DEBUT 3 By Ra Johnson(RaEnright) ANTAGONISTS BECOME ALLIES *She knows.* Fox leaned against the wall. *She found me* he had no idea how she'd done it; with Melissa around, all things were possible, he supposed. Or maybe it was his mind playing tricks on him; confinement in this room had finally driven him over the edge. He didn't care, he had something to hold on to. So now what to do... "Anyone out there?" he called, hoping the man would be there. "Hello, Agent Mulder." His own voice came back to him. "Oh, it's me." Mulder said sarcastically. "So how am I?" "You're rather snide, but otherwise completely annoying." He was going to take a long vacation when this was over; maybe he'd go to Florida, no, too many cases there...anyway, somewhere *very* quiet. Maybe California... "It's nice to know I have such a high opinion of myself." "Your sematics are flawed, but interesting." The voice rang at him. There was a slight crackle, and a shuffling noise. "I'll be talking to you later, Mulder." "Or talking to yourself." He yelled. Silence settled on the room. "So, you're back to gape at the freak?" "I apologize, Agent Mulder. I really am sorry. You're clone is...not as ethical as one would like. " "Yeah, since when has ethics been an issue with you?" "Look, don't make this harder than it has to be. I wish I could help." "You can. Where am I?" "Why do you care? Oh hell, you're gonna die anyway. You're in a warehouse in Germantown." "You came back to the old stomping grounds. Damn it all..."*okay, Erin, anytime now* "Yes...always hide out in the open. I believe I should introduce myself." "Gee, thanks for your consideration." "Listen, I'm putting it all on the line coming here. Think you could knock off the sarcasm for a minute? My name's Aiken." "First or last?"Mulder asked, stalling for time. "Who cares?" "All right, Aiken. So why are you here?" "I just thought you should know...what she's doing is wrong." "Lots of reassurance. I hadn't realized."Mulder rolled his eyes. "What you said before made sense."Aiken dragged the words out. "Glad you think so, I always like to be coherent when I'm abducted. Listen, I've got to talk to her. She knows where my sister is." "Your sister?" "She's a clone of her. She was abducted by them when I was twelve." "Pretty sister. My complements." "Thanks, Aiken. I think so. If you want to help me, find out where she is. There must be documents...no, they'd have been destroyed in the fire...just ask her. Please." "That...I can do. Yes...I could do that."Aiken traced the glass idly, drawing an x across Mulder's face. "Please, Aiken. Her name is Samantha." *Oh, please, it's worth dying for...* ****** EXEUNT SANITY, STAGE CENTER "Okay, remember what I told you." Melissa looked into Erin's eyes. "Remember, Erin." "Okay." Erin clutched the crystal in her scarred hand. She wanted to bandage it, but contact with the skin seemed to be essential for contact. "It's harder now." "Just relax. Remember, I'm here." She was seated in the easy chair next to Mike's couch; Erin sat forward, her knees brushing the coffee table. She took a deep breath, squeezing the crystal so hard it hurt. <<>> <<>> <<>> <<>>a twinge of purple in the corner, and a disappointed tone.<<>> <<>> <<>>blue overwhelmed the purple. <<>> <<>>Erin felt a stab of pain, whether it was his or hers, she couldn't tell. <<>> <<>>his voice was slightly hysterical, filling the black with shades of yellow. <<>> <<>> <<>> <<>>the bright green filled her mind again, and she opened her eyes. "Oh, god, Melissa, We've got to get Dana. He's in a warehouse in Germantown." She felt something wet in her hands, time for that later. "Melissa, we've got to go." Melissa got up, running to Erin's room, where Dana lay on her bed. "Dana, We're leaving." "Where?" she looked up, lost. "Germantown, Erin says there's some warehouse you know about." "It's empty. They all left." "No, someone important is there." Melissa shook her. "I'll drive, but you need to show me where it is." "Okay." Her will was gone. Melissa hoped that they'd make it in time...she couldn't lose him twice. In the car she gave directions in an emotionless monotone, sitting in the passenger's seat. It took the better part of an hour to get there. Erin sat in the backseat, tense and drawn, clutching at the crystal.*Very bad auras* Melissa thought to herself as they drove in silence. "Here." Dana said, pointing to a large building. Melissa pulled the car up behind a large van. "Dana, stay here." "Give me your gun." Erin said. "What?" "You can't come. We need defense. Give me your gun." She reapeated. Numbly Dana complied, pushing the clip in. Melissa raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. Erin closed her eyes briefly. <<>> <<>> <<>> <<>> <<>> <<>> and he was gone in a flash of worried yellow. She crept up to the door, checking around her for surveillance cameras. She couldn't see any, but she wasn't exactly used to looking. Melissa crouched beside her, absently taking the crystal from her as she gripped the gun in both hands. *Well, I've always wanted to see what my cousin did for a living.* She checked the door; it was locked. A gunshot would break it...she couldn't risk the noise. *Jeez, I'm starting to sound like I'm on Miami Vice.* "Here." Melissa whispered. "There's a tear in the metal. Cheap stuff. Can you fit?" "Yeah, but I don't think you can." "I'll stay here. Go." Melissa muttered. Erin squeezed through the bent section, finding herself in a crawlspace. *Wonderful. There's got to be some way in...*she wished she'd packed a flashlight, anything to illuminate the darkness. She crawled forward, towards a noise at the far end. ****** CLIMAX; ENTER HEROINE FROM ABOVE Mulder fought the urge to yell out in joy; he had a job to do. "Aiken? Are you there?" Silence. Yes. He pulled his cuffed hands to the limit, stretching shoulder muscles stiff from disuse. A slight and they were free. He reached down and picked at the cords on his ankles, tied tight enough to restrict movement, but loose enough to give him some circulation. *Quickly, there isn't much time...* "Hurry." A voice. "Aiken?" "Get your ass out. I'm covering for you. Get out now, before she comes back." "What about-" "She's alive. More than that..."Aikens voice trailed off. "Fine." The cords tore off...he jumped up, wincing lightly at the pinpricks on his legs. He strode to the door, pulling at the knob. Surprisingly, it opened. "Thank you Aiken." "No, thank you. She's not going to get anymore people like you. I'm making sure of it." "Base of the neck?" "Yeah." The voice over the speaker crackled with determination. "You're on your own from here, Mulder." "I'll make it. Just cover your back, Aiken, and do it soon." He looked out into the hallway, trying to figure out which way to go. He turned right, blindly searching. A room, filled with files...*wrong way.* but the files...maybe...no time, *Aiken will get them if they're important*...tanks of green fluid, more clones...*Aiken, you better not screw up.* and he whirled, running the opposite way, and twisting corridors. *C'mon, Erin, give me a sign...* a clank above him and someone looked down. *That was quick.* "Erin!" he called, in a hoarse whisper. "Erin, I'm here. Get the hell out, I'll meet you at the car." "You'll never make it, this place is a maze. Help me." She forced the screen down at one edge, sliding through. She hit the ground and smiled. "So this is what you do forty hours a week?" "More or less. We don't have enough time!" he led her down a hall. She turned. "I think it's this way." She gestured, gun in hand. "Erin, give me that." "Your cuffs'll get in the way. Just follow me." She ran down the hall, seeing a shape at one end...she skidded, slipping...right into...Fox? she turned, tearing out of a weak grip, and he was behind her and in front of her at the same time. "What the hell?" she backed against the wall, holding the gun out, and eyed both of them. "They cloned you?" she asked the cuffed Fox. "Or...maybe you *are* the clone. Get the hell over there." "Okay, I'm going." He winced. "Erin, it's me." The other said. "He's trying to trick you." "Or you are." She sighted down the barrel. "And if you think I'm not scared to shoot one of you, think again." "Don't trust him." The uncuffed one said. "Trust no-one." The cuffed Fox said, glaring. "If you're going to quote me, get it right." *Oh, god, now what do I do?* she wavered, but her eyes never left them. "Erin, the dream..." the cuffed one said. Realization dawning in her eyes, she leveled at the uncuffed one. He moved too quickly, ramming his elbow into the real Fox. She closed her eyes, rage pouring through her to her finger...the kickback shook her fist, and she'd shot him, oh god, she'd shot Fox... "Erin, it's okay. I'm here." Fox straightened, holding his ribs where he'd been elbowed. "It's okay. I'm here." She dropped the gun, looking into his eyes. They stared back at her serenely. "It's me." The other Fox lay next to him, seeping real blood... "We've got to leave." "Here." He craned his head around the hall corner. "There it is." She picked the gun off the floor and turned the corner, expertly shooting the lock open. He looked at her, raising his eyebrow. "Never thought you'd kill a man before you graduated high-school, did you?" "No...but it wasn't you, was it?" "No, it wasn't. Let's go."he shoved the door open. Sunlight blinded him, and he staggered out. Melissa was still crouched to the side. "Fox...get in the car." She nodded curtly, not bothering that Erin held a gun that was still smoking. She led him around the van, shoving him, still half blind, into the back seat. Scully was asleep in the front, her face a mask of pain. He resisted the temptation to wake her as Erin climbed in next to him and Melissa revved the engine, pulling out as fast as possible. Dana shook her head, clearing the edge of fatigue from it. "Melissa?" "We've got him, Dana." "Who?" "Me." Fox leaned forward as they sped away. He touched her face. "I'm here." She blinked. Then she turned, pulling the confines of her belt. "Ohmygod, Mulder, oh god, it's you, but you're dead..." "No, I'm here." He held her face. "I'm here." ******** ANTICLIMAX They stopped as soon as they were far enough away; Dana could barely climb out of the car. "Oh, god, Mulder..." He stroked her hair, holding her tight. "Shhh. I'm here." "How? You killed yourself-" "No, I would never do that. They cloned me. I'm alive...it's okay." She shuddered, gripping his shirt. Erin stood back, shyly holding Melissa's crystal. He held out one hand, talking hers. She winced, and he noticed the blood running down her wrist. She shook her head, showing him the caked crystal. "I had to." "Erin..." <<>> She let go of his hand, getting into the front of the car, next to Melissa. Fox gently moved Dana into the car, holding her still as Melissa pulled away. She held his hand, finally gaining control of herself. "I'm sorry..." "It's all right." He murmured. "I found something." She held out her hand. It took a minute for him to register the ring on it. "You know..." "Yeah." She looked down. "I...uh..." he stumbled. "No...it's okay." She managed. "I wouldn't wear it if I didn't feel the same way." He looked incredulously at her. She smiled again. "Hey, you two, save the romance novel stuff for later." Erin leaned over the top of the seat, smiling. "There's kids around." "Thanks, Erin. You have such a subtle way about you." "Just breaking up the sopfest." "Hmph." Fox snorted. "Lemme see your hand." "It's nothing, it doesn't hurt." "Yeah, but it will once Mike finds out. And you had a gun-he's going to kill me." "I hope not." Dana said. "At least, let's get those cuffs off." She took her keys out of her pocket, deftly unlocking the one side. Her hands began to tremble again as she saw the chafe marks on his wrists, and where the cuts had been... "Hey..." he looked down. "You okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine. Better, now. Just seeing you, and you'd slit your wrists...please..." "I told you...I'd never do that. It's all right." He pulled her to his chest, wiping her tears absently with the corner of his shirt. She smiled suddenly at him, with a weeks worth of stubble on his chin and his hair flopping in his eyes. He didn't smell the best, either... Melissa remarked to Erin, keeping her eyes on the road. "Very, very good auras." "Yeah, but your crystal's ruined. It's all crusty now."Erin smiled apologetically. "I'm more worried about your hand." Melissa said. "Are you sure it's okay?" "Yeah." Erin looked in the rearview mirror, seeing both of them apparently fast asleep, Dana's head pillowed on Fox's shoulder. "I'm just wondering what I'm going to wear for the wedding." "I heard that." Fox looked up, trying not to wake Dana. "The first thing you're wearing is a bandage." "Aw, isn't that sweet?" "Shut up, Erin. Just shut up and try to stop bleeding." <<>> "Don't *do* that!" "I don't think I could anymore anyways. It hurts too much."Erin held her wrist, looking at him pathetically in the mirror. Suddeny he wasn't sure what she was talking about. He smiled and stroked Dana's hair. "Yes. But all the really good parts of life are worth the pain." END ____________________________ -Someone very wise once said that the chance for happiness is worth giving up a little freedom for.- Tia (Anne McCaffrey, The Ship Who Searched, no copyright infringement intended) EPILOGUE CURTAIN CALLS Mike sat in a daze on his couch. Where the hell was Erin? And Dana...he stood suddenly as the door clicked. "Erin, where have you-" he choked off as- "Fox?" his dark figure stood in the doorway, shoulders hunched. "Hi, Mike." Fox grinned. "I'm baa-ak!" "Jesus, Fox, how-" "Clones. Clones and some very ethical bad guys. Please don't ask any further than that." Erin stood behind him, leaning on his shoulder. He echoed her. "Clones? Fox?" "Clones. You won't believe it." Fox said, sitting down. Mike dropped into the couch next to him. "I guess not. Jesus Christ." Mike reached out to touch his arm. "I guess not." His gaze strayed to Erin and Dana, and Melissa, all still standing in the entrance. He noticed Erin's hand, caked with a coppery substance. "Erin, why is your hand covered in blood?" "I told you, don't ask and further." She walked towards the bathroom, looking for a clean towel. Her voice rang from the back. "And whatever you do, don't ask about that ring on Dana's finger." "What?!" "*Don't* ask, Mike." Fox smiled at him. "I'll tell you later. Much later." "Oh, god. Oh, *god*." Mike stared at them. "I don't even want to know anymore." "And now we have to exhume the body, and pull up the coffin, and..." Melissa laughed. "Oh, this is going to be fun." EXEUNT ALL EVIDENCE IN A FINAL CLOUD OF FIRE In the third warehouse in lot 122 in Germantown, Maryland, Charles Aiken held up a lighter. "This is for you, Fox." He stood over the body of Samantha Mulder...the woman who held Sam's body, at least. Fomu lay next to her, and the half developed body of the second clone. He lit the papers he held, dropping them atop the inert bodies. "For you and your Truth." He watched as the papers began to flake and burn in earnest. He turned, pushed through the door, and faded into the night. None of those files were useful, and he had to start over, lead a new life, make amends. His friends would help him...he'd make the change. And he would not forget Mulder and the others. Maybe, he prayed, maybe they could find the Truth that he never would. The End, I promise! __________________________________________ -Now, about that exploration...- Alex Joli-Chanteau(Anne McCaffrey,The Ship Who Searched,No copyright infringement intended)