“21 Days”- Chapters
16-21
Chapter 16
Disclaimer: Almost no characters belong to me that I have used in this story. They are the property of Pet Fly, 1013 and Fox Television.
Holiday
Inn South
Cascade,
Washington
Room
216
5
am-Day 16
Special Agent Fox Mulder sat at the small desk, drying his hair and listening to the shower running in the adjoining room.
He and partner; Dana Scully, had been contacted yesterday by Captain Simon Banks and they had taken a small medical charter flight to get to Cascade.
Since the CDC had yet to lift the quarantine, the town was still sealed up tightly. No transportation was allowed in or out of the city unless approved.
Fortunately, Scully still had a contact at the Center.
A little over a year ago, they had both been called in to help solve a case involving an international hit man believed to be carrying the West Nile Virus. When the case was wrapped up, they’d both come away with a growing respect for the virologists working there.
From what they’d gathered, the feelings were mutual.
When the CDC had offered the use of a medical transport already destined for Cascade with equipment and supplies, the FBI agents agreed readily.
Leaving Virginia yesterday afternoon, they had arrived early this morning.
Checking in, both immediately went about unpacking. Motel rooms for them were truly their home away from home. Life on the road together was routine.
Mulder and Scully had come to the conclusion long ago that taking adjoining rooms was the best way to solve several problems because, first and foremost, Fox Mulder was a trouble magnet.
Scully knew this and accepted it at face value.
Whatever happened, her partner; Fox Mulder, could be counted on to be in the middle of it.
Picking up the motel phone, Mulder dialed Captain Banks motel room.
“Banks.”
Mulder smiled at the gruff voice on the phone. “And good morning to you too Captain Banks.”
“Agent Mulder?”
“I just called to let you know we arrived. We need to make arrangements to meet as soon as possible.”
“When?”
“An hour?
“Fine. Did you rent a car?”
“No. I thought it would be better if we didn’t announce our presence to everyone here. We’re in room 210, the Holiday Inn South. Can you swing by and pick us up?”
“Will do.”
Hanging up the phone, Mulder jumped slightly as a petite female came abruptly into the room, dripping water on the faded rust colored carpet. Still buttoning her blouse, her wet red hair hung in strands cascading around her face, making her look like an angel.
“Mulder, is everything alright?”
“Yeah. Just making arrangements with Banks. We’re getting picked up in about an hour.”
Scully sat on the edge of the bed, toweling her hair as she spoke.
“This smallpox outbreak was unfortunate but it isn’t something we thought couldn’t happen. The CDC’s been preparing for exactly this sort of thing for several years now.”
“It wasn’t smallpox Scully. I’m sure of it.”
“Then what do you think it was?”
Leaning forward to peer at her partner, Scully lifted on eyebrow cautiously, a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
“A man-made virus and bacteria created in an army lab according to Bank’s source.”
“A credible source?”
“Very. Captain Banks claims to have the proof in his hands.”
“And this bacterium is attached to the virus?”
Nodding Mulder smiled shyly.
“When exactly did you intend to tell me this?”
“As soon as we got the proof. We’re here to help Ellison and his partner, remember? We never talked about the case.”
“His partner? I thought he worked alone? As I remember Ellison, he was a big macho army ranger…Special Ops?”
Mulder laughed.
“Yeah. Not exactly your type, huh Scully?”
“And just what would you know about my type, Mulder?”
“A lot more than you think, Scully.”
As he turned, the agent was hit in the head by a wet towel.
“You are so predictable.”
Bear Paw Wilderness Area
15 miles Northwest of Cascade
5:00am
Toward the back of the rock outcropping, shielded
partially from the elements, James Ellison sat holding his partner in his arms. To Jim, the whole experience had brought to the surface an uncanny since of de’ja vu.
How many times had Blair been hurt or injured since they had been together? How much more would his guide have to endure?
A slight moan from his partner brought Jim back to the present.
As he reached out to touch Blair, laying his hand gently against his cheek, his friend opened his eyes.
“Hey Chief……”
Pulling himself up against Ellison’s chest, Sandburg laid his head on Jim’s shoulder.
“You know…you had me pretty scared there for a while.”
Not bothering to raise his head, Blair whispered, “Me too.” in such as low voice that Jim had to strain to hear him.
Seeing one of the water bottles close, he snagged it with his foot, rolling it until he could grasp the small rope hanging from around it’s neck. Opening the spout, he held it to his partner’s parched lips as Blair took a few swallows.
Pushing it away, Sandburg closed his eyes once more, content for the moment just to be safe, warm and in his Sentinel’s arms.
Outside, the panther stood watch on top of the rock overhang above them, the wolf by his side.
Trail Head
Bear Paw Wilderness Area
15 miles Northwest of Cascade
“Does it always rain in Cascade?” Special Agent Fox Mulder asked, a slight whine in his voice.
Throwing
her partner an annoyed glance, Dana Scully turned toward the larger man sitting
in the drivers’ seat of the Ford Explorer.
“Captain
Banks, has anyone been able to pinpoint their location?”
Turing
off the ignition, Simon turned around so he was facing the FBI agents who were
sitting in the backseat.
“Agent
Scully. To be honest with you, I’m not sure.
I
have a source inside this mess but he hasn’t been able to pin down anything
solid. All he knows is that the copter went down out here somewhere.”
“This
is an awfully big area Captain.
It’s
rugged, mountainous and you’re not even sure if they’re alive. What makes you
think we can find them?”
Pausing
momentarily to unwrap a cigar, he pinched off the end but didn’t light it yet.
“Well….
it’s like this Agent Scully…if we don’t find them, the military will and I’m
not willing to let that happen. Ellison and Sandburg are more than just my men,
they’re friends.”
Picking
up a folder laying on the front seat, he handed it to Mulder.
“Agent
Scully…. look at those scans and then we’ll talk.”
Opening
the door, Banks got out, stretching and rolling his shoulders. Before shutting
the door, he threw back, “I just need a little fresh air. Take all the time you
need. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
With
that, the Captain was gone, walking out into the fine mist falling on Cascade.
Holding
the clear PCR up to the light filtering through the truck window, Scully examined
the faint stained chains represented.
Mulder
handed her the other one from the folder.
“Now
compare them.”
Scully
laid the clear sheet on top of the previous one, squinting at the colored bars
represented on the film.
“These
are both Ellison’s?”
“Fraid
not. The first one belongs to Detective Ellison… the second is Blair
Sandburg’s.”
Scully
lowered the scans and looked over at her partner.
“Mulder…that’s
impossible.”
“Impossible
or not, Scully, it’s true. If you look at the second back-up test given only
hours before their escape, you’ll see more similarities in the S-17 area.”
Taking
the next sheet, she carefully lined it up with the first sheet, the differences
even less.
“Even
if they had the same father…” Scully trailed off, unable to complete the
thought.
“Let’s
get past the ‘it can’t be because it’s impossible’ part, okay Scully? I know it
can’t be but it is. There’s no mistake. Ellison’s internal make-up is unusual
to start out with.”
“How
so Mulder?”
“Well.
To start, he has 5 heightened senses. See Scully, he was lost in the jungle
for… well…I‘m not sure how long, but he was lost. This tribe found him and he
became one of them. When he was finally found, he was living rather
primitively; hunting with the tribe, running with this medicine man, protecting
their people….”
Putting
the scans back into the folder, Scully sat back, her leg barely touching her
partners. Folding her hands in her lap, she sat patiently, waiting for her
partner to get to the point. She loved Mulder, truly she did, but sometimes he
tended to ramble on.
“Mulder”….
she interrupted, “Start from the incident at the university. Ellison’s
background is important but right now, we need to center on finding them and
the best place to start is the incident.”
“Scully,
if you let me finish, you’ll see it is important. It’s the reason Ellison is
different. He survived in the jungle because he is a genetic mutation. A
naturally occurring genetic mutation…a Sentinel.”
“What?
Mulder, that’s just a legend dredged up from an ancient anthropology text.”
“Legends
usually have a basis in fact Scully. According to Blair…. what Burton wrote
about in his monograph was real. Sandburg’s spent his whole life studying
heightened senses, trying to find a Sentinel and trying to effectively prove
Burton’s theory to the world.”
“And…”
she prompted.
“And
he found one.”
“James
Ellison?”
“James
Ellison.”
“A
sentinel of the tribe in modern day Cascade…a detective with a major crimes
unit?” Scully said a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
“Banks
knows. That’s why Sandburg was given observer status…so he can ride along with
Ellison. He keeps him grounded. Pulls him back from what Blair calls ‘zone
outs’ where he concentrates on one sense to the point of getting lost. He’s
helped Ellison refine these abilities and learn to live with them.”
“Protecting
his ‘tribe’?”
“Exactly
Scully.”
“That
would make him a genetic throwback to primitive man…”
Mulder
laughed. “That’s what Ellison told me Sandburg called him at their first
meeting. You know, you’d like Blair. You’re a lot alike.”
“I
doubt that. I only briefly met Ellison last time we were here and working on
the case with him was bad enough.”
“No.
You’d like Blair. Has the heart of a true scientist.”
Picking
up the PCR sheet of Ellison’s, Mulder studied it for a moment before
continuing.
“Ellison’s
genetic make-up is different. His hearing, sight, touch, feel and smell are all
enhanced. Incredibly enhanced.
Now
it seems so are his body’s defenses. As soon as his body sensed the virus in
his system, it began ordering the production of antibodies to fight it off.”
“Genetic
immunity? You’re saying his cells genetically recognized the invading virus,
one his body has never been in contact with before and responded by ordering
other cells to function, producing an immune response?”
“Yeah.
Basically, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Cell memory. It’s been studied for
years.”
“Debated
for years….”
“Okay,
debated but we know it’s possible. Well, here’s your proof. Ellison is the
proof and the military has obviously figured that out.”
“Okay….
let’s put that aside for a minute. That doesn’t explain the PCR scans. They
look different in the obvious ways but there are similarities there that
shouldn’t be.”
“That’s
true Scully. Even knowing what I know about Ellison, this really threw me for a
loop. Obviously, there’s more to the Sentinel/Guide thing than what Ellison
told me. Somehow, they’re genetically linked.”
“And
Sandburg is ‘his’ Guide?”
“According
to Ellison, yeah. He accepts it without question. Now here’s where it gets
really weird. Sandburg was exposed to this man-made virus and bacteria at the
university lecture hall and came home, infecting Ellison.”
“They
live together?”
“Yeah.
Anyway, he infected Ellison while he’s still in the incubation period and a few
others around campus but didn’t get sick for a week or so. When he finally gets
admitted to the hospital, they identify the basic virus and alert the CDC
thinking its smallpox.”
“I’ve
been following the news Mulder.”
“Yeah.
I know what was leaked to the media Scully, but we’ve had enough experience in
that area to know what the media feed the sheep is only what the shepards want
them to know.”
“You’ve
got to stop hanging around Langly so much, you’re starting to sound like him.”
“Gunman
aside Scully, you know I’m right. The military’s virus got away from them; was
stolen, whatever, and it infected Cascade. The report Banks gave me keeps
referring to a core group, one of which Blair Sandburg was. Now, this core
group is all dead with the exception of Blair.”
“Since
he contacted the virus, his body didn’t have the immunity that Ellison’s had.”
“No.
But when he was dying in the hospital, his immune system kicked in.”
“Building
up the antibodies and fighting off the virus?”
”Exactly but he escaped.”
”With Ellison’s help…”
“Before
they could effectively monitor the effects of the bacterium on him.”
”So, he may be dead.”
“Could
be, but I’d lay odds against it.”
“Really?
Because he fought of the variola strain?”
“That
and the fact that he’s different genetically too. Now we get to the PCR. Those
DNA stains show something very similar in certain parts of their make-up.
Sandburg’s body wasn’t in tune to recognize the virus when it was introduced
into his system but as the disease progressed....”
“It
recognized it and the parent cells kicked in like Ellison’s.”
“Right.
Now, theoretically, Sentinel’s and Guide’s are predestined to find each
other…according to Sandburg; they complete each other. Finding each other in
Cascade Washington couldn’t have been an accident.”
“Let’s
say I buy into all this Mulder. Where does that leave us or them for that
matter?”
“It
leaves the military with an absolute necessity to locate the new threat to
their perfect virus and us with the job of finding them first.”
Mulder’s
cell phone rang as he turned from Scully, pulling up the antennae. Flipping the
switch on the small black triangular box attached to the back of the phone, he
effectively scrambled the signal knowing whom the incoming call was from before
answering.
Listening
intensely, Mulder took down some coordinates before laughing and shoving the
phone back in his coat.
“Frohike
sends his love.”
A knowing smile on her face, Scully stretched, popping the vertebrae in her
neck.
“I
bet he does.”
Shaking
the paper in front of her face, Mulder just smiled back.
“Last
triangulation coordinates the military had. They were tracking them until they
lost the signal.”
”And how did the boys come by that little piece of information?”
“You
don’t really want to know, do you Scully?”
“No…
come to think of it Mulder, I’m pretty sure I don’t.”
At
that moment, the front door opened and Simon Banks got in, shaking the rain
from his coat slightly as he started the engine and turned on the heater.
“You’re
right Mulder. The rain here in Cascade sucks.”
Sitting
up, resting his arms on the top of the front seat, Mulder dangled the piece of
paper in the captain’s face.
“We
have somewhere to start and it shouldn’t be more than a few miles away. How do
you feel about a hike into the woods, Captain?”
Banks nodded. “Gears in the back.”
Sighing,
he turned the ignition off, throwing Mulder the keys to the truck.
“Well,
it was warm for a minute.”
Getting
back out into the rain, Banks turned to look at Scully, still sitting inside.
“Coming
Agent Scully?”
Getting
out, Scully shivered slightly as the cool rain began to hit her.
“Oh
yeah…cold and wet is my world.”
Grinning
broadly, Simon Banks thought of a certain small member of his team who also had
an aversion to the cold, wet Washington weather.
Sending
out a silent prayer, he hoped wherever Blair was, he was warm, dry and being
cared for by Ellison. If they were together, somehow he knew they’d make it
against the odds.
Jim had given up
trying to get Blair to eat.
The only things
they had were a couple of power bars Ellison had found in the bottom of the
Responders kit but Blair couldn’t keep them down either.
Now, the most he’d been able to get him to do was
take an occasional sip of water. At least he was hydrated as long as the
vomiting was under control.
The thing that bothered him the most was Blair’s
quietness. His normally active partner was so still that often, he found
himself checking Blair’s breathing.
Walking over to his friend, Jim sat down
cross-legged beside him and leaning over, brushed the long strands of hair back
that were clinging to his face.
“Hey Chief…how you doing, huh?
Blair, who’d been lying on his side, blanket pulled
up to his chin, rolled over on his back, looking up at Ellison.
“Better I think…just tired.”
“How’s the stomach?”
“Doesn’t hurt as much…just a dull ache now but I’m
still nauseous.”
“Your fevers down. Your colors better today. That’s
got’ta be good.”
Blair dropped his gaze, staring down at the floor.
“Jim. I just wanted to thank you for staying with me
through all of this. I can’t think of anyone else that would have. Maybe not
even my mom. I’ve never had anyone…”
Titling Blair’s chin up so he could look his Guide
in the eyes, Jim spoke softly, hoping to reassure the young man in front of him
just how important he was in his life.
“Blair…. you are the single most important person in
my life. I’m not sure when that happened but it did and it’s never gon'na
change. Somewhere along the line you became so firmly a part of my life that,
even if I wanted to, I couldn’t change that now.”
“And do you Jim…do you want that to change?”
Smiling, Jim stroked his hand gently under Blair’s
eye, catching the tear that had silently made its way down his partner’s cheek.
“No Chief…. not even if I could….I wouldn’t change
it for anything in this world.”
Having his partner open up to him still amazed
Sandburg slightly. This man who the world saw as so stoic, so in control and so
intense, could be just as loving, gentle and caring in private.
Patting his partner on the leg, Jim got up, walking
toward the mouth of the small indenture, gazing out over the rocky terrain in
front of him.
“What’s wrong Jim?”
“Nothing Blair. Just rest. Nothing’s wrong.”
“Can you hear the army?”
“No. I haven’t heard anyone since last night.
Somehow, they messed up. They’ve gone further north I think but they’ll be back
as soon as they realize we changed directions. The rock overhang gives us decent
protection but it’s not invisible. They’ll find us eventually, even without the
transmitters.”
“And when they do….”
“We’ll deal with that when it comes. I’m not giving
up without a fight.”
Sensing movement from his partner, Jim turned from
the rain, moving back to again, sit beside Blair. Pulling him against his
chest, he wrapped his arms around his guide, pushing his head to lie back
against his shoulder.
“Don’t worry kid. Everything’s gon’na turn out
okay.”
“How can you be so sure?” Blair said, snuggling
closer into the warm embrace of his Sentinel’s arms.
Looking up and smiling, Jim cocked his head slightly
toward the entrance to the cave. Blair followed his gaze, smiled and relaxed
slightly.
Standing on the edge, near the entrance was Jim’s
spirit guide, the black panther. Nuzzling his large head against the cat, the
smaller wolf sat by his side.
given to them by the Gunmen.
The three traveled
silently, hiking through the trees and finally moving into the rocky terrain.
As they struggled through the muddy landscape, Scully lagged back from her
usual position at Mulder’s side to walk beside Banks.
“You two remind me of them you know.”
“Ellison and Sandburg? In what ways?”
“You and Mulder…the two of you look like you belong
together. Like you’re where you should be and all’s right with the world.”
Scully laughed, her eyes sparkling slightly.
“Just call um as I see um.”
“That’s how it feels Captain. It just took me a long
time to come to terms with it. We both had a few trust issues of our own we had
to work out first.”
“So did they.”
“This whole Sentinel thing…you know about and
understand it?”
“Know about, yes…understand, no. At least, not all
of it. I think I’m better off just accepting it without knowing everything. I
sleep better at night that way.”
Scully nodded, casting a glance at her partner a few
feet ahead of them.
“Mulder has an unusual past himself but he’s one of
the most sincere, kindest hearted people I’ve ever met. He’d do anything to
help someone in trouble. Even if it meant giving up his own life.”
“Do you love him?”
Taken slightly aback by Banks forthright question,
Scully blushed, licking her lips nervously.
“Yes. I do. It took me awhile to admit that too. It
took him dying.” Pausing, Scully shook the rain from her hair and pulled up the
hood to her rain parka.
“He died?”
“Yes. From an ali…..” Catching herself, she
continued. “From a virus but he was revived.”
“Sandburg died too. Not that long ago. He was
drowned in the fountain at Rainer University, where he works.
The kid was gone. I was there, I should know. You
should have seen Ellison when he pulled him from that water. I’ve never seen
anyone look like that before. He was totally lost. We gave Blair CPR while we
were waiting on the ambulance. Blair.....he was cold and gone Agent Scully, I
swear that to you.
We don’t know how long the kid had been in there but
when the paramedics came, they worked on him for a while and couldn’t bring him
back. They packed up their equipment and went back to the truck, getting ready
to transport DOA and Ellison just jumps back down on his knees right there by
Blair and touches him....puts his hands right on Sandburg’s face and…”
“And what?”
“You won’t believe me.”
“Try me Captain…you’d be surprised at what I’ve come
to believe in the last 7 years or so.”
Looking over at Simon, she noticed the big man had
tears in his eyes and she softened a bit, realizing the pain he must be feeling
as he searched for his friends.
“Agent Scully…as Jim took Blair’s face in his
hands…. a blue light pulsed out from the kid, enveloping Ellison’s hands. It
was…. incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. Ellison was staring down at
him, willing him to come back. You could see it in his eyes. He brought the kid
back from wherever he was. Whatever bond they have it goes way beyond death
itself.”
“Only you were with him?”
“No, several detectives from Major Crimes were
there. You see, the guys all kind of adopted Blair into the unit. He kind of
grows on you after a while.”
Laughing, Simon wiped at his eyes. “Let’s just say
the kid’s thought of fondly and let it go at that. Anyway, Ellison is still
holding onto the kid and Blair starts coughing up water. Jim steps back and the
paramedics are called back over.”
“Quite a story Captain Banks.”
“Agent Scully. I’ve never talked about that day to
anyone…not even Jim or Blair. I don’t think I could sleep nights if I knew what
really happened out there, ya’ know what I mean?”
“Unfortunately Captain…I do know exactly what you
mean. Being Mulder’s partner has been eye opening, to say the least as a
scientist and a doctor, but I’ve learned to accept the fact that there are
things out there we can’t always explain.”
“Do you believe in God, Agent Scully…in miracles?”
“Yes I do. I’ve seen things I can’t explain.”
“And it doesn’t bother you?”
”Of course it still bothers me..at least a little. Just not like it did before
I meet Mulder. Now, I’ve learned to see the whole picture. Not everything is
black and white. Sometimes, this gray area comes into play. A bigger hand
guiding the small affairs of our world down here.”
“As a scientist, you can accept that?”
“Yes, I can Captain, because I know there are things
beyond our scope of knowledge at the present time. Things we don’t really need
to explain. Just to accept.
Like I said, it took me a while to get here.”
Patting her arm, Banks smiled charmingly.
“You’d like Blair.”
“So I’ve been told. I hope I get a chance to meet
him.”
“So do I Agent Scully…so do I.”
As they walked along, the day darkened, bringing an
end to the bone chilling rain. As the sun slowly sank, they stopped to rest,
leaning against the small cave where Ellison and Sandburg had stayed first after
the copter crash.
Mulder went in to look around while Banks and Scully
stood outside, scanning the countryside.
Coming back out, Mulder handed Scully a small
object.
Turning it over in her hands she looked up at Banks.
“Package from a surgical dressing.”
”I found some blood on the floor in there. Troops have been here too. See all
the boot prints at the entrance? They were here Scully. Looking for Ellison and
his partner.”
Bending over, Fox knelt down, running his hands over
the muddy rocks.
“The rains washed out the tracks outside. No way to
tell how long ago they were here. There’s a small fire ring inside but it’s
cold.”
“Which way do you think they’d head?”
“With Blair sick…I’d say they’d head back toward
Cascade. Maybe try to find a place to hold up for the night. Travel a few miles
at a time. I doubt Blair was in much shape to travel far.”
Nodding his agreement, Mulder climbed up on the
outcropping directly above the small cave, giving him a good view of the
surrounding area. With still no troops in sight, Mulder closed his eyes,
getting the feeling of the land in front of him.
Scully had witnessed this many times before with
Mulder at crime scenes. Her partner picking up things that no one else could,
just knowing where to find clues when no one else had a place to start. That’s
why he had been such a successful profiler before she came along.
Banks steeped up beside her, nudging her with his
shoulder.
“What’s he doing?”
“You really don’t want to know, do you Captain
Banks?”
“No. You’re right Agent Scully. I don’t think I do.”
A mile and a half east of
their friend’s location
Coming over, the smaller animal lay down; it’s head on Jim’s leg. As he continued to stroke Blair’s back, he looked around for the panther.
Bear Paw Wilderness Area
About a mile and a half from
Jim and Blair’s location
As Mulder stood on the rock, he opened his eyes to stare directly at the form of a large black panther making its way toward him. Somehow, he wasn’t afraid as the animal walked up, sitting silently in front of him as he bent down to touch the cat’s broad head.
Scully backed up a step as she watched her partner bending down to touch something she couldn’t see.
Banks smiled, biting down on the edge of his cigar.
“You don’t want to know Agent Scully, trust me.”
Nodding her agreement, Scully stood next to the much taller man staring up at the spectacle coming to life before them. Not only had Mulder leaned down to the unseen presence, now he was talking with it. Feeling vaguely like she‘d walked into a badly written episode of the Twilight Zone, Scully could do nothing more than stand back and watch as her partner straightened, patted an unseen head and jumped down to the rocky surface where they stood.
Smiling, Mulder said; “You won’t believe this Scully but I just got directions from….”
“A black panther?” Banks said.
Mulder just stood, his mouth open slightly, a bemused look on his face.
“Like I said before Agent Scully…you really don’t want to know.”
As they headed off in the direction of the smaller rock encampment where Jim and Blair occupied, the panther took the lead followed by Mulder, Scully and Banks bringing up the rear.
Farther off to the north, the sound of troops could be heard, searching the foothills of the area but still off track. Somehow, the activity in the area had been shielded from the military.
While they were busy searching the copter wreckage, one lone panther and three wet officers were on their way in the right direction.
Bear Paw Wilderness Area
Blair stirred as Jim sat up slightly, something on the breeze getting his attention.
As the wind blew noisily outside, the smell of a cigar caught his attention.
Grinning, Jim leaned down to whisper in his sleeping guide’s ear.
“It’s alright now kid…just relax. Go back to sleep. I’m here.”
As he tightened his arms around his sleeping Guide, Jim relaxed for the first time in a long time, feeling just a little better knowing that back up was on the way.
Less then a quarter mile from Jim and Blair’s location
Scully stopped, resting against a large pine as the others stopped also, glancing over at her.
“Mulder wait…are you sure where you’re going?”
“No Scully…. I’m not sure, but he is.”
Pointing toward the panther only he could see, Mulder took off again following the large animal as it made it’s way through the stand of trees, then up and onto the rocky over hang.
Shaking her head, Scully threw her hands in the air as she took up her position, running after her partner.
As they reached the overhang, the panther took up its usual position at the small hidden entrance to the cave where the rock overhang jutted out.
Mulder watched with eyes wide as a wolf walked out to lie beside the panther, gently licking its larger muzzle with its small tongue.
Walking up beside Scully, Banks took notice of the expression on her partner’s face and couldn’t keep the smile from his own.
“That would be the wolf.” Banks said as Scully walked up to lay her hand on Mulder’s arm.
Nodding, Mulder just looked on in amazement as the smaller animal rolled against the larger one, clearly basking in their unusual friendship.
Walking past the unseen animals, Banks made his way into the small enclosure behind the overhang and smiled warmly as he looked down at his men.
Jim sat in the corner, holding Blair close, his guide’s head still pillowed on his shoulder.
Hearing them approach, Ellison opened his eyes, looking fondly down at Blair, then up to the three friends now standing before him.
“You don’t know how glad I am to see you Simon.”
“The feelings mutual Jim. How’s the kid?” Kneeling down, Banks stroked the long strands of hair back from Sandburg’s mildly warm forehead.
“Better I think. He’s still a little warm but he’s keeping water down now. He’s still really weak. Sleeps a lot.” “How are you?”
“I’m fine Sir. Just tired. We’ve been through a lot in the last 2 weeks.”
“I can imagine Jim.”
Stepping up, Mulder knelt by Banks, laying his hand on Ellison’s arm. “Glad to see you again. I was beginning to think it wouldn’t be alive.”
“Me too Mulder. How did you guys find us?”
Mulder laughed, laying his hand on the curly head beside Bank’s hand.
“Would you believe a panther and a wolf brought us?”
Laughing, Jim looked into the face of Dana Scully, poised slightly behind her partner, now kneeling also.
“That I would Agent Scully.”
Opening his eyes, Jim’s smile was mirrored in his own as Blair Sandburg stared at the three people now kneeling beside them.
Looking into Scully’s eyes he said,
“You have to be Dana. Fox never quits talking about you.”
Smiling, Scully looked over at her partner as he shrugged shyly.
“And you must be Blair, nice to meet you.” Scully said as she took his offered hand in hers.
As he looked out at the fading light of day, Banks turned toward his friends, new and old.
“I hate to bust up the party guys, but I believe we need to get them out of here as soon as possible.”
“I agree Captain but I’m not sure moving Blair is such a good idea right now. He’s obviously very weak. It’s at least 5 miles to where we’re parked, through a heavy wilderness area. Could we get a chopper in here?”
“Not without the whole army knowing what we’re doing. They’d have our location before we even got him loaded.”
Sitting Blair up, Jim pulled the blankets closer around his partner, still holding him against his shoulder.
“I don’t think he can walk out of here Mulder. We only made a little over a mile before he collapsed. There’s no way he can make it five.”
Scully interjected. “How about a litter. We could rig something up if we can find enough branches. Use the blankets to secure him.”
“He’s too weak. I’ll carry him.”
“No way Jim. You’ve been through a lot yourself. You stumble and drop the kid, you’ll kill him. I agree with Agent Scully, the litters the best idea so far.”
“Then let’s get to it. We’ve got maybe two hours before darkness hits. I’m okay but traveling in the dark over terrain like this will be hell on you guys.”
“He sees in the dark?” Scully whispered to her partner
Mulder nodded.
“I should have guessed. Like a panther right?”
Grinning, Scully stood up, handing Jim a gun.
“Brought you a present Detective Ellison.”
Jim took the revolver from the agent, turning the gun over in his hands, the gun being smaller than his own.
Blair spoke up, lifting his head slightly.
“I never thought I say this, but right now, that gun looks awful good.”
“Quiet.” Jim said, gently pushing Sandburg’s head back onto his shoulder. “Just rest Chief. Let us take care of getting you out of here, okay?”
Lying back against his Sentinel’s chest, Blair quickly fell asleep again as Scully slid a needle into his arm.
Ellison smiled. “I am so glad to have a real doctor here. I was afraid to give him much of anything even though we had the stuff. I couldn’t remember the correct amounts and I was afraid I’d overdose him.”
Peeling back the bandage, Scully peered at the healing incision on Blair’s neck. “Excellent work Ellison…you surprise me more every time we meet.”
“Medic. Did a lot of patch up work out in the field. Dirty surgery.”
Finding her own hand on Blair’s head, she smiled looking down at Ellison’s partner.
Seeing the look on the agent’s face, Jim laughed quietly.
“He has that affect on people. Bring’s out the maternal instincts I guess.”
Stroking the hair back from his face one final time, she stood up. “I need to help them get this together. Mulder’s not the most resourceful man in the world but he’s got a big heart. We’ll take care of your partner. Don’t worry.”
With that, she was gone, disappearing into the night leaving Jim and Blair alone once more.
“I think she likes you Chief. I may have been wrong about her after all.”
Looking at his partner, through half opened eyes, Blair gazed sleepily at Jim.
“She’s already taken, man. Didn’t you know?”
“Know what.”
“Mulder’s in love with her. Can’t you tell?"
With that, Blair quieted, leaving Jim to stare out into the night.
As darkness fell, the spirit animals prepared for the long excursion through the night as they lay on the outcropping, watching the humans work below.
The trek would be hard but with the new ones to help, they were confident that everything would be okay.
Playfully slapping its big paw against the head of the smaller wolf stretched out by its side, the panther yawned relaxing, waiting for their journey back to Cascade to begin.
*************************************************
Part 17
Rescue
Bear
Paw Wilderness Area
15
miles Northwest of Cascade
Dawn had just touched the edge of the world when they’d made it back to the Ford Explorer parked at the trail’s entrance.
Lifting the younger man from the litter, they had quickly loaded him into the backseat with his partner and made their way back to the agent’s hotel room.
Day
17
Holiday
Inn South
Room
#216
Cascade,
Washington
Now they sat; Captain Banks and the two FBI agents, drinking coffee around the small hotel room table.
Casting a glance first toward the two sleeping men lying cocooned in the warmth of several thick blankets, Agent Scully then turned toward Banks, the concern on her face obvious.
“Captain Banks, I think we need to talk about what our next course of action should be. The military will be looking for them both.”
Fox Mulder sat forward, folding his hands on top of the small table.
“Scully. We can’t turn them over to the military. You and I both know what they have in mind.”
“Mulder, I’m not suggesting that we turn them over but we have to have some type of a plan. Sandburg needs medical attention. He’s still very sick.”
“Maybe Scully, but if Pritchard’s men get hold of them, they’re dead…. one way or the other. We both know that.”
“What do you propose we do then? Keep them here in this hotel room. Delta 4 is upper echelon. They’ve been given priority status over FEMA here. They’re basically search, destroy and clean-up detail. As soon as they figure out we’re here, they’ll be all over the hotel.”
“Whatever I have to do to protect Ellison..I will. I gave my word.”
Banks sat his coffee cup on the table and stared at the two agents sitting across the table from him.
“Agents Mulder and Scully, those two over there are my men. Not only are they under my command but they’re also two of my most trusted friends. When my son and I were lost in Peru, they took it on themselves to personally find, rescue and bring us out of there alive with no thought to their personal welfare. I will do everything within my power to see that they are kept from the hands of whoever is behind this. Do I make myself clear?”
”Of course Captain Banks….I never meant to imply that we would put your men in
further danger in any way. I’m only saying that I don’t believe it’s possible
to keep their presence a secret for very long. Mr. Sandburg is still very ill.”
“But you’re a doctor…”
“Yes… a forensic pathologist…not a practicing physician. Your friend over there needs antibiotics. We only have the medications that Ellison took from the Responders Kit. I have a few things but he really needs to be in a hospital. He’s severely dehydrated, not to mention…..”
“No.”
“But Mulder..”
“No Scully…I gave my word.”
“To whom?”
“To Ellison. When we were here working the case with him. I told him if he needed my help, all he had to do was call.”
“What did you promise him Mulder?….Mulder?”
Not wanting to wake Sandburg who was sleeping in the bed next to his, Jim
Ellison silently slipped from under the covers. Walking up to the table and pulling out the fourth chair, he sat
down beside his captain opposite the two FBI agents.
Scully laid a hand on Ellison’s shoulder.
“Detective…you really should lie back down. You’ve only been asleep for a couple of hours.”
“I’ll be fine Agent Scully. I couldn’t help but overhear what you were talking about.”
Accepting the coffee that was pushed in front of him by his captain, he drank heavily from the cup before turning back to face Scully.
“First, I want to thank you all for pulling us out of there. I had really run out of options and I didn’t know what else to do. Sandburg was sick and I couldn’t have gotten him out of there without your help.
However, I have no intentions of letting Pritchard’s people anywhere near him now or in the future. If that means my life, then that’s the way it’s gon’na be. I’ll do whatever I need to do to protect him.”
“Jim…” Mulder said, turning toward the detective. “We’re with you. No one’s taking Blair anywhere. Agent Scully’s just concerned for your partner’s well being. She doesn’t feel she can adequately care for him here.”
“I realize that, but I’ve taken care of him up to this point. I think I can get him through the rest.”
“His lungs are heavily congested detective…if he develops pneumonia, you could lose him anyway. He needs antibiotics.”
“Then I’ll get um for him but we’re not taking him in. No hospital.”
Nodding his agreement, Agent Mulder sat back in his chair.
Looking into her partner’s eyes, Scully shook her head.
“Mulder…no….”
“It’s the only way Scully.”
“Are you sure…we could…”
“No Scully….”
Ellison looked from one agent to the other, clearly confused.
“What is it with you two?”
Smiling, Mulder drained the last of his luke warm coffee from the cup.
“Jim….did I ever mention the Gunmen?”
“The what?”
As Sandburg slept, plans were made.
Bear Paw Wilderness Area
Delta 4- Recovery team
They had continued their search and recovery efforts for the last day, yet they found no trace of this man Ellison or his partner. With a man so ill and obviously weakened, he could not understand how they continued to slip through their fingers. They had picked up their trail easily, only to lose it again in the monumental downpour Cascade seemed to be so famous for of late.
Now, the Lt. Commander had the unthankful task of informing his mission commander, Lt. Col. Pritchard of their failure.
Picking up the mobile phone, he punched in the code and waited for confirmation.
Getting the green light, he waited for an answer.
“This is Pritchard.”
“This is Delta 4-Recovery, Sir. We’ve had no further contact with the bogeys. We lost their trail in the rainstorm but we have out best trackers out this morning on both teams, we’ll find them.”
“You damn sure will Lieutenant. My suggestion is to bring in dog teams. Do whatever it takes to bring them in but do it and do it now. They couldn’t have gotten out with one of them injured like that.”
“The bio-tracking devices were left in the cave. It looks as though Ellison cut it from Sandburg’s neck, then removed his own. As soon as the wave went dead, we sent a team out but the torrential rains impeded their ability to track.”
“Do you think they had help?”
“Hard to tell, Sir.”
“Keep on it. Spender wants these men alive. If they’re headed for Cascade, the Alpha Team will take over but they must be found.”
“Yes, Sir. Delta 4 Recovery out.”
“Delta 4 Base out.”
Killing the transmission, Lt. Colonel Pritchard sat back in his chair, looking up at the man standing beside his desk.
The tall man, dressed in a black suit and tie, nodded curtly as the Lieutenant reached up, lighting his cigarette for him.
“My men are some of the best, Sir. I’m sending out the dog teams also. The dogs can track over rock and through the rain. If they’re out there, we’ll find them.”
Sitting down, the expression on his face cold yet unreadable, the man inhaled deeply from the Morley cigarette held between his long fingers.
“Ah, so you say Lieutenant. Well, in that case, I hope your dogs are up to a good Fox hunt.”
Holiday Inn South
Room #216
7:15 pm
After showering and changing into some comfortable sweats, Jim had eaten a light meal as Scully tended to Blair.
His fever had risen slightly but not to a dangerous level. Scully tended to be more concerned about the raspy congestion in his lungs than the fever itself. As she ran her hand lightly over his neck checking the incision, Blair weakly pulled away, opening his eyes and looking frantically around the room.
“Where’s Jim?”
Pushing the young man back onto the bed, Scully smiled at him, touching him on the arm reassuringly.
“He’s fine Blair. You’re both safe. Do you remember me?”
Looking up into her face, Blair calmed noticeably, relaxing under her gentle touch.
“You’re Dana.”
“That’s right Blair. You’re safe now. How do you feel?”
“Tired mostly. My chest hurts though.”
“You still have a fever and you’re congested. We have medicine on the way. It should be here by morning. It’s the best we could do.”
Nodding Sandburg turned from her.
“How many are dead?”
Scully stroked his arm soothingly. “Don’t worry about that right now. It’s been contained in Cascade and it’s over. There have been no more deaths for the last few days.”
Blair looked back at the Agent, tears clearly visible in his blue eyes.
“How many Agent Scully? Please tell me.”
“A little over 9,000 total, Blair. A lot less than expected.”
Turning away from her once more, Sandburg curled into the blankets, pulling them up around his neck. Reaching out her hand, she laid it on his hip, warmth radiating from her touch.
“You can’t blame yourself. There’s no way you could have known…”
“Where’s Jim?”
Nodding, Scully got up, patting his hip as she did.
“I’ll get him.”
Walking to the table where the men were eating, Scully bent down over Ellison’s
shoulder, touching him on the arm.
“Blair’s awake. He’s asking for you.”
Ellison, who had just finished his meal, got up, excusing himself from the table and walking over to the beds.
Scully lowered herself into the chair Ellison had just vacated, sighing deeply and running her hand tiredly through her hair. Mulder recognized this gesture and went to stand behind his partner, pulling her hair out of the way and started a slow massage of her neck.
Scully leaned into the tender relaxing rub, as Banks looked on, an amused expression on his face.
“I don’t remember my partner ever doing that for me.”
Mulder smiled at the man sitting across from them as he continued to manipulate the knotted muscles in the other Agent’s neck.
“Guess you need a new partner then.” The agent said.
“Guess I do.” Banks said, still smiling.
Across the room, Ellison had sat down on the edge of the bed where his friend lay.
“Hey Chief…. how you feelin?”
“Not too bad. I’m warm. There’s a lot to be said for warm.”
“Feel up to some soup? It’s not bad. Agent Scully got it from the deli down the street.”
“I could eat.”
Smiling, he ruffled his partner’s hair.
“I’ll get you some.”
Getting up, he was stopped by Blair grasping his arm.
Turning slightly, Jim yelled over his shoulder. “Simon…could you bring me a bowl of soup.”
“Sure Jim.”
Banks answered, pushing his chair back to get up. Scully stilled him with a hand to the shoulder.
“I’ll get it. I want to give him something for the fever anyway. At least I can do that. Maybe he’ll sleep through the night.”
Nodding Banks set back down as Scully went about getting the soup and preparing the medicine for Sandburg.
Sitting back down beside Banks, Mulder leaned over, speaking quietly, just out of Scully’s range.
“She takes care of me all the time. She’s had a lot of practice. Besides, she’s a push over.”
“So I gathered.” Banks laughed.
Walking back into the room, she walked up behind her partner, roughly smacking him on the head. “I heard that.”
“Ow, Scully.”
Smiling
broadly, Banks leaned over conspiratorially toward Mulder. “Maybe she’s a
Sentinel too.”
**************************************************
Part 18
The Boys
Day
18
On
the streets of Cascade
In
front of City Hall
Cascade,
Washington
9:03
am
Only a few military officers were left in Cascade.
The heavily armored vehicles seen patrolling the streets of the city so prevalently over the last few weeks, had now moved on. The operation was coming to a close. Delta 4 was the last of the groups still remaining
FEMA
had sent up base operations in the Federal Building to take charge of the
clean-up detail. This mainly entailed helping to put the town back on its feet
in any way possible. They had the authority to rein in Marshal Law; which had
been lifted this morning, and reopen schools, public transportation and federal
buildings. Smooth transitions in emergencies were where they shined,
that
and putting a good spin on the story for the easily manipulated media.
The
acting Director of Washington State’s FEMA branch, Phillip Ross, had flown in
this morning before day break to conduct a national telecast from Cascade’s
City Hall.
As
he stood at the small podium, Ross read the statement he had so arduously
prepared last night. As the reporters were ordered to quiet down, Ross began to
speak.
“Ladies
and Gentlemen of the Press. I want to thank you all for coming out.
This
has been a long journey on the road to discovery for our country. We have seen
the good and bad in reaction to a tragedy such as this. We have seen a
vulnerable spot in our national defense system, when a terrorist act can take
place on the campus of one of our hometown universities but thanks to the quick
actions on the part of our government, fewer than 10,000 lives were lost.
It
deeply saddens the President and his Council, that it took a tragedy to bring
forth the implementing of higher security measures on our nations campuses,
however we must put that all behind us and learn from our mistakes.
Our
agency is here to help in any way possible and have taken action to immediately
get this city back on its feet.
We
have set up a National Registry for families of survivors to help in the task
of identifying loved ones lost in this tragedy. As of this morning, a list will
be posted of all the victims on our web site. Because the bodies were cremated,
the items they were carrying on their persons were unrecoverable also. Vehicles
were incinerated and scraped as well as personal belongings to halt the spread
of this deadly disease. The government is now working on a program to
compensate the families of these victims in their time of loss.”
“As
of this morning, all schools as well as Federal, state and locals buildings
were ordered re-opened.
The
citizen curfew has been lifted. Private shops that aren’t already back open,
can now feel comfortable reopening their doors to the public. The travel restrictions
have also been lifted however the airports are still be monitored closely for
any threats of further acts of terrorism.”
Stepping
back slightly, he laid the press release he had been reading from down on the
podium.
“Now,
I will be pleased to take your questions. My time is limited but I’m sure we
can answer a couple.”
One
of the reporters from NBC stood up immediately, notebook raised and hand in the
air. Nodding to indicate she had been chosen, Ross held his hand up to quiet
the crowd.
“Assistant
Director Ross, you said under 10,000 people died in this tragedy, yet several
thousand more seem to be missing. Can you tell us the whereabouts of these
missing citizens?”
Clearing
his throat, Ross smiled disarmingly.
“Many
persons are still being monitored in quarantine groups at this time. Since the
on-set of symptoms varies from individual to individual, we have persons who
were identified as contacts from the first core group and their families
temporarily detained to halt the further spread of the disease. All persons
will be released as soon as they have been cleared by the CDC’s monitoring
systems group as being virus free and no longer a potential treat to the
population at large.”
As
the reporter sat down, Ross pointed to another clamoring member of the press as
the others backed off.
“Mr. Ross. My name is Nathaniel Blaine. I work for the local Fox Affiliate here in Cascade. Can you tell us anything about how this tragedy occurred?”
“At
this time, we are unable to discuss the details until further notice is given
by higher authority. Our agency is mainly concerned with getting the city of
Cascade back to functioning capabilities and reuniting families in their time
of loss.”
Looking
over at the man standing near the door, Ross smiled uncomfortably and turned
his attention back toward the press.
“I’m
sorry to cut this short gentleman. I’m sure you have a lot of further
questions, but at this time, we need to get this operation moving. Feel free to
contact our office here in Cascade if you need assistance in anyway.”
“We
at FEMA, are trying hard to clear up confusion in the wake of this tragedy as
it has saddened the hearts of this whole nation. Losing even one person to a
tragedy such as this is inexcusable. The Homeland Security Agency has sent in a
representative to lay the groundwork for further security measures on the
university campus, in hopes that a tragedy such as this will never again be
perpetrated here or on any of our other campuses across the nation.
Thank
you all for coming out.”
As
Ross stepped away from the podium, the man in the back of the hall nodded, a
small twisted smile playing about his lips as his lit his cigarette, ignoring
the no smoking sign displayed prominently to his left.
Room
#216 Cascade, Washington
12:35
pm
Captain Banks had left earlier this morning to rent yet another hotel room across town. Borrowing a car from a friend, he had returned shortly after noon to find everyone crowded around the bed where Sandburg lay.
Seeing
him approach, Agent Dana Scully caught his arm and steered him back toward the
front area.
“What’s
wrong with Sandburg?”
Motioning
for him to sit down at the small table, Scully sat beside him, worry clearly evident on her face.
“He
had another seizure. Ellison said that he’d had a couple previously. He may
have suffered slight brain damage from the variola or it could be a direct
result of the bacteria still present in his system.”
“Is
he alright?”
“He’s
resting. Ellison’s with him now. It wasn’t too severe.”
Patting
the Captain’s arm affectionately, she added. “I think it scared him more than
anything. He’ll be fine.”
“Isn’t
there anything you can do?”
“At
this point without proper facilities to have him tested, no. I don’t believe the
seizures pose a threat to his life. It was reasonably mild, a severe petite
mal. His breathing wasn’t compromised and his heart rate returned to normal
quickly afterwards. He was confused and disoriented but that’s to be expected.
It may just be a reaction his body is having to the viral invasion and may pass
as it works it’s way out of his system completely. As I’ve said Captain, I
really can’t say for sure with any certainty without further testing but he’s
fine for now.”
“How
about the pneumonia? You were worried about that last night.”
Sitting
back, Scully nodded. “I still am. His lungs are congested badly but I hear very
little actual fluid in them. As long as we can get the antibiotics in him
today, I think he’ll have a fighting chance.”
“He’s
a strong willed kid. I can’t believe what he’s gone through so far. The things
Jim told me.....”
“He
has an incredible will to survive. He reminds me of someone else I know.”
Scully said, as she cast a glance over at her partner, Fox Mulder, who sat on
the edge of the bed side by side with Jim Ellison.
Simon
agreed. “Yeah. Sometime you’ll have to fill me in. I get the impression Agent
Mulder and Blair actually have a lot in common.”
“I’m
not sure why Captain, but I find that kind of disturbing.” Scully laughed softly.
Simon
smiled knowingly. “Oh I understand Agent Scully, believe me, I do.”
Jim,
who had been listening to their conversation taking place in the outer room,
turned his attention back to his partner.
Blair
and Fox were talking quietly about the parallels between the Mayan and Aztec
civilizations.
Laying
his hand on Mulder’s back to get his attention, Jim leaned over toward his
partner who was lying on the bed.
“Hey
Chief......I think it’s about time you got some lunch....think you can handle
something to eat?”
Still
pale and shaky, Blair shook his head.
“Not
right now Jim, okay.....I’ll eat later, I promise. I’m fine.”
Getting
up, Mulder quietly excused himself and walked over to sit with the others while
Ellison slid up, taking his place by Blair’s side.
“You’re
not fine Chief. I can tell.”
“Hey...
I’m alive right.” His hand trembling, Blair quickly pulled it under the
blankets edge.
Tangling
his hand in the loose curls hanging down the side of his guide’s face, Ellison
smiled gently, capturing Blair’s eyes with his own.
“Blair...I
know you’re scared. You don’t have to put up this front just because there are
other people around. They all know you’ve been through a lot. More than most
people could have handled.”
“Jim...I’m
fine....really” Blair said, turning away and biting his lower lip just as a
tear slid down his cheek, unable to hold Jim’s gaze any longer.
Pulling
his partner up and into his arms, Jim held him close as Blair buried his face
against Ellison’s neck, sobbing quietly.
Laying
the covers back with his other hand, Ellison slid in, leaning against the
headboard and pulling Blair with him. Sandburg’s shoulders shook as he sobbed,
Jim rubbing his back.
At
the small table, the agents exchanged knowing glances as Banks looked on.
“Sandburg’s
a good kid, big heart. This had to effect him.” Nodding, Scully sipped her Diet
Coke and looked up at the large man sitting in front of her.
“He’s
a teacher?”
“A
teaching fellow.” Simon corrected, a small smile on his face. “He’s working on
his Doctorate in Anthropology.”
“And
doing his diss. on Sentinels.” Mulder said.
Both
looked at him with surprise.
“I
read it. Blair’s research is incredible. It’s well documented, psychologically
sound and he profiled Ellison to a T.”
“You
read it?” Banks said, confusion on his face.
“Look
Captain, I meet Blair when Ellison worked that case with us. We’ve been
corresponding ever since, e-mail to e-mail.”
“The
kid hasn’t even let Jim read it.”
”If he did, it would invalidate the work. Blair trusts me. I think I may be the
only person he feels could accept all this without fear of ridicule.”
“I
can understand that Captain Banks. Mulder and I have had to work under fear of
ridicule and reprisal for years. I’m just glad they felt comfortable enough
with Mulder to bring us in.”
“This
isn’t Bureau business, this is about friendship Captain Banks. I made a promise
to them both. If they were in trouble and needed my assistance, I’d be here to
help. I’m just glad you called.”
Banks
took another sip of coffee. “Jim said only call if there was an emergency and I
felt Blair was in danger. I thought this qualified.”
Everyone
sitting around the table jumped slightly as a knock sounded loudly at the door.
Jim
Ellison tightened his grip slightly around his guide’s shoulders as Blair
snuggled in closer to his chest. Pulling the small gun from under the pillow
with his right hand, he nodded to Mulder and Scully who had taken up positions
on either side of the front door.
Pulling
his own gun, Banks took a position in front of the door, his hand on the knob.
As the knock came more urgently, he looked through the small peephole
positioned in the center of the heavy hotel room door.
Backing
up, Banks frowned. “What the hell?” he said as Mulder relaxed, a smile
spreading across his expressive face. Lowering his weapon he opened the door to
his friends as they quickly pushed their way through the door almost knocking
Banks down in the process.
“Sorry
we’re late, security’s a bitch right now.” Byers said as he walked over
throwing the small suitcase he was carrying onto the empty bed.
Langly
slapped his laptop down on the small table, scooting the cans and cups to one
end unceremoniously, quickly plugging it in and hooking the scramblers into the
phone line directly connected to it’s internal modem.
Walking
up to the tall black man, Frohike looked him up and down as Simon Banks just
stared on in a mixture of confusion, anger and amusement.
Smiling,
Scully walked over, patting the Captain’s arm. “Back off sneezy...he’s fine.” She
said to the small man standing directly in front of her now.
From
the background, Banks heard Mulder laugh.
“Am
I the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on here?” Simon whined.
From
the bed, he heard Blair’s voice. “Simon, it’s the Gunmen.”
“The
who?”
Walking
up to stand by the larger man, Byers extended a hand. Taking it, Simon chewed
on the end of his unlit cigar.
“I’m
Byers...this is Langley,” he said pointing to the longhaired man typing away
frantically on his keyboard who nodded his acknowledgement but kept working.
“And this,” pointing toward his other friend still eyeing Banks uncomfortably,
“Is Frohike. We publish a paper called ‘The Lone Gunman’ out in Virginia.
“God,
no.” Banks said, covering his face with his hand. “I need to sit down.” “The
‘Lone Gunman’? I should have guessed.”
Coming
up beside Byers, Scully got down to business. “Did you get what I need?”
Frohike
walked over with them to the suitcase lying at the foot of the bed.
“It’s
the best we could do Agent Scully. I hope it’s enough. We have a doctor friend
here in Cascade that’s dropping by some medical supplies this afternoon. He
says he won’t treat him but he’ll hook you up with all the supplies you need. I
passed the list on to him last night.”
Smiling,
Scully turned to Blair who was sitting up against his partners shoulder,
looking better than she had seen him so far.
Pushing
Scully out of the way gently, Frohike sat down by Byers who had taken up
residence on the edge of the bed across from Ellison and Sandburg.
“Frohike.”
said Blair, a huge smile on his face.
“Blair.”
said Frohike, returning the smile with equal intensity, leaving Ellison to look
on, totally confused as the shorter man shook his guide’s hand.
“Chief...you
know these clowns?”
“Hey
Superman, pull your cape in before it get stepped on.” Frohike protested. “Just
chill out.”
“These
guys are the Gunmen, Jim. Haven’t you ever read their paper? They are like the
ultimate authority on government slag man. They print the truth when no one
else will. I’ve been a subscriber for years. Long before we met Mulder.”
“Chief.
You never cease to amaze me.”
Blair
shrugged.
Frohike
smiled, leaning in toward Blair, wiggling his eyebrows lecherously.
“How’s
that beautiful mom of yours kid?”
“Last
I heard, she was in South Africa somewhere before this whole mess started. I’m
sure she’s fine.”
“She
certainly is.”
Byers
smacked Frohike on the arm as Blair’s smile faded quickly.
Looking
at Ellison, Blair shrugged. “You don’t want to know Jim. Believe me.”
Jim
couldn’t keep the smile from spreading across his face as he sat looking at the
odd collection of old and new friends scattered throughout the small hotel
room.
Patting
his friend’s back, Jim looked into Blair’s eyes and allowed himself to feel
really optimistic for the first time since they had been rescued.
“I
think everything’s gon’na be okay kid.”
**************************************************
Part 19
Comrades in Arms
10:10
am
A tall blond with impossibly messy long hair, walked out of the motel’s small bathroom, zipping up his fly. Yawning, he walked toward his friend sleeping in the chair beside the desk and smacked him none to gently on the arm.
Frohike
jumped, immediately coming awake and running his hand over the 2-day-old
stubble on his chin.
“Dammit
Langly.... give a guy a heart attack.”
Smiling,
the younger man plopped himself down in the chair opposite his friend, pulling
his long hair back in a ponytail and binding it in place.
“Got
up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”
“What bed, wonder boy,” Melvin Frohike said,
stretching.
“Try
sleeping next to these bunch of whacks....Geezus....Ellison snores like a chain
saw.”
Pulling
himself from the chair with a minimal amount of groaning, Frohike turned
looking at the odd collection of people scattered about the room. Due to the
cramped accommodations, Ellison and Sanburg occupied one bed, while Scully and
Mulder the other.
Banks
had camped out on the small sofa leaving the Gunmen to fend for themselves.
Frohike, as well as Byers had ended up taking chairs while Langley hadn’t slept
all, spending the whole night searching records at various databases throughout
the country.
Walking
into the cramped kitchenette, Frohike stared at the tiny dorm refrigerator sitting
on the counter humming ominously, as though it were running on its last leg.
Flipping on the ancient coffee maker, Melvin pulled out the filter, sniffed the
old grounds and slammed the plastic cup back in.
Walking
up behind him, Byers, now awake but just barely, yawned. “Did I oversleep?”
“Naw.”
Langly answered, slapping his sleepy partner on the back. “Frohike was just
offering to make us breakfast.”
“You
ass..” Frohike growled as Langly sidestepped just in time to avoid a smack to
the side of his head.
Frohike
looked between his partners in paranoia, first at Langly and then at Byers.
“All
right...all right... Let’s see what Scully picked up last night from the
store.”
“I’m
starvin’ man.... anything sounds good to me right now.”
Langly
smiled, rubbing his hands together impatiently as Frohike searched the small
frig, setting out the ingredients he would need. Searching for a pan, he
settled for a large iron skillet stashed under the drawer in the counter.
Slapping
a knife in Langly’s hand, Melvin pushed an onion, red bell pepper and a small
foam container of mushrooms his way.
“Chop
em up, small cubes and leave the fingers in tact.”
“I’m
hitting the shower,” Byers announced to no one in particular as he quietly made
his way into the bathroom.
As
the meal progressed, movement from his temporary bedmate awakened Ellison.
Looking down at his slightly restless guide who had taken up residence in his
arms sometime during the night, Jim smiled, gently pulling his arm from
underneath Blair and rolling out of bed.
Looking
over at the next bed, he couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped his lips as
he saw the two Agents lying in almost the exact position as he had woken up in
himself. If only he’d had a camera available, he was sure this was prime
blackmail material.
Still
grinning, he walked over eyeing the two men making breakfast in the
kitchenette.
“Smells
good,” he said, leaning over Frohike’s shoulder and looking into the large
skillet completely filled with omelet.
“Morning
Detective Ellison.” said Frohike, jumping slightly at the taller man’s
presence.
“It’s
Jim. Drop the detective okay.”
“Cool,
Big Guy”... muttered Langly, getting a strange look from Ellison.
“How
old are you?” Jim asked suspiciously, taking in the banded long hair, the
scruffy Ramones T-shirt, the ear ring and the dorky black glasses perched on
the slightly too long nose.
“Old
enough to save your sorry ass obviously.” Langley countered, giving Ellison the
same once over.
Stepping
between them, the smaller man put one hand on Ellison’s chest, one on Langlys’.
“Whoa
fellas.....I think the coffee’s about done, huh? Just chill out guys.”
Hearing
his name, Jim turned to see his partner sitting up, looking at the sleeping FBI
agents in the bed next to his.
Smiling,
Blair whispered, “See Jim, told ya’ man.... she’s taken.”
Returning
the smile, Jim nodded as he came over to sit on the edge of the bed. Laying his
hand on Blair’s forehead, Ellison breathed a sigh of relief as he realized his
guide’s fever was all but gone. In fact, the young man looked better. The
paleness that had been present for such a long time had faded. Blair’s cheeks
had a rosy tinge and his eyes looked brighter then he’d seen them in a long
time.
“Hey
Chief...how do you feel this morning? You definitely look better.”
Stretching,
Blair yawned. “Better. I think the antibiotics helped. I almost feel human
again.”
“Yeah...well
you don’t smell it. How about a shower?”
”Oh yeah. A shower. A nice, long hot shower.”
“Easy
there junior. Not too long and warm, not hot.”
“Ah
Jim, come on man.”
“Nope.
Just take it slow. You might be feeling better but you’re gon’na be weak for a
while. I’ll help you with a shower, then we’ll get you something to eat.”
Sniffing
the air, Blair looked at Jim, a surprised expression on his face.
“What
is that?”
“Eggs.
Cheech and Chong are out there in the kitchen being domestic.”
“Alright
man. That’s great. Really smells good.”
“How’s
the stomach this morning?”
“Good
so far. I’m really, really hungry.”
Seeing
Byers walk out of the bathroom, Jim pulled the covers back, carefully helping
Sandburg to his feet.
As
they walked toward the tiny bathroom, he yelled over his shoulder at Frohike.
“Think you could wake up Banks and have him grab Blair some underwear and
sweats.”
“Can
do.” Seeing Blair leaning against Ellison, he waved, “Hey, morning kid. Feelin’
up to some food?”
Blair
looked up. “Yeah. Sounds good. Just let me catch a shower first.”
“No
problem. I’m about to start round number two over here. Mulder and Scully awake
over there?”
“Just
waking up, I think.”
Pulling
his chatty partner to the shower Jim smiled, thinking how good it was to hear
Blair chattering away again no matter how irritating he found it sometimes.
“Later
Chief. Let’s get you cleaned up and then you can talk to these guys all you
want.”
As
Ellison disappeared into the bathroom, Frohike turned to Byers and Langly, now
seated at the small table and dished out the omelet onto paper plates.
“God,
that is one irritating dude,” Langley said, heavily salting the eggs in front
of him.
“Who’s
an irritating dude?” Mulder said walking up, followed by a sleepy, disheveled
looking Scully.
“Ellison.”
Frohike threw back. “He’s a hard ass. See the way he pushes the kid around.”
Scully
smiled, sitting down at the table as she pushed a thick strand of hair from her
face, tucking it behind an ear.
“Frohike...if
you haven’t noticed, Blair isn’t a kid and besides...he loves every minute of
it. It’s easy to see he’s got Ellison’s number.”
Turning
to his partner, Mulder eyed her suspiciously. “Got it all figured out, huh
Scully?”
“Pretty
much..yeah.”
Shaking
his head, Mulder turned back to the boys just as Banks came lumbering up to
stand beside the table.
“That
actually smells good boys.”
Indignant,
Frohike looked up into the face of the tall man standing beside him. “You sound
surprised.”
“Pleasantly.”
Banks comments as he strolled into the kitchen following Frohike.
Turning
toward Banks, he sat down the skillet and dished up the rest of the eggs,
dividing it equally between 3 paper plates he had just placed on the small
counter top.
“Ellison
needs you to get some things out of the bag over there for the kid and drop it
by the bathroom. They’re doing a shower now. After you get done, I’ll have
coffee and breakfast waitin’ on the counter.”
“Thanks
Frohike.”
“Melvin....”
“Melvin.”
Smiling he added. “Simon...I’m way off duty. Hate being called Banks when I’m
off duty.”
“Got
it.”
Wondering
off to find the clothing, Banks settled onto the edge of the bed, sorting
though the bag and taking out what he thought Ellison would need to get
Sandburg cleaned up.
Back
at the table, Mulder had dug into the omelet in front of him with his usual
enthusiasm as Scully sat back watching in amusement.
“What?”
he asked, looking up into the sparkling blue eyes of his partner.
“Nothing,”
she said as she sat back, enjoying the comfortable atmosphere as the three boys
consumed everything put in front of them greedily. Of the three, Byers had, by
far the best table manners with Mulder pulling a far second and Langley falling
way short in third place. Thank God Frohike was serving. She didn’t think she
was up to breakfast with the gnome this morning.
Finishing
his breakfast and scooting back from the table, Langly motioned to Mulder who
was just now finishing his first cup of coffee, to follow him to the couch
where Banks had been sleeping. Powering up his laptop, he threw it on the couch
as Mulder sat beside him.
“I
found some incredible stuff last night man.”
“Medical
stuff.” Nodding, Langly pulled up a file directory marked Department of
Defense.
Opening
the directory, several sub folders popped up as he scrolled down though them,
only stopping when he got to the one marked Ellison.
“Is
my kung-fu the best or what!” yelled Langly as his fingers flew across the
keys. Opening up the encrypted file he hit another button and the file
unpacked, showing a hidden encrypted sub folder within itself.
Mulder
leaned over, pulling his glasses from the pocket of his t-shirt and putting
them on quickly.
“What
the hell am I looking at Langly?”
“It
took me a while last night to break the encryption because it was only meant to
be between these 2 agency researchers. Doctor to doctor, ‘ya know. It was simple
after I got into the mainframe and it was all down hill from there. They really
did a lousy job of encrypting.”
“How
did you find it in the first place?”
“Pure
accident man. When I cracked the
mainframe at Delta 4 mobile, I found out that there was a huge amount of memory
being used. More than what was being listed in the standard directories. Then I
found the files, lots and lots of hidden files. They were packing them in
hidden sub-directories that according to the data didn’t exist. That’s where I
found this. Research files on Ellison.”
“Files?
As in more than one?”
“Yeah.
Files. Some go back 30 years.”
Confused,
Mulder looked up as Ellison walked out of the bathroom supporting a tired
looking, but clean Blair tucked under his arm.
Sitting
his partner in the chair opposite the couch, Ellison helped him towel off his
hair; then pulling up the larger chair, sat beside him.
Mulder
and Langly both fixed the detective sitting in front of them with a stare as
Ellison cleared his throat.
“What
the hell’s going on guys?”
Langley
looked to the FBI agent before discussing their conversation with the older
man.
Mulder
nodded his head toward the laptop as Langly opened the sub-file marked Ellison.
“We
found something you’ll be real interested in.” Langly said.
“How
are you feeling this morning Blair?” Mulder asked the young man sitting across
from him.
“Better.
Tired though.”
Turning
toward his guide, Ellison eyed him suspiciously.
“Chief...you
need to go lay down?”
“Jim,
I’m fine...really.”
“Okay,
but if you need to...you tell me, understand Blair. I mean it.”
“I
promise Jim. I just want to find out what’s going on.”
Nodding,
Ellison turned his attention back to the two men seated across from him.
Langly
started, keeping an eye nervously on Blair who still seemed too pale to suit
him. “I hacked into the mainframe at Delta 4’s base here in Cascade. I found a
lot of files going between researchers on you and Ellison both. Yours are
recent. From the time you were exposed to the virus at the university until you
guys escaped.”
Ellison
leaned forward. “What do you mean Langly, from the time he was exposed?”
“I
mean, Ellison, just what I said. From the time Blair was exposed. I have the
records here, right in front of me. It has a profile, then constant monitoring
with evaluation from the minute he was exposed at the lecture hall to the time
you guys took off.”
Blair
leaned forward.
“Just
me? Out of all those people, there are only files on me?”
Langley
looked to Mulder for support when he saw the stricken look on Sandburg’s face.
“Are
you sure?” asked Ellison.
“Jim,
Langly’s the best at what he does. Those files came through the DOD.”
“ I
cracked the mainframe. I can’t tell you which offices the FTP’s were coming
from, but they were definitely coming through the Defense Department.”
“All
those lives Jim...those students and their families...they died because of
me...”
“Listen
Chief....” Jim said; putting his hand on Blair’s arm to steady him as the young
man’s heartbeat soared. “Just take it easy...let’s hear what they have to say.”
Mulder
sat forward, resting his hand on Sandburg’s knee. “It wasn’t just you they were
studying Blair. The military has been testing this virus and bacteria to use in
germ warfare for a while now. From the records we’ve been able to piece
together, it was made to look as though it was purely accidental that it
happened in your lecture the way it did. However, I believe that someone who
knew of your association with Jim, set this up. We found evidence that Jim was
being monitored for a long time.”
“What?
What do you mean monitored?” Ellison asked.
“We
found files dating back about 30 years, files that prove what I’m saying.
Someone’s been watching you for a very long time.”
“Pritchard?”
“No.
I believe it’s someone a lot higher up than Pritchard. Someone whom I’ve dealt
with many times.”
“Why
now and why Blair? Why not test the stuff on me directly.”
“I
can’t say for certain. All I know for sure is that it wasn’t an accident like
the media was led to believe.”
“So
they were aware of what I was as a child.”
“There
are extensive medical records of you from about 12 years old Jim.”
“I
don’t remember anything like that.”
“They
have ways of making you forget.” Langly piped in.
“Who
is ‘they’ Mulder?”
“DOD
most likely, maybe State Department too. You’re father signed the medical
release forms.”
“My
father what?” Jim said incredulously.
“Jim....
I think you need to look through these files later but right now, we need to
discuss what we can do to protect you both. Blair’s in danger and so are you.
This man won’t stop until he’s tracked you down.”
“Who
is this man Mulder?”
“His
name is C.G. Spender. He can’t be touched.”
“Everyone
can be gotten to Mulder. I’m willing to bet my life on it.”
Mulder exchanged glances with Langly.
“Are
you sure about that Jim?” Mulder asked. “Because you may be betting Blair’s
life on it.”
Jim
thought about it for a minute before turning to his partner.
“Chief.
Are you sure that you want to hear the rest of what they have to say? You can
go lie down if you want. I really wish you would.”
“I’ll
rest in a while Jim. I think we need to see what they found in the medical
files Langly mentioned.”
Turning
the laptop around so Blair and Jim could see, Langly brought up the medical
file marked Ellison. Flipping through the pages, he came to the PCR that Mulder
and Scully had already seen.
“This
is a polymerase chain reaction strip. It was run on Ellison when he was first
admitted to the hospital. It shows
some
definite abnormalities of the genetics in the S-17 and S-12 regions.”
“Help
me out here guys, what am I lookin’ at?” Jim asked, bending down to look at the
screen.
“It’s
basically a difference in the type of cells you have in what region and what
those cells do. It’s too complicated for me to get into with you. Scully’s the
expert on this stuff but I can tell you that your homeotic genes, the parent
genes that usually order other genes to do simple takes are superior in the
fact that they have a higher function. When threatened with this outside
force..”
“The
virus?” Jim asked Langly.
“Yeah.
When threatened with the virus, these parent cells kicked in your immune
system, recognizing the disease and producing immunity to fight it off.”
“But
I’ve never had smallpox. I’ve never even had chickenpox.”
“Your
body was genetically programmed to recognize this threat and respond.”
“That’s
science fiction Mulder.
Seeing the confused look still on Jim’s face, Blair shook his head, looking over at Langly for help.
“Ellison, man....Blair’s tryin’ to tell you that you got a common heritege. Genetics. Sentinel to Guide.”
“The virus almost killed you and so did the bacteria. My God Chief. I thought you were gon’na die in my arms out there.”
Blair wiped a tear from his own cheek and took a breath to steady himself before facing his friend.
“I didn’t die, Jim. My body fought it off just like yours did.”
“Then why did it take so long Blair?”
Langly spoke up. “I’m not sure of that myself. I’m not that into genetics, but I saw the 2 PCR’s from Blair. When his body felt the virus invade, it started giving signals to his cells but for some reason, his genetics weren’t turned on, for lack of a better word. Something in the virus triggered his cell memory and it slowly turned the parent genes on. That’s the best I can explain it to you. Like Mulder said, Scully knows more about it than the both of us.
“And my old man...he was letting those cold bastards experiment with me?”
Mulder spoke up, knowing exactly how Ellison felt, finding out the truth after all these years. “Jim...I don’t know what your father’s part in this was or wasn’t. It’s not that important at this point.”
“It’s important to me.....”
Mulder nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it in that way. Of course I know it’s important but maybe that’s not a battle you need to fight right now. Live to fight another day.”
“Yeah.”
Looking into his guide’s eyes, Jim pulled him to his feet, supporting Blair with an arm around his waist.
“We’re going over to the table, sit down and have a nice
breakfast. Then I’m putting him back to bed. We’ll talk later.”
With that Ellison was gone, Blair beside him.
Shrugging his shoulders, Mulder turned to Langly looking strangely contrite.
“I guess we’ll talk later.”
”I guess so.”
**************************************************
Gun Point
Day
19
Trask
Motor Inn
Cascade,
Washington
12:31
pm
James Ellison sat with his young guide until Blair had fallen asleep.
Even though his partner was still very weak, he was well on the road to recovery from the virus that had nearly taken his life only days ago. The deep, permanent scars to Blair’s face and arms would forever remind Jim of just how close he’d come this time to losing the one person in his life that he cared about the most.
Wandering
back to the small motel room table, he sat down heavily, exhaustion and hours
of missed sleep still evident on his face.
Melvin
Frohike, Fox Mulder and John Byers all sat round the table also, drinking what
was left of the morning’s pot of coffee.
Looking
up, Mulder took in the sadness radiating from the pale blue eyes of Jim Ellison
and experienced the same feeling of deja vu that he’d had earlier, for he knew
exactly the way Ellison felt right now. In some ways, the Sentinel’s life
paralleled his own very distinctly.
“Blair
finally asleep?” he asked Ellison.
“Yeah...he
just barely made it through breakfast this morning. He had his eyes closed
before he even hit the bed. He’s exhausted. Scully’s with him now.”
Leaning
forward, head in hands, Ellison sighed deeply.
“This
has got to be over soon. I don’t know how much more he can take.”
Putting
his hand on Ellison’s shoulder and squeezing gently, Mulder said, “He’s a
strong kid...he’ll be okay.”
Looking
up, Jim saw the concern in the FBI agents’ eyes. “Will he?...I’m not so sure
this time. He’s been through so much in the four years since we’ve been
together.”
Langly
looked at his friends seated at the table before speaking up.
“Ellison...maybe
now would be a good time to finish what we started this morning, you know,
while Blairs’ asleep.
I
don’t think he needs to hear the rest, do you?”
“No,
I think he’s heard more than he needs to for the time being.”
Softening
his tone, he looked up at the three men sitting across from him as he took the
coffee being offered.
“I
just wanted to say thanks guys. I know I may come off as ungrateful, even harsh
sometimes....”
“Got
that right,” Langley muttered under his breath as Frohike fixed him with a
glare that could melt ice.
“I
really do mean thanks. I know I would have lost Blair out there if you hadn’t
found us. You risked a lot to come here....all of you, and I just wanted you to
know that I don’t take something like that lightly. I owe you his life and
possibly my own.”
Frohike
smiled gruffly. “I’m glad we could help in some way.
I
knew Naomi back in the 70’s, briefly. Ran into her at this commune in New
Mexico. She never stayed in one place long enough to give the kid any kind of
life, nothing permanent. A kid like Blair needs permanence.
It
looks like he may just have found that with you Ellison.”
“I
hope so. I’ve tried to do my best to make sure he knows he’s a permanent part
of my life but it’s been bad for us the last few months. He’d been through so
much and then when...at that dammed fountain......”
Jim
lowered his eyes, unable to continue, so Langley took this opportunity to speak
up.
“Ellison...I
know you’ve both been through a lot. Mulder filled us in on some of the
details. But I promise you, your secret is safe with us. That’s one less thing
you have to worry about.”
Nodding,
Ellison sat forward, relaxing slightly at the change in Langly’s voice.
“So....you
guys think this was deliberate?”
“We
know it was.”
“Then
why not just grab me and do their experiments. You said you have evidence
they’d done it in the past. My father obviously made sure of that. Why Blair?”
Mulder
was the one who spoke up. “Maybe to test your link with Blair. To test the
Sentinel/ Guide theory.”
“What
theory?”
“The
Sentinel/ Guide theory. At least that’s what that research report referred to
it as. The report conjectured that all Sentinels and Guides were genetically
predisposed to be together. That their make up was so similar that they could
only function as a whole because of this natural programming.”
“So
you’re saying that no matter what happened, where and under what circumstances
we were raised, that we would find each other eventually?”
“First
Ellison,” Langly said, a tone of annoyance creeping into his voice. “I
said..... the report said that. It dosen’t state on what this hypothesis was
based or how they came about this conclusion. I didn’t say I believed it.”
“Blair
does. He based it on research he’s been involved with for a good many years.
Mostly on an obscure monograph written by Richard Burton.”
“The
actor?” Langly asked.
“No,
the anthropologist,” they all said in unison, except for Frohike who had added the
words ‘you dickhead’ in reply to his partner.
Laughing,
Ellison sat back, concentrating on Mulder.
“Okay, let’s say I buy into this theory.
Let’s say, for whatever reason, my old man allowed the military to experiment
on me when I was a kid. Then, following that line of reasoning, they must have
continued to monitor me through Special Ops and into Cascade.”
“I’d
say that’s a reasonable assumption Jim, although the date for the later
monitoring gets a little sketchy between Ops and the virus.”
“So
Sandburg and I have the same parent genes just like they rest of you, except
for the fact that they have a higher function in us. One that’s genetically
programmed to aide us in our function as Sentinel and Guide. Recognize viral
agents and protect us against diseases that our ancestor’s bodies fought off
but ones that our bodies have never come in contact with.”
“Essentially,
that’s correct.”
“I
can accept that, I guess. It’s not any more ‘out there’ than some of the others
things that we’ve run across as Sentinel and Guide.” “What bothers me the most right now is the fact that our own
governments out to get us.”
Mulder
laughed softly “Join the crowd.”
“You
screwed up their perfect virus Ellison. They figured you and Sandburg would be
their ultimate test subjects. They always expected you to withstand the virus
but they never thought Blair would. They expected him to die. Dead or alive,
his body would be just as valuable to them either way.” Langly added.
“So
let’s say I swallow this thing hook, line and sinker. What do we do now? I’ll
die before I let them have Blair. They killed that whole lecture hall full of
people, not to mention all the others infected through secondary contact.
They
made the entire country think it was an act of international terrorism. There’s
more to it then what we’re seeing Mulder. There has to be something more.”
“There
is more Jim. There’s a man, the one I told you about, who’s part of a larger
shadow government worldwide, involved in things you’d rather not know about.
Take my word on that.”
“This
man, this CG Spender, is whom you believe to be behind this whole thing?”
“Yes.
I believe he is. His projects are rooted in genetics. I can’t tell you any more
but I’m sure his involvement in your life has come from your unique genetic
makeup.”
“So
he’s been watching Sandburg all this time?”
“Only
since you became partners. There are notes throughout the reports Langly found,
mentioning Sandburg. There’s also the brief mention of another possible
Sentinel who was planted to get close to Sandburg but something backfired.”
“My
God.......Alex...she was insane. She almost drove us apart. She wanted it all
and she drowned Blair in the fountain in front of Rainier University. When I
figured it out and we got to the campus...it was too late. We pulled him from
the water and gave him CPR but he’d been dead too long. His skin was ice cold.”
Jim stopped to compose himself before continuing, pushing back the feelings of
dread that even now, still made him break into a cold sweat.
“The
paramedics pronounced him DOA and went to put their equipment away when I saw
something. Something.... a vision I guess. I’m not sure what to call it. I saw
this wolf looking at me through Blair’s eyes and he turned and I knew I’d never
see him again. God...all I could think of was to beg for another chance. I
touched him and this light was radiating from inside him, touching me and I
followed him.”
“But
you’re both alive.” Langly said quietly.
“He
saw that I was following him and he stopped, turned around and he jumped into
me. We jumped into each other. For that short time, our souls were one and it
felt like nothing I could ever describe to you. It felt like something so old
and ancient, something so much bigger than ourselves yet something so
intimate...all at the same time. I have never felt so complete as I did at that
moment.
I
had my greatest fear realized that day as well as my greatest destiny. I will
never forget that day as long as I live.”
There
was a stillness that lay on the hearts of the men around that small table at
that moment, realizing that they had been privileged to be part of something
greater than themselves.
As
they sat in companionable silence, Jim
drank
deeply from the coffee that had been placed in front of him several minutes before,
just now cool enough to touch.
Making
a face and pushing the cup away, he looked up at Frohike.
“What’d
you do Frohike! Run out of coffee filters and strain that though an old pair of
underwear, man!”
“Hey,
no comments on the coffee. You don’t hear anyone else complaining do you?”
Turning
to Mulder, he asked. “Scully drinks this stuff?”
Mulder
laughed. “I know it’s hard to believe but we’ve had worse.”
“Just
be happy Frohike was in a good mood.” Scully said as Melvin smiled and gave up
his chair to the lady as he wandered off into the kitchenette.
Smiling,
she patted Jim’s arm. “Blair’s doing fine, before you even ask. He’s sleeping
soundly and his temps way down. I think we got the infection in his lungs well
under control, the congestion’s almost gone.”
“What
about pneumonia? He seems so weak.”
“He
is weak. His immune system was decimated by this virus but he’s well on his way
back. He needs to be watched closely for the next couple weeks while his body
recovers. But barring any further attacks from the bacteria, I’d say he’s got
it almost beat. Even today, he’s stronger than yesterday.”
“He’s
lost so much weight....”
“Yes. That’s where a lot of the weakness is coming from. That and the dehydration. Getting him hydrated again has helped more than anything at this point. His kidneys were in danger of shutting down for a while. It was close but it we caught it in time. I don’t think there was any permanent damage.”
“We owe you a great deal of thanks also, Agent Scully.”
“It’s Dana.” Scully said, as Ellison leaned forward to plant a gently, chaste kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you, Dana. Blair’s very important to me. I don’t know if I could survive without him.”
Scully blushed slightly, her eyes twinkling under the cheap motel room lights.
“You’re quite welcome. I know how it is to lose someone precious in your life. Sometimes, if we’re lucky enough to get them back, it makes them all the more valuable.”
They all sat in silence for a moment, just drinking bad coffee and relaxing.
Melvin had just breezed through and sat a cup in front of Scully as she savored the warm liquid now flowing down her throat, drinking deeply.
Amazed, Ellison looked at this petite 5’3 red head sitting in front of him, incredulously.
With a smile, barely managed, Scully said, “Not bad this morning, huh guys?
Almost choking on his own coffee, Mulder coughed to hide his smile.
Little did they know, as they sat round the table, plans were already underway to return Ellison and Sandburg to a man who considered them to be his property.
807 Chandler Street
A block from the
Trask Motor Inn
In the back of the non-descript black sedan, CGB Spender sat, inhaling deeply, letting the smoke sear the inside of his diseased lungs.
Across from him, one of his better acquisitions, Alex Krycek sat, waiting on the order to move against the man he had come to loathe even more than the black lunged son-of-a-bitch before him. He wasn’t concerned at all to know the political motivations behind what CSM did, he was only concerned with the cold-bloodedness by which they were accomplished.
“I want this man Ellison alive.”
“What about the other?”
“He’s of little consequence to me actually. Dead or alive as long as we have the body. I have what I need in Ellison.”
“What do we do with the others.”
“Use the gas. That should give you a window of about 20 minutes, more than enough time to secure what we need and get out.”
Nodding, Krycek got from the vehicle, preparing for his assignment.
“Oh, and Alex.... don’t screw this up.”
Slamming the door, Alex focused his energy on completing his assignment as he got into the black Ford Explorer they had provided for the job. As the sedan pulled away, Alex bent down and picked up a small device from the passenger side floorboard of the truck. Pulling up a small antenna and flipping a switch, the Trask Motor Inn began filling with a clear, odorless gas.
Trask Motor Inn
2:45 pm
Ellison was the first to sense something wrong.
Feeling ill at ease, he walked over to check on his partner who was moaning quietly in his sleep.
To quiet him down, he laid a hand on Blair’s back, rubbing gently to still his restless movements.
“Relax Chief...it’s alright. Go back to sleep.”
“They’re coming.” Blair whispered, so quietly that Jim almost didn’t hear.
Feeling slightly dizzy, he looked around the room at the others still seated at the table. Banks was asleep in the chair where he had been since noon but the others were behaving strangely. Frohike now sat on the couch, along with Byers and Langly, while Agents Mulder and Scully had stayed at the table. No one was talking and their eyes had taken on a glazed look.
Turning back to his partner, Jim pulled the blankets up around him and quickly scooped Blair up into his arms, heading toward the large sliding glass doors behind the curtain panels.
“Hang on kid, just hold tight. I’m going to get you out of
here.”
Blair nodded weakly, the gas already affecting him.
Jim walked into the alley behind the motel, just as Krycek slid the truck around the corner, kicking gravel into the air.
Jumping from the vehicle, Alex shot a tiny dart into Ellison’s neck as the larger man began to waiver. Dropping to his knees, Jim lowered Blair gently to the ground, laying his semi-conscious guide onto the pavement.
Pulling the miniature dart from his neck, Jim’s eyes blazed as he fought to remain alert.
“What’s a matter Ellison...not quite the superman you thought you were?”
“Who are you?”
“I’m nobody. That’s all you need to know.”
Blair moaned, rolling over onto his side.
Distracted, Alex glanced over toward Blair just long enough for Jim to strike out, knocking the gun from his hand. Going down to one knee, Krycek slammed his left fist solidly into Ellison’s stomach.
Feeling ribs splinter, Alex followed through with a kick but Ellison intercepted his foot, grabbing the heel of his boot and flipping him against the side of the truck. Quickly recovering, Krycek launched himself at Ellison, grabbing the gun and taking them both down to the ground.
As the men struggled for the gun now held between them, Mulder came running from the motel. As he fought to stay on his feet, Mulder leveled his gun and shouted a warning.
“Let him go Alex!.... Now!”
Krycek rolled away from Ellison as Jim lay on the grass beside the alley, panting, fighting for consciousness.
Mulder walked over to stand by Sandburg, his gun now trained on the center of Alex’s forehead, as he bent down to check Blair’s pulse. Satisfied that the younger man was in no danger, Mulder motioned with his gun for Alex to step back from Ellison.
Mulder knelt next to Jim, intending to help him to his feet, all the while keeping a weary eye on the assassin.
As he heard a gun cock behind him, only inches from his ear, Mulder lowered his own weapon and stepped back.
Alex walked over, taking the gun from Mulder’s hand and
stuffed it in the waistband of his jeans.
Standing directly behind the agent was CG Spender.
“Well, Mr. Mulder. You’re a long way from home.”
“So are you.”
“Quite true.”
Ellison, who had now risen to his knees, looked into the eyes of the devil.
“I know you.”
“Ah yes, so you remember. I’m surprised, you were quite young.”
The man stepped menacingly close to the younger man still lying prone on the ground.
“Let Blair go.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that James. I still need him.”
“No you don’t. You have me.”
“He has immunity.”
“He has no immunity without me. Leave him.”
“Why should I trade for one of my own?”
“He’s not yours. You have no rights to him.”
“Oh, I assure you James. I have as much right to him as you do. Maybe more.”
“You have no rights. Leave him. Take me.”
“You’ll go willingly and I’ll have your complete cooperation?”
Ellison slowly nodded.
Mulder stepped forward. “Jim, you can’t.”
“It’s the only way.” Jim said, walking over to kneel down by his guide.
Gently touching Blair’s head, he listened to the slightly faster then normal heart beat, imprinting it on his mind forever.
Touching his forehead to his friends’, he ran his hand down to cup Blair’s cheek. “I’m so sorry Blair.”
Then quieter, he whispered in his ear. “I’ll love you Chief, now and forever.”
Ellison stood up, facing the FBI agent.
“Take care of him Mulder.”
“Jim no. You can’t trust him.”
Ellison turned toward Spender. “You hurt Blair in any way.....you touch him ever again and I’ll know. We’re linked together..... He’s mine. If you so much as have him followed, I will kill you.”
“I have no doubt you would James.”
“We all leave together.”
“Agreed. Alex please cuff Agent Mulder to the dumpster over there.”
Taking the agent’s own cuffs, Krycek did as he was told and then without warning, turned back around and cold cocked Mulder, slamming his face into the side of the metal container.
“That was unnecessary.” said Ellison, glaring at Alex.
“He’s not hurt. He’ll come around in a few minutes.”
“How about the others?”
“They’ll be fine in a few minutes themselves.”
Motioning toward the back seat of the sedan, Alex shoved Ellison forcibly past Mulder and Sandburg, indicating what he was expected to do.
Taking one final look at his guide, Jim wiped a tear from his cheek with the back of his hand and got in the back seat, closing the door behind him.
Abandon
Cascade,
Washington
1:10
pm
Blair Sandburg lay on the bed, pillow hugged tightly to his chest, tears in his eyes. As Scully reached out to lay a hand on his arm in comfort, he turned on his side away from her, wanting only to be left alone.
Instead
of leaving, Dana sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing her hand gently on
his back.
“Blair.”
she said. “Everyone is gone for now. It’s just you and me. I think we need to
talk don’t you?”
Not
turning over but not pulling away either, Blair continued to lie quietly.
“They’re
doing everything they can to find him. You have to believe that. You have to
believe that they’ll get him back if it’s within their power to do so.”
Blair shook his head slightly.
Scully
stopped rubbing his back to cup the back of his head with her hand, her fingers
gently tangling in the long curly strands.
She
felt him sob, his shoulders shaking lightly as she slid farther onto the bed.
“Blair......please
talk to me. I think you know you can trust me by now, don’t you?”
Taking
a deep breath, Blair spoke, tears evident in his voice.
“He
left Dana.”
“He
didn’t feel he had a choice.”
“He
didn’t have to go willingly. I heard what he said.”
“He
did it to save you Blair.”
“No.”
“Yes.
He did it to save you. Mulder was there. You don’t believe he left you because
he wanted to? He had no choice.”
“They
all leave.... eventually. Everyone does.” he said.
Rolling
him over towards her Dana pulled the young man into her arms as he resisted
briefly before surrendering to his grief.
Holding
him, she sat quietly as he sobbed onto her shoulder.
Stroking
Blair’s hair back, she listened to the rain as it fell on the motel’s tin roof,
praying silently that wherever James Ellison was at the moment, he was safe.
Cascade Park
1:20 pm
Banks,
Langly, Frohike and Beyers, sat in the truck as Mulder walked toward the park
bench.
Using
their contacts, Mulder had linked with an old associate of Spender’s that had
helped in the past. Since he lived near Cascade, he was the logical choice to
assist them in the search for Ellison. He had been promised a contact would be
waiting in the park with his whereabouts in hand.
The
man who now stood before the agent was of medium build, very non-descript and
somewhere in his late thirties.
His
piercing gaze never leaving Mulder, the man spoke slowly and without
inflection, his tone holding no warmth or sympathy.
“I
have the address where he’s being held but I cannot imagine how you expect to
breech their security. Spender’s using him as a guinea pig even as we speak.”
“Let
me worry about that.” Mulder said, as the man handed him a small slip of paper
with a name and address printed on it.
“Tell
me.....what does he hope to accomplish? Ellison’s genetics are unique to him.
Even if they were to find the basis of this naturally occurring mutation, it
would do nothing to serve his cause.”
“Wrong
Agent Mulder. He has a project even now based on these genetics but they are
flawed.”
“The
super-soldiers....” Mulder stared incredulously at the man standing before him.
“Spender
hopes to use these codes to correct this flaw.”
“Why
Sandburg then?”
“Because
he is Ellison’s weakness. Together they have strength. Without his Guide, his
will is broken. He is a willing participant now.”
Walking
back toward the Explorer, Mulder turned as his name was called, his hand on the
truck’s door handle.
“If you were to attempt such a fool-hearty stunt such as this, you would need someone to bypass their security system. There is also a guard that passes every hour. He is fully armed with a semi-automatic and shoot to kill orders.”
“Why
have you chosen to help us then?”
The
man laughed, though his voice held only the deep tone of sadness.
“Because
Agent Mulder, not all of us believe in the project or in the loss of life it
took to produce the end prototypes.”
Hastily,
Mulder got in the truck, handing the paper to Langly who already had his laptop
open.
Banks,
who was sitting up front in the passenger seat, turned to face the agent.
“At
least we know he’s alive.”
“For
the time being but we have to work quickly if we want to get him out. They’ll
move him soon.”
Leaning
over the front seat, Frohike looked at Mulder. “When do we go?”
“It’s
not your fight guys.”
“The
hell it’s not Mulder. You brought us in. You think we can just walk away now?”
“I
made the promise to Ellison. It’s my fight, especially since CSM’s involved.”
Langly
spoke up. “I don’t think much of Ellison but I’m not doing it for him. I’m
doing it for the kid.”
Byers
added, “We all feel that way Mulder. We’re here till the end, one way or
another.”
Mulder
nodded, smiling at his three friends.
“Then,
we go tomorrow morning.”
1:45
pm
“I’m sorry.....I didn’t mean to break down like that. Not very manly, huh?”
“I understand Blair. I think you’re doing fine. You’ve been through a lot in the last 3 weeks.”
Looking down, Blair pushed the hair from his face, tucking it behind his ear.
Taking his hand, Scully knelt down in front of him so she could look into his eyes.
“Listen to me Blair. Jim Ellison would not leave you if he thought there were any other options. He did it because he loves you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because, Mulder once made the very same choice. He willingly walked into hell to save me from the pain of their experiments. He took it on himself to protect me and I will forever love him for that sacrifice.”
Blair looked into Scully’s eyes, only seeing sincerity and compassion.
“They have to find him.”
“They will.”
“Do you really believe that Dana?”
“Yes Blair, I do.”
“How can you be so certain?”
Standing up, she pushed Blair back onto the bed until he was lying, head on the pillows and covered him with blanket.
Sitting on the edge, she smiled down at him, pushing a stray tuft of hair from his face. “When I first met Mulder, I had a hard time with faith. I only believed with my head. Now ..... I believe with my heart.”
Blair smiled back at the woman sitting beside him, feeling as if they had known each other all their lives.
“Mulder’s a very lucky man to have someone like you that cares so deeply for him.”
“So is Ellison.”
Bending over, Scully kissed Blair’s cheek, then tucked the blanket more securely around him.
Getting up, she patted his arm gently.
“Get some rest...they should be back soon.”
“You’ll wake me if they find anything?”
“I will. I promise.”
As Scully walked toward the kitchen, Blair closed his eyes.
“Dana...”
Stopping, she turned around, just for a moment.
“Yes Blair?”
“I love him too.”
Bio-Gen Research Facility
Cascade, Washington
Jim Ellison lay on the table, bound with metal bands around head, wrists and ankles. Although he couldn’t move, he could sense others in the room milling about doing their various jobs. He felt pressure, then an intense blinding pain as a long bore needle was inserted into the small burr hole that had been drilled into his skull. He heard a scream, frightening in it’s intensity, echo throughout the small surgical bay. As Jim lay praying for them to stop, he realized that the screams were his own.
Trask Motor Inn
3:47 pm
Hearing the sound of a vehicle pulling in up front, Scully looked out the window just in time to see the boy’s piling from the truck, take-out in hand. She put her gun away, tucking it back in the waistband of her skirt and met them at the door.
As they came in, she quieted them by putting her finger to her lips, leading them toward the small table.
“Blair’s asleep.”
“How is he?” Banks asked, sitting the small containers of Chinese he was carrying onto the table.
“Upset, but he’s holding up. What did you guys find out?”
Pulling up the extra chairs to the table, Mulder spoke quietly as they all seated themselves.
“We know where Jim’s being held. We have an address here in Cascade. A bio-engineering research facility that has a government contract with the DOD.”
“That black lunged son-of-a bitch.” hissed Scully.
“Shh,... Blair.” Mulder said to Scully, pointing at the young man lying on the bed, now moving about restlessly.
Langly sat forward putting his laptop onto the table, almost whispering. “We have the wiring diagrams for the internal security system. If we can get near the junction box, we can by-pass the security cameras and cut the juice to the alarms. We figure that it would only give you a window of about 10 minutes to locate Ellison and get out.”
“When do we go?” Scully asked.
“We don’t Scully. They boys will work on the surveillance and taking out the systems and Banks will drive me through security.”
“Mulder, you are not going in there alone.”
“I won’t be alone Scully. I’ll have Simon.”
“Mulder, I won’t risk it.”
“There’s no other way.”
“I can’t lose you again to them.”
“You won’t. I promise I’ll come back. Dana, you have to trust me.”
Looking into her eyes, he leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
“I’ll come back. I promise. I have too much at stake not to.”
Looking around the room at the faces of the other men seated at the small table, Dana Scully wiped a tear from her eye, sensing the total agreement between all present.
“When?” she asked, picking at the box of shrimp fried rice in front of her without looking up.
“Tomorrow morning. The boys are building fake identities tonight to get us through the gate, then we’re on our own.”
“I don’t like it Mulder.”
“We have to get to him out tomorrow Scully or they’ll move him. We may never have another chance.”
“What about Blair?”
“You’ll stay here. Be ready to move out if we fail and they come after him.”
“I promised I’d let him know if you found out anything. What do I tell him?”
“The truth. Just not until after we leave.”
Making her decision, Scully got up and walked over to the medical supplies. Picking up the sedative she’d been keeping in reserve, she drew up 10 ccs and walked to Blair’s side. Swabbing his arm, she gently injected the drug into his muscle.
Blair moaned, but did not wake up.
Stroking his forehead, she whispered into his ear. “I’m sorry Blair. I know I promised but it’s better this way. You’re going to have to trust Jim to us this time. I promise we’ll do everything in our power to get him back to you.”
With that, she was gone to join the others as they sat making plans for tomorrow.
Outside, the call of a wolf could be heard as it drifted through the lonely valleys of Cascade.
**************************************************
Part 21
Dance with the Devil
Day
21
Trask
Motor Inn
5:32
am
Outside the day was cold and bleak.
Harsh gray clouds lined the sky as the wind billowed through the trees, threatening rain.
Inside, Dana Scully sat nursing her already cold cup of coffee and watching quietly as the men got their gear together.
Behind her, Blair Sandburg slept restlessly in a drug-induced slumber.
Nodding to the others as they went out the door, Mulder remained behind briefly, walking back toward Scully who was sitting at the small table.
Leaning over, Mulder kissed her deeply, looking into the eyes of the woman he had loved for so many years.
Reaching up to slip her arms around his neck, she gently pulled him down to her, as he rested his head against her shoulder.
“Mulder...please be careful, I can’t lose you again. Not now.....not to them.”
Kissing her once more, he pulled away to stand beside her, his hand gently enfolding her own as he whispered. “I love you Dana. I promise I’ll come back.”
Scully laughed softly, wiping a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep... just be careful.”
Kissing her hand, Mulder pulled away to walk out door
as she whispered, “I love you too.”
Undoing the clasp from the tiny gold cross hanging from her neck, Scully clutched it tightly in her palm.
Then walking over, she sat down on the edge of the bed and placed it around the neck of the young man sleeping before her.
Still deeply asleep, Blair reached up to capture the small cross in his hand.
“Sleep Blair,” she said, “One way or the other, it’ll be over soon.”
Pulling the covers up closer around him, Dana bent down kissing him on the forehead.
Outside the wind howled, as a wolf lay beside the motel room door, awaiting the return of its black companion.
Bio-Genetics Research Facility
Cascade, Washington
Fox Mulder sat nervously drumming his fingers on the dashboard of the rented navy blue Intrepid.
Hid behind a stand of trees less than a quarter mile from the facility, the FBI agent along with Simon Banks sat patiently waiting for the signal from Langly to move in.
“Do you think he’s still alive? From what Agent Scully told me, they could easily get what they needed from him either way.”
“If they had wanted him dead, Krycek would have killed him at the motel. Instead, they took him with them.”
“I hope to hell you’re right Mulder. I’d hate to be the one to go back and tell the kid his partner’s dead. I’m not sure if Blair would survive losing Jim like that.”
Nodding his understanding, Mulder looked up as the black panther stalked out from behind a small cropping of bushes and walked down the road, looking back over his shoulder at the men sitting in the car.
Picking up the headset lying on the front seat and he spoke to Byers.
“Byers. What’s the ETA looking like?”
John Byers, who was sitting in the back of the Ford Explorer, 100 feet or so north of the security fence, spoke into his own mouthpiece.
“Hang on Mulder, I’ll check in with them and get back to you.”
With that, Byers switched frequencies to contact his friends.
“Alpha Base to Lone Wolf. Do you copy?”
“Lone Wolf to Alpha Base. I have ya’...what do you need?”
“What’s your ETA guys? Mulder’s getting antsy.”
“We’re just turning off the alarms now, then we’ll hit the junction box. For a place that handles hazardous stuff like this, these guys sure have mickey mouse security in place.”
“Good, that’s one for our side. They’re not military, they only contract out to them. Most of these high profit corporations think like civilians.”
“Well, we’re at the junction box now. I’ll talk to you in a few.” Langly said, killing the transmission.
Looking at his partner, Langly saw that Frohike was busy taping into the circuitry, bypassing wiring to the security cameras and laying in a tape loop so that it showed footage of a permanently empty hallway.
Langly opened the junction box as the green light went dead, signaling a break in the system output. He got busy soldering connections and cross patching the circuits into a main switching unit controlled by a tiny transmitter. This would give them access into the system from a distance in case something went wrong. Shutting the junction box cover, they quickly grabbed their tools and made a hasty retreat.
“Byers....we’re out’ta here. Camera’s off. Tell Mulder he’s got 15 minutes max. After that, the guard comes by on foot duty and the camera loop runs out.”
With that, the boys went through the door as the camera above them showed nothing except empty hallway.
Byers signaled Mulder who took off his headset and stuffed it under the front seat of the car.
Banks started the engine, pulling out onto the dirt road as he headed toward the small booth up ahead.
As they pulled up next to the sliding gate, Banks held out two Bio-Genetics ID cards as the guard approached the car.
Taking it from his hand, the large man straightened up, moving away from the car and going back into the small enclosure.
Banks let out a sigh of relief as the officer ran the cards through the scanner and the green light came on, sliding the entry gate open.
Coming back outside, he handed the cards back to Banks who passed one across to Mulder.
“Go on through Sir. You’re clear.”
“Thanks.” Banks said, as he pulled the car through the checkpoint.
In the back of the Explorer, Langly sat with his laptop resting on his knees.
Playing on the screen was footage from a small video camera clipped on the inside of Mulder’s coat. As he watched, Banks drove up near the side entrance, parking in the closest spot available.
Getting out first, Mulder pulled the small Glock from his holster, pointing it downward and motioning Banks to follow. As they ran along the side of the building, keeping low and close to the wall, Mulder slid to a stop in the wet grass just outside a set of double walled metal doors marked Security Entrance Restricted- Authorized Personnel only.’ Sliding his card through the slot, he punched in the code he had gotten earlier from Langly onto the small keypad next to the doorway. When the greenlight came on, both doors opened inward, as the two men slipped into the building. Looking around, Mulder nodded toward the narrow hallway up ahead. There were doors leading to several small rooms off to each side, all numbered in sequence. Looking at the piece of paper clutched tightly in his hand, the FBI agent made his way toward the last room on the right, Banks following close behind. Running his card down the slot and punching in the code, Mulder stepped back slightly as the door once again slid open. Looking into the darkened room, he could just make out a body lying prone on a surgical table, covered partially with a sheet and a large feline shape sitting in the shadows.Walking up beside the man, he laid his hand on Ellison’s shoulder.Turning to Banks, he asked, “Is this what Blair calls a zone out?”Stepping up beside Mulder, Simon touched the side of Jim’s face, turning his head slightly to look into his eyes.“I’m not sure. It looks like he may have zoned but he could be drugged too. I just can’t tell.”Bending over slightly, Simon spoke quietly to the man as Mulder kept his eyes trained on the door. Getting no response, Banks turned toward Mulder.“What do we do now?”“We get him the hell out of here and worry about this later. We’ve only got about 10 minutes before the cameras come back on line.” Hauling Ellison to his feet, they supported him between them as they made their way out the door and down the hallway. Leaning Jim against Banks, Mulder keyed them out and stuffed the ID card in his pocket.Shouldering the man between them once more, they carefully made their way to the vehicle, gently placing Ellison in the backseat and covering him with a blanket. As Banks got behind the wheel, Mulder picked up the headset he had stuffed under the seat earlier.“Byers......you there?”“Right on schedule. Did you get Ellison?” “He’s in the backseat. I think it’s time for our little distraction, don’t you?” “Got ya.” Byers said as he gave the thumbs up signal to Langly over his shoulder. Langly punched in a series of codes into his computer as Banks pulled up to the guard shack.Waving his hand, the guard motioned them through as the gate slid open. As their vehicle pulled onto the road leading from the research facility, a moderate explosion was heard coming from the access tunnel in the building where the boys had worked their magic. Smiling over his shoulder, Banks drove on, only glancing back once as the guards ran to their positions inside the facility gates. Speeding up, he took the main road until the turnoff, checking his rearview mirror often to see that they weren’t being followed.“Damn...am I glad those guys are on our side.”Smiling, Mulder nodded. “I am too Simon...believe me.”“Byers you copy?” Mulder asked.“Yeah.”“You okay?”“Look over your shoulder man. We’re right behind you pullin’ up the rear.” Langly chimed in. As Mulder looked back, the truck rounded the corner and pulled in tightly to the Intrepid.“Nice work boys,” Banks said loud enough for them to hear through Mulder’s mouthpiece. “Let’s get the hell out of Dodge.”“Amen to that.” said Frohike as the two vehicles sped through the back roads of Cascade on their way to the small motel. Trask Motor InnCascade Blair Sandburg sat against the headboard of the bed, his knees pulled up to his chest and a blanket pulled tightly around his shoulders.Fingering the small cross hanging around his neck, he kept his eyes on the front door of the motel room. Walking over, Scully sat on the edge of the bed holding a warm cup of soup out to him. Shaking his head, he continued to stare at the door as she spoke. “Blair.....you need to eat something.”“I can’t. Not right now. Not until I know he’s okay.” Sitting the soup down on the table beside the bed, she leaned in, taking his hand from underneath the blanket and holding it in hers as she gently pulled the hair back from his face, tucking it behind his ear.“Making yourself sick won’t help Jim. There’s nothing you could have done.” “I know but...... .”Letting her hand linger against the side of the young man’s face, she smiled knowingly.“But you think you should have been there anyway?”Not looking up, Blair whispered brokenly, “I should have been.... I’m his Guide.”
Sliding onto the bed and leaning back against the headboard, she pulled Blair against her, feeling the minuet tremors running though his body.
“I’m sure Jim knows that if you could have been there, you would have. Blair...he did this to protect you. To have someone care about you that much is a very rare thing. You have to have faith in what he did and believe that they’ll find him.”
“I’m sorry Dana...I want to believe but I’m afraid.”
“It’s alright to be afraid. I’m afraid every time Mulder walks out that door. I’m afraid I’ll never see him again but somehow I get through it. Sometimes you have to face your fears in order to get past them.”
“I’m scared he’ll think I failed him.”
“He could never think you failed him Blair because he believes in you, I’ve seen it in his eyes. He’s proud of you and what you’ve been able to accomplish. He told me you saved his life the day you meet him, in more ways than one. That’s something to treasure and celebrate Blair, not to mourn, no matter what happens today.”
Lifting his head, Sandburg smiled at her, reaching up and kissing her on the cheek.
“You’re very special Dana. I think Mulder’s a very lucky man to have you in his life. Thank you for what you said.”
“I think Ellison’s lucky too to have found someone who cares as much about him as you do Blair.”
Sandburg lay back against Scully, closing his eyes and resting his head on her shoulder. Pulling the blanket closer around him, she held him in her arms as fell back to sleep.
Trask Motor Inn
35 minutes later
Scully heard the two vehicles pull up in the alley as she quickly laid Sandburg back onto the bed. Going to the double glass sliding doors, she looked through the curtain to see the truck and a rented car sitting beside the dumpster.
Spotting Mulder, she quickly looked at Blair to make sure he was sleeping and ran out to meet them, throwing her arms gently around the taller agent’s neck and planting a kiss on his forehead.
“I am so glad you’re back. Sandburg’s worried sick. Did everything go alright?”
“It went fine. The boys’ came through as usual. The ID made the difference in being able to get Ellison out.”
Not seeing the detective, Scully frowned.
“We need to get him inside to Sandburg as quickly as we can, Banks thinks he zoned.”
“Zoned?”
“That’s what Blair calls it. Ellison goes so far into himself that only he can reach him. Banks tried but no luck.”
Opening the back door, Simon pulled Ellison from the car as Mulder moved in to help support him.
Going in ahead, Scully sat on the edge of the bed. “Blair...” she said, touching him on the back as he turned toward her.
“Jim?”
“They’re bringing him in now.”
Seeing the two men enter supporting Ellison between them,
Blair jumped up from the bed as he took over for Mulder. Slipping his arm around Ellison, Blair led his partner to the bed and laid him down gently.
Sitting beside him, Blair touched the face of his friend, closing his own eyes and opening the connection between them.
As he worked to steady his breathing, he found the essence that was Jim Ellison and relaxed. Their souls touching and flowing together, they intertwined as they merged, becoming one.
Healing flowed between the partners as Sandburg’s spirit lent its strength to Ellison’s.
Opening his eyes, Blair saw the look of peace come over the face of his friend as he took Jim’s hand, holding it close to his heart.
As Ellison opened his own eyes, he looked around at the people standing beside him but focusing on one in particular, smiled weakly.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” he said as Blair smiled back, squeezing his hand.
“No such luck, man. Remember the fountain. There’s no turning back. You promised me....forever.”
“I did.”
Pulling up a chair, Banks sat beside the bed as the Gunmen took the couch.
Mulder moved over to stand beside Scully, who was looking down with fondness at her two newest friends.
“What happened?” Ellison asked.
“What’s the last thing you remember, Jim?” Blair said, still clutching Ellison’s hand tightly to his chest.
“I remember being in a room, tied to a table of some sort. There were doctors everywhere...at least I think they were doctors and then that man... that, that Spender guy came in to talk to me about....”
Blair laid his other hand on Jim’s shoulder as he felt his Sentinels heart rate soar.
“Just relax Jim. No one can hurt you now...you’re safe. Just take it slow.”
Taking a deep breath, Jim continued as Mulder and Scully sat together on the bed opposite them.
“He told me about the deal that he had made with my dad a
long time ago. He told me about the times I was taken before, the times they
had taken me in for study. About how they used the information to lay the
groundwork for the Super-Soldier genetics program and how my DNA may prove to
be the means to save our race from some virus.”
“What virus Jim?”
”I don’t know Blair...things start to get fuzzy after that. I just see bits and
pieces but I remember seeing things in my head...visions I guess, of things....
horrible things. Creatures...”
“Aliens.” stated Mulder, matter-of-factly.
“I don’t know...I just didn’t want to see any more.... I couldn’t...”
“So you zoned.”
“I guess. The next thing I felt was you Blair. Your spirit.
I felt safe, warm, at peace and...”
“And loved.” Blair finished for him, smiling.
“And loved.” Jim said.
Reaching over, Scully laid her hand on Sandburg’s shoulder.
“Blair...go lie down while I check him out.”
“But...”
“Go lie down. I promise.... we’ll take good care of him.”
Nodding wearily, Blair reluctantly let go his partner’s hand, getting up and walking over to the other bed where Mulder had already pulled back the covers.
Lying down, he gazed over at Ellison as Scully helped him into bed, pulling the covers up to the Sentinel’s chest.
Mulder sat back down on the edge by Blair, tucking the covers around him.
Looking down at the younger man, Mulder smiled as Blair scrutinized every move Scully made toward his partner.
“Blair...she’s a doctor. Remember? She takes care of me all the time.”
“I know...it’s just hard seeing him like that. I’ll never get used to it. He scared the hell out of me this time.”
“But you knew what to do...how?”
“I just knew...he felt so cold, distant. I just had to connect to him.”
“You said at the fountain...that’s when you found you had this connection, after you drowned?”
“I’ve always felt it. When Jim’s in trouble, something feels out of place but since the fountain, we’ve been connected. For a moment, our sprits were one, we passed through each other and he made a promise we’d always be together.”
“It happened again today?”
“Today was different but I felt the same thing. This time it was easier as if our souls knew each other right away. He was so weak but when we were together....”
“The bond strengthened him?”
“Yeah. I felt him getting stronger. It was like he was waiting for me. Waiting for me to bring him back.”
Yawning, Blair scooted further down into the blankets as Scully turned toward them.
“Jim’s fine Blair. There’s evidence that he had some tissue extracted but it seems as if it was done safely. I’ll clean and bandage the wound and give him something to help him relax. He should sleep through the night easily.”
“He’s sensitive to a lot of drugs.”
“I’ll be careful Blair, I promise. I’ll only give him a small amount so he can rest and I’ll be here to watch him the whole time.”
Blair looked deeply into her eyes. “Thank you for bringing him back to me. Thank you both.”
“I have the feeling he would have done the same for us. I’m just glad everything turned out okay.”
“I can’t imagine living without him. He’s part of my soul now.”
Reaching over, Scully patted his hand as she turned back to Ellison.
“Get some sleep Sandburg, Jim’s in good hands.” Banks said, getting up as he walked to the small kitchenette.
Getting up himself, Mulder wandered over to the couch where the Gunmen were.
Frohike was sitting on the arm of the small sofa while Langly and Byers were working on the laptop, sitting side by side.
Folding his arms impatiently, the agent cleared his throat as all three men looked up.
“What’d you guys find?”
Langly looked up from the screen, fixing Mulder with his gaze.
“No, thanks guys,...you saved my ass again guys,.... just what’d you find guys?”
“Thanks guys...you saved my ass again guys...now what’d you find?”
Turning to Byers, Langly shook his head. “You think you raise um right, and
look what happens.”
Looking up at his partner, Byers smiled.
Langly swiveled the laptop around so the FBI agent could see the screen.
“The Bio-Genetics data’s all been pulled. Their computer system says it’s down for maintenance but they’ve erected a new firewall since this morning. I can hack in but my bet’s the data’s all been either moved or disposed of. We still have the stuff we pulled from the DOD banks earlier but that’s all there is.”
“We still have the PCR’s and the lab reports from the CDC too.”
“It’s a place to start.” Frohike said.
“Yeah. A place to start while the government sweeps their little experiment under the rug, all nice and tidy.” Mulder countered sarcastically.
“It’s not going to be so tidy this time.”
All four looked up into the face of Blair Sandburg.
“Blair..you shouldn’t be up. Scully says you’re still weak. You need to be in bed.”
“I don’t want this covered up. They killed thousands of people. They almost killed Jim and me. I won’t let them get away with this.”
Mulder pulled a chair over for Blair and gently pushed the younger man into it.
“Blair. This man Spender, he’s untouchable. Scully and I have been trying to bring him down for years. He had Scully abducted, was responsible for her cancer and gave her to the project without a second thought, almost costing her life in the most vile and horrific way imaginable. With all your good intentions, you’d only be risking Jim’s life. Is it really worth it to you?”
“He’ll still come after Jim won’t he? He’ll never be safe. He could just disappear again and I wouldn’t know he’s gone until he doesn’t show up one day. How can I live like that...with that uncertainty?”
Walking over to stand beside him, Scully draped a blanket around his shoulders. “Blair, I need to talk to you and I need for you to listen closely.”
Kneeling in front of him, Scully placed her hand on his knee and looked up into his eyes.
“The head injury Jim has is very similar to the one Mulder suffered last year as the result of an experiment performed on him by Spender. I can’t explain it all to you because it’s long, complicated and frankly, I don’t think you’re up to it right now.”
“It involves the cases you and Mulder have been working on the last few years doesn’t it? About the aliens in the government.”
Both Mulder and Scully looked at him with surprise.
Langly just looked amused as he went back to his computer.
Blair shrugged his shoulders. “I read Saucer Review and Omni...... M.F. Luder, ya know man. I get the Gunman. You think cause I’m a teacher that I have my head up my ass?”
Mulder laughed. “I never thought that Blair. That was Scully.”
Smacking Mulder hard on the arm, Scully continued.
“Blair, this man Spender is involved in a secret part of our government that you and Jim never deal with.”
“Not until now.” He threw in.
“They operate inside our own government and have incredible power. They manipulate people’s lives and then hide their atrocities behind an official curtain of denial. My own sister and Mulder’s dad fell victim to this plot. We’ve all lost someone to their fanatical ideals.”
Blair thought about it a moment before speaking, keeping his voice low to ensure he didn’t wake Jim.
“Will they come back for him?”
“I don’t believe so. I think they may have gotten what they wanted from him this time. The tissue they took from him is what they’ve been looking for.”
What kind of tissue?”
“Brain tissue. They did a similar surgery on Mulder last year to extract what they needed for their experiment and I found evidence of this in Jim also.”
He looked to Mulder for confirmation as the FBI agent nodded his head slowly.
“Dana,” Blair said as he took her hand. “How can I just drop it while they cover it up and go back to the way it was. They killed all those people and now you’re telling me their deaths were for nothing. That their lives meant nothing. Some of those that died were my students, my friends. How can I just walk away?”
“Do you care about Jim?”
Blair just stared at the petite woman kneeling in front of him. “How can you ask me that?”
“I said..... do you care about your partner Blair?”
Tears threatening, Blair bit down on his lip.
“You know I do. He means more to me than anyone else in the world.”
“Then, you remember that Blair. Remember and reconcile yourself to the fact that these men will be brought to justice eventually but not by you and probably not by me. I’ve already lost too much myself to ever question my own motives. If you truly care about Jim you’ll do the same.... at least for now.”
All turned toward the bed as a low moan came from Ellison.
Bundling the blankets around him, Scully nudged Blair up from the chair, pushing him gently toward the bed.
“Let’s get you back to your partner Blair, he needs you.”
She steered him toward the bed containing Ellison and helped him under the covers. Jim immediately rolled toward him as Blair smiled, pulling his friend close to lie against his chest. He knew the sound of his heartbeat quieted the older man as he stroked his back, thinking about the conversation he’d just had with the FBI agent.
Reaching out to touch Jim’s short-cropped hair, she let her hand linger momentarily on the sterile white bandage, smiling at them both.
“Sentinel and Guide, huh?”
“Yep.”
Smiling up at her, mirroring the warmth he saw in her eyes, Blair sighed deeply.
“You’re right Dana. It’s not worth it, just to expose the truth. I won’t lose Jim again...I can’t.”
“He’ll be fine and you’ll get past all this Blair. I know it.”
“I hope so.”
“You’re a lot stronger than most people seem to think. You’ll be fine, just give it time.”
Pulling the covers around them both, Scully got up, turning out the small light sitting by the bedside.
“You take care of him Blair, let us worry about saving the world.”
Blair lay back, holding Jim against him as darkness fell over the city of Cascade.
Upon the hill, behind the hotel, a black panther sat with a wolf by his side. He was back where he belonged and where he was destined to stay.
Epilogue: Day 22
33 days after initial virus
contact.
City Hall
Cascade, Washington
The press conference was about to begin.
The mayor and his wife, the police commissioner and several representatives from various organizations around Cascade were in attendance. The hall was completely filled with reporters as the acting Director of FEMA’s Wasington State Division, Phillip Ross stepped up to the mike, signaling the TV crews that they were about to begin.
“Ladies and Gentleman. I wanted to thank you for coming out today. The President wishes to convey his deepest condolences to the family and friends of all those who were so violently and needlessly struck down by this senseless act of terrorism. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all. We want to assure you that the government will not rest until those who are behind this horrendous act are behind bars. This evil that has befallen your city has also affected the world and...”
Clearing his throat, Mr. Ross abandoned the speech he had prepared as he stopped in mid-sentence. With tears coming to his eyes, he looked into the video cameras just as the live feed was cut to the outside world, along with the audio as his mike went dead.
“The young woman responsible for unleashing this terror was only a pawn in a larger war which we have blinded to for years. Persons working within our own government, in positions higher up than the President...”
As he looked up, a red laser site bobbed on his chest before an assassin’s bullet hit, knocking him from the podium, to fall lifeless onto the floor.
As the press and members of the audience scrambled for the exits, Krycek calmly disassembled the high power rifle, putting it in its case and walking out the side exit to get in the black limousine waiting for him.
Getting in the car, Krycek settled back as the older man handed him a drink. Accepting it, Krycek drank deeply, savoring the sweet taste of the brandy.
“I trust everything went as planned?”
“The last loose end taken care of except for Ellison. What do you want to do about him?”
“Ellison is no threat to us at the moment.”
“What about Sandburg? He could be a problem if he talks.”
Reaching over to light a Morley, the man laughed deeply.
“In order to bring the matter to light, he would have to sacrifice something much more dear. He doesn’t dare expose our project for fear of exposing his own. Mister Sandburg may yet become an ally of ours.”
Krycek snorted.
“That little long haired hippy half-breed? Why don’t we just kill Ellison and get it over with?”
“Mr. Krycek, never underestimate a man who has as much at stake as Sandburg does. Killing Ellison would leave him nothing and that is when a man is at his most dangerous. Ellison is where we want him for the present time. We’ve got what we needed. If it becomes necessary, he will be available again.”
Pulling the small black box from his pocket, Spender held it up to his companion. Nodding, Krycek smiled as he finished his drink. As the Cigarette Smoking Man turned to stuff the box back in his pocket, Krycek had seen the writing on the box. It said James Ellison, test subject and he knew exactly what the small device was for. He had a similar one in his possession with Walter Skinners name and data # on it, stored safely away in a rented bank locker. The nano-technology had been quite useful in securing Skinner’s cooperation up to this point and he had no doubt, if it became necessary, Spender would use it on Ellison.
Clicking his glass to Kryceks’, Spender smiled broadly. “All in all, a quite successful campaign Mr. Krycek.”
Day 22
HOME
The Loft
852 Prospect
Cascade,
Washington
Blair Sandburg sat
at the corner of the couch, his friend Jim Ellison close by. They had returned
to their loft apartment shortly after dawn this morning, exactly 33 days since
they had come into contact with the virus.
The Gunman had
taken the early flight out as had Simon Banks.
Banks had flown to
the house of his ex mother-in-law and for once, he could say he was actually
happy to see her, as she was the reason his son Daryl’s life had been spared.
The gunman had taken off to parts unknown to follow an anonymous lead on a ufo
sighting in Nova Scotia.
That only left
Mulder and Scully who had decided to take a later flight, helping get them
settled and picking up a few things on the way they might need, including food.
Now that everyone
was gone, Jim and Blair sat quietly watching the press conference as the man
read his prepared statement. Right before the fatal shot hit him in the chest
and claimed his life, the screen went dead.
Later, the news
would claim that the assassin had been caught and belonged to the same
religious cult as the woman who had stolen the virus.
Turning off the
TV, Blair hung head, tears in his eyes as Jim scooted closer, putting his arm
around his partner’s shoulder.
“Chief.....you
okay?”
“I am now Jim.” He
answered, laying his head on his Sentinel’s shoulder, praying the nightmare was
over for them as well as the city.
End.
Author’s note:
Although I’m not nearly as good as most of the writers on this list, I do want
to thank you for all the sincere comments and morale boosting e-mail I received
as I put this piece together.
21 parts was
difficult to do, especially during antro finals but I still enjoyed the
experience and it got me a high B in my creative writing class. Till next
Angst-Dues time, may all your Sentinel thoughts be ANGSTY ones!
Laura (Snow
Wolf)
:)
P.S. For my next
Dues assignment, I’ve planned a sequel to this about the nano-technology
implanted in Jim while he was in CSM’s clutches but it will be a one-piece
deal.