Interesting Times

Title: Interesting Times

Author: Anne Milne

Date: August 18, 2006

Spoilers: The Beginning

Disclaimer: Anyone you recognise doesn't belong to me. They've just come over to play for a while. They'll be back home by the time it gets dark, I promise. Really.

Category: MSR, angst, M/other (implied); X-Files/NCIS crossover

Rating: G as in good for everyone

Feedback: Pleeeeeeeeeease!

Archive: Go for it

Thanks: Sara B., for encouragement and nagging, and for the speedy beta. You go, girl!

Summary: what really happened after the episode finished. Scully's perspective.

All I could think was, what a day! It matched the rest of the week. Hell, it matched the rest of the summer. What Mulder and I had been through would make a great movie, if it wasn't so damn unbelievable. Starting from the time that Mulder's ex-girlfriend walked in, through the fire in the office, and now being on probation while checking manure purchases and doing background checks. Oh, yes. Throw in another abduction as well as a trip to Antarctica, and the script would be phenomenal. It'd sell a million, if anyone would buy it. And through it all, I had Mulder by my side.

Or, at least, that's what I thought.

Running through that time in my mind, I was alternately bemused, aggravated, and saddened by what had happened. The hardest thing to take was the way that Mulder lost his trust in me. I can pinpoint when it happened, too. I sat in that OPR meeting, and I was unable to support what Mulder was telling the board. As I said to him later, I can't go against my science – it's who I am. Later, in Arizona, he told me that my science was wrong. Back in D.C., I don't think he heard me tell him that I believed in him, and in what he said.

Mulder thinks that Agent Fowley is protecting his interests on the X-Files. I hope that he's right. Spender doesn't have a clue what he's getting in to with his assignment in the X-Files. It'll be interesting to follow his time in that office.

That night, I was at home, trying to relax. The pounding on the door broke my concentration, and all I could think was: Damn! That better not be Mulder at the door!

"Who is it?"

"Come on, Squirt, open up!" my little brother Charlie yelled through the door.

"Hey, Chuckles! What brings you by?"

"I was given some liberty, so I thought I'd come visit family." He looked at me quizzically. "Isn't it a little early for you to be home?"

"Nope. My assignment has been changed. You are looking at the latest recruit to manure inspections."

"Domestic Terrorism? Can we say boooooring? What does Mulder think about that?"

"Mulder thinks that his ex-girlfriend can help him get the X-Files back."

"Oooh, trouble in Paradise. Spill, Dana. You know how much I like a good gossip!"

"There's really not that much to tell. She's back, he doesn't trust me anymore, my science is wrong; you name it, it's happening."

Charlie looked at me thoughtfully. "Tell you what, Daney painy. Let me take you out for dinner. How long will it take you to get ready?"

I looked at my watch, then back at my baby brother. "Give me five minutes. How formal are we going?"

"Hey, it's me!"

"Right. Neat jeans and a blouse." We both grinned, and I went to change. When I came out, Charlie was closing his cell phone.

"Who were you calling?"

"Stop being paranoid, Daney. It doesn't suit you." At my raised eyebrow, Charlie relented, and told me that he'd called a mutual friend to meet us at Joey's Bar and Grill. So, I picked up my purse and weapon, and we left my apartment.

Looking back, I should have been more paranoid, if anything. Don't get me wrong, the evening was great, as was breakfast the following morning. The problems started when I made it into work.

***

"Good afternoon, Agent Scully." Oh, Lord, snide Mulder had arrived.

"Morning, Mulder. Last time I looked, it was 7.55 am, so I'm actually early." I was determined to not let him get to me. That determination didn't last too long.

"Where were you last night, Scully? I tried calling you, and your cell went to voicemail."

"I was out with friends, Mulder. I left my cell at home to recharge. I think I might need a new battery for it. Was it important?"

Mulder was looking at some photographs in a file. "Not really. Who were you out with, Scully?"

The interrogation was starting to get old. "Last time I checked, Mulder, you weren't my father. Why do you want to know?"

"It's been brought to my attention that you've been giving information to our enemies. Still spying," he said as he passed me a photo. It had obviously been taken the night before at Joey's. "Who are these men?" He handed me another photo. It was taken this morning, while I'd been at breakfast with Charlie.

By this time, I was beyond irate, but I managed somehow to keep my voice quiet. "Who has accused me of spying, Agent Mulder?" Three guesses, I thought to myself.

"These were brought to me by Agent Fowley. Are you doing both of them, Scully? Is the sex worth betraying me for?" Yes, I was right, it was Fowley.

"Tell me, Agent Mulder," I said quietly, "have you had those photos and accompanying documents checked for authenticity?" I took the photos, and made a copy of them while Mulder looked on.

"No, because I trust the source."

"Well, Agent Mulder, I can see that you have made a choice, and it's not me. I will not stand here and have you make unfounded accusations against me. Good day, Agent Mulder." I turned to leave, only to have Mulder grab my arm.

"Don't you walk away from me, Scully. You owe me."

"No, Mulder. You told me that I owe you nothing. If you cannot take my word that you are making a mistake here, then you obviously owe me nothing." Mulder's face became unreadable. "Now, let me go, please." He dropped my arm as if it was on fire, and I left him standing there. I walked back to my car, called Kersh, and told him I was taking a sick day. Then I called Charlie, and asked for a meeting at my apartment ASAP.

***

Charlie was waiting outside my apartment when I arrived. Jethro was with him.

After we entered, I showed Charlie and Jethro the photos I had copied, and explained a little of what had happened.

"Dana, did you tell Mulder that it was your brother and a friend?" Jethro asked.

"No. I was so upset at the invasion of my privacy that I refused to answer anything."

"Dana," Charlie began, but I cut him off.

"Charlie. It's no-one's place to spy on me, and it certainly isn't Mulder's place to accuse me of spying and selling information for sex." At that statement, the guys looked at each other, and in unison said, "But she's not my type!"

"Thank you very much for the vote of confidence." They both grinned at me. I looked at Jethro, and asked if he had any spare safe houses that I could go to for a while. At the question in his eyes, I explained that I needed to get away from Mulder and Fowley. I had previously set the wheels in motion for a leave of absence and I was going to activate that request. Jethro mentioned that he had a contact at the Bureau, and could arrange temporary posting with him. As I thought about it, it sounded like a good solution. I could be away from Mulder, and still keep my skills up.

Charlie, an intelligence officer, was going to use his contacts in Naval Intelligence to do some quiet checking on Diana Fowley. He knew who he could trust, and if anyone could penetrate the darkened corners of Agent Fowley’s life his contacts could do it.

In a Darth Vader voice, perfected by too many viewings of Star Wars, Charlie said, “Danes, if Agent Fowley has turned to the ‘Dark Side’ we’ll find it.” That cracked us up, and it felt really good to laugh.

So, it was all set. Jethro was able to arrange a place for me to live, as well as a job. Charlie was going to let our mom know that I was going to be on assignment and that unless she heard from either Charlie or me, to not worry. Charlie would also let mom know that she should not, under any circumstances, tell either Bill or Mulder what was happening. It was interesting to hear from Charlie that Billy was considered something of a security risk.

Ain't life interesting?

***

My cell rang promptly at 8.04 am. It was a bit of a surprise, but then I realised that it was Mulder. Let the good times roll, indeed.

"Scully."

"Agent Scully. Would you care to give me the reason for your tardiness?" Snide Mulder was back in action.

"Well, Agent Mulder, have you checked your email this fine morning?" I heard the sounds of a computer keyboard being used. I looked over at Jethro (we were in his car) and took a deep breath. I mouthed at him, "Watch out," and he grinned at me.

"What stunt are you pulling, Scully?" Mulder roared through the phone. I moved the phone six inches away from my ear, and both Jethro and I could hear Mulder losing it. "What do you mean, a leave of absence? Explain yourself to me!"

"It's quite simple, Mulder. I have felt the need for a break for some time, but I have put it off because I thought you needed my help. Given your comments yesterday morning, I felt that it was the best solution to the issues you have with me," I said calmly. Jethro whispered to me, "You tell him, Danes."

Mulder started shouting at me through the phone again. "Issues? Is that what you're calling it? You're a coward AND a liar! Diana was right about you! You can't be trusted!" His tirade seemed to be running out, and I answered him quietly.

"No, Mulder. The issues that I have are these: First, you made accusations against me using uncorroborated evidence; second, you refused to hear anything I had to say in my defence; third, you claim that we should trust no-one, but you trust Agent Fowley without question; and, fourth, it seems to me that everything you said to me in June was a manipulation, calculated to get me to stay. Once I decided to stay, you took it all back."

"But ,"

"But nothing, Mulder. I asked you to respect my judgement; I didn't ask you to choose. I respect you enough to not interfere in your personal life. I respect you enough to not dismiss things you bring to me without investigating further. Respect me enough to do me the same courtesy." My voice had become progressively softer, and all Jethro could do was grin. He knew what that meant. Mulder spoke again, and he seemed somewhat more subdued.

"Scully. Please come in today. We'll work this out."

I knew my answer would hurt him, but I needed to stick to my guns on this. "Sorry, Mulder, but you know I can't do that. I can't work with a partner that has no trust in me. I'll be in touch." With that, I ended the call, and switched off the phone.

Jethro was quite happy with me. "You see, Danes? You've raised enough doubts in his mind that he'll go and check that information properly. When he does, he'll see that it's bogus."

I knew that he was right. I needed to be away from Mulder and Fowley. I knew that she'd eventually overplay her hand, but I was concerned at how long Mulder would take to see through her.

***

Now, there were a lot of things that happened, that I didn't witness, so I had to rely on Lieutenant Commander Charles Scully for the sequence of events. I'm glad that I wasn't there to see the explosions.

As it turned out, not long after I'd finished my call with Mulder, Charlie decided to swing into action.

"Mulder."

"Special Agent Fox Mulder?"

"Yes, this is he."

"I have information that is essential for you to see. It has bearing on those who are currently in charge of the X-Files. Are you interested?"

"Yes, of course."

"Meet me at the Lincoln steps in forty minutes. Please come alone, and ensure that you are alone. I have no desire to compromise your safety."

"Wait a minute. Who are you?"

"Forty minutes, Agent Mulder." And Charlie hung up.

Mulder couldn't resist, and thirty-eight minutes later, he was waiting on the steps. Charlie went up to him, and started talking.

"Fox Mulder?" At Mulder's nod, Charlie introduced himself, and showed Mulder his ID. "Lieutenant Commander Charles Scully, Naval Intelligence." Mulder's eyes just about bugged out of his head when he recognized that Charlie was one of the men in the photos. "I believe you have some photographs of my sister and me in your possession?"

"You're Scully's brother?" Charlie nodded, and Mulder had the grace to look sheepish. "Boy, have I screwed up." Charlie nodded once, and Mulder went on. "I was told that Scully was trading secrets for sex, with you and another man."

"You mean Special Agent Jethro Gibbs, NCIS?" Mulder had started looking a bit sick by this time. "I went to Dana's apartment to visit. She needed cheering up, so Jethro and I took her out for dinner. I stayed the night at her place, then we went out for breakfast."

Mulder looked at Charlie. "So why didn't Scully just tell me who was in those photos?"

"Would you have believed her, Mulder? From what Dana said, you were only interested in stringing her up."

"I've been angry with your sister for a few days, now. When the photos were given to me, by someone that I trust, I felt betrayed. I just wanted to know the truth," Mulder finished. Charlie stared at Mulder for a few moments, and was about to answer him, when his cell went off.

"Scully." A pause, then "Secure the suspect. Remove all electronics and weapons." A longer pause. "Understood." He ended the call, then looked at Mulder. "Well, Agent Mulder, you're not too good at losing a tail, are you?"

"A tail? Who is it?"

"Why don't we go and find out?" Charlie and Mulder walked don the steps, and out into the grassy area. Under the trees about seventy-five feet away, they saw a nondescript man being held closely by two other nondescript men. Charlie spoke to his people, and the response was what Charlie had expected.

"The suspect was hired by Diana Fowley to follow both your sister and Agent Mulder, sir. We've removed all electronics as ordered, and will isolate him for further interrogation."

"Good work, chiefs. I think that if you search the terrorist database, you'll probably find this man in it, don't you think, chief?"

"Yes, sir. Now that you mention it, sir, he does look somewhat like one of the suspects in the Dallas incident."

"Outstanding efforts." The two chief petty officers stood straighter, and Charlie dismissed them. They left, with their prisoner in tow. Mulder asked,

"Can you do that? Just take him in, and interrogate him?"

"Well, Agent Mulder, he's your spy. If you want him, you can have him." Mulder shook his head, and Charlie asked him to walk with him. They hadn't gone far when Charlie's cell sounded again. "Scully." Pause, then he started looking around. "Where are you. .oh, no matter. I can see you." The two men walked over to a couple walking on the path, and Charlie introduced Mulder to them.

"Special Agent Fox Mulder, this is Special Agent Jethro Gibbs and Special Agent Jenny Shepard, NCIS." After greetings were exchanged all around, Charlie and Gibbs walked off a little way to have a private conversation, while Mulder was left to talk with Jenny. I'm glad I wasn't there, as I would have been jealous, and I know Jenny and Jethro. Charlie walked back over, and Jenny went back to Gibbs. They resumed their stroll along the footpath, and Charlie took an envelope out to give to Mulder.

"What's in this, Charlie?" he asked.

Charlie grinned and replied, "Everything you ever wanted to know about Diana Fowley, but were afraid to ask." Mulder looked at Charlie, then at the file.

"Ah, but will it tell me where your sister is, so that I can apologize to her?"

"No, but I'm sure that location could be provided at the appropriate time," said my brother the wannabe comedian. Mulder shook his hand, and went off to look the information over.

***

That night found Charlie and I sitting on the back porch of the safe house finishing dinner off. He had filled me in on the happenings of the day, and we were just starting to settle in for the night when the doorbell rang. We both went to the front door, unholstering our weapons. Charlie opened the door and there was a small boy standing there.

"Hey, kid. What do you want?"

A small voice answered, "Agent Scully, please." It was Gibson Praise.

We got him into the house as quickly as we could. Gibson was pale and sweaty and looked like he was about to fall down. Charlie lifted him up and took him through the house, and into one of the bedrooms. I started to check him over, and I wasn't happy with what I found. "Gibson, sweetheart, we need to get you to a hospital."

"No, Agent Scully. I wouldn't be safe. I'll be safer with you and your brother."

Charlie looked at me, surprised. "How does he know I'm your brother?"

"Simple, Chuckles, Gibson is a bona fide mind-reader." Charlie shook his head in disbelief. "I'll explain later. Call Jethro, and let him know that we need medical supplies ASAP. And tell him to not be obvious about it." Charlie walked away to make the call while I turned my attention back to Gibson. I wiped the sweaty hair carefully off his forehead.

"You don't think I'm Frankenstein anymore. Why?" Gibson asked.

"Because you're just a little boy and no-one should have done this to you. Do you know where your parents are?"

"Yes. Can you help me find them?"

"Gibson, I'll do my best, I promise," I said, as Charlie came back into the bedroom.

"Jethro's on his way. Hey, sport, I'm Dana's little brother Charlie," he said, shaking Gibson's hand. "You got someone you need me to rough up?" he grinned at Gibson, then sobered as he looked at me. "Who would do this to a child, Daney? It's not right."

"No, Chuckles, it's not. They thought that by cutting into his head they could figure out what made him a mind-reader." Charlie shook his head, clearly upset that adults could do to a child what Gibson had done to him. "Help me get him into the bathroom. It's a shame we don't have any clothes here that would fit him. He could do with clean clothes."

Gibson smiled weakly, and said, "It's okay, Agent Scully. Charlie asked his friend to bring me some stuff to wear." He then looked right into Charlie's eyes, and asked, "Will you find my parents for me, please?"

Charlie responded solemnly, "I'll do everything I can to find them for you, Sport. Just give me their names, and where they were last."

I left the two of them in the bathroom, talking, and went back to the kitchen to start cleaning up. Jethro let himself into the house, and gave me a scare when he said, "Hey, Danes. Got those supplies you wanted," he grinned when he saw me jump.

"Crap, Jethro! Don't ever sneak up on an armed woman!" I snarled at him as my heart rate went back to normal. I threw a dishtowel at him, grabbed the supplies and went to help Gibson and Charlie.

***

Gibson stayed with me for four days. I tended his injuries, and treated his fever and other aches. We sat for what seemed like hours as he filled me in on what he'd seen and heard. Both of us knew that the monsters that had done this to him would probably never be prosecuted, but it helped both of us just to talk about it. One of the things that Gibson was able to tell me was about the chip and my cancer.

It was just after lunch on the second day he was with me. Gibson put his hand on my forehead, imitating how I'd felt his, and said to me, "Dana, the cancer's gone. The chip's not doing anything, and you should take it out."

"But if I take it out, the cancer will come back."

"No, it won't. I heard some of the doctors talking about you. Your cancer is gone, and all the chip will do is make it easier for them to track you, or to call you like they did that other time, on the bridge. Get your friends to take it out. You can trust me."

"Okay, Gibson. Once I go back to D.C., I'll get it removed." I held him in my arms and he relaxed into sleep. Charlie's doing all he can to find your parents, Gibson, I thought as I kissed his temple.

***

Charlie and Jethro brought Gibson's parents to the safe house early on the fourth morning. Jethro had arranged a series of moves that he guaranteed would throw anyone off their trail, and the Praises were happy to be together again. Gibson said it would be safe for them with the Hosteen's, so that was where they were going. I was happy for them, but sad to see Gibson go. I'd grown close to him. As I hugged him goodbye, he leant into me, and whispered,

"Agent Mulder was thinking about you that day, Dana. I know you miss him. Call him. He's ready to talk with you now." With one final hug and a wave, he and his parents were gone, off to their new life.

Maybe it was time for me to start getting a life too.

***

That night, I was back in my apartment. I had decided that regardless of how Mulder felt, I was going to stay at the Bureau. If he didn't want me to be his partner, then I'd request a field assignment. I wouldn't stay in D.C. if he was back in a relationship with Fowley.

I turned my cell phone back on, as well as my answering machine. I sat down to listen to the collection of voicemails that had accumulated over the past ten days or so. I hadn't listened to too many of them when there was, once again, a pounding on my door.

"What is now, Chuckles?" I asked as I swung open the door to reveal a sheepish-looking Fox Mulder.

"I guess you thought I was your brother, huh Scully. Are you expecting him?"

"No, I'm not really expecting anyone. I only just got home. Please, come in," as he came into my apartment. "Why are you here, Mulder?"

"I wanted to talk with you tonight, so that you wouldn't find out when you came in tomorrow."

This was worse than I thought. Mulder had obviously come to some conclusions of his own while I'd been out of contact. "Okay, then. Tell me the bad news." That's me; get the bad stuff out of the way as quickly as possible.

Mulder looked surprised at my bluntness. "No, Scully, it's not bad news at all."

This is it, I thought, he's back on the X-Files with Fowley. "Well, spit it out Mulder. Then I can start packing my bags before I transfer to a field office away from you and Fowley."

"Me and Diana? Hell, no!" and he started to laugh. At least, he laughed until he opened his eyes and really looked at me. "No, Scully. I'm not back with Diana. I confronted her with some information that your brother gave me, she disappeared three days later."

My expression must have confused him, because I was having a hard time believing what I was hearing. Mulder actually listening to someone else when it came to Fowley? When I looked at Mulder, I realised that I'd actually said that out loud.

"Yes, I actually listened to Charlie, and checked the information he gave me. I owe you a huge apology, Scully. I should have checked the file Diana gave me about you, and I really should have given you a chance to explain. My only excuse is that I was angry with you about that OPR hearing. I am sorry, and I want to make it up to you."

"I know that I hurt you at that OPR hearing, but I also told you that I believed in you. It seemed to me that you brushed me off when I said that. Then, when you confronted me with those pictures, as well as the things you said. .well, I needed to not be around you. I didn't want to say the things I was thinking, because that would have done more harm than good. I may not believe everything you say, but I have always believed in you."

"Well, Scully, I need you to believe me now," Mulder said seriously. When he saw I was paying attention, he continued, "Spender couldn't handle the X-Files, particularly after it came to light that he got the job because of his 'family connections'. OPR have given them back to me and my partner. Are you still interested in that position, Agent Scully?"

"Are you sure that you want me there, Mulder? I want to be there with you, but I need you to be sure that you want me there." I had to know that this was what he wanted.

Mulder smiled slowly at me, and said, "You are the only one I want as my partner, whether on the X-Files, or moving big piles of manure, or," he hesitated briefly, then went on, "in my life. What do you say, Scully? Ready to try again?" He smiled hopefully at me, and I was lost, again.

"Always, Mulder. Always."