the time and
place to transmit what I remembered about my parents. About that night I still
dream. It went perfectly, and they got my message."

	"Vera? You said you still see your parents in your dreams. Will
you tell me about them?" Sims knew he was taking a big risk. Jake's eyes
indicated his shock. Sims gestured him to remain calm.

	"Sometimes I'm in this vast field of green grass, sitting in
between my Mom and Dad. We're drinking lemonade, and having a picnic. ...We go
to sleep after eating lunch and talking for a long time about everything and
nothing. I love that. Sometimes it's about Christmas or Thanksgiving, and
sometimes it's about beach trips. But those are the good ones and they're rare.
Mostly I only dream about that night. They're both lying down on the floor, and
they're calling for my help. They're trying to get up and reach me. They..."
Vera's voice faltered, and Jake glared at Sims with his glassy eyes.

	"Okay, Vera. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Let's get out
of this, and tell me what you see." Sims moved along.

	"They're telling me something. That nice man... He's ...sad. I
don't know why he's sad. He told me I was going to be fine. He opened the door
and is leading me away. I don't know where we're going, but the halls are dark.
Like the Dark Room. I ask him if I was going there, because I thought they
weren't taking me there. He said no, but we kept walking and walking... I don't
know why, but I feel really tired. And sleepy. Really... Sleepy..." Both Jake
and Sims could see her slipping away.

	"Vera? Vera? Please, let's move along." Not wanting to
lose her at where she was, Sims called for her. She didn't reply, and Jake stood
up to check up on her. Sims stopped him with a raised hand. Jake froze. But just
when Sims himself was about to inspect her, she suddenly jumped up, her eyes
wide open, and her body rigid. She stood frozen on the spot, her arms firmly
pressed against her sides.

	"Vera?" Sims called, but no reply came. Jake knelt down in front
of her, then instantly recognized the terror-stricken look that he will never
forget.

	"Bring her out, Sims. Now." Jake whispered his command. In the
opposite room, all three agents stood as Skinner very quietly opened the
adjoining door. Jake looked at them, and motioned for them to be quiet. "Trust
me, Sims. She's back. Bring her out." Jake said in a low murmur. Sims got a nod
from Skinner before trying. At the count of three and a snap of his finger, Vera
dropped onto the couch from exhaustion, and tried to control the breath she's
been holding. Jake didn't scoop her up this time. Instead, he resumed his
position, and sat her up on the couch. Her eyes popped open at the contact, and
the very familiar, haunted deep green eyes met with his hazel. Jake released his
breath as he saw Vera's mind registered what he already knew.

	"I think I know what you're thinking. No, you're not going to fall
eighty floors down. No, you don't have to be thrown onto the wet concrete again.
No, I'm not going to feint on you or bust my shoulder. And no, I'm not going to
fall, or scream at you for being there." Jake was laughing as Vera threw herself
at him. Skinner's confusion was soon answered by Mulder's grin. Scully filled
him in on the details of the Kathlers' first meeting. Skinner breathed easier,
and nodded his approval. Vera's first journey home was finally made.

	"Good work, all of you. We'll try for her memories on
the second abduction, but I don't believe we'll make as much progress. We'll
give her enough time to recover from her treatment sessions, and we'll pick up
from there. Agent Mulder and Scully, submit your report on this by noon
tomorrow." Skinner said as he regarded his trusted agents and shook hand with
Sims.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU
Vera's Room 4 PM Same Day


	Jake closed his own sketchbook with the outer-view of the progressing 
cruise ship. He'd been working diligently for the last six hours.
Since Stella was taken back to the veterinarian for her physical therapy, work
was the only thing that gave him his right to be Jake Kathler. He re-read the
Mosby Medical Encyclopedia he found in the nurses station.

	"Chemotherapy - the treatment of disease with chemicals or drugs.
The drugs interfere with DNA synthesis by the tumor. Thus they kill the new
cells as the tumor grows. However, normal body cells are destroyed as well. The
typical side effects are hair loss, nausea, and vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash,
mouth ulcers, severe anemia, and extreme weakness. There are four basic classes
of anticancer drugs: alkylating agents (such as rambucil), antimetabolics
(methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 5-fluorouracil), antibiotics alkaloids
(vincristine, vinblastine). The drugs are most often used in combination.
Chemotherapy has been very successful in certain types of cancer, as chronic
lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, Burkitt's lymphoma, Wilms' tumor, and
after mastectomy."

	'That's nice, if I could understand a half of it', Jake thought
bitterly. 'And,' he added with equal bitterness, 'Vera's nasal pharyngeal mass
came from other-worldly sources. No wonder chemotherapy failed in the so-called
undiagnosed cancer patients.' The serum they tried on Vera barely  slowed down
the progress of her tumor. Scully already briefed him in detail on the subject
of chemotherapy, but Jake was clueless to how bad things would be. He watched
Vera, now sleeping in her bed, looking as pale as snow. An IV of normal saline
was hooked up to help her dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting. Scully came
over earlier to check on Vera's condition, but Jake wanted Scully to stay in the
room as reassurance. Scully also warned him of other impending side-effects such
as back pain and bruising around injection sites, both of which she suffered
from, but didn't dare tell Mulder. Jake guessed Mulder knew about them, and
chose to keep his mouth shut. Scully immediately noticed Jake's laptop computer
on the side-table, and instantly sensed what he had been doing during his spare
time watching Vera. Jake scratched his ear robe like a school boy who'd been
caught cheating at a test.

	"Sorry, Dana. I was going to tell you. It's the new project I'm
doing for the French firm. It came with the package deal I've made when I flew
to Nice. This cruise ship project is a huge opportunity for me and the big
French boys designated me as the designer. I'm not sending anything into our
firm's office. There'll be a shopping mall to be designed and constructed on
both firms' joint effort, and my business is very important to me and my
partners. You remember how much they depended on me when this happened. Now they
can't even call me or send me flowers. In fact, they're all at the front desk,
making an awfully impressive pile. Even your folks can't get in here. I just...
you know, it's like the women's letters. I needed to be me for a change." Jake
said, offering her a seat. She scolded at him, but soon her expression held an
air of understanding that warmed the corners of his exhausted mind.

	"It's okay, just don't get caught. Don't send anything over the
internet until Mulder recovers  well enough to really play you. Maybe in a
couple of days?" Her eyebrows rose with the question, and her lips broadened
into smile when Jake nodded.

	"Sure. ...You know, I have another idea that just might save some
people their heartache."

	"What?" Scully's voice dropped to a conspicuous tone. Jake toyed
with his pen, holding it sideways and caressing its length as if deep in
thought. But his eyes were laughing.

	"Why don't I extend my 'Playing-Mulder' duty a little further and
invite Mrs. Mulder into this room?"

	"What?! Jake, that's a breach of security..."

	"I'm him. It's his mother. This is a medical emergency. She
understands the undercover deal, so I'll take her to Mulder's room. You should
stay with Vera during her treatment. She needs a medical expert in here,
anyway." Jake opened up his arms in a 'What do you think?' gesture. Scully
lowered her head and mulled over the issue. It was true, it could work. Tina
Mulder had a right to see his son, and Jake was doing a good job portraying him.
The security was tight enough that they'll probably give Tina a thorough search
upon entering Mulder's floor. 'So, why not?' Scully's inner-child quipped.

	"All right, I'll see what I can do." Scully finally replied, and
took out her cellular phone to call Mulder's mother. Scully remembered the
number by heart since calling Tina Mulder when Fox was returned from the golf
course. Jake opted to listen to her side of the conversation.

	"Mrs. Mulder? This is Dana Scully. ...No, nothing is wrong with
your son. Well, I mean, he's recovering nicely. Much faster than first
anticipated. ...Yes, I was wondering if you would like to come visit your son at
the Fairfield Central. ...Yes, that's what I've said before, but we've worked up
a plan to get you in without getting caught." Jake nearly choked on his tea at
her expression. "...Yes, I'll personally meet you at the lobby this time, and
escort you. Your son's well-guarded. There's absolutely no way anyone can enter
without... No. It's fine, Mrs. Mulder. ...Well, he's unable to speak or chew his
food due to a jaw fracture, and I wouldn't recommend him walking around unless
absolutely necessary because of his fractured ribs. ...What? No, he won't do
that. I'm sure he's missing you. ...Yes, Mrs. Mulder. I'll see you tomorrow
afternoon. Thank you very much."

	Jake was about to speak, but changed his mind when he saw how
exhausting the conversation really was for her as she stashed her phone back
into her jacket pocket.

	"Why can't she just admit all the wrong she's done and be honest
with her son?" Scully mumbled as she ran both her hands through her hair. Jake
shook his head. He didn't know.

	"Secrets in both women and men tend to ruin them, and their
relationships." Jake said, sipping his tea and reopening his laptop screen now
that it was no longer necessary to keep his guilty pleasure in the dark. But
when his peripheral vision registered a notable change in Scully's expression,
he closed the computer top again, startling Scully out of her reverie.

	"Aren't you going to work?" Scully asked, returning her gaze to
Vera. Jake shook his head no.

	"Not until you beat out whatever that's bothering you from the
bush." Scully's mouth stayed half open. 'Who is he to ask me such personal
questions? I have no secrets... Yes, I do have secrets, damnit!' Scully the
professional battled with Scully the person. She ran for a cover.

	"It's personal."

	"Everyone's secret is personal one way or another. Or else it
won't be a secret. It becomes personal because it's your secret. You made it
personal. Okay, it's a circular argument, but it's true. Go on." Jake crossed
his legs and leaned back further into the chair, ready to listen. Scully tried
to speak and stopped mid-way. Although there were many differences between Jake
and Mulder, it still felt as if she was talking to Mulder about Mulder. 'Hold
on, Dana.' She ordered herself.

	"Well, you know about my being abducted."

	"Yes. By reticulants, terrorists, serial killers, and the
alien-human hybrids, to name a few." Jake spoke those words as if they were a
part of his daily life. Scully found his adaptability to abnormal situations
amazing, and she envied him.

	"Yeah. And, uh... I've tried to put myself through regression
hypnotherapy to try to find out what happened to me in those missing months. It
didn't work. I ran away."

	"You couldn't face your fear?" This was exactly what Mulder asked
her while he lay in a hospital bed after Luther Lee Boggs' case ended. Scully
shook her head no. "Because you don't want to believe but you still want your
answers to prove the E.B.E's don't exist?" Scully jumped yet again. 'What is he?
A psychic?!' This brought back her late sister's memories and she quickly backed
out.

	"Well, I know that extraterrestrial life exists. It was proven to
me by hard sciences. What I refuse to believe is all these irrational
accusations about them picking up people in their spaceships and flying away! I
mean, we did track down that train that had been used in abduction, just like
mine had been. We did track down Dr. Ishizama who did something bad to me. There
isn't enough proof that the aliens actually did those things to me. The people
who are really guilty for these crimes are getting away everytime because people
believe in alien abductions. And it's easy for many people to believe that some
aliens committed these ruthless crimes, than to face the fact that human beings
do possess the capability to commit these crimes." Scully's voice rose with
tension, and she finally spotted Jake gesturing her to keep it down. "Sorry. I
got excited." Scully apologized, barely able to face Jake shaking his head no.

	"I better go. I'll see you later, I'm sure." Scully said, abruptly
standing up. Jake quickly rose from his seat and caught her elbow, stilling her
long enough to pull her into his arms. She waited for a moment before returning
the embrace.

	"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you so hard. I mean, I'm the one
who asked for the truth, and I forced you to stop. That's unfair to you." Jake
felt her break their contact, saying it was okay. He barely had enough time to
thank her for visiting him and Vera before she disappeared from the room. He
stared at the closed door in silence for several minutes before turning around
to continue with his project.


Fairfield Central Hospital
Mulder's Room Five Minutes Later


	Mulder heard a commotion just outside his door, and pulled out his
back-up piece on his table, ready to fire. Mulder knew the place was tightly
guarded, but you never know. He walked to the door, and opened it just a crack,
seeing that his partner was arguing with the guard at the door. Mulder poked his
head out, and gave them a 'what's up?' look. Scully sighed, and ran her hand
through her hair. 'Trouble.' Mulder thought. The guard also looked like he
needed a break or two. Mulder reached out his hand, and gently pulled Scully
inside before closing the door.

	"Well, it's nothing too big, really." Scully said the moment he
approached to face her. Mulder slightly tilted his head in a silent gesture for
her to go on. She sighed.

	"I wanted it to be sort of a surprise for you, but... well, it's
your mother." Mulder's eyes widened with a pang of fear. Scully quickly shook
her head no.

	"Nothing's wrong with her, Mulder. It's not that. It's ...well,
she was coming to visit you tomorrow, and I was going to escort her up here to
see you." She saw his gaze intensify like a rapid flame. 'What is she coming up
here for?' His eyes demanded the woman's reason.

	"I honestly think she misses you. We all know who she is,
including Skinner. I was going to take us both to Vera's room, and have you all
waiting up there while I meet your mother at the main lobby. The guard didn't
want us to vacate the room. It is a medical emergency, after all. Your mother
also knows about your working undercover. Maybe Jake could leave the room for a
while and leave you alone with Vera." Mulder nodded, and placed both his hands
on Scully's shoulders. She nodded her understanding. "But if you must know, it's
originally Jake's idea. The only change is that your mother called me while I
was heading back here, and told me she's leaving right now." Mulder's hand came
up to cover his mouth. His eyes darted into numerous directions and Scully could
see his worry.

	"Don't be nervous, Mulder. I trust you two to keep peace." Scully
didn't know whether or not she was trying to convince Mulder to behave.
Nevertheless, she felt relieved to see him nod his agreement repeatedly before
he drew her close and embraced her. She knew little of the many wrongs Tina
Mulder had done to him. She knew many of the lifetime of wrongs Bill Mulder had
done to the family, and to 'the truth'. And she knew how that knowledge enraged
her partner. The more truths they learned, the harder it became for her to
dismiss the tragic events in Fox Mulder's life as coincidences.

	It was as if Fox William Mulder was born to right the things done
wrong by his own parents. And to offer his soul and life itself for the cause.
Scully didn't know where that left her. She was chosen to be where she was, but
she also chose to find her own answers to the questions no one dared to ask. Fox
Mulder was a perfect place to start for her as in herself.

	Coincidences didn't exist in the realm of the X-Files.


Fairfield Central Hospital
Vera Jarvis' Room 10 PM Same Day


	When Scully spotted the tall silver-haired woman enter the main
lobby, Scully quickly caught up with her and lightly touched her back the way
Fox did. Tina Mulder turned around sharply and faced Scully. A small smile mixed
with her surprise broke over the woman's face, and Scully gave her one of her
own.

	"It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Mulder. I just wish the
circumstances were better." She said, offering a hand to shake. Tina Mulder took
it firmly.

	"How is Fox?" She asked, concern adding years to her face. Scully
gave the woman a review of Mulder's condition, but Tina Mulder stopped her with
an insistent tag on her arm. "Please, Agent Scully. How is he, really?"

	"If you are asking me of every detail about what happened to your
son, I'm not at liberty to answer. But if you are asking about how he's holding
up, I can tell you, he is making an amazing recovery. He took himself off of
pain killers just a few days after he's been hospitalized, battled flu he
contracted while he's been held captive. Right now, he's almost completely back
to his normal self."

	"Agent Scully?" Tina Mulder stared at Scully with the intensity
that reminded her of Fox.

	"Please, call me Dana." Scully smiled as she pressed the elevator
button, but the second she saw a man's hand stick in between the doors, she
quickly shoved Tina toward the back of the elevator and drew her weapon. The
young doctor who caught the elevator threw both his hands in the air the moment
he registered the gun shoved in his face.

	"What is your name?" Scully asked, her voice neutral, but the gun
never wavered.

	"Doc... Dr. Will Ashman, cardiology!" The man looked ready to
feint. Scully yanked him inside the elevator and watched the doors close. She
pressed the button for cardiology department, and produced her badge for the
doctor but the gun stayed pointed to him.

	"Special Agent Dana Scully, FBI. I'm sorry about the trouble,
doctor. I'm sure you're aware of the high security level positioned here in this
hospital?" Scully asked the doctor whose hands stayed frozen in the air.

	"Of... of course! I've heard about the ICU being sealed off
because of the burn victims held up there and all..."

	"Good. I guess I can trust you to keep your mouth shut to the
reporters?" It wasn't a question. The doctor nodded, and scurried out when his
own floor welcomed him back. Scully holstered her gun the moment the doors
closed. "I'm sorry about that." Scully apologized to Tina, who stood erect
behind her. She nodded repeatedly in a familiar manner, and let Scully lead the
way when the elevator door opened for their destination. She passed by the
familiar faces of the agents in the hallway, heading directly to Vera and Jake's
room. Jake insisted of leaving the room when Tina came, and true to his words,
he wasn't visible as she peered through the room's glass wall. Fox Mulder was in
a chair beside Vera's bed, his hand gently touching her face and smiling. Or, as
close to smiling as he could get at the moment. Mulder told Scully before she
left that he felt much easier with Vera beside him, but he would appreciate it
if she could stay behind the door while they exchanged greetings for
reassurance. Knowing the family history, Scully couldn't blame him.

	Scully knocked three times and opened the door, letting Tina in
first. Scully stayed at the doorway, waiting for Mulder to give her the sign to
leave. Mulder turned slowly to face his mother approaching him, his eyes quickly
accumulating moisture.

	"Oh, Fox. It's good to see you again." Tina muttered, and embraced
her son firmly but as carefully as possible. Mulder returned the gesture, and
gave her a kiss on both of her cheeks. When his eyes opened again and met with
Scully's, they blinked once, accompanied by his slight smile. A gesture for
Scully to go, and as a sign of thanks. Scully nodded, returning a smile before
closing the door behind her.

	"Agent Scully, I need to have a word with you in private." Scully
slightly jumped at Skinner's voice from behind her.

	"Yes, sir." She followed him, wondering what kind of trouble she
just put herself in. But when she faced him again, he began speaking without
giving her a chance.

	"Agent Scully, tomorrow afternoon at two, the federal prosecutor
will be coming here to map out some of their battle plan against Henry
Barrington Hospitals and against the missing psychiatric experts from the
learning center in San Francisco. I need you and Kathler prepped and ready to
make your statements. Have Mulder write it up, and have Kathler memorize it. I
don't care how you do it, just get it done smoothly." Skinner ordered and walked
away, giving Scully no time to ask questions. She was furious, suddenly burdened
with both of their workload. It would have been fine, only if she was
insensitive enough to cut the small Mulder family reunion short, and drag her
partner back into the room by his tie to help her come up with something
credible enough to stand in the presence of the federal prosecutors. Her partner
was essentially better at writing flawlessly than she was, though she was the
better one at critical analysis. She noticed in the past that Skinner liked
reading her reports when he wanted everything clean-cut. When he wanted their
opinions or 'entertainment', as Scully often suspected, Skinner preferred
Mulder's essay-like documentation with Mulder's ever-unconventional theories 
decorating the pages. Last time, Scully was surprised Mulder would volunteer to do
all their tedious paperwork in the closed case probably as a peace-offering for
requesting her to cut short her quiet week at Maggie's house. Then, she was even
more impressed that he actually finished it all before they boarded the plane to
Oakland. 'No wonder he slept so much during the flight.'

	She eventually opted to get the reports started by herself, but
not without Jake present for cover and to save time. Jake kindly answered the
cellular from the men's room, and told her it wasn't a good time. Scully
laughed, and told him to come down as soon as possible. Then she called Mulder
on Jake's cellular which she handed to him just in case, and told him to have
his mother and him stay in his room tonight because she needed to finish some
work on the serum. Besides, she insisted, there was nothing Mulder could do but
to stay put.

	"Mulder, you've briefed and reviewed absolutely everything
retrievable in this case. Stay with your mother. It's late and I've told the
guard to watch over both of you." Just when Scully was about to hang up, Tina
Mulder took the phone.

	"Dana? Fox's writing something and he wants me to tell you. He
says that's awfully kind of you, and he's wondering if you're sure about this."
Scully smiled.

	"Yes, Mrs. Mulder, I'm sure. The thing is, before we came up to
Oakland, your son finished all required paperwork on our last case, and I awe
him. There's a comfortable couch in Mulder's room, so he can sleep there. I bet
he likes it better than the bed." Scully smiled as she heard Tina relay the
message.

	"Dana? He says okay, and to not embarrass him any further by
telling me something else I shouldn't know." Scully laughed as she realized Tina
has never been to her son's apartment. But her laughter died down when Tina's
voice returned. "Oh, Dana? He says to tell you not to worry because he told me
what he could tell me about this case. And that no one knows how he got hurt,
because he lost memories from the past month."

	"What?! Mrs. Mulder, that was a confidential information. I hope
you can understand my not telling you this before..." She was near panic. Tina
stopped her.

	"It's okay, Dana. Oh, and Vera is so adorable. Reminds me a lot of
Samantha." Scully was now speechless. 'Is this the same unaffectionate,
inattentive, and uncaring, Tina Mulder?' Definitely not. 'Vera's magic touch at
work', she thought. "Fox says to call him for any emergency." Tina concluded the
conversation, and Scully was left to stare at her phone, open-mouthed. She had
to get the details of what was said between the Mulders to understand the
woman's transformation. Vera probably worked extra hard to keep their
conversations from touching all the wrong places of their scattered lives.
Scully knew reconciliation for the Mulders would never come until Tina revealed
all hers and her husband's evil deeds for Fox and Scully to see. Their peace of
mind was a long way into the future, yet.

	It was nearly midnight when Jake entered Vera's room with a brown
carry-out paper bag of what smelled like Chinese food. Jake spread out the
contents onto the table sat in the corner of the room, and watched as Scully
worked on her laptop, a legal pad full of her scribbled notes laying next to it.
Jake read the written pages on the screen over her shoulder, and knew it was
time to set a plan.

	"When do we tell the truth to the federal prosector? About our
switching places, and about Mulder been through the memory-drain surgery as Vera
had?" This was "the question" for everyone with the true knowledge of what
really happened. Scully shook her head no.

	"I don't know, Jake. I don't know. Maybe we can tell the chief DA,
but nobody else. I hate secrets, but right now, the stake's way too high to care
about virtues and ethics."

	"Don't get me wrong. I don't want these cases thrown out of
courts, either. That's exactly what they want. What worries me the most, is what
the defendants will do to Mulder on the stand. What if they asked questions only
Mulder can answer, because they somehow obtained information about the secret
surgery? I bet high Cancer Man's already in bed with the defense lawyers
screwing each other before he lights another cigarette for the after-play."

	"Jake, we have a child in here." Scully warned, poking Jake with
the cap of her pen. Jake's hand flew to cover his mouth, his weary eyes
observing Vera's sleeping form. His gaze asked, 'you think she knows what I
meant?' Scully shrugged.

	"I know what you're worried about and why. We need this out before
we actually get to the court. The hardest thing is how to find the right timing.
We have to be cleaver, because only seven of us know about it. And that's after
counting Mrs. Mulder in. I think Mulder had to tell her when she pressed him
about how and why he got hurt. If he can't remember, which isn't quite true
because he's fully briefed on the subject, then he can spare the woman another
stroke. Mrs. Mulder pressed me about details in the elevator on our way up, too.
I think she's getting serious about her past. Finally." Scully said as she added
another paragraph from the scribbled notes to the report on the screen.

	"You said the team's coming in at two tomorrow, right?"

	"Yeah, count on it. The man's notorious for being punctual."

	"I know the guy. We've met last year. I was testifying as their
expert witness in the district court. It was a trial of an architectural firm
that got caught red-handed for ignoring the federal safety standards of a
business office building. My firm, as you might have researched before leaving
D.C., is known for the thoroughness in our work and for being responsible.
Personal attention is our policy. So they called me up to the stand and asked
for my opinion. I thought one of the older partners should've gone, but they
didn't want to risk getting grilled on the stand. So they chickened out and
pushed me in. Needless to say, I got our firm some positive publicity." Scully
listened to Jake, tapping her fingers on the table. If Jake had the federal
prosecutor's trust, it took some of the weight off of their shoulders.

	"Jake, Skinner himself will be on the stand this time. No one will
be spared. It'll be a series of long trials, but I'm sure the FBI Director will
put pressure on the courts for speedy trials. I'm thinking about talking to
Shaw, and to our doctors to find a way for us to treat Vera at your home. That
was both of your wish from the start, and we'll do the best we can to make
things less stressful."

	"Will Cancer Man be on the stand?" Jake spoke as if to drag the
words out of his mouth. Scully paused to think for a short while before speaking
again.

	"He'll probably never be convicted, but maybe this time we'll be
the rainmaker. You have to understand he's not at the very top of the ladder.
There are those above him pulling the strings. So we'll risk losing a greater
battle with Consortium if they decide to sacrifice Cancer Man as a game piece.
We want to avoid that, because that son of a bitch is probably one of the only
three links we have to the group. The other two, essentially, are Miss
Covarrubias, and who we call the Well-Manicured Man. He was at Mulder's father's
funeral and warned me that there'll be someone coming to kill me. He was right.
Only the killers, which we assume included Krychek and another man, killed my
older sister, mistaking for me. He's the reason for our three-way stand-off."
The shock registered on Jake's face quickly turned to deep anger, and Scully
lowered her gaze.

	"I'm sure he'll be at the courts." Jake muttered as he released
her from his embrace. "Be sure to tell me which bastard that is when he comes
in. By now, the entire Consortium probably knows everything I've ever done in my
life including what I do in my spare time. If the bastards try to discredit me
by telling the whole world about my hobbies of reading women's letters and have
affairs with married wealthy women, I'll explain myself fully to the public."

	"What affairs?" Scully knew too well what that could do to the
case and to Jake.

	"Kate Lyons. A professional photographer I dated and slept with
...before she introduced me to Howard, her husband. We were at a Masai Tribe
charity bowl they sponsored. The night before this revelation, I pushed her and
told her I didn't want any secret between us. She warned me, though. 'My last
secret. Expose it at your own risk.' I took the bait, initially because she was
the who approached me in the first place. She came back to the loft after the
party, and told me she did in fact fall in love with me and she wanted me to
know what she was giving up. She stayed with me the entire day and night, but
she was gone when I woke up the next morning. ...Nothing too damaging, I hope."
Jake knew that had been at least a topic of worry for Scully and Skinner. If
Karen Kosseff and the district judge could grant Jake full custody of Vera
Jarvis by the trials day one, everything should flow smoothly.

	"I'm sorry, Jake. ...No, if she corroborates your story, it
shouldn't be a problem."

	"Corroborate...? Dana, I don't even know where she is. In the last
letter she wrote me, she seemed to be leaving both me and Howard, because it was
unfair and unhealthy for all of us. ...I haven't heard from her for over two
years."

	"We can find her on the FBI data base. Hopefully, she wouldn't be
bothered too much by this. And, as I said, the possibility of this issue coming
up is very slim."

	"I've got nothing to hide personally. Not like they will be. Do
whatever's necessary."

	"Vera's memory was clear on her parents' deaths because she
detailed about the homeless girl's body being destroyed with acid solution. Vera
needs more therapy and maybe a few more  hypnosis sessions. Mulder will be there
to help her get prepped, but he's not qualified to do the actual therapy. He'll
have to call in someone with more experience like what he did with Sarah Martin.
Now that Mulder's got so much first-hand training, he'll be with you two all the
way. As I will be."

	"That's good to know." Jake said as he took his seat, and opened
up the first carry-out container before handing it to Scully. "Kung-Pao chicken,
your favorite Chinese food. Mulder told me." Jake said as he handed her the
steamed rice and a pair of chopsticks. Scully smiled, and took the container
without hesitation. When Jake smiled plausibly, Scully looked into the steaming
dinner and inhaled the appetizing aroma.

	"I realize I need to take better care of myself now that I need to
be at my best. The 'funky poaching' part is over." She said as she split apart
the soft wood of the disposable chopsticks at the center, and dug into the
container. Jake nodded and read the part Scully added before turning the
computer screen over to him.

	"So this is the blue-print of our battle plan?" Jake asked, his
smile now turning into a smirk. 'Jake Kathler the player is back', his eyes
said. Scully nodded as she chewed the food.

	"And we're gonna win."


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU - Vera's Room
5:45 AM Next Day


	Street lights were gradually turned off, and the traffic slowly
began to fill the small business district. Fox Mulder had spent the entire night
writing, and his right hand was threatening to fall off.

	"Fox, really. You don't have to stay up just for me." His mother
said more than once. But her dutiful son refused to stop talking, or, in this
case, writing. Tina Mulder had no idea how she could spend seven straight hours
reading her son's words, either. But she just didn't feel like going to sleep.
She knew about her son's insomnia, and knew a little about his nightmares. She
stopped insisting him to go to bed a long time ago. He would smile
apologetically, and did what he wanted anyway. Vera had given up on following
their conversations long ago, and fell asleep.

	"Fox, you know that I love you." She said so more than once, and
Fox answered yes each time. 'Why does she need to reassure herself so much?' Fox
wondered silently as he watched her from across the table, smiling back rather
melancholy. Her smile wasn't so unlike his own. A little held back, like there's
someone tagging at her and whispering her not to smile, not to show that type of
affection towards her own son. Fox sighed, and decided to venture into the
"forbidden territory" now that Vera wasn't awake to keep an eye on any crack
running over the thinning ice.

	"Do you still think about him?" He asked for a start. Tina Mulder
flinched in response.

	"What do you mean?" She asked carefully in return.

	"Just what I asked. Do you still think about him? The things he's
done? To you, me, Samantha, and the rest of the world?" Tina Mulder paled, but
shook her head no. Fox took a deep breath, his expression hardening.

	"I still don't know what you're talking about." She said.

	"You know he's the one who healed you. The doctor told me you
weren't going to make it. It scared shit out of me, but they were clear. The
next thing I knew, they released you and told me you were okay. That doesn't
just happen, Mom. Not with stroke. This is the kind of stuff I deal with
practically everyday of my life." His eyes were like a pair of thunderbolts,
striking its target accurately, directly and fearlessly. When Tina Mulder stood
half-way up from the chair, he stopped her and made her sit back down.

	"Mom, please. Tell me what happened between you and him. I know
you don't remember things as well now. And I know how frustrating that can be.
But I need to know. This man won't escape this time. We'll go all the way. And,
to tell you the truth, I'm afraid for you. Of what he'll do to you. That, you
would... go without seeing Samantha ever again. You know she's alive. I've seen
proofs that she's indeed alive..."

	"Fox, please. Stop there." Tina Mulder's eyes grew moist in an
instant as her son's, though he hadn't yet noticed. She placed a feather-light
hand on the base of her son's jaw, and gently tilted his face up to see her.
'His eyes are like crystal', she thought. "I'm okay, Fox. I will be okay. He
hasn't been in touch with me. I was just told by the doctors that I was free to
leave the hospital. I don't know  who brought me the healer. I know that the man
used the palm of his hands. But that can't be, because the healer's dead. Isn't
he? Or, was it somebody else who died? It was never clear to me, with all the
people coming and going ...the nurses and doctors." Fox wondered how she gained
these knowledge.

	"It's never been proven. We never found his body, but you know
he'll just vaporize if and when he dies. Just like Samantha's clones did." Tina
Mulder closed her eyes, and Fox realized he'd gone too far. "Sorry, Mom." Fox
wrote and offered her a careful hug. She accepted, but didn't meet his eyes.

	"How much does she know?" She asked suddenly. Mulder was a little
thrown off, but soon realized who she was talking about.

	"Everything, Mom. She knows practically everything about us that I
know. But there's a whole lot you haven't told me. I've seen a lot of things
Scully helped me see. She's my one eye, one arm, one half of everything I have.
She stuck with me through all these years and never gave up. Not on herself, not
on me, not on the truth, and never on the future. I can't hide anything from her
unless it poses direct threat to her life." Tina Mulder met her son's intense
gaze, but didn't hold it for too long. Fox let go of some of his tension by
shifting his position. "Mom, will you at least promise me that you will tell me
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth when you're ready? Do this
in your terms, but as soon as you are ready. Whenever that will be, I'll try the
best I can to wait. But I have to tell you, my need for it is so strong I can
barely contain it. The desperation.  Thirty-seven years is long enough for any
secret to surface. No matter how painful it is for us." Fox kept pushing, but
finally stopped and  faced Tina's watery eyes again. He stretched out his hand
and gently touched her cheek to wipe her tears.

	"If there's more than just the pain for having Samantha taken
away, and I believe there's a lot more, you should let them out. You need to let
them out. Sometimes, to reach the people's heart of hearts, a few gaping wounds
and scars are a necessity. I've had my heart ripped open practically everyday.
Mistakes we all make in life will someday come back to us, and often eat us up
if they are left untreated and unexamined." Fox was doing his very best to
maintain his self-control. But inside he was scorching with the pain he absorbed
from his mother's silence. Every time Tina Mulder had a particularly close
encounter with the past, she grew distant. Fox sensed just how heavy the
pressure she was under, and inevitably, how horrible her secrets must be.
Suddenly Fox wished Vera would wake up, or find Scully sitting next to him.

	Fox pushed the notepad closer to his mother in an attempt to let
her read his last sentences. She did, but very quickly. Fox knew she wasn't
ready for it. And that she would probably go home and won't willingly contact
him again until the next time he's hospitalized with critical or terminal
condition. She hadn't visited him in his past hospital stays, not even when he
was shot during the Boggs' case four years ago. Only Scully visited and almost
always, stayed in the room with him. In those uncomfortable, small hospital
chairs. She even offered her prayer when she felt the need for it.

	"Mom? Please don't fade away like this. I'm sorry I pushed you too
far. Come on, I just wanted to spend time with you and you're so far away.
You're so close to me now, but your heart is miles away. I love you, Mom." He
wrote quickly, and this time put the notepad in her hands. Then he ran his hand
in his mother's silvery hair. But then tears began flowing out of her eyes even
faster, and Fox kept wiping them. Only when his surroundings began to falter and
lost their shapes, did he notice his own tears. And he was slightly surprised
when he felt his mother's hand wiping at them. A slight smile surfaced on his
face when she reached for him for once. He accepted her embrace gratefully, and
gave her forehead a kiss. He couldn't remember when was the last time she
reached for him like this. Perhaps when he returned from the world of the dead
after the incident in New Mexico, with Albert Hosteen and a group of the Navajo
priests. She was convinced Fox was dead, then. He was now frustrated more than
ever that he couldn't speak, just so he could express to her how he felt through
the tone of his voice. That he hadn't intended to turn this reunion into an
interrogation rather than a nice quiet evening between the surviving Mulders.
'Minus one, counting Samantha.' He closed his eyes at the thought.

	Fox listened to the radio he turned on hours ago to help Vera fall
asleep. He tuned it into a soft jazz station, which he knew to be his mother's
taste. The likes of Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and sometimes Frank Sinatra
played, and began adding some much needed comfort in the early morning air.  Fox
stood abruptly, and held out his hands for his mother to take. She stared at him
quizzically for a long moment, but got the message at her son's insistent head
movement. She released a slight laughter, and took her son's hands. Fox
successfully swallowed a yelp of pain when her arm came in contact with his
waist, and another time when they turned in circles, dancing in slow motion and
quickening the moves where appropriate. Fox then realized dancing with her was
something he considered many times but never actually done it. She felt so
fragile, Fox was scared he'll crack her spine just by the touch of his hand. Her
head barely reached his collar bone. She was only a few inches taller than Dana
Scully, which was something he hadn't thought of before.

	"You're a smooth dancer, Fox." His mother complimented, and he
gave her as big a smile as he was able. He positioned himself a tad further, so
he could dance while staring into his mother's eyes. She was currently his last
remaining family member, and he had no desire to lose it. He could see his
mother growing comfortable every minute as they kept dancing. There was nothing
she felt as  threatening, accusing, nor searching in her son's eyes. It was just
a mother and a son, dancing to slow classical jazz and enjoying the morning air.
Fox knew she was aware of his fear for her life, fear for her missing Samantha,
and his fear for losing Scully. When he drew her closer again, he heard her
unexpected soft laughter.

	"You need a shave, Fox. Your face tingles." Fox chuckled, and held
her closer just for a moment for a tease, then resumed their previous positions.
He could hear her breathe. He could hear her voice, and feel her warmth against
his body. In short, he could feel her alive. 'What made her feel so terrible,
guilty, and even fearful that she forced herself to put such distance in between
us?' Fox knew he was closer than ever to the answer.

	"You know that I love you, Fox. I cannot tell you when I'll be
ready to ...really talk. But I will tell you before... Before the end of my
time." Fox quickly shook his head, not wanting to think about the inevitable
just yet. His heart muscles contracted too quickly in response and complained.
He wouldn't get too many more chances to really talk or dance much less both,
with her in the future. Reading his mind, she took the lead of their dance.

	After they danced through what felt like fifty songs, the assigned
nurse who took care of Vera came in, and stared round-eyed at the two people
dancing in the room. That parted them quickly, and they let the nurse in when
she turned to leave.

	"I'm sorry. We've been dancing for a while ...well, hours. I swear
we didn't disturb Vera's sleep." Tina Mulder said, and quickly kissed her son's
cheek before starting to gather her things to leave the room. Fox pursed his
lips, and waved at her as she smiled again and left. A little too quickly for
Mulder's taste. But he was satisfied they at least regained some sense of peace
in each other.

	When the nurse left, having had a new IV bag hanging from the
catheter for Vera, Fox sat back down. Watching Vera is a job he'd voluntarily
take any time it was offered to him. His body complained from the sudden
over-use of the muscles that hadn't been in use for a long time. Mulder knew he
danced quite lousy because of his injuries. 'I'll get another chance later', he
thought. He knew now she had guards to escort her to the airport and then to her
house, at Skinner's insistence.

	Mulder sipped his coffee, the first in more than three days
because until now, his immune system couldn't afford to lose its strength from
an intake of caffeine. He could feel his nose stuffy and sometimes in need of
clearing, but chest congestion was cleared nearly completely the day before. Now
he was battling the headache and the stuffy nose. He wondered if he gave his
mother the flu, but he new she was careful, and had the flu shot like Scully
did. Otherwise she'll never accept his offer to dance with her. 'Wouldn't she?'
He wondered as he destroyed the pages and pages of his notepad, throwing away
the whole thing with exception of the few blank pages left in the back.

	He was curious how much Scully had done. She told him she was
working on the serum again, but the doctors and the witnesses were already in
secured custody. What did she find out that kept Jake held up in the room?
Mulder hoped that whatever the answer came to be, he'd be able to handle it.

	When the clock hit ten in the morning, Mulder ignored his exhaustion 
and handed a note to the guard at the door to check in with Scully. He
was soon told she was in a meeting, but he couldn't tell Mulder who it was with.
Concern growing every minute, Mulder wanted to go check on the mysterious
meeting, but since Jake wasn't there Mulder couldn't leave the room. His growing
suspicion that this whole night was a big set-up refused to leave his mind.
Besides, this "call your mother" thing was Jake's idea. 'What the hell are they
up to?' Mulder thought as he watched Vera eat her breakfast. Mulder took out the
last remaining blank sheet of paper and wrote to Vera while she asked him her
questions on how things had gone the night before. He was reluctant, but
remembering that hiding secrets never worked with Vera, he knew he had to spill
his guts. Then it hit him.

	"Vera? I need to know something. What's my mother hiding from me?"
He asked, a little hesitantly and guiltily, but not stopping. Vera stared back
at Mulder and ran a finger across her lips, a motion that said she wasn't
telling.

	"I'm not a spy, Fox. You can't use me like that." She said firmly.
Mulder nodded, quickly apologizing. Then, he felt ashamed that he even
considered using Vera against his own mother. Jake would kill him if he was
there to witness this scene.

	"No, I'll never be like my father." Mulder declared. And that was
a promise he made to himself  intending to keep for eternity.


Prescott Hospital - Mulder's Room
Noon Same Day


	"Are you sure about this, Mr. Kathler? You're still in a lot of
pain, and I personally..." The doctor's voice was cut short by the notebook
thrust in his hand from the stubborn patient in front of him. He sighed and read
the scribbled words.

	"Look! I need to be as sane as I can without blacking out with
pain. The drugs are making me nauseous. It's forcing me to think slowly, and I
have a hell of a lot to catch up. I don't mean to be difficult, but as your
patient, I have the right to consider my treatment options. As long as I stay
quiet in my bed, nothing will go wrong.  All I have to put up with are the pain
and the flu. All I want is to reduce the painkiller dosage. I'm not asking you
to stay out of my room." The doctor shook his head in disbelief, but agreed with
him in the end. Beside them, Scully sat in her designated chair, her head
slightly lowered, but her eyes were looking up directly at the doctor. Her
pursed lips told the doctor she advised against it before she made the call.

	"All right, you asked for it. Don't blame me if you wake up in the
middle of the night screaming." The doctor said as he left the with the shot of
anesthetics. Mulder was already wincing inside, but refused to show it. Scully
knew the truth, however.

	"Mulder, I know how much you want to start catching up, but you
have the flu, and..." Scully's words were also cut short by his hand reaching
for hers. He scribbled and handed her the notepad. Scully was already used to
the method of conversation, and knew to wait until he's finished writing.

	"I know what I have because you told me. I'm not going anywhere,
and I'll take whatever the treatment they give me. I'm only reducing the
painkillers in my system. That's all." Scully accepted the decision, but she
already knew he didn't take his pain pills the night before, nor in the morning,
nothing for more than half the day. It was hard for her to have to ignore the
level of pain her partner was experiencing. But then, she was doing a pretty
good job ignoring her own pains. She still changed bandages every day whenever
she stepped out of the room to freshen up. And so far, it was healing nicely.

	By late afternoon, Mulder was coughing, sneezing and blowing his
nose. The pain his body responded with every time he coughed made him pale. He
followed doctors' orders to the letter but stubbornly kept refusing pain
medications. Eventually it had gotten bad enough for Mulder to order Scully out
of the room to prevent her contracting the flu from him. But Scully knew it was
because he didn't want her to have to see him like this. If he was shot or
recovering from some nasty extraterrestrial virus attacks, he would very much
appreciate her company. But when she has to put up with his shortened temper,
expression and complaint of pain he wasn't able to hold back, plus the constant
noise of coughing, sneezing, and blowing of his nose it was just too much an
embarrassment for him to bear.

	Scully stayed in the staff meeting room, reviewing the case files
saved in her laptop and making entry on her field journal. She even called her
mother in Baltimore and had her retrieve a spare key to Mulder's apartment she
kept in her own apartment.

	"Mom, he's hospitalized while working undercover. I'm afraid it's
been a month, and someone needs to feed his fish and possibly change water." She
couldn't believe what she was asking her mother to do. "Mom, he has an automatic
feeder for the fish. It keeps dropping certain amount of food every day for a
month. I gave it to him for Christmas so he wouldn't have to worry about them.
But it's probably close to empty by now. His mail must be stacking up, too. I
don't want him coming home and find no running water or power. Let alone an
eviction notice."

	She knew she had taken care of everything because her mother was
getting her mail. Plus, she kept addresses for the utility companies, and sent
out her checks in time. Something Mulder wouldn't even think of doing.

	"Is Fox hurt again?" She asked with a genuine concern that only a
mother can express. Scully briefed her on his condition, just to the extent of
telling her he had three fractured ribs, contracted a flu and a badly broken jaw
is preventing him from telling her thanks in person.

	"Oh, dear. Well, at least it's not life-threatening." Margaret
Scully had married a Navy captain, raised two sons who are in Navy to follow
their father's legacy and had a daughter in FBI whose occupational hazards were
probably higher than both her brothers combined. She knew what was serious and
what wasn't. She had a tremendously strong stomach and an iron will that had
passed onto her children and won Mulder's complete trust and adoration.

	Scully knew Margaret cared for Mulder as if he was a part of the
family, and Mulder in turn returned the favor though he didn't show it unless he
felt it right.  Scully had no clue why he still felt as an outsider even after
four years of knowing her family, but then she knew how much he respected her
and her family's privacy. Her missing for three months plus Melissa's death had
prevented him from getting in too deep no matter how much he wanted to. She had
been lucky to have a warm, stable home to return to while growing up. Sure, they
moved a lot, but the family always stuck together.

	"Yeah, he's handful as usual. He ordered the doctors to reduce his
pain medication to close to none, and he just ordered me out of his room so I
won't have to see or hear him suffer. He's so stubborn it frustrates me."

	"Dana, honey. You know this isn't the first time, and it won't be
the last." Scully could picture Margaret shaking her head with a slight smile on
her lips. She returned the smile.

	"Thanks, Mom. I love you, and I miss you. Mulder misses
you, too." Scully was sure of it, although he may not remember how much they'd
cared for each other during the investigation. Margaret's soft laughter and the
sweet I love you were her answer.


Fairfield Central Hospital ICU Staff Meeting Room
Fairfield, CA 7PM Same Day


	Skinner compared the two images, one from a sketch book he gave to
Vera, and the other from a printed enlarged copy of the computer-scanned sketch.
Then nodded.

	"Yes, they're certainly the same. So how much have you found out,
Agent Mulder?" Knowing the guards are right outside the thin glass door, he
asked Jake who stood across from him, bending forward onto the round table in
front of them.

	"I've questioned Vera. Mostly in the same manner we've been using
since the day we've met. I give her about three alternatives and she picks the
right one. So far, she doesn't remember where she lived, but she remembers her
parents, and her mother's advancing cancer. She remembers her parents' murder
vaguely. It was apparent she had witnessed the murder but not the details. She
remembers Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas mornings but again, vaguely."

	"And she remembers nothing about how to speak, how to write or
read? Kathler, she does have the capability of learning any language she wants
to, and I believe her parents did teach her English. You're the only one who can
pull it out of her. Mulder maybe able to help, but neither Scully nor I will
risk another panic attack from Vera." Skinner said, leaning in close and
studying every detail of the two identical images in front of him.

	"But if she doesn't have to mask the images by added layers of
other images, maybe she's remembering them ...without fear. Look, I don't know
if you've noticed, but when she came back, something was different. She demanded
a lot of attention from us, but she was much stronger than before. Mentally, and
possibly physically. I know she has the branched DNA that you guys are treating
with antibiotics, but it just might be a good time to try to bring her memory
back. I know she hasn't lost as much as we were led to believe."

	"You can really lose her this time if you don't be careful."
Skinner's reluctance was the same one Jake had before coming to understand what
an X-File investigation required. He told Skinner he ask Vera herself for
consent. But just as Skinner tried to exit the room, Jake reached for him and
physically stopped him, though never roughly. Skinner froze on spot, not used to
anyone grabbing him.

	"What did you tell her?"

	"Excuse me?" Jake already knew not to take the man's reaction at
face value.

	"What did you tell her that was so terrible it made her cry? I
know how much it takes for her to cry. I've only seen her do it three times.
Once when I took her to a business meeting where twelve angry, sweating men
threw accusations at me and Vera at once to crucify us. Second time when I first
saw her in this hospital after her return. Then the last time, just two days ago
in her room. Not any other time. Now what the hell did you tell her?" His voice
was a carefully controlled whisper, but his cold eyes betrayed his tone.

	"It had to do with her past. About her parents and what they did
to save her life. It was something she needed to know. Now excuse me." Skinner
said with a slight nod that indicated the conversation was over. Jake got out of
the man's way and watched as Skinner made his rather hasty exit. 'Yeah', Jake
thought. 'He's definitely hiding something.'

	This was something that was stuck in his mind, and he needed it
out. Scully was the closest person to Mulder. She might know something.

	"What is it, Jake?" Jake took a deep breath, making sure that no
one else would hear.

	"Just before Mulder left, he said something about wanting to talk
to me in absolute privacy. I could tell he wanted to mention it many times, but
he knew how much me and Vera needed to be with each other, so he refrained from
saying anything. He was dead serious when he mentioned it, so I know it's an
equally deadly serious matter."

	"Can you be a little more specific? What did he say exactly?" She
asked, dropping her voice.

	"He said 'there's something I need to talk to you about, but not
when she needs you this much, and not when you can't be absolutely alone. I'll
call you, but right now just focus on watching over Vera. I wouldn't have pulled
a stunt like this if I didn't know how much she needs you. All right?' And he
was gone."

	"Okay." Scully answered, disappointed that nothing much came out.
"So it's something very important and he didn't want Vera to know. Mulder didn't
want to scare her. What...? Hmmm...." Scully was a hard thinker, and Jake waited
as she tried to search out the answers in her mind. Then she realized the
precise reason why Jake was dealing with the current situation so well. Too well
for someone in his state. "Oh, God. Mulder." She wondered out loud. "Jake. Did
Mulder tell you about the test results on Vera?" Scully tested the waters.
Jake's expression darkened instantly.

	"What's wrong with her?" The cold hardness returned in Jake's
gentle eyes. The transformation was remarkable. Scully sighed inaudibly, and
wondered what her news would do to this man. Jake's voice held its intensity.
She finally shifted in her seat, warning shooting out saying 'brace yourself'.
Jake swallowed hard, but gestured her to continue.

	"I'm a medical doctor, and I'm your friend as well as a temporary
partner. So I won't disrespect you by lying to you. I've checked her records,
and found that her mother had a cancer gene that was passed on to Vera. But in
her medical records it wasn't the nasal pharyngeal mass her daughter was showing
in the initial exam.  I don't know just what kind of cancer Mrs. Jarvis had, but
it was modified. While she was taken." This was it. Jake's head snapped up in
alert, making him stand upright.

	"What do you mean?" Jake went into the restroom and closed the
door behind him so Vera wouldn't be awakened by whatever the reaction this news
would bring to him.

	"I mean, when she was abducted for the second time, she was
experimented on physically, just like any other abductee we've investigated. On
Vera's first abduction, Mulder had a theory that she had been spared from the
stereotypical experiments the abductees report on. Because of her genius, her
mind were exploited in that two-year period. But this time, they took her with a
clear intent to kill."

	Jake's face instantly grew snow-white, and his legs suddenly went
numb. But then he kept the erect posture, only his eyes darting everywhere
looking for something to focus on.

	"Jake. It's inoperable, incurable except maybe by the serum, and
it's very hard to treat Vera because of her tumor's placement and its type. It
is mine and Mulder's belief that since Vera had a cancer gene, they've found a
way to modify it.  To speed up its rate so she wouldn't survive it. There's a
high concentration of radiation in her system from the physical examination, and
that probably contributed to the problem. Other abductees showed up with
blistering on their exposed skin. Her branched DNA was to stop us from ever
successfully treating Vera with the serum. We can't treat her with it if her DNA
itself is a biological poison. With this tumor, statistically there's zero
chance of survival. It's a matter of fact. The absolute truth."

	"Excuse me, I'm getting sick." Jake muttered, uncertain.

	"Jake? Are you all right? Do you want me to stop?" A sudden attack
of spasms set warning bells in his head, but he knew it was better to hear it
all at once. He told her to continue. "When I was returned, I had the branched
DNA. They partially changed my DNA structure so my own body became my enemy.
They put an implant in my neck which recorded my brain waves and neurochemical
signals sent from my brain to the rest of the body. With those information, they
could know my every thought. That was exactly what we found on Vera. Except when
I was taken, it was three years ago and the technology was too premature to
spare me the coma. Vera had the same branched DNA, but they spared her the
additional consequences it brought me home with. Mulder found out from his
outside sources to treat the branched DNA with the series of antibiotics
injections you learned about."

	"Yeah, I knew something was wrong with her DNA and the antibiotics
and all. But what does that have to do with the inherited cancer gene?" Upon
learning the essence of the illness, his head quickly filled with questions need
answered.

	"When they took her the for second time, they learned that their
DNA experiments, whatever that were, finished. But they knew exactly what Vera
was capable of, and made sure she wouldn't make it out of it alive. They took a
precaution, and repressed or erased a part of her memory. But their main plan
was to modify Vera's existing cancerous gene into something deadlier. No one
knows how they did it."

	"Just why didn't you fucking tell me this when you first found
out?!" Jake's tight fists shook slightly, and Scully noted the white knuckles.
She stood her ground, her eyes filled with guilt.

	"We've been withholding these information from you, because we
needed to have you at your best. We couldn't trust your ability to keep a
straight face like when you did the hostage negotiations. Mulder's emotional,
but never as much as you." This summoned Jake another fit of nausea. 'Another
stupidity factor for volunteering to play Mulder', Jake thought. But there was a
lot of truth in her statement. Everyone was counting on Mulder and his sharp
intellect. He had thrown his best and only barely managed to keep up.

	"I know Skinner's in it. Tell me the truth, Dana. Before I
personally kick his ass and yank his balls off with my bear hands." Jake spilled
it out before he could stop it. He slapped himself in his face. 'A shock of pain
would do you some good, stupid.'

	"Jake, calm down. Please. What about Skinner?"

	"It's something I've been investigating. Skinner's hiding
something, but I'll tell you more when I know for certain. Sorry, Dana. Please
go on. I promise I won't bite." Jake took her sigh for distress.

	"Okay. Shaw, me, and Dr. Claiborne were trying to develop the
serum based on the information Clive Shaw had in his safety deposit box, plus
what Mulder retrieved out of Bionix before it was destroyed. It was for Vera as
well as Clive Shaw and the millions of abducted women."

	"How long does Vera have? I need to know." It took all of Jake's
self-control to keep his voice neutral.

	"No one knows for sure. But at current rate, no more than two,
three months. Trials take time. Sometimes years before the case is even
presented in the open court. We can take depositions, but since she can't write,
speak, read nor sign her words, it's a joke to even try to present her as an
witness. Not until she either learns or remembers how to communicate." Suddenly,
Skinner's earlier remarks returned to Jake's psyche.

	"Dana? Skinner said something about regression hypno therapy. Why
can't we try that? He said you wouldn't risk another panic attack, but it's
worth a try and honestly, we've got nothing to lose. I don't have to have her
leave here without telling her story. People need to know this. I need this."

	"Jake? She's dying. I don't want to have to put her through it.
She deserves some peace and quiet." Jake thought he detected a slight faltering
in her tone. He knew how hard it was for her to see such a young girl going
through what she would surely be experiencing in near future.

	"Dana, I want that for Vera more than anything. The question is,
what does she want to do? I know she's a tough kid. And I know she would want to
do everything she can to help us. That maybe what she was trying to do all along
from the drawings. It's a matter of finding a way in."

	"Jake? You sound frighteningly like Mulder." Scully's voice grew
considerably stronger.

	"Let me ask her. Skinner said he already told her some things
about her past. About her parents. Vera was crying when I caught them talking to
each other. I don't know what was said, but it takes a whole lot more to make
her cry than to make me cry. It had to be something devastating."

	"Do you think she can handle it?"

	"Yes. But I'll still ask for her consent."

	"Would you be able to handle it?" This was a question Jake had no
answer for, and he told her so. But he needed to do this. Scully agreed and told
him to talk to Vera while she called Skinner. Jake stopped her and asked her to
let him do it.

	"All right. But don't kill Skinner. He has a wife." Scully said as
a friendly warning. Jake chuckled at the statement, but didn't make any promises
to her. He already had the truth from Vera. And, unlike anybody else, she
wouldn't lie. He couldn't believe Scully would conceal such vital information
from him. But then, he wasn't even a legitimate legal guardian yet. He was
merely Mulder's double. He didn't have any FBI training nor the Oxford
psychology degree. Jake stayed in the staff room for as long as it took to calm
down before walking into Vera's room. She put down her sketchbook and reached
for him the moment she recognized his carefully-masked distress. He took a deep
breath and gave her a kiss on her forehead, thinking about the evil tumor
growing in there. He wanted to drop down to his knees and start wailing like he
did before. But he couldn't lose it. Not before he asked her the question. So he
distanced himself instead and stood beside the bed.

	"Vera? I have to ask you an important question. I need your
opinion because it has to do with your medical condition. I don't know if you
remember, but when we were living together, you played with my computer
equipment and saw your drawings saved into it. Something in there really scared
you and you were in a hospital while I watched over you. That was just before
the bad guys took you away from me and beat me up. Do you remember what scared
you so badly?" Jake desperately held back the tears that kept threatening to
come back. He watched in horror when Vera picked up the sketchbook sitting on
her lap, and held it up to him. It was the one she'd done of her parents lying
side by side, in a pool of blood. His tears finally broke through the final
barrier, and he pinched on the bridge of his nose.

	"Vera? I feel terrible about this, but you are the only one who
can tell us what went wrong. How it all started. But to do that, you need to
remember how you used to speak,write, and read. You have it all inside you. You
just couldn't remember, because you were forced to forget. And because your mind
was trying to protect you from seeing these horrible images. But I see now that
you're not hiding your memories. I believe you were trying to remember, and to
tell us the answers we are all looking for. Am I right? Be honest, my sunshine.
I need you to be sure." Vera was nodding before he finished the statement. And
kept nodding until Jake dropped his shoulders and leaned in for another kiss,
this time on her cheek.

	"Okay, Vera. To help you remember, we need to put you under
hypnosis, so you can open up the parts of your mind that normally wouldn't open.
It will make you remember things that you didn't before. I want you to do this
to remember how you were before your parents died. Before the bad guys and the
aliens took you away. You can stop it any time you want. Just give us a sign and
the hypnotician will stop." Vera gave him another nod when he paused. Jake took
another deep breath.

	"I will be there to watch over the process, but I'm afraid I can't
hold you or sit next to you. But I'll be close enough so that I can see you.
Dana will also be there, and maybe Mulder." Jake never mentioned Skinner. His
name had a lot of blood, dried or fresh, smeared over it. Vera nodded again, but
kept gazing at him. He knew she was scanning his mind again, and he knew better
than to table the issue.

	"Vera? Do you still trust him?" The 'him' didn't need to be
spelled out. She nodded. Jake's eyebrows rose. "Are you sure? Because I can't
any more. But, you have an ability to know what's in people's hearts. You know
what I'm thinking. I'm angry at the man for what he's done to Mulder. To all of
us. What makes you still want to trust him?" It wasn't really a question. Vera
began drawing something on the sketchbook. He recognized it as a gesture to stay
because she needed to tell him something. Much like how Stella did with her
wagging tail before she tried to explain something needed to be said.

	It wasn't shocking to see her drawing something that looked like a
large gun, and a tree that had unusually large leaves. It looked 'like a
...coconut tree?' Then she drew a human figure standing and shedding tears. She
then added a small hole on it, and added a curving line that was unmistakably
blood. A tropical plant, a gun, a man shedding tears and blood. It could only
mean one thing in Walter Sergei Skinner's life.

	"Vietnam War?" Jake asked, his hands now resting on his waist. She
nodded. Then she began drawing something else. He waited patiently. It was like
a trivia, or the drawing game he played in junior high. She drew a figure on a
bed, something like a tube coming out of the mouth. Jake watched with interest
as she began coloring the figure's head with orange, and realized that was the
hair. Of a woman.

	"His wife?" He asked, but got a no. There was only one
alternative. "Dana Scully?" A nod. Jake nodded back, and wondered what the tube
was for. After she added a couple of figures wearing masks, he decided it was
the hospital and Scully had an incubator breathing for her. She was in a coma,
after all. Just when he thought about exiting the room to meet up with Skinner,
she picked it up again. This time, she drew three human figures holding small
guns aiming at each other. A three-way stand off. Jake's blood ran cold. It ran
even colder when she began adding hair on one of them with orange. He was
deathly-pale by the time she added a pair of round eye glasses in another one.
This was Skinner, in the center of a three-way stand off with Scully and
somebody else who he assumed to be Mulder. Vera watched Jake for a long moment
before closing the sketchbook. Her sign for a closure. He nodded an okay before
exiting the room.

	Jake asked the guards at the door to keep watch for Vera because
he needed to step out for a while. When Jake called on Skinner's cellular, the
man was at the roof, catching a little fresh air. 'Considering Skinner was
Cancer Man's puppet, this irony can't get any bitter', Jake thought. He told
Skinner to stay there, because they needed to talk. When Skinner complained
about his schedules, Jake told him Scully and he decided to give regression
hypnosis a go as soon as Vera consented, which she just did. Skinner began
barking, but Jake hanged up on the man. It didn't matter why or how the man
gained Vera's trust. If what she told him was true, then Skinner might be ready
to bury them all in the sand. But before doing anything more, Jake needed to
clear up the issue of distrust. He flew up the stairs instead of taking the
elevator. The exertion did some good to calm him down. When he yanked the metal
door open, Skinner was leaning forward onto the security fence, apparently deep
in thought.

	"You cut the deal yourself, didn't you?" Jake's voice made
Skinner's body do a sharp 180 degree turn. Jake stood, his head shaking, but
never looking away.

	"What?" Skinner's portrayal of confusion was perfect. Jake kept
shaking his head with disgust.

	"You ordered the surgery on Mulder. You are the one responsible
for his memory loss." Jake's every word weighed a ton, dragging the suddenly
stale air down with it. Jake took one very slow and sure step after another like
a predator stalking its prey before pouncing for the final kill. Skinner looked
away, but felt Jake's eyes like a pair of daggers pinning him down. "You wanted
to play the perfect knight in shining armor when your soul was already sold to
the devil." Jake took a few more steps. Skinner stood rigid on the spot. Jake
could almost smell the blood that smeared the man inside out. "I hope you know
just what you've done. Mulder's put everything he's got into this case, and all
you do is deny him access to his accomplishments. No wonder Mulder feels so
small, although he's one of the most honorable, respectable men I've ever come
to know. You're one of those shadowy gophers for Consortium. Using Mulder, Dana,
and whoever else gave their lives for the sake of the truth. You are destroying
Mulder's reputation, his confidence, his pride, his whole life. I can't believe
I've even thought you would be the right person to take care of Vera in case I
don't make it out of this alive. You were the cleaver chess player who got
caught cheating. Cancer Man's secret weapon and a precious puppet. How dare you
call yourself a man?"

	There was only a few feet of distance left between the two angry
men. Jake expected Skinner to throw him a hard punch or two by now, and he
couldn't care less. But instead, Skinner stood still. Only his hands moved,
forming bone-white fists. Jake moved for the kill.

	"I'll ask you again." Dropping his voice lower, his expression
turned to a smirk. "Did you make a deal besides the one we've made to authorize
the surgery on Mulder?"

	"Look! Kathler, it's easy for you to say! You have no idea... No
idea! What we deal with on daily basis!" Skinner fired his words like M-16
bullets. Jake didn't flinch, because he expected much worse. He leaned further
forward until their noses almost touched.

	Then make me understand! What's worth eliminating his memory of
ever meeting Vera? Of saving Elly's life? What about Stella? She's taken a
flying bullet for the man and he can't even remember. Oh, let's not leave out
the two weeks of personal hell he put himself through in Sacramento for Sarah
Martin, so he would be ready to help Vera through the mess! I've been beaten up
and thrown into a trash chute mistaken for him, while you looked the other way!"
Jake was screaming, and for once there was no one to stop him.

	"I wasn't responsible for that! Agents Mulder and Scully are the
only hope we have to expose the truth for the public to see. They are justice's
the most powerful weapon against Consortium. And If the blackening of my name,
my reputation, and my dignity are the price to pay in order to save their lives,
I'm glad to pay them, and I have paid them. More times than I care to count. You
haven't seen enough to sing a pretty crap to me, Kathler. You don't know shit."
Skinner jerked his jaw, bearing his teeth for effect. Jake kept glaring at the
older man, letting his boiling rage out in the open.

	"Oh, I think I know enough. You're just too blind to what really
matters. You've been in it for way too long, you forgot how everything looks
from the outside. A mountain looks a whole lot different from a few hundred
miles away. The trick is not to get lost while you actually climb it." Jake
wiped his smirk clean, and now his dilated eyes held a grimmer fit for a
moonless night. "You wanted the case to be thrown out of court. I was wondering
why you let me play Mulder this long and now I know why. You didn't want them
finding out you screwed up and didn't want to be the one to get smoked. I bet
you wet your pants when you discovered Mulder and I switched places. Mulder had
the insight of something like this happening. He visited you right before he was
snatched and my car got bombed. How convenient is that for you? What, did you
call the Morley man and told him Mulder was sniffing his cigarette smoke?"

	"Mr. Kathler, we live in the world where nothing is what it seems.
Where night is day and day is night. Where criminal and the lawful trade places
from time to time. Where the truth and justice are sold to the highest bidder.
Where there's no true good or evil, because sometimes you have to soil your
hands in order to serve for the greater good! We all walk on the grey line and
swim with the sharks just to survive the game. In our world, sins are committed
for righteous causes. And I don't expect you to understand just how tough it is
to keep our sanity without losing ourselves! I did what I had to do in order to
save Mulder's life!" Jake watched as Skinner's expression held a deep old pain
that was honest yet unidentifiable. Jake finally dropped his shoulders, seeing
that Skinner was truly feeling guilty. But his disgust for the man was never
replaced by sympathy nor by understanding. He shook his head again.

	"You're probably right on that. But that doesn't change what
you've done to Mulder. Is there any way you can take his memory back? By another
surgery?"

	"No, there isn't." Skinner spat out his words in Jake's face. Jake
only nodded slightly.

	"Then find a way. Get Mulder his memory back, and I might forgive
you."

	"I can't do that, Mr. Kathler. And I'm in no need for your
forgiveness."

	"Are you going to tell Scully and Mulder about this? To Mulder's
recovering mother? To Scully's mother who made a panic call to save her own
daughter from hundreds of miles away while you may be the one who sent the
terrorists on their way? To Vera, whose chance of living a normal life vanished?
To those innocent souls in Sacramento Mulder worked with?" Jake's stashed hand
appeared from Mulder's trousers pocket, snapping open the holster and removing
the safety of the Sig Sauer. Skinner noticed Jake's eyes stayed fixed on his.
Jake rested the hand on his waist and gestured Skinner with the other hand to
step out of the roof and toward the stairs.

	"What do you think you're doing?" Skinner asked wearily.

	"Pull out your cellular phone. Dial Dana, so you can tell her and
her devoted partner personally about what you've done and why. You owe them at
least that much." Jake's hand motioning Skinner to comply.

	"What makes you think I would actually follow your orders?!"
Skinner stashed his hands in his trousers pockets. Jake pulled out Mulder's gun
and aimed it at Skinner's groin.

	"You don't have a choice." Jake said, but didn't exactly expect
Skinner to comply.

	"You've never even handled a gun before, Kathler. I suggest you
put that thing down, because I can legally blow your brains out." Skinner said,
but moved to follow Jake's demand. Jake shrugged as if it was to be expected.
After all, this man was capable of pulling a gun to his two best agents.

	"Fine. But tell Agents Scully and Mulder everything. They're
entitled to the truth." Jake watched Skinner press his cell phone to his ear.

	"Scully." The voice was so smooth. So neutral. Skinner closed his
eyes.

	"It's Skinner." His voice came out an octave higher than normal,
and he hastily corrected it.

	"Sir? What's wrong?" Quick to detect a trouble, her voice dropped
a few notches.

	"Agent Scully, is Mulder with you?" 'This should tell her he had
enough privacy', he thought.

	"Yes, sir. I'm still at his ICU. He's awake, and he's with me.
What can I...?" Skinner wiped his forehead, trying to start the explanation.

	"Agent Scully, I need to tell you something. But first of all,
Miss Jarvis gave Kathler her consent for the regression hypnosis session. I know
you two have been discussing about this. If that's what it takes and everybody's
in agreement, you have my support. But you're on your own with this. I'll look
the other way, but not for long."

	"Yes, sir. I..." Scully was obviously in shock that Skinner would
agree to go that far.

	"It's decided for a go, Agent Scully. Leave it at that before I
change my mind."

	"Thank you, sir." She was quick to respond. Skinner took a deep
breath before going on. Jake was still standing close by, aiming the gun at him.
But Skinner knew that Jake knew he was once a trained marine officer.

	"There's something else." Skinner's free hand curled up into a
fist. Jake watched Skinner's every move like a hawk.

	"Yes, sir?" Scully's tone was neutral but insistent.

	"When Mulder was taken, Cancer Man offered me a deal. It was a
deal separate from the one Kathler and you were cooking up. He told me what he
was doing to Mulder. About the pain he'll be in before he's finally killed. They
were really going to finish him off, because they didn't know who they had. Jake
Kathler was a stranger to Cancer Man. He was going to make the whole thing
cleaned and changed into a signature hit of a serial killer, or a victim of an
accidental gas explosion. The buildings were old, and he could easily blow them
up. They were also bars. There won't be anything to recover once the explosion
hits the alcohol stored in there."

	"Oh, my God. ...Wait. What are you saying? You cut the deal with
Cancer Man? Alone?!" Her voice rose with anger once she figured out the reasons
behind his call. He took another deep breath before dropping his gaze onto the
white concrete beneath him.

	"Yes, Agent Scully. I did. The condition of the deal was the
surgery. To eliminate Jake Kathler's memory from the time he met Vera Jarvis, to
the point when he was operated on. They didn't know they had Mulder."

	"Wha...?!" Scully began, but he cut her off.

	"Let me finish! Cancer Man was going to let me have the game once
we made a deal. So I did. But I didn't expect the showdown to go to such extent
as to directly negotiate the deal Kathler made. The whole thing got out of
control when the terrorists separated from Cancer Man and followed Kathler's
lead. Mulder, as I speculate it, knew that Kathler was going to be attacked no
matter what. I believe Mulder tried to divert the attention from Kathler and
Vera by making himself a decoy. Of course he won't remember any of it, so we'll
never know if it was a freak coincidence."

	"Why are you telling me this now?!" She yelled into the phone, and
Skinner quickly distanced the phone from his ear. But then, he wasn't going to
let the opportunity to tell her his situation disappear.

	"Because Jake Kathler himself is standing in front of me with
Mulder's Sig Sauer pointed at my balls and threatened me to call you." Skinner
glared at Jake, who holstered back the gun the moment he got his wish, and now
was shrugging as if to say, 'So what?'

	"Sir, are you expecting me to trust you're telling me the
truth?..." Her voice sounded as if it was ground out of her raw anger.

	"Agent Scully..." Skinner moved to explain himself, but she paid
him no heed.

	"Don't bother doing the rest of your confession speech over the
phone. I'll hear it all in Mulder's room. Personally." Her tone honestly chilled
Skinner as he tried to keep her on the line, but she was gone. Jake watched as
Skinner stashed his phone back into his coat pocket.

	"What did you tell Vera?" Jake asked, still not giving up.

	"What are you talking about? I told you it was about her past."
Still annoyed out of his mind, Skinner faced Jake once again.

	"Bullshit. There was something else you told her that made her
cry. I've asked her about it. About her parents' murder. She was able to tell me
about the incident without losing her composure. She even drew the scenes in
detail for me. Don't you lie to me again, Assistant Director Skinner."

	"All right. I told her what are to come. About what was keeping
her in the hospital while she hates it flat-out and manages to not show it. I've
read Mulder's therapy reports, and I've learned from his session tapes to be
honest with patients, especially when they are kids."

	"What?! No wonder you scared shit out of her! What makes you think
you have the right...?!"

	"Calm down, Kathler. I never underestimated her intelligence. Her
strengths. The depth of her understanding, and her ability to reason. I knew she
could handle it, and she did. I knew it was a horrible thing for her to hear.
But she needed to hear it eventually, or else she'll be even more afraid not
knowing just what was eating her alive. She needed to face it."

	"I never read Mulder's Martin therapy reports. I need to have them
ASAP. I understand Vera enough, but not the way Mulder does ...did. I know why
you've been shutting me out of the door. But, I need access to them. I need all
the help I can get." Jake kept his gaze on Skinner, willing him to turn to face
him.

	"All right, I'll see what I can do." Skinner looked out into the
city. Air was much cleaner out here compared to Oakland. And definitely cleaner
than the Nation's Capitol. Jake nodded a thanks.

	"I pulled the gun on you, because I know what you're capable of."
He moved in for another round of the sparring match.

	"I don't know what you mean." Skinner's voice was carefully
neutral.

	"I meant about the time you had a three-way stand-off. With you,
Mulder, and Dana. Each one of you were pointing a gun at each other, although it
looked like you were aiming at Dana while they both aimed at you." It was
Skinner's turn to go pale.

	"How did you...?"

	"Vera. Remember, she can mind-scan. She saw it when you went
bearing your soul to her. Twice. Once you were thinking about Vietnam War. About
someone or yourself shot and bleeding to death in a jungle. Then you were
thinking about Dana in a hospital, surrounded by doctors and nurses, breathing
through an oxygen mask."

	"How did she...?"

	"She drew them for me to see, because I asked her if she still
trusted you after all the wrong you've done. She answered yes. I asked her how
it was possible, because it was impossible for me at that point. That's when she
drew the images for me. She believes you're a good man. And I know deep down
that you are, too. I just don't want to believe it right now, because I'm angry.
When I told her you were hiding something from me and possibly others, Scully
told me not to kill you because you have a wife." Jake shrugged. Skinner stood
open-mouthed. "I haven't a clue just what made you pull your gun to your best
agents. I can only guess you did something else that was bad to them and they
were scared. I know those two would never pull a gun on you unless they thought
it as an absolute necessity."

	"It was a tape." Skinner's voice sounded as if it had been pushed
out of a clogged drain.

	"A tape?" Jake raised his eyebrows. Gee, thanks Skinner, that
really narrows it down.

	"A micro digital cassette containing a list of test subjects'
names. Agent Scully's name was among them. I had it with me and was going to
give it to Scully. Mulder was missing and presumed dead. Scully had her gun
pointed at me, because she was warned by someone from Consortium that her
assassination was ordered. She thought I'd be the one."

	"Why am I not surprised?" Jake said, shaking his head. Skinner
swallowed the stinging words.

	"It was a false information. I told her to take us to somewhere we
could talk. She chose Mulder's apartment. She pulled her gun on me the moment we
walked inside. They told her it would be someone she trusted. I showed her the
disk I was going to give her. We were aiming guns and shouting at each other,
firing accusations. Mulder heard it from outside, so he burst inside with his
own gun drawn. That's when he ordered me to give the tape to Scully. Much the
same manner you've been doing." Skinner aimed his glance at the hip holster on
Jake. Jake shrugged again.

	"I knew you'd be capable of killing me if you wanted to. But I've
learned from the best that I needed to get on people's nerves in order to reach
them. And once I reached them, they'll feel a whole lot better that someone
else's sharing their burden."

	Jake remembered the way he shouted his brains out to Vera for
scaring the hell out of him, and she gave him her trust. Mulder opened up to him
when he hit his nerves. 'Mr. FBI', Jake teased him, and that did the trick. It
seemed to work on Skinner, too. Only he had to risk his life for it. It was a
gamble.

	"Don't get killed over it next time." Skinner said, and saw Jake
smiled briefly, nodding his understanding. 'Yes,' Jake thought. 'It was the
right thing to do'. "I'll be at Prescott." Skinner muttered as he briskly walked
away.

	"Sure. Don't get killed over it yourself." Jake joked, and watched
as Skinner gave him a dismissing wave without turning around. Jake stayed where
he was a while before returning to Vera.


Prescott Hospital Mulder's ICU Room
Oakland, CA
6:30 AM Next Day


	The previous night while Skinner's phone call came, Mulder was
listening to the taped hostage negotiation where Jake took charge. Mulder could
only regard Jake's intentions as brilliant, noble, and reckless. But when he
told her, "So are you, Mulder." was her only answer. The other thing he caught
was the time he called Scully by her first name. He knew it was Jake Kathler's
preference in addressing her, but if he had been tortured for indeterminable
length of time with electric shocks, he wouldn't think about his temporary
identity, much less how Jake Kathler addressed his partner. It sounded as if he
was really on the barge of sanity. And he was forever incapable of learning if
it was an act or for real. He inclined for the latter.

	"Scully, all I know is if I was calling you Dana, it's because I
needed you. And I sounded like I was dying." Mulder winced at the memory of
hearing his own horrific screams. Jake Kathler's transfer order came through as
soon as Skinner asked for it. When Scully mentioned about Jake's idea of getting
Stella to come with them, pressing that it would certainly help Vera get
comfortable and recover faster, Skinner groaned and ordered two agents to drive
Stella out to Fairfield Central.

	It was evident from the previous night's confrontation that
Mulder's presence was necessary for the regression hypnosis session of Vera
Jarvis. Mulder insisted Skinner his need to be able to finally meet the girl,
and to witness the session. He insisted that would enable him to make notes on
the sessions and compare with the notes from Sarah Martin case. Scully was
surprised to learn Jake really pulled Mulder's gun on Skinner to make the man
confess. And it made Mulder's jaw literally drop before he screamed from the
pain. But what amazed Scully the most, was when Mulder readily forgave Skinner.
They both knew how dangerous and how serious Cancer Man had to be to take such
extent measure of action.

	"Who's this gun-ho, Jake Kathler?" Mulder wrote on his notepad.

	"Your perfect double." Scully joked, reaching to tousle Mulder's
hair. Scully knew by the way Cancer Man offered the deal that Skinner really had
no choice. But she was still infuriated about his keeping the secret during
their rescue operation gone awry. Jake could have died out there in the nest of
cobras. But all went easier once Skinner agreed to take Mulder to Fairfield
Central for convenience. Skinner didn't want to risk having someone shooting
down the chopper, but Mulder insisted on going, or else put the sessions on hold
until he recovered. As a compromise, this time Skinner let Mulder have his way.

	Though Scully hated to see Mulder in constant pain and sickness,
she saw a dramatic improvement in him because of that. He responded much
quicker, his thought process much more complex, and he even got his sense of
humor back. Now, he was more Fox Mulder the partner, than Fox Mulder the
patient. Though his coughing, sneezing, and runny nose couldn't be helped, his
fever and nausea were gone almost completely. He still uncharacteristically
followed doctors' orders to the letter, the attitude telling Scully and Skinner
how important it was for him to get better.

	Upon their arrival, the three agents gathered in the meeting room
and discussed their plans with the fellow agents. Mulder was immediately sent
into his assigned room, and didn't even get a chance to meet Vera, or real Jake
Kathler. He complained, but no one was taking chances. The rest of the team only
knew him as Jake Kathler, the federal witness. They would call him when the
session starts, Skinner said as he closed the door to Mulder's assigned room in
the floor directly above the Pediatrics ICU ward. The hospital was about half
the size of Prescott, but Mulder liked it immediately. People smiled more, and
their attitude was contagious to the fellow agents.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU
Vera's Room
Fairfield, CA
8: 15 AM Same Day


	Scully knocked on the door before entering, noting that Jake was
lying down on his side over the bed beside a sleeping Vera. When she entered
Jake didn't seem to take notice. She approached the bed quietly, and smiled at
the peaceful sight that greeted her. Vera's head rested on Jake's outstretched
arm, her body guarded securely by his other long, strong arm. She noted Jake
shunned Mulder's jacket and shoes to stretch out on the bed, more for the
sleeping girl than for his comfort. Vera was claiming Jake's flat, long torso to
cuddle against, her hands clutching at Jake's draped arm while her head was
pressed firmly against his chest. 'Listening for his heartbeat', Scully noted.
She placed the tapes and report files from the Martin sessions on the nightstand
next to the flower vase. She wasn't too surprised Jake would request them, but
she was surprised that Skinner let Jake look at them.

	Just when she was about to leave them, Jake's eyes fluttered open,
his index finger pressed against his lips. Scully observed them for a bit
longer, noting Jake was very much alert, and only looked asleep. Scully briefed
him about Mulder's relocation, and about the impending arrival of a hypnotician.
Jake nodded a thanks and watched as Scully exited the room. Jake gently caressed
Vera's long hair and dropped his head back onto the pillows.

	Skinner informed Scully of the hypnotician's impending arrival
within twenty minutes, telling her to get Mulder loaded into a wheelchair and
bring him down to the meeting room. But when she arrived in Mulder's room ten
minutes later, he was already off of the bed, trying to get dressed in his own
business suit, so he at least looked like himself. Scully saw he hadn't
succeeded.

	"Mulder, I told you to stay still. It's hurting you, because
you're practically off of your pain killers. Broken ribs alone are enough." She
said as she threw him a charcoal grey suit. Mulder's eyebrows rose, and he
grabbed the ever-present notepad.

	"When'd you get these? I don't remember buying these." Mulder
said, inspecting the designer label and raising his eyebrows.

	"Out of Jake's collection. You have a suitcase full of clothes,
but needless to say, Jake's been making a good use out of them." Mulder threw
his head back, his eyes narrowing in dismay.

	"What?! I don't want a stranger wearing my clothes!"

	"Mulder, Jake's playing you. Don't worry, he's sending everything
he wore to the dry-cleaners. Don't complain. Let me help, and let's go." Scully
said as she threw Jake's pale green silk dress shirt over his bare shoulders,
and helped getting his arms into the sleeve holes. Mulder groaned, but did his
best to kill off the screams. Scully took care of his socks and shoes while he
buttoned the shirt, and helped pulling on the trousers while he worked on
knotting the tie she picked out of Jake's tasteful collection. She waited long
enough for Mulder to jip up the trousers before helping him wear the jacket.
Scully noticed he lost some weight, and the trousers were loose-fit. She worked
on getting his hair into Jake's preferred style while he strapped the belt on.
It was a beautiful team work, but it still  took them ten minutes. Looking from
a short distance, Mulder did look like Jake Kathler. She nodded with
satisfaction, and handed him a hand mirror. Mulder widened his eyes at the
sight.

	"So, this is the guy who makes a living designing and building
skyscrapers, converts a loft into a house, rescues a ten-year old girl off the
top of his skyscraper in a stormy night, wears top import designer suits, takes
a daily walk with a large spotted dog, reads women's letters, and drives a white
BMW?" Mulder wrote, and heard Scully laugh softly the way her mother often did.

	"Yeah, pretty much. And he doesn't move as fluidly as you do,
which helps, since you're in this condition." She looked at the time, glad that
Mulder shaved during their chopper ride. Scully knew by now how much Mulder
hated wheelchairs. However, this time he never complained and apologized for
needing her mothering.

	"Doesn't matter, Mulder. I know you'll do the same for me."

	"I would walk through fire for you." Mulder wrote as Scully opened
the door, and saw her smile when she read the words. 'Yes!' Scully thought
triumphantly. 'Fox Mulder is back'.


Fairfield Central Hospital  Executive Conference Room
10 Minutes Later


	The room was located on the top floor, chosen partly because of its
sound-proof walls and the non sound-proof inner door that divided the room in
half. As Mulder suggested, the inner room was installed with a couch and a
reclining chair. Recording devises were placed at the bottom of the coffee table
set in between them. It reminded Scully so much of the office of the hypnotician
Melissa forced her to see. She swallowed hard at the memory of running out of
the doctor's office that first time. Mulder looked up at her wobbering gaze, and
reached up to squeeze her hand. He didn't need to write a word.

	"I'm okay, Mulder. I'm fine. Sorry, just a flash back." Scully
muttered in a near whisper. When he kept his gaze on her, she attempted to
convince him further. Mulder pursed his lips, and placed his hand on her forearm
before letting it slide back to his lap. It was his idea to observe the session
from the outer room through the video monitor screen because of his flu. If he
kept interrupting the session with his constant runny nose and sneezing, they
won't get anywhere. He had a cup of herbal tea and a fresh box of Kleenex on the
table beside him. He soon shook hand with the tall, balding hypnotician in his
late forties and introduced each other. Jake followed directly behind Skinner
into the room with Vera attached to his shoulders and chest. Jake was fully
warned of what Mulder's reaction might be, and eyed Scully as if to ask whether
everything was all right. Scully nodded a yes.

	Mulder was deep in thought, staring into the camera monitor in
front of him when he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around. And froze.
Jake took the first move as he offered a handshake.

	"Jake! How're you doing? I hope you're feeling okay now. You look
better." When Mulder didn't answer, Jake quickly indicated the entire room
focusing on them with his eye movement. 'Do something, damnit!', the man's eyes
screamed. Mulder awkwardly shook Jake's hand, wrote down his own thank-you
remarks and held it up for him to see. Jake nodded.

	"And, of course this is Vera. She's been missing you, Jake.
Remember before? She wouldn't go anywhere without you. But I know your
condition, so I've explained it all to her. She understands you can't hold her
or be with her until you're back on your feet." Jake was trying to move things
smoothly. Mulder looked at the girl, and wanted very much to hold her. She had a
pair of green eyes, large and rather melancholy. He couldn't believe he can't
remember meeting her. She had such haunting look that made him feel naked.
Mulder nodded, and motioned for them to go through the inner door. Jake nodded,
knowing Mulder had the flu and it could infect them.

	From the main room, Scully observed the scene and breathed easier.
'So far, so good'. Mulder's current condition enabled them to part within
minimum time without drawing suspicions. Mulder watched his double and the
little girl walk into through the door to the inner room. 'So,' he thought.
'That's how I look like in others' eyes.' He even noted his gun strapped onto
the man's waist. Jake Kathler obviously had enough time to observe Fox Mulder.
Everything from Jake's hair to accent to the way he walked, though still a
little stiff, was so like his own. Soon Scully exited the room, closing the door
behind her and marking the start of the session. She sat down next to him, close
enough for a private conversation.

	"They'll be fine. They let Jake stay because they believe he is a
trained psychologist. But he's there, because he's still the only one Vera
allows to completely open up to. Jake reviewed your therapy reports and the
tapes, but he's never seen a regression hypnosis session before. I told him not
to get scared, and to take everything as it happens."

	"You said this guy was pretty much ready for anything. If he's
lasted this long in my shoes and managed to stay alive, I don't think there's
much to worry about. The guy knows exactly what happened to her parents, right?"
Mulder rested his hand, looking into her eyes. She nodded.

	"Yeah, we had to tell him eventually. The other agents also
updated him, because they knew you were the top primary in this case."

	"We'll observe the best we can from here, but did you tell him not
to interrupt the session no matter what? Or not to touch her unless she begins
to panic?"

	"Sure. Skinner and the hypnotician briefed both Jake and Vera.
She's an incredibly strong girl, Mulder. She even handled the news on her
medical condition. About the cancer. Jake was furious for Skinner to do it
behind his back, but Skinner knew Vera will be even more frightened if she
didn't know."

	"That was risky, but it's the right thing to do. Jake's not even a
legal guardian, yet. The girl has the right to know." Mulder wrote, and sipped
his tea. Then he reached for a Kleenex and blew his nose as quietly as he could.
In the monitor, Scully saw the hypnotician began placing her under. Vera's hand
and her arm were held up in the air as if they were floating in the air.

	"Okay, she's under." Mulder wrote it down. Scully released an
inaudible sigh. Mulder knew if the girl actually possessed speech skills, she'll
start answering the moment she was demanded an answer to a question asked. They
could hear the conversations through their headphones including Skinner, who
came to sit in the chair opposite them and stared intensely into another
monitor. From what they understood, Vera was to be guided through the course of
her life from the oldest memory, and slowly move up until the day her parents
were murdered and she was taken. The rest needed to wait.

	Daniel Sims the hypnotician was now guiding Vera through an
imaginary stairs and a door. Scully closed her eyes, listening the hypnotitian's
words directly in her own ears. Why had she ran away? 'Because I was scared,
chickenshit.' Scully rubbed the sides of her face, near the temple though not
quite able to reach for them. She concentrated on Sims's voice. 'Calm down,
Dana. Nothing bad's going to happen. And you won't run out of the room this
time. Mulder's here, remember?' Sims's smooth neutral voice was easy to focus, 
to fall into, and so very comfortable. This is the spell of hypnosis.

	"Vera Max...ine Jar...vis."

	A thin, unsteady and unfamiliar voice began echoed in her head,
and Scully snapped out of her reverie. Mulder's eyes shone radiantly, and he was
glued to the screen. Scully soon followed, and noticed Jake had his hand
covering his mouth, most decidedly to keep his reactions minimum. Skinner, who
also had the expression of shock and delight, kept his attention on the girl's
voice.

	"Can you move your body? Your eyes?" Sims continued, quite aware
of the magnitude of reactions from the man sat behind them and those from the
next room.

	"Y...es." Vera's voice sounded very dry and unsure, as if she
spoke for the first time and wasn't used to the sound of her own voice.

	"And what do you see, Vera? What can you tell me?"

	"I'm ... I'm on a bed. I can see the airplane hanging from the
ceiling."

	"Where is this, Vera?"

	"My house. My bedroom." This time, Vera spoke flawlessly.

	"Okay, what else do you see?"

	"Window. I can see the trees from my window. It's sunny out, and
pretty soon it'll be hot like it was yesterday. I'll be fine, because my Mommy
turn on the cooler and it'll be okay."

	"When is this?"

	"Tomorrow's my third birthday. I'll be three."

	This grabbed the attention of every adult in the two rooms.
'Three?' Scully's incredulous expression asked. Mulder nodded and wrote,"It
isn't unusual, especially for a girl her age to remember." Scully sank deeper
into her chair.

	"Are your parents with you?"

	"No, not until two. They come home at two every weekday. Then they
go out again at four."

	"Is there somebody taking care of you?"

	"A housekeeper's here. It's a big house."

	"Where is your house?"

	"Sacramento. My whole life."

	Scully, Skinner, and Mulder all recognized Vera's voice gaining
its stability with her every word. Mulder moved his focus, and wrote something
in the notepad and passed it to Scully, who jumped slightly at his touch and
stared back at Mulder.

	"We're at the top of the game, Scully. She's got to come through."
Scully nodded slightly, and instead of speaking, kept focusing on Vera and
Sims's voice while writing down the response on his notepad.

	"This is great, but it'll be a problem if the girl doesn't
remember to talk outside the hypnotic state. You know they'll strike her down
immediately from the witness stand."

	"I know, we've been through this before." Mulder's emotional
rampage mode began kicking in. Though Scully expected this, it was still hard to
hold on to a very excited Fox Mulder even in his current condition.

	"Mulder, get a hold of yourself. We need to be cautious..."

	"What makes you think I can even make it out of this hospital?!"
Mulder jotted down the words angrily even before she finished. Scully shook her
head, and pointed to the monitor. 'Focus, Mulder', her eyes ordered. Mulder
followed, listening to the voices from the headphones, and finally deciding to
close his eyes for awhile and let his mind do its visualization job. They were
now moving onto her fifth Christmas, just around the time Jarvis' began making
their attempts at getting out of Bionix.

	Small round lights illuminate the living room walls in various
colors. The tree's so tall, it barely touches the ceiling with the star on top.
Looking down at its base there lay a pile of gifts, all neatly wrapped with bows
and ribbons. The edges of the small greeting cards with the recipient's name

	are clearly showing. Waiting. Waiting for her.

	"Just one, Vera. Just one. You can open just one tonight and the
rest tomorrow morning, after the Santa comes and drops your favorite one in your
sock."

	"Favorite one?"

	"Yes, dear. You know that the Santa knows what your favorite is."

	"If I was a good girl?"

	"Yes. And you've been a very, very good girl."

	"I know I was!"

	Laughter softens the crisp winter air. Then the phone rings. Dad
picks it up, and listens to it. His smile vanishes, and he walks out of the room
with the receiver. Phone code stretch to its limit when he finally stops. Mom
catches up with him but tells me to stay where I am. I don't want to, but I will
because it's Christmas. I have to be a good girl if I want the Santa's gift. You
see, Vera, it's your favorite. It will be your favorite." Mom promises before
joining Dad again at the phone. I hear Dad yelling into the receiver. Mom tells
him to be quiet, because they were at home and this is the holiday season. I
don't know what the call was about, but I know it was about their work, and it
made them very angry. They talk about someone in the hallway after hanging up.
Name, name... I can't quite hear.

	Mommy left for work with Daddy just like yesterday. She wore her
favorite white bulky knitted sweater, and got me the same one my size, so we
looked like a couple of snowmen. Dad said she had to go to the doctor called an
Oncologist she's seen before coming home. The one working at Mom and Dad's
research building. Funny name, with so many 'o's. I don't know anyone named like
that. I wait for them with a baby-sitter, a high school girl living next door.
But I hardly see her, because the 'next door' is about a block away.

	We're sitting in front of the television and drinking lemonade.
The glass gets wet because it's so hot out. I have a cold, and Mommy said the
air conditioner isn't good for a sick kid. Daddy come home, and he is sad. Mommy
has to stay in the hospital for a night for some tests. Can we go see her,
Daddy? Let's go see Mommy. Why not? Please don't look so sad. I'm sorry, Dad.
I'm sorry but I don't know how to help Mommy. Will it help if I made our
breakfast? Picked up all my toys before dinner? Went to bed earlier? What,
Daddy? What can I do? Daddy is still sad, and he's now crying. Mommy's not sick,
Daddy said. She may get sick, but not now. It wasn't her that he was worried
about. Why are you so sad, then? What are you so worried about? Daddy's words
can't get out of his mouth. They're making him quiet.

	I don't know why, but I don't want to go to school. It's nice and
cool outside, but I don't want to go. Please, let me stay home, Mommy. I don't
feel sick at all, and no, I didn't do anything to be in trouble. Okay, I'm in
one right now. I just want to stay home, all right? No, I swear I'll do all my
homework by Wednesday. Just today, please? I'll help baking cookies. I'll even
do the dishes. I don't know why, but I know I have to be here today. I'm sorry,
I don't mean to be difficult. You know I'm not the type to cut school. I have
perfect scores on all my class tests and projects. So why can't I stay home for
just one day? I know this is Monday and I had two days to stay home, but you
weren't here most of the time. You were at your work again, in your lab with Dr.
Scanlon. ...That's his name, isn't it? No, I didn't tell anybody about him. I've
never even met him. No, he never called here while you were away. You told me
not to answer phones, and if I wanted to talk to somebody I have to call them
myself. Dad, I'm seven years old. I can remember names, you know.

	Glass is breaking. That's the sound, I know because I broke a
glass a while back when I poured milk. I get out of my bed, put on my bunny
slippers. A loud bursting noise, like someone hitting a wall really, really
hard. Like the Road Runner cartoons, when the poor coyote falls off a cliff for
the hundredth time. Lots of pounding noise, and more glass breaking. Are they
the picture frames shattering in the living room? Mommy and Daddy are screaming,
telling me to get out of the house. I'm already running, out from my window. I
still hear them screaming, saying whoever they are, please don't hurt the child.
I try to jump out, but someone grabbed me from underneath the roof. I scream,
I'm scared. Who are these men in black suits? They are so rough and strong. I
see a girl being carried inside the house. I don't know who she is, I've never
met her before. I hear Mommy calling my name, telling me to run. But the man who
grabbed me is holding me, climbing down the ladder, and bringing me inside the
house from the kitchen door. I don't know why they came. I can only hear Mommy
calling out Daddy's name. I haven't heard Daddy scream or call my name. I'm so
scared, I'm shaking. Why are you doing this?? Why?

	Something is burning. What is it? I've smelled it before, I just
can't remember...Cigarettes. I know because my uncle smoked them when he visited
us last Thanksgiving. I hated the smell, and so did Daddy and Mommy. They make
carpets messy. But it doesn't matter now. The floor's already covered with
shattered glass and lots of stuff that fell off the walls or tables. The man
carrying me takes me through the kitchen to the living room. The room's crowded
with a bunch of men in the same black clothes. Five, six ...no, more than that.
I don't know, they're moving too fast. From upstairs, I hear more things
breaking and falling. Why are you doing this? Why are you hurting me? They don't
tell me anything. One of the men In the living room shouted at us. He doesn't wa
nt me in there, in the living room. Why? It's my home. I can do anything I want
if I don't get into a trouble.

	Someone else from the back yard asked for help, and the man's arm
holding me loosened. I slid out, and landed on the floor. I ran. I ran to my
Mommy and Daddy. The broken glass from the dinner glasses and dishes hurt my
feet. They hurt me bad, but I keep going. I don't know. I can't breath. No, the
bad guys can't catch me because I'm too small and too quick. I know where Mommy
and Daddy are. I've seen them lying down on the floor, moving. I can see their
feet, but not the rest of them. Two men are sitting on them, and they both have
a knife. What are you doing? Don't hurt Mommy and Daddy! No, they can't be
hurting. Because if they are, they'll tell me. They're not saying anything. 
There's the little girl I saw them carry inside, but her head's smoking. I can hear
weird bubbling sound from the smoke. There's a man pouring something like water
over her face. Someone picks me up off of the floor again, and takes me away.
But when he holds me, he's tall and I can see better. Mommy isn't moving, and
neither is Daddy. I don't know, just a little more and I can see... AH...!
AHHHHHH!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!

	"Stop!! Stop!! Enough!" Jake and Skinner shouted simultaneously,
nearly throwing Mulder off of his wheelchair and Scully from her seat. Mulder
grimaced with pain and grunted at his failed attempt to walk. Scully jumped into
the room after Skinner, Vera still screaming. Jake immediately scooped her up
and crashed her against his chest. Vera's screams ceased to a series of violent
sobs the moment Jake picked her up. His eyes were already swollen from tears
shed, but now they held even deeper shades of red. He kept his voice constant
and deliberately low as he held her and slowly sat down in her seat.    "Mr. Sims,
is she still under?!" Skinner asked Sims, handing Jake a box of Kleenex, but
Jake's face stayed buried in Vera's shoulder.

	"No. I think she's out of it." Sims said, carefully approaching
them and touching Vera's hair. She was shaking badly, that it made Jake's entire
upper body shake with the force and made his skin crawl. Jake pressed his face
tighter against hers, and felt her exertion, a burst of her pain, grief, and
fear.

	"Vera? Baby, come back to me. You're okay, we're all okay. It's
over for now." Jake did his best to keep his voice audible, but he was anything
but okay. Skinner helplessly remained standing on the spot, and began cleaning
Vera's face. She didn't protest, though she didn't stop the sobs. When his eyes
moved slightly and caught Scully's blue, he could see she was also scared. He
quickly wiped the tears off with the sleeve of Mulder's shirt, and apologized
her for losing control.

	"I'm sorry, Scully. I just ...I should've expected this, but..."
His voice shook with the force of Vera's sobs. Scully shook her head no. 'Who
could blame Jake?'

	"It's fine, Agent Mulder. I think we've heard enough for one day."
Skinner cut him off, realizing his own reaction. He cleared his throat and opted
to get things under control in the outer room.

	"Thank you, sir." Jake nodded, and looked back at Sims, who
motioned for Mulder to come help her. Sims didn't know about the switch. Mulder
hesitated, but before he was able to respond, another agent in the room wheeled
him into the room. He looked at Scully for help. He can't hold her. He was sick,
and in lots of pain. Jake read the thought, and stood up from the seat with Vera
pressed against him. Jake then knelt down in front of Mulder, so he could at
least touch her. Mulder hated his broken jaw more than ever. He couldn't even
say a word to this very brave, yet vulnerable, little girl. Jake watched as
Mulder closed his eyes momentarily, then release a breath. The rest of Jake's
tears dried instantly when he felt Mulder's hands slip beneath Vera's tiny body,
and gently lifted her into his arms. Mulder's fingers combed through Vera's fine
hair, and he leaned in to give her forehead a kiss before returning her to him.
Jake was surprised Mulder would even try. But then, the man was desperate trying
to fill in the gap left by the lost month. Vera was only months older than the
time Samantha Mulder disappeared. It had to have been hell for Mulder.

	"Jake, it's okay. She won't get sick, and I'll take good care of
her." Jake told Mulder, who nodded slightly in return. Scully placed a hand on
Jake's head, then briefly touched Vera's shoulder before exiting the room with
Mulder.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU
Vera's Room Noon Same Day


	Stella's addition into Vera's room was more than an welcome change.
Vera had been sedated after the last session was over, sleeping comfortably in
her bed. Jake concentrated on finishing up his work and refused to leave Vera's
room, much less her bed. Jake moved Vera a few inches to the side to leave
enough room for him to lay down next to Vera over the bedcovers and hold her
close. He knew she was going to want physical contact, considering she could
mind-scan, and the body of someone familiar and calm would only help her. The
doctors complained, but Skinner backed Jack up. The doctors gave up eventually,
and left the room with Skinner. So, when their favorite four-legged friend
arrived and licked their faces, though Vera didn't take notice, Jake held Stella
and let her lick him until his face began itching. The female agent who drove
Stella from Oakland smiled broadly, and told him she enjoyed the trip because 
Stella was such a sweetheart. Jake thanked her and shook her hand before she
exited the room.

	"Hey there, girl! I've missed you soooo much. How are you? I see
you're doing better." It was so good to see her. He noticed the gauze still
wrapped up around her torso, but it was much thinner than before. Jake happily
noted the absence of blood stains. He helped her jump up on Vera's bed, and
climbed down from it. Stella apparently missed Vera also, and soon curled up
next to her in a familiar position and buried her nose into Vera's long
streaming hair.  'Just like they used to do.' Jake laughed softly, and settled
down into the chair next to the bed. Stella lifted her head and looked at him,
her doubt accentuated by her whimper. Jake shook his head no.

	"Stay there for now. You're our guest, and getting a special
treatment." Stella gave him another whimper for a thanks, and rested her head
back down. Jake wondered whether Vera would be able to speak once she woke up.
She hadn't spoken since getting out of the session, and Mulder suggested them of
taking time to recover from the shock. Sims expressed the same concern to
Mulder, and so did Scully. Sims was to return for another session tomorrow, or
the day after. Time was running out because of the progress of Vera's tumor and
Dr. Claiborne, who kept in touch by phone ever since their transfer order was
carried out, was strongly suggesting they at least try radiation therapy on her
to slow the tumor growth. Jake and the doctors had to hold off on the plan.

	Having too many things going on at once was frustrating, and Jake
only answered he would ask Vera if she can handle another session. And if she
answers yes, then he'll ask her how long she wants to take time off. Jake
thought Skinner's informing Vera of her time limit was probably why she kept on
going.

	"Just where are you taking us to?" Jake muttered, his fingers
gently caressing her arm.


Fairfield Central Pediatric ICU
Vera's Room 3 PM Same Day


	The radiology technician and the oncology department chief came
into the room. Jake shook himself awake, having to doze off to an exhausted
sleep.

	"What can I do for you, gentlemen?" Jake asked, eying the men
wearily.

	"I'm here to request your cooperation on Miss. Jarvis's cancer
treatment." Jake's head snapped up, suddenly realizing the hundreds of hidden
statements behind the words.

	"You're here to discuss her treatment options." Jake spoke
conspicuously, and the man in front of him nodded. There was no doubt the man
was under a lot of pressure. Jake offered him a seat in the other chair across
from him. The doctor nodded a thanks, and took the offered seat.

	"Yes, Agent Mulder. As you may already know, Miss Jarvis's
condition is worsening. We may not be able to stop the further growth of her
tumor, and we already know there's no cure for it. Dr. Scully has recommended to
me to have her own oncologist fly in from Georgetown, for console. She believes
the doctor has enough experience treating her, and probably able to handle the
situation better. But she wishes to do so only at your consent." Jake's eyebrows
rose. First off, Mulder is Scully's partner. Other than that and his being a
psychologist, Mulder had no connection with Vera. Jake appreciated Scully's
concern.

	"Has Mr. Kathler consented to this? Or Assistant Director
Skinner?" Jake asked the anxious doctor who looked ready to break into sweat.

	"Yes, they all recommended that course of treatment in the
future."

	"Well, then I have no objections. Thank you, doctor." Jake said,
watching the man exit the room, nearly jumping at the sight of the two agents at
the door. The poor man probably had never even seen an FBI agent in his life.
And now he was being closely watched by an army of "Big League" agents, plus its
Assistant Director on the top of it.

	Jake thought about calling Scully to thank her for the idea, but
figured she'll visit them soon enough, perhaps with Mulder. He knew now that
Mulder lost his memories, the man needed to get to know Vera from scratch. Any
assumption / observation Mulder made of her before was gone, and Jake didn't
expect the man to be the type to keep diaries.

	"This is a damn fine time to start, though." He mumbled to
himself, and reached out to touch sleeping Vera's hair. For the millionth time
Jake looked at all three of them. He missed his home, and missed Elly's home
cooking before his thoughts returned to Vera's session. The Jarvis' also had a
housekeeper for chores around their house. 'No wonder Vera was comfortable with
Elly from the start.' Jake thought. Stella, whose eyes were open the moment the
doctor had walked in, whimpered to draw his attention. He laughed.

	"Sorry, girl. You've been gone for so long and I'm only giving
Vera my attention. I didn't mean to be inattentive, believe me. You've been with
me for a long, long time. You probably know me better than anyone including
Elly, because she goes home. You live with me. There's a good reason why I'm
behaving this way right now. You probably know that Vera was sick. Well, she's
sicker now, and it'll get worse. I already know how difficult it was for you to
be with me after Alex died. And I hate to do this to you again, but there's no
way Vera's going to get better. She did have a chance, but she didn't get it in
time because the bad guys who shot at you and Mulder did something to Vera that
made it impossible." Jake had no evidence to prove Stella understood what he was
telling her, but he felt in his heart she knew what he was trying to say.

	"I'm sure you'll be seeing me upset. I'll probably be crying,
puking my guts out, and depressed. I'll need you more than ever, Stella. And so
does Vera. She has so few friends and you're one of them. And, my friend? Right
now, you're the best medicine for her. I'm counting on you, so please don't ever
think that I love you any less because Vera's in our lives." Jake always felt
the need to explain himself to Stella, and he did so ever since he got her. She
licked his hand, and placed her paw over his arm. 'Message received, loud and
clear', her eyes said. Jake smiled.

	"Vera's incredibly strong. Stronger than any of us. And she needs
us. She's taught me so much about life, and I owe her to do the same. This time,
I know exactly what's going on. I know who's involved, why and how." Though not
meaning to sound as though he was throwing accusations at Alex, Jake couldn't
help thinking about the distinct differences in the two women in his life. Jake
shook Stella's paw and let it drop from his hand. Jake looked at the time, but
knew there was practically nothing to do but wait, so he began reading the rest
of the women's letters. Stella grunted and went back to sleep.

	Jake was about ten more letters to go when the door was knocked
and Scully entered with Mulder in the wheel chair. Jake welcomed them in, and
offered Scully the chair the doctor vacated hours earlier. The agents were still
in the same outfit as earlier in the hypnosis session.

	"We wanted to give you enough time to get settled down." Scully
said, indicating the two sleeping forms on the bed. Mulder wrote down something
on the ever-present notepad and handed it to Jake, who read it and smiled.

	"Yeah, this here's my long-time partner and your savior, Stella
Kathler." Jake handed back the notepad, and watched as Mulder approached the now
wide-awake canine and gave her a kiss on her forehead. Stella licked Mulder's
face in return, and he scratched the areas around her ear and neck. Scully
smiled as Stella's eyes shut and she leaned into his hand, and wondered if
Mulder ever had a dog.

	"She'll be receiving honors equal for a service dog." Mulder
wrote, running his fingers through Stella's spotted coat. Jake noticed Mulder
regarded Stella with pure respect and appreciation.

	"She'll probably be getting an honorary diploma from the police
canine school. Kinda like an honorary doctrine for humans. After the bureau will
send her a thank you letter, you'll need some room set on your wall." Scully
said as she observed Vera sleeping. Jake thanked her, and read Mulder's note.

	"I feel terrible enough that I can't remember any of it. I'm
trying to catch up reading reports plus the ones done by Skinner's hand-picked
experts. Looks like it was a pretty crazy incident. I'm sorry about the damage
it caused you."

	"Hey, I told you. It couldn't have been avoided. Elly said you
saved her life, and now that I've witnessed the horror those men inflict on
people, I believe it's all true. The FBI repaired everything very nicely at my
house. I only have complaints against the Morley Man. Who the hell is he?
Obviously you know each other well."

	The agents shifted uncomfortably in their seats the way those San
Francisco agents did. Jake waited as Mulder began to write, and Scully began her
own explanations.

	"I first saw him on the day I was first assigned to the X-Files.
He was in the room where I was being interviewed by our section chief Blevins.
Cancer Man stood in a corner, smoking Morley in silence the entire time. After
our first case, I saw him breeze down the hallway passing by me like I didn't
even exist. Mulder had several close brush-ups in the past with him."

	"You mean, he's never deliberately..."

	"No, but he's involved in most of the crisis that happened
concerning our work, in and out of the bureau. There's this man, Alex Krychek...
what luck that name brings to us... Well, he was working at one time as Mulder's
temporary partner while I was missing. What Mulder didn't know at the time was
that Krychek was another one of Cancer Man's snitches. He worked as a
Russian-American spy prior to his assignment with Mulder, and probably still
does. He sells government secrets, evidences recovered in our investigations..."

	"Jesus, and he's still roaming around?"

	"Probably so. But he gets certain drawbacks."

	"He better. What drawbacks? A grand tour of hell?"

	The agents laughed a little with that one, but Mulder
winced, still running his pen over the notes. Scully looked over from time to
time, seeing what Mulder is trying to talk about to save his choice of topics.
It was a routine quickly and silently established out of trial-and-error in
between them.

	"As in getting beaten up a lot from his clients. By Mulder,
Skinner, and some Consortium guys. He was nearly bombed along with the car he
was in, and then he was trapped in an abandoned silo in North Dakota. He was
found in Hong Kong by Mulder, then he killed his girlfriend after Mulder
captured her. When he and Mulder were imprisoned in a concentration camp that
conducted Black Cancer - it's a bio-hazardous entity of extraterrestrial origin
- research located in Tunguska, Russia - Krychek sold Mulder out to the
Russians. And, because he could speak Russian fluently and Mulder couldn't,
Krychek took that to his advantage. He's presumed dead, but I doubt it. The
point is, this man's also been through hell and survived. He's smart enough to
get away from Consortium and declare Cancer Man as his sworn enemy. This is why
we keep running into each other. It's easy to be fooled by this man, because he
appears very innocent and young. Women can be easily fooled by his charms,
because he is gorgeous. He knows how to be polite and charming, and even
seductive, should the need arise."

	Jake's eyes rounded at the revelation. When Mulder passed his note
to Jake, Scully closed her mouth and looked towards Mulder. 'Wondering if Mulder
minded her description of Krychek', Jake noticed. He became an expert on women
from reading their letters, and from Mulder's reaction Jake was probably right.
No man liked to hear a woman he adored or respected, and especially loved,
describe in detail how gorgeous another man looked. Mulder's notepad told Jake
Cancer Man's history or a suspected version of it, told by one of his outside
sources involved in their current investigation. Jake gasped.

	"Jesus! This guy was involved in the assassinations of JFK and one
of your informants?"

	"Former informant. He died trying to protect us." Scully said
solemnly. Jake kept reading.

	"The guy has a say in the Oscar nominations? No wonder movies I
love never win!" Jake said in disgust. Mulder watched carefully as Jake's
expression registered fear. "Your parents were involved in this man's work?!"
Scully jumped at the statement.

	"What the hell are you doing, talking about this to Jake?!" She
shouted, and the guard at the door peered in.

	"It's okay, guys. Sorry, just an argument." Jake apologized as a
cover, and turned back to the notepad. Mulder was nodding, ignoring Scully.

	"Alex Krychek murdered your father by the order given by Cancer
Man. Your sister was taken as an insurance? Just like Vera's family?" Another
nod from Mulder. Scully breathed easier, finally understanding Mulder's
intentions. Mulder wagged his hand until Jake passed over the notepad, and went
two pages ahead to add to the last unread sentence.

	"Your father collected the medical files on the abductees from the
State Department. Dana and your sister's files were among them ...and since it's
been two years, they might have Vera's sample in the file? Oh, this just gets
better and better..." Jake buried his face in the palm of his free hand.

	"Mulder, enough. Jake's been through..."

	"No, it's fine. Just let me finish..." Jake cut her off. "So, you
think Consortium isn't the only ones after this investigation, but Krychek's
also involved? What does Krychek want from us? The serum to sell to other
countries?" Scully pursed her lips. Mulder shrugged. "This makes sense, but to
tell you the truth I don't mind anyone learning about this serum and how to make
it. If this is the true cure for abductees' nasal pharyngeal mass, I want the
world to know." Mulder nodded and so did Scully.

	"But he may come to kill us, and especially Vera, to prevent us
from getting to trials. Alex Krychek is a spy, but he's also an assassin for
hire. There's no telling what he might do next. Once Skinner was nearly killed
by him and his accomplices. Consortium also tried to eliminate or discredit
Skinner several times in the past. Twice for a computer disk, and once for the
murder he had been framed for. ...It had something to do with his sleeping
disorders and a mythical female figured called Avatar. Krychek was involved in a
couple of these attempts."

	"I know some of what you just mentioned. Skinner told me when I
pushed him. Vera drew what she scanned from Skinner. One of them had the three
of you in a three-way stand off. She also drew something about the Vietnam War."

	It was the agents' turn to be shocked in unison. 'Skinner told
him this?' Scully was amazed. 'What is it about Jake Kathler that made people
want to confess everything? To expose their darkest secrets?' But then, she
should have known that natural talent about him. Vera trusted him, and all those
women who had no clue who they were writing to, wanted to reveal the most
private parts of their lives. And it seemed Jake was oblivious to this gift.

	"What do you suggest we do? Get this man's descriptions out?" Jake
asked. The agents shook their heads no.

	"We'll be wasting our time, and I think everyone's already
informed." Scully said, and Mulder quietly agreed. Jake shrugged, and finished
Mulder's written notes.

	"Can Vera handle another session? I don't know, Mulder. She's
sedated now, because it took a long time before she calmed down. I'm sorry I
lost control in that room, but I was more surprised to hear Skinner's voice from
the next room. Shouting the same words and time that I did." Scully remembered.

	"He loves her. She brought the best in him. Vera trusts
him for who he really is, or was, or who he can be. It's harder for us, because
we've caught him red-handed before."

	"It's hard for me, too. But... I think he's someone who
has lost so much, and is yearning to make it up." Jake said, returning his
attention to Vera and Stella. A smile broke onto his face.

	"Like a baby." Scully mumbled as she joined Jake's
smile and watched the two heaps under the covers. Vera stirred just then,
turning to her side so that her face came in direct contact with Stella. Her
hand automatically searched for, and pulled Stella's furry body towards her.
Just then, Mulder handed Jake the notepad and tugged slightly at Scully, tapping
his wrist. Scully's mouth half opened in realization. Jake handed Mulder his
notepad back, and shook hand with Mulder.

	"You need to catch up, huh? Take it easy, though. It's been my
greatest pleasure to finally meet you, too. ...Again." Jake laughed at the last
word. "Come visit us at any time. Especially you, Mulder. You'll love Vera when
she's herself. She remembers and knows you well. It doesn't take much to get to
know her, I promise you." Jake gave Scully a word of thanks and a kiss on her
cheek. Scully's eyebrows rose about half an inch in response, but she only
smiled in return before wheeling Mulder out of the room and closed the door
behind. Jake stretched his body, and resumed his reading of the letters.


Fairfield Central  Mulder's Room
5PM Same Day


	Skinner grunted, having been briefed of the meeting between the two
agents and Kathler.

	"Agent Scully, I don't want Vera having another panic
attack."

	"Neither do we. However, there's a chance she might not make it to
trials. The courts need to hear and watch the recorded hypnosis sessions either
way. Tomorrow, we'll assess Vera's medical condition and then attempt to put her
under hypnosis."

	"She'll need to talk about what she's seen and done during the
time she was missing. That's the most crucial part of my responsibilities in
this investigation. Agent Scully researched the treatment and the effects of the
cancer as well as its nature almost by herself, while I've been trying to gain
understanding of Vera's situations. I need Vera to give us her testimony and
translations of her drawings. Then, we may finally understand what happens to
abductees as well as to confirm the existence of extraterrestrials..." Skinner
abruptly stopped reading Mulder's note, and handed it back to him. Mulder didn't
take it, focusing instead on the man's clearly frustrated eyes and clenched jaw.

	"Agent Mulder, I see you've been updating your memory." Skinner
said, placing the notepad on Mulder's lap.

	"Not enough, sir." Mulder added. Skinner sighed, and stared at
Scully as if begging for help.

	"Sir. As much as I'd like to have Vera safe by all means, wasting
her life in the face of her impending death, is in itself a crime. We need to
get all we can from her before it's too late. I believe Vera understands time is
running out. We should do this tomorrow or after tomorrow at the latest."

	"All right. I'll allow the procedure to continue, but I will order
Sims to slow the process down. So far, Vera relived the first seven years of her
life in little more than two hours. I want the rest cut into several parts to
allow her to describe her experiences in precise detail. Don't you rush it like
you've done in Sacramento." Skinner cut Mulder a warning glance and left the
room in a hurry. Neither Mulder or Scully had time to tell Skinner they hadn't
gotten to the tapes yet. Scully sighed and picked one of the tapes up from the
stack.

	"I guess it's about time you start watching these." She said,
studying the tape. Mulder put down the medical report he'd been reading, his
shirt sleeves rolled up and the tie now pulled down and hanging loosely. The
suit jacket was now draped from the back of his wheelchair. He looked up to his
partner and gave her a nod of agreement. He knew Scully, Skinner, and even Jake
watched and read his Keneally Psychological Research Lab reports. It was like
listening to people give critique on a movie they watched. Scully excused
herself from the room, understanding Mulder's need for privacy. He looked at her
appreciatively, and returned his focus to the screen.


Fairfield Central Main Lobby
5:10 PM Same Day


	Scully quickly caught up with Daniel Sims as he was about to exit
the building. He agreed to have a word with her, and let her take him to the
cafeteria.

	"In your professional opinion, what do you say the possibility of
Vera doing another session tomorrow?" Sims frowned.

	"Dr. Scully, it's not my place to judge. But if the girl feels
she's ready, I'll do it. I wouldn't like it, but I understand the time
constraints. I believe Agent Mulder is very close to the girl. Much closer than
Mr. Kathler. Someone said Agent Mulder has experiences with regression hypno
therapy. Is that correct?"

	"Yes, it is."

	"That might have something to do with it. I would like him to be
present at the next session, but I'm not sure about anybody else. I want only
you, Mr. Kathler, and the Assistant Director in the outer room. The three of you
are capable enough to assure our safety." This was something Scully was thinking
about and she agreed.

	"That shouldn't be a problem." She sure hoped so. The hospital was
crawling with agents, and there wasn't a room for an ant to get through without
a thorough check. Sims took another bite of his roast beef sandwich, and studied
Scully intently from across the table.

	"Agent Scully?" Sims straightened himself in his seat. Scully
snapped out of her reverie, and rose her eyebrows, gesturing him to continue. "I
hope you won't be offended by my asking, but are you ...seeing anyone by
chance?" Scully nearly choked on her coffee. She waited until the big gulp she
carelessly swallowed settled down in a proper place. The man in front of her
turned crimson, and began stuttering in a failed attempt of an apology.

	"Sorry, I'm sorry, Agent Scully, I didn't mean to..."

	"No, it's ...It's fine. I'm just not used to people asking me that
particular question." Scully said, still covering her chest with her hand and
making sure the coffee settled in her stomach. The man was in his late forties,
and had a clean-shaven head. His bluish-grey eyes promised the mystery lurking
somewhere under his straight-forwardness.

	"I'm not used to it, either. I already heard about you and Agent
Mulder. Sorry, please just forget I've even asked you."

	"Well, whatever the allegations they posed on the relationship
between me and Agent Mulder are false. We've never even tried to explore that
possibility. Although I wouldn't rule it flat out, I don't believe we'll ever be
lovers. Spiritually, we're already as close as humanly possible. We'll give each
other's life in order to save the other. We can read each other's thoughts by
the slightest change in our speech, eyes, and gestures. We're perfect partners,
and Mulder believes we're inseparable. After five years of working together, I'm
safe to say that myself. As for my love life... I can only say that I hadn't had
much of a luck, and I'm married to my job. In sickness and health, I'll stick
around." Scully smiled, and finished the rest of her coffee. Sims returned the
smile with a slight laughter of embarrassment. Scully couldn't help following
it, but assured the man everything will be confidential. "Doctor privilege." She
joked.


Jake's House
Oakland, CA  3 PM Next Day


	His life as Jake Kathler was waiting for him within the neatly
confined cubicle space of the converted loft as the door was opened for the
first time in nearly a month. The tearful reunion of the Kathlers with limping
Stella and smiling Elly as Mulder stood erect at the doorstep gaping at the
place, was interrupted only by the phone call from Skinner in his headquarters
office. Scully took Mulder through a quick tour of the place, which amused Jake,
but not enough to let him hang up the phone. Jake was told to put to Scully on
the line, and walked over to her as she and Mulder emerged from the tour of his
bathroom. Several seconds into the conversation, Scully mumbled something and
quickly found privacy. Jake thought it was odd, but kept focusing on the
coffee-making process. He watched Vera running her small fingers over the smooth
glass surface of their first framed family photo. Then she inspected the  much
larger frame containing the legal adoption documents. Jake soon joined Vera and
asked her to pick the desired spot on the wall for the frames as well as a place
on the floor for the baby-apple tree that Vera received from the hospital staff
as a get-well gift. As he pulled his camcorder out of one of his work desk
drawers and began taping their first day back, he could finally feel the life
flowing back inside him instead of the other way around.

	They only had six days before leaving with this possibly being
Vera's last trip home. 'How cruel.' Jake thought. 'She finally gets a family and
she can't even stay home for a week.' He took out his laptop, and began
transferring whatever the work he completed during his hospital stay into his
newly-arrived main computer that the bureau bought for him to replace the old
stolen one, and assigned Agent Hall for the set-ups. Jake attached a note with
the transferred files, telling his partners that he was back, but will soon be
taking off again. That, he was so sorry he missed over a month's work and they
can't contact him yet. He made sure to tell them he badly missed the chaos at
the office.

	The sound of basketball bouncing made Jake turn around. Mulder was
throwing the balls from at least twenty feet of distance. Scully was right.
Mulder used up the entire collection of colorful basketballs in the stock, and
missed only once. From the look on his face, Mulder was unaware he was being
filmed at the moment. Jake decided not to announce the camcorder's presence.
Mulder may not have been the tallest nor strongest player in the team, but he
must have been easily the smartest and the best goal keeper the team had. Jake
was known to be the fastest as well as the best team leader in the boarding
school in Chicago. Jake could already picture an inevitable game of 21 in their
near future.

	"Mulder, cut it out!" Scully's sharp voice froze Mulder's motion
in mid-air as he was about to throw another one. Jake stopped recording at the
look on Scully's face. She was now at one of the windows beside the couch, her
free hand covering her ear. Jake walked toward his long-neglected work desk and
picked up another cordless phone. What he heard was Skinner in a rare
excitement. Mulder was all ears as he walked up to Scully, who shared the phone
with her. He saw her whisper something in Mulder's ear that elicited a gasp from
the man. Jake sensed a major trouble.

	"Are you sure you won't need us there, sir?" Scully asked.

	"Yes, I'm sure. You all stay there and I'll deal with this. Mitch
Warren's office has been notified of this detail. We won't blow our covers until
after the preliminary hearing, and only after the entire guilty party is named
in all official court documents."

	"Yes, sir. I'll relay the message. Mulder might get back to you on
his own through e-mail. Thank you, sir." Scully hanged up first. Jake felt a
shock current ran through his spine. Jake watched as Scully faced Mulder's
questioning gaze. But then she slowly turned, locking her eyes with his. Jake
pursed his lips in a gesture of admittance, of not informing the agents about
the bargain he made with Cancer Man during their second meeting. Jake was
assuming that Cancer Man was messing with his mind and never will keep the deal.
But now, Jake tasted metal. Mulder's eyes followed Scully's, and settled on
Jake's guilty eyes. 'Spill it, Jake!' Their eyes hissed.

	"Did they find the witnesses?" Jake asked, and saw both agents
release a long breath.

	"Not yet. Skinner received an anonymous tip about three locations
where they are allegedly being held. His team is on top of it. We'll stay here
but we'll be informed of any new development." Jake was relieved that Cancer Man
at least kept his end of the deal. But Scully never relaxed. He felt as if being
tied down to a jumbo dynamite stick as she approached him with Mulder trailing
directly behind.

	"What is the trouble?" Jake decided to face the music.

	"Our surviving SWAT guys recovering in Fairfield Central were
eliminated. All of them."

	"What?! Why?!" Jake's legs turned spongy. He covered his mouth
with his hand. 'What have I done?!' He barely felt Vera's insistent tag on his
leg.

	"Jake, tell them. It's time." Vera faced the towering agents.

	"Tell me, Jake. I don't think I need to remind you just how
coincidental these two events are." Scully's wrath aside, the chill from
Mulder's eyes transcended into Jake, making him feel as though he was standing
alone in a glacier. 'Fuck! I knew I should've driven home.' Jake's world was
whirling. He expected and wanted, a kick in the gut or at least a punch in his
jaw from the two agents. Neither came. When Jake spoke, his voice slightly
trembled.

	"I'll tell you from the beginning. Cancer Man was there on the
plane with me, on our way back from West Tisbury. I didn't plan on it. He just
came up to me and sat down next to me. I know that he was in the restaurant
where Tina was that night, because he told me she looked beautiful behind candle
light, and was always graceful in navy. It was the color she was wearing when
the EMTs brought her into the hospital. Then, he told me she had secrets. Ones
too devastating and too damaging to you. I don't have a clue what they are. He
then told me he is protecting the public by shielding information and truths
from it. That, Mulder has no clue just what she's done or how big a piece she
really is in the game board we play on." Mulder cut a sharp 180 turn, and began
pacing.

	"Jake? Did he say anything that would..."

	"He said nothing. He didn't say yes or no. But I told him to leave
us the hell alone, and to let us have the men who abducted Vera and the doctors
who'd operated on Mulder. In turn, I told him I'd do what I could to keep him
out of court."

	A series of loud stumping sound echoing against the polished wood
floor snapped Jake's gaze from Scully's eyes, and he instinctively pushed Vera
behind him. But after seeing angry Mulder's foot as its source, he picked her up
into his arms and rested her on his lap. Mulder was hunched over, his hands
covered his eyes then ran through his hair. Jake instantly recognized it as a
reaction toward betrayal of trust. It was the same reaction he had when he first
read Alex's detailed sexual encounter with Thomas, and once after Jake beat him
up in this very room, raving on about how Tom wasn't worth shit. Elly and Stella
came out of the laundry room near the back door at the commotion.

	"Elly? Give us a few minutes, please?" Jake's urging tone
retreated her to the laundry room, worry lodging in her face. It took more guts
for anyone to face angry Dana Scully standing erect with her hands on her waist
than a room full of armed, towering men.

	"Jake!! It's not our case, but the burn victims' and their
family's lives were what got damaged in that hospital! In fact they were barely
useful to us as witnesses! I personally attended to their care. I did the
autopsies on six of their teammates and they couldn't even attend the funerals.
How could you be so stupid to keep this from us?! We're not the masters of the
universe, Jake! We can't play with lives like the son of a bitch does. Don't you
see what he's doing to you? He's making you a player. Just like he tried with
Mulder, and you both came so close to becoming one of them! If the anonymous tip
turns out to be fake, it means eight lives were gone wasted!"

	"I'm sorry. I'll take full responsibilities for what I've done."
Jake's voice was neutral, in the tone he used whenever he admitted guilt to
something he did wrong. "He was so good, Dana. So good at getting inside my
head. I didn't even realize I was being played, then preyed on. Before making
the deal, without realizing what I was doing, Cancer Man said he couldn't
guarantee the X-Files will stay open. I told him I'd never give up searching for
Samantha. We fenced around the ring. He told me to invite him to Mrs. Mulder's
early funeral. I said we'll make the Navajo tribe sing. He froze, but he told me
if I gamble, I risk losing my bet. He never gave me a clear yes or no, but I
swear I never meant to inflict harm on anyone."

	Jake then surrendered to Fox Mulder's wrath, who again stood
directly behind Scully with his hands on his waist. But when Mulder began
writing furiously at the kitchen counter and Scully slumped on a kitchen stool,
Vera reached for him. Jake squeezed her in his arms, and kissed her forehead
before she wriggled out of his grasp to land on the floor.

	"Jake? Take me over to your workdesk, and show me your drawings."
Vera said as she led him toward the desk, leaving the agents alone to resolve
their situation. But before Jake moved, he placed Mulder's ID, wrist watch, the
Sig Sauer, and cellular phone all on the kitchen counter in front of them.

	"I resign, Mulder. Preliminary hearing's in five days. It doesn't
even require you to speak, and they'll know about our plans soon enough." Jake
never tried to defend himself because he was willing to take whatever was coming
to him. Vera asked him to again pick her up again and Jake gladly complied with
the request. When he set her down on his lap, he practically wrapped himself
around her. His hands shook slightly as they held onto her for dear life. 'Is
this how a murderer feels after committing the crime?' Jake wondered. A pang of
pain stung his stomach a warning of the ulcers' resurgence. At the sound of his
lagged breaths, Vera turned slightly to run her hand over Jake's flat torso. He
inhaled deeply, and buried his face in her hair. He was single-handedly
responsible for eight deaths. 'That's as bad as any of Consortium members.' Jake
tightened his hold on Vera before the privilege was taken away from him. 'No
murderer should be a father, especially to someone as precious as Vera Maxine.'
Jake damned himself further for not having enough guts to walk over to the
agents to hand Vera over in Mulder's arms, and stick his wrists out for Scully
to cuff them.

	"Eight lives." Jake muttered and closed his eyes. He fished out
some lines of prayer from his childhood, and recited them in a whisper for the
eight noble souls in the hopes of their safe arrival to the heavens. 'Wherever
the heavens may be.' Jake thought as his hot tears silently began to fall.


Jake's House
Four Hours Later


	It was a pure torture for Jake to spend four hours watching the two
agents calling around for updates. He flinched every time a phone rang or Elly
entered the room. So, when Scully took the call and mouthed 'Skinner' to her
partner, Jake knew 'this is it'. Mulder grabbed the other phone to listen in on
their conversation. Jake held his breath. When they both hanged up, Jake saw
Mulder released a long breath, then faced Jake and nodded.

	"Is everything okay now?" Vera asked Scully, who was in deep
thought before nodding back.

	"Yes. They've placed the witnesses in custody, all well enough to
stand trials. Soon as they find out what their names are and what they will have
to say, we can close the investigation phase of this case." Scully was still
trying to calm down.

	"You're not going to stay here?" Vera asked, disappointment clear
in her eyes. Mulder approached them, all wearing his personal articles
previously loaned to Jake. Jake silently watched Mulder as he followed Jake's
example, and carefully placed Jake's personal articles on the workdesk next to
the computer. Jake gestured Mulder to stop, and stood from his seat. Mulder's
expression showed confusion as Jake kissed Vera's forehead, handing her over for
him to hold. Mulder complied,  eying 'what's going on?' to her partner. When
Jake turned around and stuck out his hands behind his back, Mulder finally
figured out the problem. Scully dropped her shoulders at the sight. She exhaled
a long breath before approaching them, shaking her head. She watched as Mulder
left the spot with Vera in his arms, then retrieved Jake's suitcase and placed
it at Jake's feet.

	"I feel terrible about what happened to all of us. And I feel very
ashamed at what I've done. Go ahead and take me in." Jake said.

	"Jake. Turn around and face us." Scully's command was no longer on
edge. Jake lowered his head and obeyed. The two agents' expression now showed
only a trace of their earlier outburst. Jake could swear Vera was smiling with
her eyes.

	"I can't take you in, Jake. The conversations between you and
Cancer Man weren't recorded.  For all things considered, the meeting never
happened. The witnesses delivered to us is the end of the line on this case.
They are the ones who actually committed the offenses, though they've received
orders from those at a higher level of power. And speaking of the devil, you
never mentioned the SWAT team to Cancer Man when the deal was made. You didn't
send the assassin that killed those agents, and you didn't put the poisons in
their IV. There is no reason for us to place you under arrest and read you the
Miranda rights." Jake listened to her open-mouthed. He was making an even bigger
fool of himself.

	"But, but... Dana, I must be responsible for something. It's my
fault they're dead. I don't deserve Vera. She's better off without me." Jake
shook his head, indicating Vera in Mulder's arms. She had her arms around
Mulder's neck, and they seemed to be staring at each other with unvoiced words.

	"Jake, shut up." That, Jake followed. Scully dropped her gaze
before looking up again and met his worry-grazed eyes. This time, Jake saw it
for sure. She was flushing her cheeks with embarrassment. She ran her hand
through her hair as a dead give-away. "I admit I was too harsh on you,
considering how much you put up with, and considering you aren't a trained FBI
agent. You've practically followed all rules necessary to be followed. You never
fired Mulder's gun, and you were never involved in any struggle except for the
ordeal at the Castro Valley Airport. You never injured anyone directly or
indirectly. You helped save Mulder's life by participating in the hostage
negotiation procedure as well as to uncover Skinner's dealing with Cancer Man.
On all official records, you have nothing to be sorry about." At her statement,
Mulder nodded to Jake and handed Vera back to him. She giggled like a true
ten-year old and asked Jake to let her stand, but she never left his side.

	"What about you?" Jake asked both agents, and Mulder moved his
gaze away from Vera to look at him. "You and Skinner had to cover this up until
now. I'm afraid of you getting into trouble with your professional conduct
people." At this, both agents simultaneously glanced each other, wincing.

	"Some lost vacations and mandatory probation, or maybe they'll let
us off the hook with reduced pay. Who knows? Maybe we'll be out for a couple of
weeks for temporary suspension." Scully gave Jake a run-down and his face paled
with every word. "I know they won't shut down the X-Files this time. I feel
confident about that. I don't even know why, but ...maybe Cancer Man had meager
sense of righteousness and us keep open."

	"But Dana? Cancer Man doesn't know about our undercover stuff yet.
For the guy, that's a bomb as big as his murdering the SWAT guys in Fairfield. I
...I can't believe it. I'll go with you to D.C., and tell the guys upstairs that
it was all my fault. Cancer Man's guys bombed my car and stole my computer. He
ordered the sweepers who ruined our lives, terrorized my housekeeper and nearly
destroyed the house. Isn't that enough weight on the scale to equal our faults?
I'm not going to let them fire you. If they do that, I'll kick and scream at
their door until they listen to me. I'd rather have myself in jail for criminal
trespass and whatever else they can dig up on me, than to have you two lose your
jobs and let the bastards get away. Cancer Man's got too much to lose." Jake
spoke rapidly, mostly to reassure himself. Mulder shrugged, and reached for Vera
to caress her face.

	"Fox? Come over and give me a ride." Vera reached for Mulder's
shoulder and neck. Mulder exchanged looks with Jake before nodding. "Jake's
really, really sorry, Fox. You bully him, and I'll get mad." Vera declared, her
tone so similar to that of Samantha. His sister used to command him with short
sentences. And she used to scream at him or throw him things whenever she didn't
get something she wanted. Mulder wanted so much to see Vera grow up and maybe
meet Samantha when he finally found her. 'Yes,' Mulder thought. 'It's already
too high a price to pay.'

	"Well, Jake. As much as we would appreciate your being there for
us, you'll be spending months ahead traveling around the country from one
safehouse to another until the trials end. Or, at least until your days in
courts come to an end. You can probably go outside under protection, but you
won't be free. The people in disciplinary committee are sensitive to political
pressures and are very well-informed of developments in this case. They will
probably lecture us long and hard, but I doubt your presence there would be of
any help to us." Scully's words sounded a little harsh, but truthful. Jake
nodded and watched Mulder and Vera talking as they walked back toward the
kitchen. They headed for the laundry room where Stella and Elly stayed busying
themselves with the task at hand.

	Mulder saw Stella issue him a warning with a cautious grumble as
to say, 'What the hell did you do to Jake to upset him so much?!' Mulder knelt
down in front of his savior. Staring into her eyes, Mulder hoped she wouldn't
try to avenge Jake's anguish. Mulder slowly reached for her head, careful to
curl his fingers so as not to aggravate her agitation. When she let him touch
her forehead, he reached her further and drew her close in his arms.

	"Stella? Fox is sorry that he lost his patience. Jake made a big
mistake, and Fox was mad. But it wasn't really Jake's fault alone. And Fox's
thankful you saved his life. I promise, Fox won't be bad to Jake." Ignoring Elly
and Mulder's astonishment, Vera finished his thoughts. Stella gave Mulder a
whimper in return and offered him her paw. Mulder couldn't help a chuckle as he
took the handshake, feeling the roughness of the soft cushion at the bottom
transcend its warmth.

	"Miss Kathler, it's so good to finally hear your voice. It's very
charming." Elly commented, eliciting such an innocent giggle from Vera, Mulder
wanted to frame it forever on her face.

	"What would you like for dinner, Agent Mulder?" Elly asked, making
Mulder raise his eyebrows at the variety of choices available at the woman's
mercy. He took out his notebook from the back pocket of his trousers and began
writing. Elly read it over his shoulder, and soon released her laughter. "I knew
you would request it. I had an agent who was in charge of our glossaries, so I
added it to the list on his last trip. What would you like for the main course,
Agent Mulder? I have chicken, salmon, and some beef steaks. Agent Hall loved my
cooking so much, he never ran out of the list of food he wanted with each meal."

	Mulder could imagine the charming, perfect boy-next-door sitting
at the kitchen counter. In answering, Mulder asked her to surprise him, but he
had to eat them mushed, because he wasn't allowed to chew. Elly promised she
would cook something exclusively for Mulder. He told her it wasn't necessary,
but she insisted. Mulder was disappointed he hadn't been able to meet Agent
Thomas Hall yet because of what had happened to Tina Mulder. They'd been through
so much together and Mulder couldn't remember the man. He began writing again
while Elly dumped another load of unclean bedsheets  and pillow covers into the
washer.

	"I feel terrible that I don't remember your cooking, and that I'd
requested sweet potato pie from you while I stayed. And I'm sorry, I've skipped
a more proper re-introduction. I'm Special Agent, Fox Mulder with the FBI. It's
a pleasure to finally meet you again." Mulder gave the note to Elly, and offered
her a handshake. Mulder liked it when people returned a firm handshake, and Elly
was definitely  among his top five. But what he loved the most about her was the
warmth and generosity of her smiles. Mulder hoped her children and her husband
knew just how fortunate they were.

	"Elly? Fox loves your smiles and your hand." Vera teased as Mulder
turned crimson. Elly blushed a little in return. Mulder began tickling Vera all
over her body for a revenge as he used to do  with Samantha when Mulder was a
twelve-year old. When they stumbled back to the main room, Scully was still busy
on the phone, trying to get up-dates on the development, while Jake was still at
the computer desk, burying himself with work, and a month of phone and e-mail.
But Mulder never noticed the camcorder when Jake turned it back on. After Jake
replied all e-mail messages, he pulled out a binder full of the women's letters
and began writing checks he hadn't been able to write to all submissions. There
were total twenty new letters still left unopened, though he would be able to
indulge in the fun at least for this night. Mulder himself had enough work to
keep him busy until well after midnight. He told Scully to leave the rest of the
field report for him to take care of, and ordered her a bedrest after dinner.

	"Mulderrr..." Scully immediately recognized the resurgence of his
big-brother mode. And just like a big brother, Mulder refused to listen and
again pulled his rank on her. But a large part of her agreeing with her partner
came from her own enjoyment of watching Mulder act like himself. She noticed
that Vera's presence often brought out the kid in Fox Mulder, thus doubling his
over-protective nature. Mulder changed into a pair of black jeans and a blue
denim shirt, and sat down on a slim wooden chair with his chest facing its back.
He indulged himself in watching Vera brushed Stella's fir in front of the large
TV set. It was still the favorite task of the participants even after all the
destruction. A while later, Mulder finally noticed that Scully was looking at
him with a smile. When Elly came out of the laundry room and began cooking their
dinner, Scully watched Elly skillfully peel potatoes and carrots, then parsnips.
Mulder pulled out his laptop to begin the day's report, or a field journal as
Scully labeled them, to be sent to Skinner for signatures. Scully offered to
help, but he grinned at her menacingly when she approached him. He stood on his
full height and lifting his laptop over his head, announced her  that the report
was his, and she won't get to have it until he was finished. Scully shook her
head with disbelief. She could easily picture Fox Mulder in his early teens,
building model racing cars without letting Samantha touch a finger until he was
done. Her partner was in his childish mode, and he used it well. So she stood up
and asked Elly if she could be her helper while learning her cooking.

	"There's always an extra room in this kitchen." Elly said as she
began chopping green bell peppers. Scully released a laughter that always made
her partner look up from whatever he was doing. Though it was bound to end too
soon, Scully felt the small fragments of their shattered lives reaching out for
each other, trying to draw themselves back together for what a life should be.
If she could somehow help piecing as much of it back together as anyone's able,
she was glad to take a part in it. Soon Scully saw that whatever kept Jake busy
was at least temporarily abandoned, because Jake left his desk and joined his
small family in front of the TV set. Exercising a father's privilege, Jake lay
down comfortably on the smooth hard wood floor beside Vera, her tiny form 
sandwiched in between him and Stella. 'Just like at the hospital', Mulder thought
before returning to his reports, suddenly feeling like an intruder in the very
scarce Kathler family moments.

	It was a hard first day back, sending Elly, Vera, and Scully all
to exhaustion-induced sleep around nine-thirty. However, neither Mulder nor Jake
acknowledged the time passing over them until the assistant federal prosecutor
came to visit them promptly at nine the next morning for a meeting. Both Mulder
and Jake were lectured by Scully and Vera for working through the night, but the
two determined females only received the two men's good-morning smiles and
kisses on their cheeks.

	Skinner and Mitch Warren's team were due for arrival within three
days, and the drafts of deposition scripts, including all questions to be asked
by Warren's team as well as the questions expected to be asked by the defense
team needed to be complete by then. A series of rehearsals would follow, though
unlike Hall, all the X-Files trio were used to various type of trials. The only
person Jake worried about at the moment was Vera. But the moment he thought 'How
will she hold up?', he received her slap on his arm, and was told to quit
worrying about her, because she was as well as she could be. She sounded so like
Dana Scully, Jake responded with an apology. Apparently, Scully took a notice of
it, and gave Vera a nod of 'you go, girl'.


Exact Location And Date Unknown
Sacramento, CA
3 PM Pacific Time


	People moved busily around the three chairs set over a freshly
tended lawn. There was no physical barrier of any kind between the tight circle
of three people seated in folding metal chairs. Finally, after an hour of
fumbling with the lights and the make-ups, they heard the crew giving their
okays.

	"Lights?"

	"Done."

	"Complete."

	"Camera?"

	"Ready to roll." Short commands were tossed around the three
chairs, adding tension in the air.

	"Okay. Are you ready?" The young interviewer asked, facing his
subjects.

	"As much as I'll ever be." The equally young man answered with a
shrug and a reserved smile.

	"You'll be fine." The little girl's confidence rivalled with the
interviewer. Her father laughed softly, and nodded his okay.

	"Okay? Camera roll. Three, two one...  action."

	"First of all, I thank you two for being with us today." McDarmont
the interviewer began.

	"My pleasure." The girl answered, knowing that was why her father
consented this interview.

	"Likewise." Jake's reply followed his daughter's.

	"Miss Kathler, I was..."

	"Please, call me Vera. We're no longer strangers."

	"Fine, Vera. ...Let's start with Mr. Kathler. Did you ever imagine
how this would turn out to be?" Jake responded with an honest and nervous
laughter before firmly shaking his head no.

	"How can anyone be ready for this? I only wanted to find her
parents, and I also knew we couldn't get too close, or else our separation would
be too painful. Once she found her parents, I needed to let her go. The state
social worker, the local police officials, even the psych-counselor at Henry
Barrington warned me about this, because we seemed to have grown too close."

	"True. No one can prepare anyone for what you've been through.
Now, Vera? I have wanted to ask you this for a while. ...How did this man, Jake
Kathler gain your trust? What made you feel secure about living with him?" This
was a question that hit Jake in the core, because it was a question he'd been
dying to ask, but refused because he didn't want an easy way out to the answers.

	"I don't know how to tell you. But for a start, he didn't hide
himself from me when he first came for me and climbed over the security rail. I
was frozen with fear, because I had no idea why I was standing there, eighty
floors above the ground. Jake slipped and almost fell while throwing me inside
the railing. He passed out for a couple of hours, but I didn't dare move away
from him." McDarmont saw Jake inhale sharply at the memory.

	"Why didn't you?" McDarmont was obviously experienced with his
subjects' responses.

	"I was scared for him. But he woke up, and yelled at me because I
scared him badly. He thought he'd rather die with me, than failing to rescue me
and live to tell my parents the story."

	"But ...you both survived."

	"He saved me first, and then we saved each other."

	"How do you mean?"

	"Because pretty soon he started telling me how much he needed me.
And he wasn't lying."

	"How do you mean?" McDarmont was sharp.

	"We brought out the best in each other." Jake quickly tipped in,
hating to interrupt but not being able to help it.

	"You know, Vera? It's hardly believable that I'm talking to a
ten-year old. When did you learn about your intelligence?"

	"When the hospital ran a test and told me I had unusually active
brains, especially at language and art."

	"That's how you communicated with Mr. Kathler, wasn't it? Your
drawings?"

	"I didn't remember to write, speak, nor read. Until, like...  six
months ago. But Jake told me he didn't really have the need for it between us,
and that was also true. I don't know why, but I just knew what he was thinking
and what he was trying to tell me. He read most of my thoughts from my eyes
before reading the rest of my face."

	"You never felt uncomfortable?"

	"Of course I did. I had no idea where I was, and I didn't know who
was who. Jake never had a child living in his house before, and that worked for
the better. He treated me with respect. He made everything easier for me. He was
good at explaining things, and he was very patient. He never pushed me to do
anything except to help out the FBI to find my way home."

	"How was it that when you finally found your home, you ended up at
Mr. Kathler's house?"

	"I couldn't be happier. Especially, after I learned what happened
to my parents, there was no where I'd rather be than his house."

	"Vera? Speaking of your parents, will you tell me the reason you
two chose this place for this interview?" McDarmont asked, looking over the
cemetery.

	"Jake's idea. He wanted my birth parents to listen to our
stories." Vera replied, indicating the headstones nearest to them. There was a
small courtyard in the center of the cemetery, leaving them enough room to set
up the interview. Although McDarmont already had the information, he nodded in
appreciation. Jake watched them carefully, although he trusted the man to edit
anything damaging to the trials out of the broadcast.

	"And you said this is only the second time you have been here?"

	"Yes. They were murdered when I was taken and well... I only
remembered them in the middle of the FBI investigation, so my visiting here was
simply too dangerous."

	"I see. I also understand there are others who have similar
recollection to the events you have experienced over the course of the past
three years?" Jake shot a warning glance at the interviewer. Vera calmly nodded.

	"You're worrying Jake now. But yes, there must've been thousands
of people, mostly women, just like me. Samantha and Da... Oops." When Vera
looked, Jake twitched his jaw and spread his hands as to say, 'you're right.
That's too much'.

	"Can you edit that out, please? Otherwise you'll be seriously
endangering three of the FBI's finest." Jake got a nod from the man. "Can you
honestly promise that for us? Or, you'll have the FBI yapping at you all the way
from Capitol Hill. I'm not joking." Jake's calm expression and manner  further
intimidated McDarmont.

	"You have my word."

	"Thank you." Seeing the man's honesty, Jake nodded his smile and
gestured him to go on.

	"Vera? I'd like to talk about the second time you were returned.
Did you ever, in the months-long stays at the Prescott and Fairfield Central
hospitals, experience any recurring dreams or flashbacks?"

	"I hated hospitals. Afraid to death of them. The morning after we
first met, Jake, I couldn't remember where I was, or why I was in a bed,
surrounded by pink and green clothed people. I screamed, because I thought I was
still a hostage, only I was at somewhere different. Jake took my head in his
hands, and told me I was safe. That, he is with me and I was going to be all
right. When I was returned for the second time, I was looking into Jake's face
but soon realized it wasn't him. The man realized the problem, and called Jake
in for me. I regained my speech, my memory prior to my birth parents' deaths,
and other stuff after regression hypnosis. But I recalled next to nothing about
the place or the people who held me captive. I had a few nightmares, but not as
much after I rejoined Jake and the others."

	"'The others', you meant the FBI agents scheduled to testify in
courts?"

	"Yes, the three of them. I can't name them here, though."

	"That's fine, Vera. But will you tell me a little about what made
you trust them?"

	"Sure. After a couple of months, or maybe before that, they opened
up to us. Well, they had to, because Jake made them live with us. He's good at
making people open up. That's what one of them said, anyway. They all liked me,
and told me later that I was a stronger person than all of them combined. They
meant what they said. It helped, because even when I was acting like myself, I
wasn't really sure if I was okay. These agents are very strong people, too, but
they've been through a lot, and the case became too personal. I've even seen
them cry openly in front of me. But they were very careful never to show it to
anyone else. Jake's like a thick book with a lock. He hates secrets, but he 
doesn't open up to people unless he trust them with the key first."

	McDarmont widened his eyes at Vera's intelligence. "Have you
always been this way? You're extremely easy to talk to."

	"I picked it up from the FBI agents, but Jake had a lot to do with
it. He always spoke to me in this way, and I became adept to it after living
together for half a year. I was lucky, Mr. McDarmont. If it was anybody else, I
wouldn't have gotten this far. Even when I couldn't speak, he never brushed me
off."

	"How do you mean?"

	"Like saying, 'Hey, go get your toys and play.', or, 'Brush your
teeth and go to sleep!'. He never did that. Instead he asked me what I wanted to
do, or explained to me the reasons for what each of us needed to do when.
Another reason why I love Jake, is he never let go of me unless I asked for it
or until his limbs cramped. He didn't drop me on the floor and tell me to go
away, or tell me I had to go to sleep just to get rid of me. When he didn't know
I was sick, he used to tell me I could stay up as late as I wanted, but try not
to exhaust myself. I loved that. And, he was never too bossy about anything. He
didn't say, 'Clean up your room!' or 'Eat your vegetable!'. Instead, he let me
sleep in his arms, and he'd just stay there with me, and wait until I was asleep
before carrying me to my bed. For the first several days, he even slept on the
floor next to me and Stella."

	"And that gave me a hell of a backpain." Jake stepped in, pointing
to his biceps. "It was all a great workout on my arms." The instant their eyes
met, they burst out laughing, and they took their own sweet time settling down.

	"...He made deals with me. Saying stuff like, 'If you go change
into your pajamas I'll let you do what you want for the rest of the night, but I
need to be over there working. You give me a hauler whenever you need
something'. And he pointed out to his workdesk, covered with blue-prints. That
was wonderful." Vera stared back at Jake, who beamed with delight.

	"Yes, it does sound wonderful. You could've ended up much worse."

	"It scares me when I think about how everything would have been if
not for Jake. And of course, I won't leave out the FBI agents who protected me
and Jake."

	"I understand they have gone to drastic measures to stay by your
side?"

	"Too much. They were in big trouble because they wanted to protect
me and Jake. That's actually one of the reasons we are going to the civil court.
Hopefully, we can clear their names. I hope it helps."

	"I've heard it was at Vera's insistence?"

	"That's right. Jake was supportive of the causes for these civil
suits, but he wasn't too crazy about them. He thought he would be viewed as sort
of a Scrooge. You know, the 'Money Man'. And the part of my telling you about
this is because he doesn't want me talking about it. He always does this. He
hates losing friends and people's trust. And I know what he's most afraid of."

	"What?" Jake interrupted, not expecting in the least for her to
start digging into personal detail.

	"You made Linda Lowry stay with us because you were afraid of her
misunderstanding you. You were scared that she would think you picked up a stray
kid like some child offender. You made the FBI stay with us for the same reason
in the beginning."

	"Those aren't the only reasons." Jake quickly reduced to fend for
himself.

	"I know. Another reason, is because he was afraid I'd be in too
much stress and get sicker."

	"Does this ...Vera? Is it okay to talk about your medical
condition?"

	"Just a little. I have cancer." She was brutally honest.

	"And how long have you had this?"

	"All my life, apparently. My mother had it, and I inherited the
gene. But mine began growing like crazy after my second return, because the
people who took me the last time treated me badly. They're in jail now." 'Not
all of them', Jake thought, but held his tongue.

	"And when your parents were murdered they claimed you as one of
the deceased?"

	"Yes. They murdered some street girl, and brought it over with
them to claim her body as mine."

	"I've heard that one of the assigned federal agents suffers from
the same tumor that you have?"

	"Yes. She's a fighter, and I respect her. She's someone I want to
be in every way. She's strong, smart, and beautiful. But, we both need to find
another way to survive this, because of what the guilty people did to us both."

	"This female agent must have been an encouragement for you. Is she
also the one who carried out your parents' research when they found out about
it?"

	"Yes. With two other doctors and a man who kept my parents'
diaries with their research documents."

	"And this cancer you have is acquired?"

	"Hers is. Mine is modified from the original. This agent didn't
even have cancer gene like me or my mother. I don't know much details about the
medicine."

	"What would you like to do now? What are your plans?"

	"I'd like to work on my art."

	"I hear your work will be exhibited at the National Children's
Museum?"

	"Yes. They said my work was good."

	"And they are, as I understand, in 3-D?"

	"Yes. Jake helped a lot. He has virtual reality machine he uses
for work. He knows how to look at my drawings because of his experience with
three dimensional images."

	"I should look forward to seeing them. I understand you've donated
all your art work?"

	"I've done tons of them. I don't mind sharing them with the rest
of the world."

	"You're certainly an ambitious young lady. I wish you all the
best."

	"Thank you. Is it Jake's turn now?" She looked at Jake, who
shifted to readjust his position. McDarmont nodded.

	"Well, Mr. Kathler..."

	"Jake."

	"Okay, Jake. Has she ever called you or referred to you as her
father?"

	"Yes, several times. I don't push her on the issue. I'm legally
her father, and her natural parents can never be replaced by my taking over
their roles. I was happy enough when she dropped her last name. I didn't really
want her to, but it was at her insistence. I love her, and I want to do
everything in my power to help her."

	"When did you start feeling like taking on a father's role?"

	"I didn't until she turned out to be an orphan. Even then, I
didn't think I could be ...that, I was qualified to be her father. But she
defied me, and convinced me that I could."

	"Why did you doubt yourself in the beginning?"

	"I never had a good role model. I didn't have a sibling, either.
But I was successful with Vera, because I was doing everything I ever wanted my
parents to do for me as a child. So, everything I've said and done for her, to
her, and with her, came from heart."

	"You were mistreated as a child?"

	"Yes, I was. I'm confident to say so. Especially after I
...learned just how wrong things were."

	"So, when Vera talks about your patience and your kindness, it
came from your own experiences?"

	"My memories and the emotion I've felt during those early years
were the only reliable guidelines I had for a fatherhood. Not like taking kids
to carnivals, though I would love to do that. But more at the basic level. Just
like architecture, basis is everything. When you build something, regardless of
what the 'something' is, the basis has to be the strongest. Even if the rest of
it looked fabulous, if the basis isn't stable, everything falls apart."

	"Is it okay if I asked you about your former fiance?" Jake
hesitated for a moment to reply.

	"All right. Never be disrespectful to her, or you'll regret you've
ever met me."

	"Fair enough. You said the basis needing to be strong. Is that why
your attempted marriage failed?"

	"I'd say so. There was a lot of her that she kept to herself. I
never knew the side of her that made her so ... herself."

	"That hit you even worse as a surprise."

	"Of course. I loved her with my ...everything that was me. I loved
her with my life. But, I've made a mistake of not being there for her when she
needed me."

	"And you still think about it?"

	"How am I supposed to forget it? I've searched for answers. About
what made her the way she was and what made her act the way she did."

	"And you still learn from this experience?"

	"Every day, there's something new to be learned. That's the reason
you get out of bed and go on with their lives. After Alex's death, I only had my
work. But now there's so much more, because I have Vera. Fatherhood was
something I never was truly ready for. If Vera was an infant or a toddler, I
don't believe I would've made a good father."

	"Maybe that'll change someday." McDarmont offered.

	"Ha, ha. I don't know about that." Jake laughed nervously as he
patted on his knee and stared at the blue sky above. While Jake took a deep
breath, McDarmont was smart and kept quiet. "There's a lot about fatherhood that
scares me. I think many fathers try way too hard to fit into the society's image
of a father, and they simply forget to be humans. To me, a father is someone who
protects his family, but also someone who loves and only truly loves to be with
his family. A father shouldn't be a controller or the ruler of the family.
That's not my interpretation of a true fatherhood. A father should be able to
trust his family. To know all the problems in the family and always work through
them. Or, at least try to work through them. But always know the others' limits
and your own limits. About how much of what each person can take. Instead of
under-estimating or disrespecting their children's intelligence or the depths of
their insights, be patient and try to understand what the child is really trying
to tell you or wanting to learn from you. I believe, that if a father is truly
dedicated... confident that he loves his family and is loved by them in
return... Where's the need for fists and cussing words and sexual assaults and
pressure? Everybody gets enough of all that outside the house. Just by trying to
live right, trying to stay out of trouble. You know?"

	"Are you a good father, then?" McDarmont asked, eliciting a smile
from Jake.

	"Only Vera can be the judge of that. She keeps me on ground. I've
learned from her so much more than anyone could've taught me. She's the best
teacher on life."

	"Vera?" McDarmont gestured her to speak her mind.

	"He was the only person I trusted when I had nothing and nobody.
And he is still the only one I'll stick with. Umm ...take that however you
want." Jake laughed at her statement.

	"Vera's an extraordinary person. I'm saying this not only as a
father, but as a human being. Even when we were all in tears and fallen apart in
front of her because we couldn't handle the stress of the case, she was the one
who comforted us. That was ironic, considering we're there assigned to protect
her life, and she's the one saving us from ourselves... Uh, take that however
you want." This time, Vera laughed.

	"Jake? We understand there were some undercover operations you've
participated in?"

	"Sorry, I'm not at liberty to answer that." Jake quickly scrapped
the earlier playful mood.

	"We understand that you happened to look like one of the agents
worked as primary..."

	"We only remotely look alike. You wouldn't recognize him if you
just passed him by on streets. There was a time I thought he was my twin. But
after all the trouble, I've grown deeply tanned, and my hair's grown even
longer. I'm about fifteen pounds lighter than when the FBI investigation began.
We speak differently with different accents, and we have different voices. Plus,
I don't have scars from bullets, knives, bull-whips, burns, nor injections. And
I don't have a wired jaw. I don't use a gun, and I don't deal with serial
killers on daily basis. Believe me, we're two very different people."

	"You've been speaking very strongly about wanting a normal, or as
normal as possible life for Vera and yourself. How do you propose to achieve
that?"

	"Well, I'm not sure but I'd like to get back to work part-time.
I'm a full-time father, so my work is considered second. I've finished a new
blue-print that's awaiting construction, so I'll be observing them in a couple
of weeks. My housekeeper is a very doting mother as well as an excellent cook.
Hopefully, I could ask her to watch over Vera when necessary. My house's
security system is as tight as Fort Knox ever since the FBI stayed there. They
were very kind to leave behind their surveillance equipment installed by their
own security consultant. I've moved in more equipment from my office into my
house, so I can work more extensively at home. I could hold meetings at my
house, have on-line conferences when needed. All I have to do outside my house
is to go for a walk with my dog. I get my mail doing that, and then I can
occasionally oversee construction and make suggestions. My house will be very
busy after the trials, I'm sure. But I won't let anybody in after five unless
there's an emergency. Vera can do all the work she wants to do in the house. I'm
planning to remodel the house a bit to also make it her studio. My house doesn't
have walls between rooms, which allows us a creative as well as physical means
of freedom."

	"We can dance and sing all we want." Vera tipped in, making Jake
laugh.

	"That's what she did when she came out of her trauma. She was
signing to oldies right then, but her music taste is very diverse, and she loves
just about everything."

	"Anything that grabs me and moves me, I embrace it. I love songs
and music that have lots of piano and string stuff. Oh, I loved 'Wild Horses' by
Rolling Stones. Fox loves it, and he had it on when I heard it for the first
time. We danced to it in my hospital room with Dana." Jake's head sharply turned
toward her.

	"Oops." Vera stuck her tongue out.

	"Don't worry, we'll edit it out." McDarmont smiled, and Vera
shifted in her seat.

	"Sorry about that. Well, I love music that makes me feel like I
can fly, run like wind, and swim like dolphins. I also love music that relaxes
me, make me feel safe or like I'm floating in the air or water. If I have to
list my favorite as a kid ...well I'm a kid, but ...anyway, it'll be 'Stand By
Me' and 'This Little Light Of Mine'. They are timeless." Vera gazed at the two
silent adults, but her pat on Jake's arm brought them out of their reverie.
McDarmont cleared his throat, but held his tongue.

	"She... she didn't know anything about recent artists or music,
but she caught up quickly since I have over 600 CDs and several TV music
channels at my house. I personally like anything that opens me up, and widens my
horizon." Jake continued with a somewhat reserved smile. "It is fairly rare for
Vera to act like her age, mostly because of her genius. But as I said, I'd love
for her to have a normal life. If she wants to go to an art school or a public
school to make friends, that's fine with me. I'm just not convinced that it's
safe to leave her anywhere other than my house or somewhere I can't be. But I'd
like to take her and our dog to parks and maybe a nearby camping ground. If she
meets people she considers her friends, they're invited. They can stay over at
our house if they want to. I'll observe from a safe distance, and run to assist
whenever my help is requested."

	"Are you an open-minded person in that respect?"

	"Yes. I'm liberal and open-minded. I have been and I always will
be."

	"You are still haunted by the memory of Vera being snatched away
from you?"

	"Of course, I am. I was with her, at her beside when they came and
held me down on the floor. I didn't even see their faces until I saw them in
court. They were identified and proven by Vera and the FBI agents as
participants of many attempts made on the lives of the federal witnesses."

	"I understand you've been thrown into a hospital hazardous-waste
chute?" McDarmont furrowed his eyebrows, quietly demanding details.

	"Yes, and I came down with hepatitis B and a flu on top of it. I
also had fifty stitches on various parts of my body. The cuts were mostly from
the glassware and hypodermic needles. Viruses were from contaminated blood on
the soiled gowns and surgeon's groves, plus the contaminated tissue specimens
from the lab." Jake grimaced at the memory, recalling the smell of disinfectants
and the murky odors of mysterious origins. He suppressed a shudder, but Vera
tensed beside him, no doubt scanning his mind. Jake wanted to tell her to stop,
but he couldn't in front of the interviewer. He instead sent his concern for
her, hoping she would get the message. To his relief, she soon relaxed.

	"You could have died."

	"Mr. McDarmont, I could've died anytime, anywhere within the past
six months. I'm alive, because of those FBI agents who guarded me with their
lives."

	"Do you still think about it?"

	"About what, exactly?"

	"About death?"

	"I'm not afraid of the pain or the suffering directly related to
the event. What I'm most afraid of, is what will happen because of it. And I
recognize now that I am fortunate to have anyone to be afraid for. I've known
several people who are just so terribly alone, that no consequences will be left
there for the world to feel. I'm glad I'm not one of them. ...Right now, I'm
fine. I'm afraid for Vera, as well as for the population of women suffering from
this particular type of brain tumor. It took five years for Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis
to tell their story through Vera, who also told her story in court just so we
could get closer to justice. I wonder what it would take, and how long for the
rest of these women to be able to tell their stories."

	"That is a frightening thought. ...Vera, what are your thoughts?
That is, if you feel comfortable enough."

	"I'm never comfortable with it, but I know I have to keep telling
my story to the right people as long as I'm alive. I'm not afraid of death as
much as I used to. I'm more worried about that female agent who took care of us
and my father's work. I'm worried about her partner who almost got killed over
us, because bad people treat these agents very brutally. She told me something
she said to her partner that made me feel safe. She said, whatever happens,
'there's nothing to fear when it's over'. And she wrote in her journal after
diagnosed with the brain tumor, that she 'feels time like heartbeat.' I feel the
same way. Time is life." She paused and waited for McDarmont's next question. He
paused for several seconds, looking at her with awe.

	"...What do you have to say to the women and men in rare cases,
who find themselves in similar or exactly the same situations as yours?"

	"I'll tell them to think about what they can do. I know I have to
take care of myself. But, like Jake said, never be afraid for themselves, but
think more about what their getting this disease will do to the people around
them. I never would have gone through treatment required for me if it wasn't for
Jake and the FBI agents."

	"It's a big responsibility, isn't it?"

	"Yes. But I know how much I can and can't do. And I'm not alone.
For anyone who get this disease... don't be alone. You can't be alone. Find
someone you can trust to talk to."

	"Have you considered doing some public speaking?" Her talent in
the subject was apparent to anyone who got a chance to know her.

	"I'd like to, but I'm not sure. I don't want to have to see myself
in any magazine covers or newspapers than I already have. This is also the first
time I speak about all this. It'll probably be the last for a while. But because
I've done this, millions of people across the world will know that I'm not alone
in this. That, there are women and men who go through what I go through. My
parents were brave and made medicine that helped these people. I think I got my
stubbornness, or what others call my courage, from them. Doctors need to try
harder to find answers. Because you never know when and to whom this happens."

	"Thank you very much, Vera. Honestly, I didn't expect you to
handle this so very well." McDarmont's expression showed his pure respect for
Vera. "Was this your decision, Jake? To do this interview? Obviously, I have you
to thank for consenting to this."

	"You're welcome, but it was her decision and I picked the place.
This is her story, and this is about what she has gone through and about those
who supported us at great risk to their lives. If she says yes to anything after
her own careful considerations, I'll do what I can to make it happen."

	"As a father?"

	"Yes. But whether I'm doing good or bad completely depends on my
daughter's judgement. I'm not letting her get spoiled, if that's what others
worry about. I don't really have much to worry about anyway, but in the earlier
days when doctors were giving her tests and often the San Francisco FBI office
got involved, I had to let the agents take her to a testing center currently
under investigation while I had to stay home. She refused to go each morning and
since she didn't speak or write anything, I had to explain to her why she was
doing what she was doing, then I forced her to go. Only because I knew I had to.
Her mind is so far developed that she knows what's bad and what's okay. Her natu
ral parents did a wonderful job raising her. I'm sure there'll be tough
disagreements and conflicts in the future. I don't expect everything to be neat
and exist in the perfect world. That's not life."

	"But I'm sure we can get along just fine and make up." Vera tipped
in, then they both cracked up and did a high-five.

	"Are you still willing to do the photo-shoot for magazines and
galleries?" McDarmont asked as the crew began cleaning up. Jake shrugged.

	"I'm the one who decided to give them a go, and I chose the
galleries and magazines that were willing to use my choice of the photographer.
I've had offers from other magazines, but they all wanted to tell us what to
wear and how to do it. I don't like that. If they want us, want to shoot us for
how we are, they needed to go with my choice."

	"Who's the lucky photographer?"

	"Kate Lyons. I've seen her work, and I know how she does it. Plus,
she knows me personally and the best of all, she doesn't keep secrets." Jake
grinned at the memory.

	"Sounds great. I understand it'll be published and exhibited in
various books of photography?"

	"Once I let her shoot them, they're hers. But I have a say in
where they'll end up."

	"So, if anyone with professional interest chooses to publish or
exhibit the photos they'll have to go through you and Miss. Lyons?" Jake nodded.

	"It's great for her career, and she deserves to be noticed."

	"I see. I shall look forward to seeing them. I've also heard about
the offers you two have been getting about writing a book on your experiences,
especially focusing on Vera's personal recollections. Are you going to take
these opportunities?"

	"I don't think so. I've heard others say that I'm a good writer,
but that's not me. Besides, I don't have time right now, and I'm afraid of the
consequence. People like Vera and other women who had similar experiences have
always fought to gain their respect. I don't want to mention anything that is
damaging to the people involved. I wouldn't betray their confidence for anyone
except them. I don't know about Vera, but if she wants to, she needs to have the
FBI agents' consent to do it. I personally won't encourage nor discourage her
from doing it."

	"Vera?"

	"I'm willing to do some public speaking later. Maybe I'll do a few
interviews and write essays. But, writing a book on it isn't me. I draw for that
same purpose, and I'm good at doing them."

	"All right. ...I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis really appreciate our
coming down here for this interview." McDarmont concluded, looking at the
headstones. Jake resumed his relaxed smile.

	"You're welcome." Vera replied before standing up from her chair
and shaking McDarmont's hand. He did the same with Jake, and gave a nod to the
camera man to stop filming.

	"Give Miss. Lyons a call once they're done. Maybe before this
interview is aired?"

	"It'll be aired after the trials as first agreed."

	"Yeah. It is a tricky situation, so nothing's certain just yet.
Talk to Kate."

	"I will. Thank you." McDarmont answered as he returned to helping
his crew, and Jake turned back to join Vera who  sat in front of the headstones.
Jake sat down behind her and stretched out his legs. He then bent a leg at the
knee in a familiar position. Vera turned her head to face him and leaned back
against his chest. Jake then rested his head on her shoulder, and released a
breath of relief.


Exact Location Unknown
Oakland, CA  3: 30 PM Next Day


	Jake couldn't remember the last time he visited Alex. It had to be
about a year, since it was several months before the fateful night. Vera asked
him to tell her all about the woman who could have been  Jake's wife, thus her
mother.

	"She had to have an abortion when she was eighteen." Jake spoke
quietly as he cradled the white lily bouquet. Their footsteps were accented only
by the sound of freshly-cut grass complaining against the soles of their shoes.
He always loved this squashing sound. Vera kept walking, silently willing Jake
to go on. "Sure, she would have been more than happy to be your mother. She had
so much compassion. She once told me... I think it was sometime in July, that
God has created people with visions to take care of the rest of the people in
this world. 'People like you', she said. I guess that goes for you, too, Vera.
Your vision, your strengths ...unsurpassed." Jake walked along the various sizes
and shapes of headstones lining neatly on the carpet of manicured green lawn.
Vera was looking around staring upward, studying white angel statues and polls
sparsely located in several places, standing guard for the place's residents.

	When Jake stopped by a marble headstone only a few feet away from
one of the angel statues, Vera knew it belonged to Jake's Alex.

	"She's only twenty-six." Vera said, touching gently on the surface
of the stone. Jake nodded in silence and placed the flowers into the vase. He
then poured mineral water followed by a little 7-up to make the flowers last
longer. Then Jake sat down on the lawn in front of the headstone, and drew Vera
close to him in the familiar position.

	"Alex? I came here today to introduce you to my daughter, Vera."
He spoke to the headstone without hesitation.

	"Hello." Vera answered, and lay her hand on the smooth marble
surface of the headstone. It may have looked silly to the on-lookers, but it
felt right and in the end that was all that mattered. Jake smiled and patted her
on the back.

	"I'll tell you what happened later, Alex. But for now, I wanted to
tell you how much I adore Vera. And I wanted to thank you for saving my life. On
that night when I was slipping away, you told me to 'get up'. Who knows what
would have happened if I didn't and fell? I vaguely remember calling your name.
Thank you for being there for me." Jake smiled, and in answering, he felt a
warmth stream into him. He nodded a okay to Vera, and stood. He needed to make
one more stop before returning home.


Exact Location Unknown
Oakland, CA  4: 45 PM Same Day


	The valet school hadn't changed much since he visited three years
ago. Although he called her a couple of times after her daughter's death, this
was the first time he came to see her personally in three years. Jake was smart,
opting to wait outside of the classroom this time until the students were
dismissed for the day. The strong woman's voice showed no sign of softening up,
and she still used cussing words when directing her students. Jake fondly
recalled their first meeting.

	"She's scary", was Vera's simple and child-like comment. "But
you're right. She's a good woman." Vera added for the grinning Jake's benefit.
Then they watched in collective silence as the students in tight costumes
rehearsed their program. Jake never missed the look of longing, or even envy,
crossing Vera's face and felt a tight knot form in his throat.

	After several times of going through the same performance routine,
the class was finally dismissed. Jake met her outside the familiar door of the
woman's private office. A student quickly came and opened the door for them, but
the woman was frozen on the spot before lightening up with a  smile at the sight
of Jake. Once recognitions were made, she walked right up to them.

	"My, my. Jake Kathler, 'the talk' of the town." She stood erect,
drinking in Jake's profile instead of the liquor she used to be attached to.
Jake was mildly surprised at the woman's willpower.

	"Very nice to meet you again." Jake said, quickly hugging the
woman and giving her a kiss on a cheek. Vera cleared her throat, making the
adults focus on her. "I wanted you to meet my daughter, Vera." Jake smiled wider
as the two females sized up each other, both finding each other satisfying
before shaking hands. "This is the girl I've met at the top of my skyscraper. I
was fortunate enough to become her father." Jake spoke as he saw the delight in
the woman's eyes. "As hard as it may be for you to believe," Jake paused before
continuing, "your daughter saved my life. And consequently, she saved Vera's
life." The drastic change of the woman's expression was Jake's cue. "I'm not
joking, and I'm not trying to insinuate anything. I'm only stating the facts.
When I was trying to rescue Vera, my foot slipped. I was barely able to throw
her inside the security railing, and I was hanging eighty floors above ground
from a metal pole. I thought I was hopeless, because no one else was there
except the two of us. I thought I maybe able to join Alex again after three
years, but then I heard someone telling me to 'get up'. Over and over again. I
know now that it wasn't Vera's voice I heard, because Vera was in shell-shock
state. She didn't remember how to speak, write, nor read until several months
ago. I was only thinking about one person while all this was happening. And that
one person was your daughter, Alex. I don't know if you followed news reports on
the case closely, but if I wasn't there for Vera... If Alex hadn't helped me to
get up and stay alive, Vera would've been lost a long ago along with the whole
case. Your daughter helped Vera lead us to the answers and truths that saved
thousands of lives. I needed to thank you on our behalf." Jake paused, finally
having to let his words out in a rush. The woman in front of them tried several
times to speak, but failed with each attempt. Finally after a full minute, she
resorted in nodding her tearful acceptance. She proceeded to welcome Jake and
Vera into her arms. He released a soft laughter of relief, and let her go.

	"You're welcome, Jake. You're welcome." She spoke when she patted
him on the shoulder and let him sit down. Vera then asked Jake to let her look
around the school by herself. He hesitated a little, but trusted her enough to
okay it.

	"As long as you stay inside the building and in rooms with
people." Jake cautioned before letting her go. Alex's mother poured them a fresh
cup of tea, and talked of her students' progress. She asked Jake a million
questions, and he answered all he could. Their topics of discussion mostly
centered around his life in general, and little about the X-Files.

	"So, what are your plans? Do you have to go somewhere again?" She
asked, half afraid Jake may need to disappear somewhere. Jake nodded, smiling.

	"Yeah. For now, there's only one place to go."

	"Will you write to me or something?" The woman's saddened e
xpression made Jake's smile brighter.

	"I'll come over and see you. We're just going home." The woman's
light shove made Jake crack up. "It's good to be missed for the right reasons by
the right people." Jake replied, standing up.

	"Maybe your daughter can enter my school sometime." She said as
she walked Jake to the door.  Suddenly feeling grim, Jake turned back to face
her. However, she patted him again on his shoulder,telling him with her eyes
understanding of Vera's conditions as well as his feelings. Jake nodded, his
lips forming a tight smile.

	"I hope so." He said before walking out of the office in search of
Vera, asking her what she wanted for dinner as she dove into his awaiting arms.



Federal Courthouse
San Francisco, CA
9 AM Two Days Later


	"Are they the guys?" Mitch Warren asked his team as they watched
the defense team walk inside. The Kathlers watched from their tabled both
nodding in agreement. Mulder and Scully seated next to Jake exchanged looks
before nodding. The missing doctors at Henry Barrington tried to look as
innocent as possible, though their attempts had so far fallen face flat. Though
this very first of four trials lining up on their list was estimated to be the
easiest, they never imagined just how easy. The moment the defense was asked for
their plea, the counselor stood erect and declared, "The defense plead guilty to
all charges."

	"What!?" Jake's hushed reaction was a mix of disbelief and relief.
The judge went on to read out the defendants' penalties for each man, and the
court was adjourned in less than an hour after they entered. There won't be any
trial for this case. Warren relaxed visibly, but told the rest of his stunned
team that it was fully expected since he negotiated lessening the defendants'
sentences in exchange for their guilty plea. But he also warned them never to
expect the calm to resume in the next case because the defense now knows the
details of their undercover tricks. The defense in this first case readily
agreed to the guilty plea only because issues raised in this court occurred
before the ordeal at Fairfield.

	"Great." Scully snapped shut her briefcase, and led out the way
for Jake and Vera. Mulder followed at the very end, constantly scanning the
crowd for anyone suspicious enough to pose them a threat. Once they returned to
Jake's loft before one, Skinner and the assistant federal prosecutor were
waiting for them to go over their deposition scripts. There they had Elly's
homemade lunch and did rehearsals. The Kathlers and Elly were already packed up
for their trip. Since the guilty plea was cast, this was the last day they would
spend together in the house until the next case opens in court. The council
members of both sides as well as the defendants and the Kathlers were requested
to appear in the preliminary hearing to be held two weeks later. In the mean
time, the Kathlers were to stay in three different places around the state. Jake
didn't like the idea of moving Stella around during her recovery, but the vets g
ave him a list of daily check-ups and physical therapy instructions.

	When Vera asked Jake about the camcorder, Jake told her it was for
fun. That, he was planning on surprising the agents by giving them each a copy
of the tape later and he needed Vera to keep quiet. Vera agreed only after Jake
explained to her nothing damaging or invasive was to be filmed. Nothing like
some of the bad movies Vera accidentally watched on late night movie channels.
Vera agreed after mind-scanning the true purpose of the videos Jake was never
going to tell her voluntarily.

	Skinner, who had never before tasted Elly's homemade meal, gave
her nothing but praise for her basque chicken served as their dinner. However
for Mulder, Elly had served a thoroughly mushed curried chicken stew, but that
didn't stop him from joining others for the standing ovation for her. Elly was
the Goddess of the kitchen in Jake's house, and she would resume the title
wherever she has gone to, and will go to in her lifetime. Jake just hoped she'd
stick around him after the trials are closed.


The Department of X-Files / Office of Fox Mulder
J. Edger Hoover Building Basement
5:30 PM Eastern Time Next Day



	Scully had a hunch that Mulder was in the office when she entered
the building. And she was rewarded with an unlocked door when she reached for
the knob.

	"Hey, partner." Scully said the moment Mulder grinned at her. "I
knew you would be here." She settled her briefcase on the desk mostly dominated
by a computer. Mulder responded by throwing her a crumpled paper ball he hit
with a pencil. Scully picked it up, and shot it back using the back of her right
hand and her left index finger. It landed square on Mulder's nose, and bounced
on the desk surface. "Still no word from the Gunmen?" She asked, getting a
slight nod from Mulder. They were in the same clothes since they parted at the
airport a few hours earlier. Mulder gestured for her to approach him, and
pointed at the blank computer screen, and began typing.

	"I've written the field report I promised to do, and it's on the
top of the left file cabinet. I was going to drop it off at your house, but I
guess I won't have to. By the way, this is much less tiring than writing down on
paper. I'm afraid my hands are going to be useless if I keep writing any more."
Scully agreed, and reviewed the written report. For the next two weeks, their
office was to be buried in a flood of paperwork they hadn't been able to get to
during the course of their investigation. Most of their workload was needed by
Warren for court as a part of the 'discovery' phase. She gave it her approval by
signing her name on the bottom of the last page underneath Mulder's signature.

	"I'll take this up to Skinner's office and we'll get out of here.
All right? You've been up forty-eight hours, Mulder. You need sleep." Scully the
doctor declared, and left the office. But she returned into the office, and
poked her head inside. Mulder merely acknowledged her, but he complied when she
insisted his company. He wrote something in his pocket notebook, and held it in
her view when the elevator door closed on them.

	"Think the 'Morley Jerky' is waiting for you up there?" It said.
Scully shuddered at the thought. Since this was their first day back, it was a
possibility. Neither Skinner nor Cancer Man was expect them back in the office
immediately after their arrival back in D.C. Both agents hated to admit, they
would rather avoid a face-to-face with Cancer Man. Mulder didn't dare let her
know that he didn't go home because he couldn't stand the thought of facing the
weight of the past two months drop at once on his shoulders. Mulder wondered if
she was here for the same reasons. With the heavy air lingering around them,
they breathed a sigh of relief when they found Skinner's secretary working
over-time alone in the outer office. When the woman announced skinner's absence
from the office for at least another hour, the agents opted to drop the report
off at the woman's desk.

	"Agents?" The woman's clear tone made them turn around.

	"Yes?" They replied simultaneously. The woman looked ready to
cheer at the moment.

	"Welcome back."


Tina Mulder's Residence
West Tisbury, Massachusetts 1 PM Next Day



	Mulder knocked on the front door, and as he expected, a young man
in his late twenties appeared. The rather masculine man in dark business suit
stared at Mulder as if Elvis showed up at his doorstep. But before Mulder took
out his budge, he was greeted by an enthusiasm-driven handshake and a brief hug.
Mulder's eyes narrowed before deciding this man must be Agent Hall, their hot
topic of discussion.  Mulder immediately took out his notebook and began
writing. Mulder wasn't done writing a sentence when the younger man shoved
Mulder in, locking the door behind them.

	"Agent Mulder, it's so great to see you again! I have to admit, I
never expected you to be here yet. I know you're swamped with paperwork..." Hall
stopped when Mulder pointed to the full briefcase he carried on his shoulder
aside from the small over-night bag dangling from his bent elbow. "I guess you
brought your homework." Hall said and took Mulder's bags, asking Mulder where he
wanted them. Mulder shrugged and pointed to the living room couch, where the TV
was on. At Mulder's questioning gaze, Hall smiled, and pointed to the kitchen.

	"Your mother is busy in there. I don't know what she's cooking,
but the soup she made yesterday was so good." Hall followed Mulder into the
gourmet kitchen, almost bumping into Tina fussing in front of the oven.

	"Fox! I didn't expect you here." Tina Mulder greeted her son with
a hug and a kiss on his cheek. Mulder returned the favor, and held her for a
little longer. "Does Miss Scully know you came here?" Tina asked, looking at her
son's fatigue-ridden frame. Mulder shrugged, and told her he left a message in
both AD's and their basement offices. Mulder then made clear to Tina that he was
here as her son, but also to work through the piles of office paperwork he
brought with him. When he asked her whether he could stay, his mother insisted
he'd do just so. Mulder nodded a thanks, and asked Hall if he could take a nap.
Hall insisted Mulder would do so on the bed. Mulder hadn't had much sleep the
night before because he kept waking up. He dared to keep silent.


The Department of X-Files / Office of Fox Mulder
J. Edgar Hoover Building Basement
Washington, D.C.  9 AM Two Days Later.



	Mulder returned, delivering his work load directly up to Skinner's
office for official submission. Skinner rounded his eyes at the sight of papers
Mulder neatly stacked up in front of him. Mulder entered the X-Files office
next, seeing that Scully was there, but had stepped out somewhere. He saw
Scully's completed lengthy expense reports, and began attacking the rest of her
pile. Scully returned not half an hour later, immediately asking Mulder where he
had been the past two days and why. Mulder told her he was 'home'. She
recognized all she needed then and returned to work, though not without thanking
him for finishing his load of paperwork. Mulder shrugged a 'don't mention it.'

	He had to admit, he felt much better once he made sure his mother
was indeed all right. Good enough that he was able to return to his apartment
and actually sleep. But he also sensed that something was different. Something
important. Something that was unseen yet detectable inside him. Mulder hadn't a
clue what bothered him so much. But he refused to seek help until it was safe
enough, and until he was sure it was out of his control. At this point, he was
an important witness in three other trials and he couldn't afford to be
discredited as the result of his seeking help. His chances of being booed out of
the courts was already large enough, and he needed to put some safe distance.
Mulder looked up from his desk once he completed and signed the last due form.
Scully soon finished up the follow-up report on the autopsies of the SWAT team
members. She was requesting to do their autopsy by herself, before Skinner found
out about it and refused to put her through them again. She objected, but it did
her no good. So, she now reviewed the completed reports, looking for holes and
mistakes. When Mulder saw and almost felt her shoulders drop, he knew she was
done for the day. Scully was oblivious to Mulder's approach as she was engrossed
on the computer screen. As soon as she saved the document and closed the folders
spread on her lap, Mulder's hands came from behind her and began typing on the
screen. Scully jumped, nearly hitting his jaw with her head. Scully was about to
scream at Mulder when he pointed to the screen.

	"Any word about the arsonists?" He asked. Scully released a sigh.

	"Unfortunately, not yet. Of the three witness retrieval locations
that Skinner was informed of, none of them were our arsonists. But then, Jake
never really asked for them."

	"How are they?"

	"Mulder, there's no way to know. Jake's cellular is turned off,
and I can't contact them directly. He has to call me, you know the drill. I'm
sure Cancer Man's not going to bother them. I'm also sure that once these
witnesses start singing, they'll provide at least some type of information about
Cancer Man." Scully was very aware of Mulder acting uncomfortably ever since
their return. But in truth, Scully suspected it started the moment they were off
the investigation. "Mulder, what's bothering you? I mean, besides what happened
in the past two months."

	"I don't know. I keep feeling like there's something missing.
...Besides the four weeks of memory loss, that is. It's something else, but I
can't identify it. It keeps brushing up against me but never shows its face.
It's irritating. I keep asking, 'What the hell is this, and what the fuck does
it want from me?' ...But I assure you, it's nothing too serious. Probably the
jitters about what I would say or what they would do to me on the witness
stands."

	"The trial could be weeks away, Mulder. You're used to this.
You've been in a whole load of trials before. You've testified against serial
murderers, sex offenders, child abusers, rapists, not to mention alien abduction
cases. You've fought demons and aided saints all your life. What worries you so
much now? And you're not even alone this time." Mulder closed his eyes before
resuming his writing.

	"Okay, I admit it has very little to do with this case. It's
something much deeper than just the pressures of the trials or the Jarvis case
itself. It's something personal. Something urgent. Something that doesn't want
to leave me, and my subconscious refuses to let go. I don't know. That's the
whole point, Scully. I just don't know."

	"Does this have something to do with your mother? Is that why you
visited her?"

	"I don't know that either, Scully. I just felt I needed to be
there. For myself or her, I cannot say." Scully saw that Mulder's pure honesty,
and the eyes that rested on hers weren't looking into hers, but were searching
for something inside him. A slight hint of uncertainty and fear was sneaking up
behind those hazel. And this discovery frightened her. Scully reached for her
brief case, and reached out her hand to take Mulder's. His eyes stayed and moved
with hers, but he wasn't focusing on anything other than that solitary dark
existed between him and the outside world.

	"Come on. Snap out of it, Mulder. It's six already. Let's just go
home at an appropriate hour for once. We've been practically on duty 24-hours a
day for the past two months. Better yet, I'm going to buy you dinner." She no
longer waited for his response as she grabbed his hand and pulled him up. His
mind reeled its way out of his reverie, curiosity returning to his eyes. Scully
released a breath of relief and pulled open the door to escort him out.

	"Scully, you're not gonna find any restaurant that serves decent
meals I can consume at this point." Mulder sheepishly wrote once they got to his
car and he handed her the keys. Scully smiled.

	"When the chef is me, it's possible." Scully turned on the
ignition. "You have nooo idea how heavenly salmon fillets taste when they're
cooked for hours in white wine, cream, garlic, and wild mushrooms. They crumble
and melt right in your mouth. I've started them up yesterday to marinade. All I
have to do tonight is stick them into the oven, and all you have to do is wait."
Mulder felt his stomach growl in response.

	"Let's not waste any more time, then." Mulder smiled his
appreciation.


Exact Location Unknown
Napa Valley, CA 4PM Pacific Time  Same Day


	Although he was never an expert in winery, Jake Kathler was a fan
of good Chardonnay. Napa was a perfect place for it, and the safehouse they
moved into was built very spacious. The house was isolated, and the neighborhood
wasn't known for much traffic. An unexpected place to hide two federal
witnesses, and their dog. The house had no phone, television, nor newspaper.
That never bothered the Kathlers, since they mostly spent time in the field,
outside the confinement of the house. When he was given a chance to choose, he
chose Napa Valley first because of the room it allowed for both Stella and Vera.
He also remembered Vera's story about the field she spent most of her free time
during her captivity, and he wanted her to forget the hospital rooms, and forget
the troubles they faced each day. Jake himself needed to forget about his house
that recently turned into a battle castle. A true home, Jake felt, now only
existed within their hearts, in the security of company they provided for each o
ther. It still bothered Jake that Vera hadn't done any drawing nor any other
form of art. 'Why stop?' Jake wondered, but pushing her was completely out of
the question. She had her peace, though it was a temporary one. 'So why ruin
it?'

	"Jake! Come here and taste this one!" Vera stretched out her arms,
her legs carefully balanced over the wooden ladder she climbed. Jake delightedly
helped her pick the bunch she held in her hand, opening his mouth when she
brought one in front of him. Vera laughed and dropped it right on the center of
his tongue, watching him slowly savor its juice. Jake was allowing the fun,
because he knew these rows of grapes were organically grown. They began the
grape hunt three hours ago, and they were still at it. The basket Jake carried
for both of them was nearly full. Several stains from the fresh grape juice
spotted their clothes, and their fingers were sticky to the point where they
could feel them peeling away every time the skin came in contact with them. And
this are precisely why he was having the best time of his life. The attitude was
contagious, for they hardly stopped smiling.

	"My grape-covered princess. We're never going to finish this much
grape in two days." Jake laughed, pointing to the basket and his stomach. "I'm
going to get sick if I ate one more grape." Vera smiled devilishly at the
comment.

	"Oh, all right." She placed her hands on her hips like a
frustrated mother tending to her deviant sons. Jake loved her even more when she
reached for him. He moved the basket around to settle it over his back, making
enough room to lift Vera off of the ladder. She smelled like grape. Hell, they
were both covered in it.

	"Thank you.  If you don't mind, I would like to go back for a
shower. We've been in the sun all day long. I 'm afraid if we stayed here too
much longer, we'll be a couple of California raisins." He could barely contain
his laughter as he lowered her to the ground, then knelt down in front of her.
"But if you want to stay out here a little longer, of course I'll stay with
you." He spoke as he straightened her denim over-all, then redid her shoe laces.
Vera shook her head no.

	"I think I'll take a nap until dinner. I'm not sure if I can eat
anything, though. I'm stuffed."

	"Hey, to tell you the truth, I feel the same. Are you sure you
want to go? I don't want you going back just because of me." Jake looked up from
Vera's straightened shoes. She nodded again.

	"I'd rather go back. My legs are tired." This didn't surprise Jake
in the least. Vera then looked toward the farm house they were staying. "And I
bet Stella's missing us, left all alone in there. She must've had enough
swimming for today." Jake agreed. The young agent who accompanied the Kathlers
as a guard happened to be an experienced police canine trainer, and he offered
to help with Stella's physical therapy. Jake handed the young agent a list of
daily exercises to be done by Stella, which was given to Jake by the
veterinarians who attended to Stella in Oakland. Jake felt Vera pulling his hand
and began leading their way back.

	Although Jake tried to keep a positive spirit, it was difficult at
times to not dread on the fact that he'd have to spend the next five months or
longer in hiding, running for their lives to send the bad guys to jail. However,
that was nothing compared to the energy he spent each day, struggling to switch
off his mind about the devious growing tumor, killing his beautiful daughter
slowly from behind her sinus bones. He had no choice in the matter, because Vera
could read his thoughts like spoken words. When Jake picked up Stella and
thanked the young agent, he instantly saw that the young man had fallen hard in
love with her. The young agent kissed a less than enthusiastic 'see you
tomorrow' on Stella's forehead, and she returned it to him in a soft whimper.
Jake managed to contain his laughter until the agent was out of earshot. "Such a
guilty keeper of men's hearts. Don't break mine, though. I know you love the
Prince Charming, but I love you more." His mock plea was answered by her growl
of 'Don't be ridiculous'. Then she smelled both him and Vera as if to
investigate what messy deeds they've done.

	After a shower and a freshen-up, Jake pulled on a pair of l
oose-fitting white cotton pants and a half unbuttoned blue denim shirt. When
Vera joined Jake, he was enjoying a glass of lemonade at the back poach and
laying on the hammock. He had dreamed of a day like this. The two of them in the
sun, relaxing on a hammock without caring about the passing of time, and dream
that nobody would try to get them. Vera took a sip of the lemonade out of Jake's
offering glass. Since the start, he never really cared what was shared in
between them. Jake remembered the Denver omelets he shared with her in the
diner. Normally he'd have asked for an extra glass, dish, or a set of clean
utensils out of the concern for personal hygiene.

	By the time the ever-welcoming owner of the house lit the torches
around the house for illumination, the insects' symphony orchestra began their
nightly recital. By the time the owner re-emerged with a variety of barbecued
vegetables and meat for dinner, Jake and Vera were asleep in each other's arms.
They woke up only when Stella jumped up on the hammock to announce the
completion of dinner set-up, that everyone else was already seated. Jake thanked
Stella, and walked Vera to her seat. The dinner table was attended by the usual
company of the Kathlers, the young agent named Bob who cared for Stella, the
owner of the house, another agent in charge of communications, and finally their
cook / house servant named Chris. In two days, they had to leave the hospitality
of this house to move into another safehouse. Jake knew everyone rather stayed
in this place the whole time. Maybe when things settle down a little more, they
could come back to this place. Jake couldn't believe he was already missing the
company of those agents. He could easily picture them, all in their casual
clothes, relaxing under the open sky of Napa Valley. Perhaps even dragging in
the X-Files trio with them to the field and have a grape fight.After being with
them day in and day out for nearly two months, Jake thought he had enough of
them for a while. He guessed wrong. And that was very rare for him.

	"You'll see them soon, Jake." Apparently, Vera read his thoughts.
Jake nodded, but laughed  when he saw her struggling to chew a grilled chicken
piece bigger than her mouth. Everyone including Vera laughed with him at the
scene. 'Yes', Jake thought. 'It feels a little closer to home here.'


The Office of Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner
J. Edgar Hoover Executive Floor
Washington, D.C.
4 PM Eastern Time  Ten Days Later



	"Agent Scully, please come in." Skinner hurried in the agent and
gestured her to close the door.

	"You wanted to see me, sir?" Scully asked, wondering what trouble
arose now. Skinner pulled up his chair closer to his desk, one of the moves he
made whenever something was wrong. "Another trouble, sir?" Scully didn't waste
time, a habit she acquired from racing time and battling cancer.

	"How is Agent Mulder?" Skinner didn't waste time, either. Scully's
gaze wandered around the well-furnished office, not knowing how to tell him.
Skinner leaned back in his chair. "It's all right, Agent Scully. He's not in any
trouble, yet. And the air in here is clean." Skinner apparently mistook Scully's
uneasiness.

	"No, sir. I wasn't worried about that at all. It's just, well
...I've recognized certain changes in Mulder myself. He doesn't seem ...at home.
Well, at least he seems uncomfortable. He drives himself to exhaustion just to
force himself to rest. He told me only that there's something bothering him but
he can't quite see what it is. But it keeps bothering him. He believes it has
nothing to do with the trials or the events that occurred during the past two
months." Skinner released a deep breath, and slumped back further into his
chair. Scully shifted a little in her seat.

	"You know about tomorrow's preliminary hearing. You were done with
paperwork and the follow-ups last week, so I have no complaints against you. I
called you in here because I'm worried. Has anybody checked his water filter
system recently?" Scully raised her eyebrows. Skinner was also concerned about
it.

	"Mulder checks it every two weeks and he's done it again
yesterday. Everything's normal, sir. I've wondered about that myself and
reminded him about it."

	"So, what do you think about this?"

	"I think this is something he has to figure out for himself.
Personally, I believe he misses Vera, considering how much Vera resembles
Samantha. Vera's age, long chestnut-brown hair and toothy grin. Not to mention
why she was taken. There's nothing anyone can say to deny the connection. On the
surface, he functions well. But I've witnessed how happy Vera made him, and how
personally he involved himself with Vera. None of us could help falling in love
with that girl. Mulder never had a nightmare about his sister as long as Vera
stayed in his sight. She made him too comfortable, maybe a little too secure.
Their separation hit Mulder entirely too hard, because he was never ready to
part with her." Skinner sighed and picked up his pen. Another worry-indicator.

	"I want Mulder at his best and sharpest when the people we have to
answer to ask questions."

	"Excuse me, sir? I don't follow." Scully knew it had nothing to do
with the trial.

	"The Keneally Psychological Research Lab is raising some questions
among our disciplinary committee members. They're going to want some questions
answered."

	"Oh, my God. How is he supposed to explain himself?! ...Sir,
Consortium knows Mulder's helplessness, and they're using it to discredit him."
Scully didn't hide her rage, and Skinner fully anticipated it. "When?" Scully
saw Skinner's jaw clench.

	"After tomorrow, at two. If the defendants plead guilty tomorrow,
which I doubt highly, then the rest should be flawless. It all depends on them.
I would have called Agent Mulder up here to question him myself, but I'm too
close to this. I'm not asking you to spy on him, but tell him to prepare himself
for a shark attack. Do the best you can to resolve whatever the situations at
hand, and call whoever necessary to defend Mulder. Thank you, Agent Scully, that
will be all." Having delivered his speech, Skinner pulled his chair back and
began busying himself with an invisible paperwork.

	"Yes, sir." Scully muttered, her eyes still searching for
something to focus. She focused on the door, and excused herself.


Office of Assistant Director Walter S. Skinner
J. Edgar Hoover Building Executive Floor
2 PM Two Days Later



	When the committee members met in Skinner's office, they were
greeted by three staff members from the Keneally lab, including Dr. Dutton, Dr.
Keneally, and a Dr. Moore, who took over Sarah Martin's care after Mulder left.
The news of the preliminary hearing ending up in a 'not guilty' plea was
expected but it still lingered heavily in the air. Scully knew Mulder hadn't
minded the news much, because it meant he could see Vera again. In the A.D's
office, Mulder's cavalry occupied an entire right side of the round table,
facing the DCMs occupying the left side. Skinner as always occupied the main
chair set at the dividing line. Mulder decided for this occasion to use his
laptop for communication, figuring it might save some trouble. Mulder shook
hands firmly with all of them, though he had no clue how he ever managed to get
so much support. He expected just the opposite reaction. Despite his memory
loss,  Mulder knew this was the first time he met Dr. Moore.

	The session began smooth enough, though the Disciplinary Committee
members were merciless when it came to Mulder's investigation methods. They
pulled out every applicable repercussion in the book to be flung upon Mulder,
and pointed out more than once that he acted without consent of the Assistant
Director nor his partner. Mulder never gave them the satisfaction of seeing his
panic nor anger, but seating beside him, Scully wanted to cover her ears at the
words jumping in Mulder's face. However, what came as shock to her as well as
the rest of the bureau officials present, was the depth of support for Mulder
from the Keneally team. On the spot, they reviewed all official evidence Mulder
submitted to Skinner, explaining in detail that everything was in order. Mulder
hadn't faked or made mistakes at anything he's done for them. They watched the
tapes, and the doctors provided their analytical perspectives of their projects
and of Mulder's therapy methods. Mulder, knowing he needed to site every source
used in the project, Mulder provided Keneally team with a long list of names,
addresses and even phone numbers to contact for confirmation. Not to mention the
accompanying bibliographies which was, needless to say, an impressive amount.
Dr. Dutton spoke of Mulder's capability in doing the job assigned to him, and
explained extensively about how Mulder was a responsible as well as supportive
member of their project team.

	"A true team-player." Dr. Dutton added with a straight face. Dr.
Keneally had nothing but praise for Mulder's job performance, based on his
thoroughness with the lab wrap-ups and the insightful suggestions Mulder made to
improve their project. These statements were backed up by Dr. Moore, who claimed
Mulder had prepared the patient just fine for him. He went further by detailing
the progress of the patient.

	"Currently, Sarah Martin has given nothing but her absolute best
toward the therapy. High motivation led to higher goals." In the end even
Skinner himself tipped in, telling his small audience that Mulder's insistence
to continue with the therapy after the undercover operation was over in order to
attend to the patient has benefited the project team as much as the patient
had.

	"Technically speaking, Agent Mulder is a qualified research
assistant because of his Oxford Bachelors, the Masters, then Ph.D. in
psychology. Plus, as the head of our project team, I am listed as his 
supervising psychologist, and therefore there was nothing illegal in what Agent
Mulder did for our projects." Dr. Keneally concluded.

	"I just wish I'd known sooner about this. We weren't going to
complain about anything he's done. We were in fact trying for some time after
Agent Mulder left to locate him, so we could scout him for another project." Dr.
Dutton's almond eyes glared at the FBI D.C. members for bullying her sweet,
though temporary, colleague. Her statement sealed up the case and Mulder got
away with an official warning. The meeting was finally adjourned at six, and an
all-round thank-you's were exchanged. What none of the calvary expected was when
Dr. Dutton, after realizing she won't see Mulder again probably for eternity,
asked him for a tour of the X-Files office and Mulder accepted it. Scully rolled
her eyes, but figured the woman earned it. Scully had gone to dinner with the
Keneally team instead, and made Mulder promise to join them after his trip 
downstairs. Mulder nodded, watching the elevator door close in front of him.


End Book III