DATE:  May 21, 1997
TITLE:  Coast of Marseilles, Book 2
 Waiting for the Lone Gunmen
9/9

See Part 1 for Disclaimer

***************
Palma
Puerto de Andraitx
Islands of Baleares

The tall man dressed in a dark suit, entered the Villa Italia 
lobby, purposefully making his way to the front desk.  The 
desk clerk stopped what she was doing and looked up at the 
serious looking man in front of her.  Without introduction, 
the gentle man flashed his identification.

"I need to speak with your hotel manager."  He said putting 
his badge back in his jacket pocket.  The desk clerk looked 
startled, but walked into the office behind her area and 
emerged with a distinguished man in a light tan suit.

"I'm Antonio Franc, the Hotel Manager.  May I help you 
sir?"  The hotel manager  asked as he curiously regarded 
the man before him.

The tall man pulled out his badge again flashing it for the 
manager to see then said.  "I'm Inspector Clyne Buchanon 
from the American Embassy in Barcelona. May I speak 
with you alone?"  He asked noticing the manager's face 
growing pale.

"Yes Inspector, please come this way."  The hotel manager 
motioned toward the office that he had just came from.  
They walked into his office and closed the door.  The 
manager seat himself behind his desk with Inspector 
Buchanon took the chair opposite him.

"I'm looking for two American FBI agents that may have 
stayed at your hotel in the last couple of days."  Buchanon 
handed him pictures of Mulder and Scully. "Have you seen 
these two?"  The manager accepted and looked at them and 
scrutinized them for a moment before looking back at the 
inspector.

"I haven't, but if you would like I could ask my personnel."  
The manager offered.

"By all means,"  Buchanon answered, "It's very important I 
find these people as soon as possible."  Antonio stood with 
pictures in hand, and left the room. Buchanon stood and 
walked to the window looking out over the harbor.  He 
smiled to himself thinking how easily he fooled the hotel 
manager with his fake identification.  The man looked 
almost pale when he flashed his badge.  By keeping him on 
edge he would see to it that the manager didn't have time to 
check his credentials.  He would find out what information 
he could, and report back to his superior.  His thoughts 
were interrupted by manager returning with the desk clerk 
that greeted him when he arrived.

"Sir, Ms. Esposito recognized the people in the pictures, 
they left here two days ago."  He offered, handing the 
pictures back to the Inspector.

"Did they mention where they were going?"  Buchanon 
asked looking at the desk clerk with an intense glare.

"No Sir, they were here for two days, with their family.  
They check out....." She was interrupted.

"Was this woman with them?"  He asked pulling out a 
picture of Samantha.

"Yes, she was."  The desk clerk answered.

"Do you know how they left the island?"  He asked evenly 
trying not to show the excitement he felt with the new lead.

"Well, I was in Mr. Franc's office admiring the beautiful 
yacht in the harbor, and I saw all of them board.  I assume 
that's how they left."  She answered with a shrug, speaking 
English clearly as if she had attended school in the states.

"Do you remember the name of the yacht?   What it looked 
like?"  He pushed for more information.

"It was a magnificent vessel."   She said with enthusiasm.  
"I believe the name was..."  She thought for a moment as 
her eyes fell to the floor.  "It was REMEMBER ME, that's 
it.  I thought it such a strange name, I tried to guess where 
it came from....."  She rambled on, but Buchanon cut her 
off.

"Thank you, I must be leaving now."  He said in a hurry as 
he rose to his feet.  He walked in front of the two stunned 
people watching as he left the room.  Buchanon rushed out 
of the hotel and into the waiting car.  When he was seated 
he pulled out his cell phone, dial a series of numbers, and 
waited for an answer.

"Yes."  The voice answered.

"I have a lead for you sir."  He inhaled deeply.  "It seems 
they are traveling on a yacht named REMEMBER ME.  
They were here two days ago."  He stopped to listen.

"Was Samantha Mulder with them?"  The voice asked.

"Yes, she was with them.  What do you want me to do?"  
Buchanon asked.

On the other end of the line Buchanon heard a slow exhale 
of he presumed was smoke as he waited for further 
instructions.

"They have probably returned to the main coast somewhere 
near the island. Contact the local port authorities, and look 
for the yacht, then report back to me."

"Yes sir."  Buchanon answered, pushed the End button.  
"Take me to the airport."  He instructed his driver as he 
pulled out a small brown notebook from his coat pocket.  
As they drove to the airport, Buchanon opened his book, 
dialed a number and waited for an answer.  He began 
speaking in Spanish to the person who answered.  He then 
took a pen out of his breast pocket and wrote numbers in 
his book.  He thanked the person and ended the call.

Buchanon dialed another number, glancing out the window 
at the passing scenery.

**********

The tall thin man stood behind a man listening to a 
reel-to-reel surveillance recorder.  He took a long draw 
from his cigarette as he waited.

"I think I have something sir."  The man said removing the 
headphones and stopping the tape.  "I've listened to 
conversations between Mulder and his friends from around 
the time he disappeared.  They called him to their office 
saying they had an important message for him.  The 
conversation is quite cryptic, but they talk about a song.  I 
heard them say, "I got it," then this is the song that was 
played.  He flipped a switch and the song began, "I sat there 
on the Coast of Marseilles...."

"Turn it off, that's it."  The man said throwing down his 
cigarette, and pulling out his phone dialing a number.

On the other side of the ocean Buchanon sat in the car 
looking through his book trying to figure out which port to 
begin his search.  He believed they would chose a large 
port equipped with an airport near by.  He opened his 
briefcase as his phone range.

"Buchanon."  He answered.

"Marseilles, France, I believe you will want to begin there."  
The  voice instructed him.

"Very well, I'm almost to the airport, I'll alert my contact to 
meet me at the airport in Marseilles."  Buchanon answered 
feeling his heart race as the hunt for the fugitives heated 
up.  He shifted in his seat growing impatient as they pulled 
into the small airport terminal.  He jumped out of the car 
and threw a few bills at his driver.   Rushing into the lobby, 
he flashed his badge as he pushed his way to the front of 
the line.

"I need a flight the Marseilles, it is an emergency."  He 
instructed the agent.

"We have a flight leaving for Barcelona in 20 minutes.  
You will have to arrange another flight when you arrive, 
we do not have direct flights into Marseilles."  The agent 
told him.

Buchanon sighed a defeated breath of air.  "Fine," he pulled 
out his credit card and passport, "I'll take whatever flight I 
can get to the mainland."  He said impatiently not use to 
small airports and their limited travel connections.  He 
turned to leave and stopped, "Do you have the telephone 
number for an airline that does fly to Marseilles from 
Barcelona?"

The agent looked at her computer screen, growing tired of 
the impatient man before her.  She wrote the number down 
and Buchanon left without an acknowledgment.  The agent 
thought an unkind word in Spanish as she watched him 
move away from her.

Buchanon dialed the number given to him by the agent.  
"Hello, speak English? Good, I would like to book a flight 
to Marseilles, France.  I will arrive at the Barcelona airport 
in two hours."  He instructed.  "Very good, I will be able to 
make that flight.  My name is Clyne Buchanon.  My Visa 
card number is 43579234223451123.  Yes, window is fine.  
I'll pick the ticket up at airport. Thank you."  He said, and 
disconnected the call,  anxiously awaited for the commuter 
plane to begin boarding.

**********

Mulder prepared to leave for the airport as they docked in 
Perpignan for fuel, while he made his way to Marseilles.  
He wore the jeans and shirt he had worn traveling to 
Marseilles a few days ago.  He slipped on his Knicks hat, 
and put on the sunglasses given to him by Sarah and Will.

"Are you ready to go?" A familiar voice asked from the 
doorway.  He smiled recognizing the low investigative 
voice of his ex-partner.  Mulder turned around to see a 
troubled look her face as she entered his room.  She closed 
the door and walked to him wrapping her arms around his 
waist as she  looked in his eyes.  Mulder was immediately 
drawn to her full lips, and he bent down claiming them in a 
soft kiss as he wrapped her in a firm embrace.  Though he 
would only be gone a short time, he wanted to remember 
the taste of her sweet lips reminding him she would be 
waiting for him to return.

"What's wrong Scully?"  He asked, as he ended their kiss 
and pulled back to look into her eyes.

"I...," she felt embarrassed confessing her fear to him, "I 
wish you didn't have to leave.  I mean, I know you have to 
go, but.... well you know what I mean."

"No, tell me."  He wanted to hear her say the words.  She 
looked down at his shirt, then back to his curious eyes.

"I'll miss you Fox, desperately."  She said a bit 
melodramatic trying to lighten her mood. She wished to 
herself that there was another way to retrieve the Gunmen 
without being separated from him again.

"Desperately?"  He asked raising an eyebrow an amused 
look plastered on his face.  "Why Agent Scully, isn't that a 
bit drastic?"

She knew he was teasing seeing his challenging smile.  "I 
guess I should give you something for you to desperately 
miss me too."  Dana moved her hands from his waist, 
running them up his back, to wrap around his neck pulling 
him down to her.  She kissed him softly, pulled back a bit 
then moved in again running her tongue along his bottom 
lip seeking entrance to his mouth.  Mulder groan as he 
moved his hands up her back grasping the muscles between 
her neck and shoulders as submitted to her.  Breaking the 
kiss, Dana looked into his eyes for an answer.

"Mmm, desperately doesn't describe how much I'll miss 
you."  He said sighing heavily.  He knew she would worry 
about him.  "I'll be careful.  Don't worry, I won't be gone 
long.  Then we can finish what that kiss started."  He 
promised kissing her quickly again then letting her go, 
knowing if he didn't he would miss his flight.

"I have to go."  He said moving them to the door with his 
arm around her waist.  They walked silently to the main 
salon where the rest of the group waited to tell him 
good-bye.

"Wow, this is quite a solemn looking group."  He said 
looking into the faces of his children and sister.  "I won't be 
gone that long."  He reassured them. Mulder bent down and 
pulled Sarah and Will to him, kissing them each on the 
forehead.

"Can I go Daddy?"  Will asked looking a bit afraid.  Mulder 
smiled at him.

"Not this time Will, but I promise I'll take you the next 
time. Okay?"

Will pursed his lips, and bent his head to one side 
accepting his father's answer.  Mulder couldn't help but 
smile at the pout on his face.

"Bye Daddy, please come back soon."  Sarah said with a 
sad face.

"I will honey, I'll be back before you know it."  He said, 
touched by so many people concerned by his absence.  He 
rose to face Samantha with a bit of pain in her eyes.

"Sam, don't worry, I'll be fine."  He assured her.  Sam put 
her arms around his neck, giving him a tight hug.

"Make sure you're careful Buttmunch."  She said trying to 
hide her apprehension at  being separated from him again.

"I will," he kissed her cheek, "Stay out of sight, okay?"  He 
asked as Sam pulled away nodding her head.

Mulder walked out onto the deck looking back one more 
time and raising his hand slightly waving good bye as he 
made his way onto the dock.  Girard stood on the dock 
looking around.

"Mulder, here's the name of your contact at the airport that 
will fly you to Marseilles.  I'll arrange to have a launch 
ready for you here when you return."  Girard informed him.  
Mulder looked back toward the salon, then turned to 
Girard.  "Don't worry Mulder, I'll take good care of them."  
He said knowing Mulder would worry about them while he 
was gone.

"Thanks..."  Mulder wanted to express his gratitude to 
Girard, but wasn't sure what to say.  "I am in debted to you 
for taking care of them.  I can't tell you how much I 
appreciate all you've done to keep them safe."

Girard slapped him on the back.  "It is my pleasure, Glenda 
and I love Dana and the kids.  And we have become very 
fond of Sam and Katie.  You can leave knowing they are in 
good hands."  He said with a smile.  Mulder nodded and 
turned away from him, walking down the wooden peer to 
retrieve his friends.

He looked back one more time to see Dana standing on the 
deck watching him.  He raised his hand and saw a smile 
form on her lips.  Silently agreeing that they would be 
together again soon.  He turned again toward the end of the 
peer where he saw a cab waiting for him.

Mulder arrived at the small airport and found his pilot 
waiting for the trip to Marseilles.  Mulder boarded the 
plane and settled himself in the seat as the pilot moved the 
plane toward the runway.  The weather was growing 
turbulent as they climbed into the sky.  Mulder looked out 
the window and spied the yacht moving away from the 
dock.  Girard would anchor several hundred yards off shore 
ensuring their obscurity.  He sighed and sat back trying to 
relax enough to take a power nap.

**********

Buchanon arrived in Barcelona just in time to make the 
connection to Marseilles.  He hated flying in turbulent 
weather, but it was quickly turning dismal outside.  He 
boarded the small prop plane buckling his seat belt and 
seeking a flight attendant wanting a drink.  He wouldn't 
drink too much, but wanted to ease the tension he felt as 
the sky darkened around them.

After everyone was seated, the flight attendant collected his 
drink preparing for take-off.  He sat back and closed his 
eyes willing himself to relax.  As the plane lifted off the 
grown he clenched the arm rest tightly as he swallowing 
and breathed deeply in and out.

***********

Byers looked around the terminal for his friends, feeling 
weary from three days of virtually no sleep, changing 
airplanes several times and less than appetizing food to eat.  
He sat down near the baggage claim area to wait for 
Frohike and Langly.  He looked at his watch, 3:38 PM, he 
wasn't sure when Mulder would arrive either, so he sat back 
stretching his legs out in front of him.  He looked up again 
to see Frohike and Langly walking his way, he rose to greet 
them.

"I see we all made it safely."  Byers greeted his companions 
with hand shakes. Frohike put his bag down.

"Have you seen Mulder yet?" He inquired.

"No, I haven't seen him.  Did either of you have trouble 
during your flight?" Byers asked looking around.  Before 
they could answer he spotted Mulder walking briskly 
toward them.  "Here he comes."  Byers pointed toward a 
man wearing a baseball cap he would know anywhere.

"Glad you could join us."  Mulder greeted them and shook 
each hand enthusiastically.

"Is this the same Agent Mulder we saw a few days ago in 
our office?  This man looks almost happy."  Frohike said 
amazed at the transformation in Mulder's face he looked 
almost 10 years younger.

"You'll find out.  Are you ready to go?  I don't want to hang 
around too long. I have an uneasy feeling about coming 
back here again."  Mulder said looking around the area.

"Lead the way."  Byers said, as they picked up their bags 
and followed Mulder down the corridor.  They didn't notice 
Buchanon as he followed from a distance.

Buchanon felt for his gun under his rumpled jacket.  He 
walked slowly, but kept his eyes set on Mulder's back.  He 
would over take them as soon as he knew he had the 
advantage.

Mulder escorted his crew to the waiting jet outside the 
terminal.  The pilot allowed them in and started to close the 
door when he looked up as he heard a click.  His eyes 
widened as he stared down the barrel of Buchanon's gun.

"Move back slowly."  Buchanon commanded.  The pilot 
swallowed and did as instructed.  None of the others 
noticed the pilot's stress until they saw the man enter the 
plane with the gun pointed at him.  They froze as Buchanon 
moved inside the plane.

"Close it."  Buchanon told the pilot.  The pilot closed the 
door and waited for more instructions.

"Let's go.  Take off."  He said with a sinister look on his 
face.  Mulder started to advance on him, and Buchanon 
quickly pointed the gun at him.

"Agent Mulder, I'd just assume kill you right here, but I 
need the merchandise you are protecting."  He said as 
Mulder backed up looking at him with hatred in his eyes.

"What do you want?  No money for plane fare?"  Mulder 
asked, knowing already what he wanted, but needed to hear 
it from him.

The man huffed a laugh, "Agent Mulder, you know exactly 
what I want.  And you *will* take me to them."  He 
smirked.

"Never."  Mulder said defiantly.

"Then I guess I'll kill you and the rest of your merry band of 
men right here. There is no problem, I will find them.  
After I kill you, I'm sure the pilot will take me to save 
himself."  He assured Mulder.  Mulder swallowed hard 
feeling sick to his stomach with the thought of not seeing 
his loved ones again.  He would have to think of an 
alternate plan.

Mulder said nothing as he joined his friends in their seats.

"I thought so, everyone relax."  He said, pulling out his cell 
phone putting the antenna between his teeth and pulling it 
out.  He dialed a number as he looked back at the group of 
uneasy men.

"I have Agent Mulder with me now,"  He listened, "Yes, I'll 
be careful with Ms. Scully and the children.  He said which 
caused Mulder to look up, and his heart to almost stop.  
"Yes sir, I'll contact you when we arrive."  He said ending 
the call.

"What do you want with Dana and my kids?"  Mulder 
asked narrowing his eyes with hate glaring at his capture.

"I'm to bring Dana and the children back with me.  Seems 
they are important to the project where your sister and her 
daughter are not anymore."  He said unemotionally.

"I'll kill you before you touch Dana and my kids."  Mulder 
vowed clenching his
jaw.

"Now, now, Agent Mulder, you aren't in any position to 
threaten anyone.  If you're a good boy I may let you live."  
He said as to mock Mulder.

Mulder knew he couldn't do anything at that time, but he 
would see this man in hell before he completed his 
mission.

"Who did you call?"  Mulder asked.

"A friend of yours.  I believe you know him as the cigarette 
man.  At least that's what I've been told.  No one knows his 
name."  Buchanon answered settling himself into a seat as 
the plane moved to take off.

Buchanon didn't care how much he told them, he was 
confident he would succeed with his plan.

"There's a group of men very interested in Ms. Scully.  She 
was suppose to be barren and they want to run some test to 
find out how she succeeded in bearing children.  The added 
incentive is they are *your* children together.  The group 
believes they have learned everything they need from your 
sister and her daughter, but your children..."  He stopped 
when he noticed Mulder's jaw tighten and the veins 
popping out around his neck.  Buchanon could feel the hate 
radiating off him as he stared in his eyes.

"Mulder, don't let him upset you."  Byers tried to calm his 
friend seeing him in such stress.

"How did you find us?"  Byers asked.

"The phone call from Palma.  We had your phone tapped, 
and with the listening device we placed to keep an eye on 
you, it was easy."  Buchanon said proudly.

Byers, Langly and Frohike looked at each other in shock.  
*They* hadn't suspected anyone could penetrate their 
security.  Byers thought if they got out of this mess alive, 
they would have to do some serious overhaul of their 
equipment.

"It's not your fault Byers.  I should have never called you.  
I'm sorry I dragged you guys into this."  Mulder said feeling 
guilty for endangering the lives of  his friends.

"Don't worry about it Mulder, we aren't beaten yet."  
Frohike spoke up.

"How do you propose to change the fact that *I* have the 
gun."  Buchanon asked him.

Frohike shrugged his shoulders knowing there would be a 
time when he was distracted and they could rid themselves 
of his presence.

Everyone, except Mulder, startled a bit when the plane 
dipped in the turbulent weather.  Mulder was used to 
turbulent flights so he studied the man holding the gun on 
them.  He looked terrified when the turbulence began.  He 
noticed his eyes dart from them to the cockpit and back to 
them.  Mulder hoped the shaky weather could aid him in 
distracting the man long enough to overtake him.

"Whatever you are planning Agent Mulder, don't think I 
will be distracted enough for you to overtake me."  He said, 
then gasping a bit when the plane took another dip.

"Turbulence doesn't bother me when I fly, I'm use to it, but 
you seem to be quite frightened."  Mulder said trying to 
undermine Buchanon's confidence.

"Don't underestimate me Agent Mulder," Buchanon locked 
eyes with Mulder, "A little turbulence won't distract me 
enough to lose my focus on you.  I've too much to lose if I 
let you escape."

"What do you have to lose?  Is your loyalty to the project 
worth sacrificing innocent lives?"  Mulder shot at him 
angry tone.

Buchanon studied him for a moment, then huffed a laugh 
as he said.  "Agent Mulder, I'm loyal to whomever pays the 
most.  I could care less about the project, or the agenda my 
employers are concerned with.  I'm in it for the money, 
which is substantial I must add."  Mulder felt his blood 
pressure rise as an evil smile formed on Buchanon's face.

"I think I've told you enough Agent Mulder, I grow tired of 
your endless questions.  Relax, it will be over soon 
enough."


END OF CHAPTER 2
==========================================

Okay, before everyone starts yelling at me for the ending.  
I'm working very hard -- practically every night on this 
story.  This thing has taken on a life of its own.  The next 
part will be out as soon as I can write it have it edited and 
send it to you.

Special thanks go to my editors:
1.  Carolyn -- you have been great.  Thanks for the 
comments and making me stretch to come up with 
something entertaining.  (Her comments were great) 
Thanks for your help and hard work.
2.  Cheryl -- you are a peach, thanks again for your hard 
work, with everything else you have going on in your life.

Man, can your brain suffer from tendentious with too much 
stretching and thinking?

If we weren't all crazy we would go insane..........Jimmy 
Buffett