Monday 5:30am

Mulder liked running early in the morning. It cleared his mind and he could deal with the coming day better. This morning was beginning to look like all other mornings, uneventful. As he was running past an alleyway, he caught a glimpse of something coming towards him. Before he could react a body hit him full force and knocked him to the ground. As Mulder tried to regain his feet, a knee came crashing into the small of his back, forcing the air from his lungs. A hand grabbed his arm and pinned it behind his back, while the other hand smashed his face into the pavement, stunning him. He next felt another pair of hands grabbing his hair and pulling his head up. The man looked into his face and grinned.

"That wasn't too hard," he said to his buddy. They forcefully pulled him up and pushed him into the alleyway, away from any eyes that just might be looking. They slammed him into the wall face first, knocking the wind out of him. Then they wheeled him around and held him against the wall.

"Shit!" Mulder thought to himself. "I have no money, if that's what you want."

"Shut-up," the smaller man said and ended it with a hard punch to the ribs. Mulder doubled over with pain and before he could even catch his breath, they jerked him up right.

"Speak only when you are spoken too, or you will receive more from were that came from, Mulder."

"How do you know my name," he asked.

His answer was several hard punches again to his ribs by both men. Mulder slowly sank to his knees. They let him slide the rest of the way down and Mulder curled up into a ball, holding his side. The tall one added a swift kick to his already sore ribs, which made Mulder cry out in pain.

"Hey, be careful you fool, the boss wants him in good shape."

"Oh! He'll be in good shape, just not great shape. He drew back his foot to kick again. Mulder jerked away, the blow never came.

"Stop toying with him and help me get him up on his feet."

Both men grabbed him and pulled him to his feet. "Now be a nice boy until the boss gets here, as the tall one patted his face, causing Mulder to jerk away from the touch.

There was a noise behind them and all three turned their heads.

Who Mulder saw made his heart stop. It was Shane Hart. He had put him away several years ago for life or he thought he had. He had killed eleven people before Mulder could catch him.

"Hart, when did you get out? I thought that you were in for good."

"Well Mulder, I decided to take a early parole. I had some unfinished business to take care of and I could not depend on other to carry it out for me," he answered with a grin on his face.

"What things might that be," Mulder asked hoping that he was not the unfinished business.

"You will find out soon enough Mulder," he replied back as he threw the short guy a pair of cuffs. "Here, put these on him and make sure you put his hands behind his back and not in the front like you did the last time on the other guy."

"Yes sir, it will not happen again," he shot back. He put the cuffs on one wrist and was about to grab his other, when Mulder took the only chance he thought he would ever get to escape. It took the two guys by surprise. He managed to knock one down and threw the other off balance. It gave him the time he needed. He just about made it to the entrance to the alleyway, when he felt a sharp blow to his shoulders. He went down hard.

Hart grabbed him by his hair and jerked his head back to look into his eyes. "Dumb move Mulder, but I would have been disappointed if you had not tried." Hart grabbed his hands and cuffed them behind his back, not being to gentle. The pain brought tears to Mulder's eyes.

"Al, get over here and help me with this sack of shit," he yelled.

"Yes boss," he answered back, not knowing how much trouble he was in for for letting Mulder get away so easily.

"Here, take him over to the van and don't let him go again or you will receive the same thing he is going to get, but worst."

Al grabbed Mulder by the elbow and pushed him toward the parked van. "Move it FBI man. I would not like to be in your shoes right now." He pushed Mulder again, this time a little harder, almost sending him to the ground once more. Mulder was able to retain his balance, but purely on sheer willpower. He was going to make it hard on his man. Al noticed Mulder's intention and the next push slammed him hard into the side of the van. Hitting his shoulder, causing him to slide to the ground. Without the use of his hands to catch himself, his head hit the running board and opened a gash just above his right eye; blood began to stream down his face and onto the pavement.

"Oh shit! Why did you go and do that for?" Al bends over and picked Mulder up and opened the van's side door and pushed Mulder inside. He got in afterward and attached Mulder to the frame of the van, he exited the van he said with a smile, "Don't go anywhere."

Mulder raised his arm and looked at Al and said, "Like I'm really going somewhere."

As Al steps out of the van he see Sal and Hart walking toward him. Hart looked toward the van and saw the blood on the side panel. "What happened?" Hart asked.

"When I pushed him toward the van, he fell and hit his head on the running board, but his okay, just a small cut over his eye. I have him cuffed and ready for you."

"Okay, you and Sal go and wait for the package we discussed about earlier and don't mess this up or there will be hell to pay for both of you. Met me at the house and don't damage the package," he said as he got into the driver's seat. He started the engine and drove off, taking one last look at the two dim-witted men he had working for him. He was going to have to get rid of those two, after they delivered the package to him.

Sal looked at Al and said, "I sure would hate to be in that man shoes. Did you see the look in his eyes when he saw Hart, pure fear? Well let's get going, it's hard to say how long we will have to wait for the package and we want to be there when it arrives."

Mulder was having a hard time keeping his balance. Hart looked around after hearing Mulder in the back. He smiled and said, "What the matter Mulder, having a hard time back there. This is the easy part. Wait until we reach our destination." Mulder never answered him. Hart turned back around and put his foot on the gas and picked up speed. An hour has passed when Mulder felt the van slow down and take a long turn. It felt like a graveled driveway. He guessed that they were finally at their destination. His arms had gone numb, so he was glad in one way for the stoppage, but he also knew that his trouble and pain was only just beginning. Hart put on the brakes just a little to hard, so the van slides to a stop causing Mulder to roll forward, unable to stop himself. Mulder grunted as he hit the back of the seat with his already sore shoulder.

"Sorry Mulder," Hart laughed out loud. "Well at least you are awake." Hart turned around and knelled down beside Mulder and unlocked his cuff. "I advise you not to try to escape, as you see there is nowhere to run anyway." He helped Mulder to his feet and pushed him out of the van towards the house. Mulder still dazed from the fall he had taken earlier, fell to his knees. With his hands still cuffed behind his back he was having a hard time regaining his feet. Hart, only a few steps behind him, came along beside him a kicked him hard in his ribs, causing him to flip onto his back.

"Get up Mulder, or do you want more of the same?"

Mulder looked up at him and said, "Go to hell, you son of a bitch. If you want me up, you are going to have to do it yourself."

Hart smiled down at Mulder and said, "Brave aren't we Mulder.

Hart grabbed him by his shirt collar and roughly pulled him to his feet. He pushed him toward the house. Mulder was getting a little worried about what was about to happen to him. He knew that Hart was a pure nut case. It had taken a month to catch him. He made all of his victims suffer unmercifully, before he would end there lives.

Hopefully Scully would find him before it went that far.

Monday 8:00am FBI Building

Scully entered the office hoping to find Mulder behind his desk. She had called him before she left her apartment, but all she got was his answering machine. Knowing that he had been running in the early mornings lately, she thought maybe he had not gotten back from his run or was taking a shower. She had wanted to discuss a few things about the last case with him before she turned in her report to Skinner. What she found was an empty office. It looked just the same as it did the night before. So that meant that Mulder had not been in earlier. She sat her briefcase down on the desk and reached for the phone. She dialed Mulder number, still no answer. She then dialed his cellar number, no answer.

She took the chance that maybe he had an earlier appointment with Skinner. She dialed his office, the secretary answered.

"Skinner's office, Can I help you?"

"Yes, this is Agent Scully, is there any chance that Agent Mulder had a meeting this morning?"

"No Agent Scully he did not have a meeting this morning. Mr. Skinner has been in meetings all morning but none with Agent Mulder."

"Okay, thanks," she answered back and hung up the phone. Well, I'll give him a couple hours and then phone again she thought to herself. Something just didn't feel right.

The farm house:

Hart and Mulder entered the house through the back door. Ahead was a door that looked like it led to a basement. Hart opened the door and pushed Mulder down the short flight of stairs. Hart followed. "Sorry Mulder, forgot to tell you about that first step." Mulder looked up at him with pained eyes. There was no way for him to even try to catch himself, before he hit the floor. He rolled a few feet before hitting the wall with his already injured shoulder. He was going to have to get a new one if this kept up. Hart walk over to him and dragged him toward the other wall were a metal ring was attached to the wall. Hart uncuffed one hand and placed the cuff through the ring. "This should hold you until I get back Mulder." Hart looked at Mulder and could see the pain the man was in and was enjoying ever bit of it. Blood was starting to stream down Mulder face again from the cut he had gotten earlier. The fall down the stairs had reopened the cut. Hart came over to Mulder and took his chin in his hand to look at the cut. Mulder jerked away and at the same time Mulder lashed out with legs trying to throw Hart off balance and maybe giving himself a chance to escape. Hart was ready for it. He got out of the way before he could make contact. Hart lashed out himself and caught Mulder full force in his ribs several time, before he regains control himself. Mulder unable to get out of the way, slammed into the wall with each kick. Mulder was finding it hard to breathe again.

"Mulder, why did you have to go and do that for? You know you bring out the worst in me." Hart looked down at Mulder, now cowering against the wall. "Well, Mulder I have a few errands to take care of before the real fun starts. I'll be back in a couple hours and then maybe my boys will have delivered the package. I think you will like what I have sent them after. I'm told she is a very beautiful woman. Time will tell." He grinned and turned away. He could feel the daggers from Mulder eyes in his back. He knew that would get a reaction from Mulder.

"If you hurt her, so help me if I survive, I will kill you."

"Mulder.Mulder...Mulder, I wouldn't think of hurting your partner. I just want to see the pain in her eyes while she watches me torture you." With that Hart turned back around and left the basement. Mulder heard both door shut and the van start. He was all alone. Why was Scully always brought into his messes?

Back at FBI Headquarters:

Scully was getting worried. She had tried calling his apartment and cellar phone several times more, but still no answer. She had also call several of the hospital that he frequent in the past, just in case he might have gotten into a accident coming to work. He was at none of them. I'm going to his apartment and check to see if maybe he had hurt himself at home and could not reach a phone, she thought to herself. She left after leaving a message with Skinner's office, of what was going on.

Scully reached Mulder's apartment, finding that the door was locked. She knocked twice and received no answer. She took her keys out and opened the door, her gun out and ready. Seeing that nothing was amiss, she felt a little better. She slowly walked into the room where he slept. It was still a mess, but it was an organize mess. She checked the fish; they all came to the top. Guessing that he had not fed them this morning. She sprinkled a little food on top on the water, watching them hungrily gulping the food. Something still did not feel right. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. She heard the click, she whirled around but it was too late. She only got a glimpse of the gun before it connected with the side of her head. She went down and all went blank.

"Well, that was easier than we first thought, huh Sal. The boss will be happy to see her and it didn't take as long as we thought it would take." Sal stooped over and picked Scully up and slung her over his shoulder with ease. Let's get out of here, just in case someone might have heard all the commotion." They left making sure all was as it was when they got there, they also made sure that the door was locked. They hurriedly went to the car and dumped Scully into the backseat and drove away.

At the farm house:

Mulder stirred trying to find a more comfortable position. His arm, the one attached to the wall, had long gone to sleep, He decided to stand to let some blood into that part of his body. He slowly regained his feet and shook his arm to get some feeling back into it. He hated the feeling; it was like a thousand pins and needle sticking his arm. He wonder had long he had slept. There was no way of knowing, there were no windows down where he was. He could feel the dried blood on his face. At least the cut over his eye had stop bleeding. But he still had a terrific headache. Concussion for sure he thought. The handcuffs did not give him to much room to move around, but it did allow him to stand. Standing was beginning to take it toll also with the rest of his body, so he slowly lowered himself to the floor again. His ribs were really bothering him now. As he was lowering his head he heard a sound from above. At first he thought it might have been Hart coming back, but there were more than one set of footsteps. He had to be the other two. He heard the door open and feet coming down the steps. The two guys came around to where Mulder was sitting and turn on the light. The bright light made Mulder shut his eyes for a few second, but when he reopen them he saw Scully laying up against the wall. The first thing he noticed was the purple bruise near her temple area.

"What did you do to her, you bastards?" Mulder screamed out.

"Settle down Mulder, don't get your shorts all in a knot. I heard that can be kinda painful, Sal chuckling at his own joke. She's not hurt that badly. We had to knock her out so she wouldn't give us any trouble like you did."

Scully began to stir a little and it caught everyone attention. Mulder looked at her said, "Are you okay Scully? Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Scully slowly raised her head, which was smarting quite a bit, when she heard Mulder voice. "Mulder, what's going on? Were are we?"

"I'm not sure, but I think we are in the countryside. It felt like I traveled for a several hours, but I'm not sure in what direction. But with my head being knocked around so much today, I'm not sure of that either," he said with a slight grin, which made his face hurt.

Scully looking toward Mulder for the first time, had not noticed that he was cuffed to the wall. The whole right side of his was badly bruised and bloody and his clothes looked liked they had gone several rounds on their own. "Are you alright Mulder?" she asked with concern.

"Beside having a major headache and sore ribs, I'm fine. I would have felt better if they had not brought you here though."

"Well Mulder, I had no choice in the matter. I had went to your apartment to check up on you and all of a sudden I was in dream land."

"Okay you two, let's have some quite time now, or I'll put both of you in dreamland, Sal said. Al, go get a chair from upstairs, so we can tie this pretty lady up. No need for her to sit on this cold damp floor. Al left and went upstairs to retrieve a chair and while he was up in the kitchen, Hart returned.

"Were are going with that chair?'' Hart asked with a snarl.

Al, taken by surprise dropped the chair on his foot. "Shit, he screamed out loud. Don't do that Mr. Hart, you almost gave me a heart attack by sneaking in like that."

"I'm only going to ask one more time, where are you going with that chair?"

"Sal and I thinking maybe the little lady would be more comfortable sitting tied to a chair better than sitting on the hard, cold floor."

"Well, that's why I don't pay you to think. Put the chair back and follow me back downstairs. We need to get our friend Mulder ready for his first lesson on pain."

"Yes sir, boss." Al slid the chair over against the wall and followed his boss back down to the basement.

Mulder heard the footsteps first and slowly inched his way back against the wall. He knew his time was finally here. He looked up as Hart and Al slowly made their way toward him. As they got closer to Scully, Hart stopped and reached down and grabbed Scully's chin roughly and looked her in the eyes. "How did it feel to be working with a dip-shit like Mulder. After tonight you will be needing a new partner, cause this one, pointing his finger at Mulder, will not be much use to you after we are through with him," he smiled as he patted the side of Scully's face.

Scully jerked away from his touch. She stole a glance at Mulder; she could see the hatred in his eyes. She could tell that he was thinking of trying something. She shook her head slightly. Mulder looked at her and said with his eyes. I have to try something. She lowered her head onto her chest. Hart slowly got within reach of Mulder. Mulder was coiled and ready, he kicked out at Hart, but missed. Hart's didn't. His foot caught Mulder under the chin and slammed him against the wall. Mulder slowly turned around, taking his free hand and wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Bad idea Mulder, Hart said as he reached down and pulled Mulder to a standing position. What were you trying to do impress your partner over there? All you did was make a fool of yourself."

"Go to hell," Mulder managed to get out.

Hart brought up his knee into Mulder's midsection causing him to bend over and cry out in pain. "You need to watch your language

when there is a woman present Mulder. Didn't they teach you manners in the FBI."

"I missed that part of my training Hart," Mulder answered.

Hart lend over and dragged Mulder to his feet. "Sal, come over here and unlock Mulder's cuffs, while I keep a eye on him." Sal slowly walked over to Mulder, making sure that he kept his eyes peeled on him. He didn't want to take the chance of him lashing out at him. He quickly undid the cuff from the wall and stepped back. Hart pulled Mulder over to the opposite wall, were there was a rope hanging from the ceiling. He took the rope and tied one end around Mulder's already damaged wrists. He then took the other end and pulled Mulder arm over his head, raising his body a few inches off the floor. His full weight now pulling on his sore shoulders. There was cuffs attached to the floor. He attached these to each leg, spreading his legs a little. Hart didn't want Mulder moving around too much.

"Well, Mulder are we comfortable," patting his face. Mulder jerked his head away. Mulder knew it would do no good to struggle.

"Sal, bring me my duffel bag from upstairs. It's time to have a little fun with Agent Mulder." Hart reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife. Pulling the blade out and taking hold of Mulder sweatshirt, he slowly drew the blade down, slicing the fabric. Mulder could feel the tip of the knife along his back. He could also feel the wetness as the knife left a trail of blood running down his back. Mulder tried to move away from the point, but he didn't have the strength.

"Sorry Mulder, I guess I got a little too close there. Oh! well. It's only the beginning. Sal, hurry up with that bag, or do I have too come up there and get it myself."

"Right here boss. Had a hard time finding it." Sal dropped it beside Hart. The bag must have been heavy. Sal came back huffing and puffing. What you got in the bag, boss?"

"Tools of my trade. Bring the lady closer so she will have a front row seat," Hart said with a grin.

Sal went over to Scully and with Al's help they carried her and the chair that Sal had brought back with him when he had went upstairs to get Hart's bag over to were Mulder and Hart was. Scully finally saw what Hart had done to Mulder already. She saw the blood running down his back. She also saw the bruises from the kicks and punches he had received earlier.

"Oh, my God. Why are you doing this? What has he ever done to you? Scully said with terror in her eyes.

"He took away 7 years of my life. I got out because of a technicality. Now he's going to pay dearly for them 7 years". To get his point across, he hammered his fist into Mulder's back, causing Mulder to jerk forward and yelp in surprise and pain.

"Just checking to see if you were still with us Mulder."

Mulder slowly stopped swaying from the punch. He knew that Scully was close by, he could hear her gasp with horror. He wished that she were not here to see this. Mulder finally found his voice and said, "Hart, please let my partner go. She has done nothing to you. You have me."

"Sorry Mulder, I can't do that. I know that with her here, it will hurt you more than what I could do to you physically. She stays."

He reached down into his bag and pulled out a whip. It was at least 7 foot long. He uncoiled it and did a couple of snaps with it. All the while watching Mulder's reaction. Each time, Mulder's body would flinch.

"Guess I have your full attention Mulder?" Hart laughed. Hart drew the whip back and let it fall onto Mulder's shoulder very lightly. Mulder flinched. He drew back again, this time letting it come down a little harder. Not so hard that it was painful, but enough to get a reaction from Mulder. Mulder tried not to move, but his body kept reacting on its own. The next blow was across his bare back, leaving a red mark. The next several blows were harder, not only leaving red marks, but cutting the flesh as well. Blood began dripping down his back. The sight of the blood made Hart go crazy. The whip came down again and again, getting harder with each blow. Mulder never made a sound. Blood was flowing steadily down his back and dripping onto the floor, leaving a puddle between Mulder's feet. Hart could hear Scully behind him screaming for him to stop.

"Scream Mulder and I will stop."

Mulder was having a hard enough time just breathing. With his arms over his head he was finding it hard enough just to get air into his lungs. He couldn't even scream if he wanted to. The only thing Mulder could do was groan and pray that he would pass out.

"Is that the best you can do Mulder? I guess it will have to do for now then." Hart took the end of the whip and rammed into Mulder back, causing Mulder to jerk forward. "Hey, Mulder, how about me doing the same to your partner? How would you like that?"

Mulder tried to turn his face toward Hart, but was unable to. "Please Hart, don't hurt her," Mulder pleaded.

"Maybe not yet Mulder, but maybe soon." Hart grew tried of talking and decided to rest for awhile. He released the rope from the ceiling and Mulder fell to the floor. He hit hard, not being able to catch himself. Hart lend over and undid one of the cuffs from his legs. He went up to Mulder's ear and whispered, " I'm going to leave your partner untie, tell her not to try anything. If she tried to escape, you are the one who is going to pay. I'll be back when you least expect. Of course I don't think you are in the best condition to try an escape yourself." Mulder turned his head and watched Hart untie Scully, she ran to Mulder and knells down beside him and asked, "Mulder I know this is a dumb question, but are you alright."

"I'm fine Scully as long as you are okay."

"I'm okay Mulder, but I think you're going to need to see a doctor."

"You think so, Scully. Right now you are the only doctor I'll be seeing anytime soon.""

Scully reached over to Mulder and gently rolled him over to get a better look at his back. The cuts had stopped bleeding. But if Hart came back anytime soon, he would surely reopen them again. She also checked his ribs, but felt sure that none were broken, only bruised. If she did not think of something before Hart returned, she didn't know how long Mulder could survive.

"Mulder, we need to get out of here, and soon."

"I can't Scully. but you try, leave me behind."

"You know I can't do that Mulder, Hart would kill you for sure."

"Well Scully, he going to kill me anyway, whether you are here or not. I would feel better if you were not here and if you could escape you could bring help. I would only slow you down."

Scully stood up and walked over toward the stairs and listened too see if she could hear anyone upstairs. Maybe they had all left. She went up the steps and when she reached the door she listened again, still no sounds. She tried the knob, to her surprise the door opened up. She peeped around the door and saw no one. She slowly made her way to the back door, looked and saw no one. She made her way outside and looked around, still no one around. They were in luck. She hurriedly went back in and went down into the basement to Mulder.

"Mulder, it looks like everyone is gone."

"Then go Scully, before they return. I will wait right here for you"; he answered with a forced grin.

"Mulder, what I'm I going to do with you. This is no time to be joking around. I'll be back as soon as I can with the cavalry, so please be careful."

"Good luck Scully, see you when you get back."

Scully hurried out, but before she did she took one last look at Mulder and hoped it would not be her last look of him alive.

She hurried out of the house wanting to put as much distance between her and the house as she possibly could. She only hoped that she cold get back in time, so that he would not have to suffer to much more by the hands of that madman. Mulder would not be able to take much more abuse.

She got to the road and looked both ways. There was nothing in site in either direction. She decided to go to the right and hoped for the best. She started out in a slow jog. She needed to keep her ears peeled for any sound of a car coming in her direction. She soon had to slow her pace to a walk; her legs were beginning to cramp. What seem like a couple hours, she finally came upon a roadside phone. She only hoped that it was working order. She picked the receiver up and heard a beautiful sound... a dial tone. She hit the zero and the operator came on.

"Yes, may I help you?

"Yes, I'm a federal agent, my ID number is 2317-616. My partner is hurt and we are in need of assistance.

"What is you name and what is your location?"

My name is Dana Scully. I'm not sure of my location, but I can give you the number on this phone. It's area code 804-555-7112. Is there any way you could get me in touch with the FBI in D.C?

"Just one moment and I will connect you," she replied back.

"Thank you," Scully whispered. A few minutes went by, when finally a voice came over the phone.

"F.B.I., may I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Special Agent Dana Scully, I would like to talk to Assistant Director Skinner."

"One moment please."

"A.D. Skinner's office, can I help you?''

"Yes, this is Agent Scully, I need to talk with Mr. Skinner, it's a emergency."

"Just one moment please."

"Skinner. What the problem Scully?"

"Mulder is in trouble, sir. We need help right away. I managed to escape, but Mulder is still there. If we don't get there soon, we might not find him alive."

"What kind of condition was he in when you left Scully?"

"Not good sir. He was shackled to the floor and has taken quit a beating."

"Are you okay Scully?"

"Yes sir, they just wanted me there to watch. I don't know what else they would have done, if I had stayed."

"Okay, we have pin-pointed your location. We will send someone right away."

"Thank you sir."

"Stay were you are. Someone should be there in about an hour."

"Yes sir, but please hurry."

Scully hung up the phone and went into the woods to hide. Hoping that Mulder would be all right.

Back at the farmhouse:

Mulder looked at Scully as she went up the steps, hoping that this would not be the last time that he saw her. He heard the door shut. He hope that she could get far enough away, cause he did not want to know what would have happen to her if she had stayed. Mulder laid down trying to find a conformable position, he found none. He finally fell into a troubled slumber. His back was toward the stairs. He never knew that they had return, until he felt the kick to his back. Taken by surprise he cried out in pain. The force of the kick slammed him into the wall. It was followed by several more kicks to his legs and back.

"Wake up Agent Mulder," Hart said with another kick.

Mulder slowly sat up with difficulty, scooting toward the wall. He could feel the blood dripping down his back again.

Hart knelled down and grabbed Mulder by his hair and pulled his head back and said, "Where is your partner Mulder. I thought I told you to tell her not to leave."

"I did, but my partner has a mine of her own. She never has listens to me," Mulder said with a smirk on his face.

Hart went to stand up, but before he did he backhanded Mulder across the face and said, "Joke now Mulder while you can." Hart had to give Mulder several more kicks to his ribs, before he left. Mulder fell over grabbing his ribs. "Sal, Al., cuff Mulder to the wall" as he left to go upstairs.

"Yes sir, boss." They both reached for him and tried to pull him up. Mulder screamed out in pain. They had forgotten to undo the leg cuff.

"You idiot," Sal said.

"I thought that you undid it," Al answered back.

"Get the key Al and undo his leg so we can get him up before Hart comes back, if we don't he will have our hides to.

Al unlocked his leg and then both men slammed him against the wall. Sal held onto Mulder so Al could put the cuff on each wrist. If it had not been for Sal holding him up Mulder would have sank to the floor. Sal released him and Mulder legs would not hold him up. He slowly sank as far as his arms would allow, putting pressure on his sore shoulders and ribs. He tried to stand up, only to have his legs buckle under him. He tried one more time and he finally got up far enough to lean against the wall. The coolness of the wall felt great on his back, but did nothing for the cuts, which had begun to bleed again. He could feel the blood running down his back again. He also had blood running down his arms from where the cuffs had cut his wrists. Hart came down the stairs once more. Both men looked around and Mulder looked up.

"Hey Mulder, how's the body holding up?"

"It's holding," Mulder replied.

"Not for long. I hope you don't think that pretty partner of yours will be back in time to save your sorry ass. Letting her leave was the biggest mistake you could have made."

"Well I guess you should had tied her up before you left. You were the one to make the mistake." Mulder knew that was not the best thing to say. He could see the anger in Hart's eyes and saw him clinch his hand into a fist. Before Mulder could react, Harts fist had slammed into Mulder's face. He hit him again and again, his head jerking from side to side, opening new cuts. Hart continued the beating by moving to the body. It was sheer willpower holding Mulder up; he refused to go down. Hart finally stopped and stormed upstairs.

Sal and Al were beginning to feel sorry the agent. They knew that Hart had a hatred for him, but they didn't think he would have gone this far. Sal went over to Mulder and undid the cuffs, which allowed Mulder to fall with a thud to the floor. He had not meant for the man to fall so hard.

"Sal what are you doing? If Hart should come down here and see him undone. We might be his next punching bag."

"Where is the man going to go, he can't even stand up on his own. Not after the beating he just received."

Mulder lay where he fell. Unable to move. Every bone in his body hurt, even ones he didn't even know existed. Mulder thought to himself, Scully if you can hear me please hurry. Then he lost consciousness.

Hart came back down the stair and seeing Mulder lying on the floor, screamed for Sal.

"Here boss," he whispered with fear in his voice.

"What is the meaning of this? I didn't tell you to release him."

"I felt sorry for him, besides he's not going anywhere."

"Are you going to feel sorry for him, after I'm though with you?" as he backhanded him. Sal back away with his head hanging.

"Go find his partner, since I can trust you to do anything right around here. If you don't find her, it's your best bet not to show your face back here. Plus you better hope she has not found a phone and called for help. I'm not going back to prison. Now go, before I change my mind and kill both of you now."

Both men ran upstairs and left the house. They planned on never coming back. Hart could be on his own.

Hart had refreshed himself with a short nap and he needed to get rid of some of his extra energy. The only thing around to do that was Mulder.

In the woods:

Scully waited for what seems like hours; she was getting worried about Mulder. She was about to leave her cover and return back to the house on her own, when she heard and saw a car coming her way. The car pulled over to the phone and none other than Skinner exited the car first. He looked around and called out Scully's name. Scully quickly came out of the woods and ran toward her boss.

"I was worried that you might be able to find this place."

"We almost didn't. We made a few wrong turns. I'm sorry for the delay. How far away is this house were they are keeping Mulder?'

"I walk for about two hours, so it shouldn't be that long by car. Maybe 10 or 15 miles maybe."

"Okay, let's everybody get back into the cars and find Agent Mulder. Scully you ride with me."

Everyone got into there vehicles and drove off. They reached their destination in a short time. They stopped their car several yard from the driveway. When they got there a car was pulling out of the driveway at breakneck speed. Scully recognized the two men in the car as the two men who had abducted her. Skinner ordered two cars to stop them. It didn't take long to catch them. The agents brought the two men over to Skinner's car.

Skinner began questioning Sal first, "What the hurry fellow?"

Sal answered, "He's crazy man, If you don't do something quick your friend is going to be a dead man. He was alive when we left, but Hart was in a real foul mood. I've never seen him look like that before. We would had rather take our changes out here than risk staying".

Skinner told the agent standing next to him to call for a helicopter. "Tell them to keep their distance until we notify them. We don't want to forewarn our friend in there. Put these two in a car

Skinner looked over at Scully. She was pacing the road like a caged animal. "Sir we need to get in there now."

"I know Scully. Okay listen up everyone, we are going to storm the house. Since Scully has been in the house and know the layout, she will head the assault. You ready agent Scully?"

"Yes sir, all I need is a gun." Skinner reached into the car and handed her a sig.

"Okay folks, it's show time."

They all ran across the road and maneuver around the house. Scully and Skinner quickly ran to the back door and slowly opened it. When Scully entered the house, she heard a shot and then a scream from the basement. She ran to the basement door, with Skinner right behind her. She yanked the door open and quickly descended the step to see Hart standing over Mulder's body.

"Freeze, FBI, put your hand up now, Scully screamed.

Hart turned his head and raise his gun to shoot, but he never got a shot off. Two bullets from two guns found their targets. One to the head, the other to the heart. Scully ran over to Mulder and knell down to check for a pulse, she found one, but it was weak. The shot they heard also had found a home, in Mulder leg. Skinner contacted the helicopter.

Skinner told Scully that the helicopter was five minutes away. There was so much blood. Hart had been busy after she left. Maybe if she had not left, it would not have been as bad.

Earlier:

Hart turn toward Mulder after the two men left. He hadn't moved. Hart walked over to him and took his foot and nudged him. Mulder just lay there. Hart drew his foot back and slammed it into Mulder's gut. Mulder moaned and curled up into a ball. The foot made contact again and again, never giving Mulder a chance to protect his body. Hart stopped kicking, then grabbed Mulder by what was left of his shirt and pulled him to a standing position and said, "It seems like everyone that could or would help you keeping leaving you Mulder. But don't worry I'm not leaving."

Hart drew his fist back and rammed his fist into Mulder's gut again and again and then this face. Blood went flying onto the wall. Hart then tossed him against the same wall like a rag doll and Mulder fell to the floor. Mulder pleaded, "No more."

"What did you say Mulder? Could you repeat that?"

"Please, no more," Mulder whispered.

"What! Did you say you wanted to die? Soon Mulder soon." Hart went over to his bag and pulled a gun out. He went back over to where Mulder was and aimed the gun at his head. "Got any last words Mulder", Hart asked.

"Yea, fuck you"

"Maybe at a different time Mulder, but your time just ran out." Hart aimed his gun at Mulder's head, but before he could pull the trigger, Mulder managed to get his leg up and hit Hart's gun hand. The gun went off, Mulder felt a burning pain as the bullet ripped though his leg. Mulder lost consciousness and never heard Scully come barreling down to the basement. Hart heard and wheeled around bring his gun up to fire, but he never got a shot off. He was dead before he hit the ground.

"Mulder, can you hear me, its Scully, she asked as she checked him over. Mulder groaned and slowly open his eyes as far as the swelling would allow. His sight was fuzzy, but he still could see the face of an angel.

"Scully," he managed before he passed out again.

The EMT was right there and started working on Mulder, getting him stable enough to fly out. In a matter of a half-hour they had him packed onto the helicopter and headed for the nearest hospital. Scully had told Skinner that she would ride with Mulder. She was not going to let him out of her sight for a long time to come.

THE END