Thu May 01 1997


From: "Caroline O'Connell" <caroline@intex.ie>
Subject: NEW: Control. Alt. Delete. Part 1

Hi. This is my first attempt at a non-crossover non short story fanfic.

The feedback from my last attempt was very encouraging... thanks to all
who did get in touch.

On to the official bit.

Disclaimer: I don't own em. I love em and I love the guy who created
them! I have nothing because I spend all my money on X-Files stuff, so
It's not worth suing me.

Title: CONTROL. ALT. DELETE.
Classification: Angst/comedy/drama/sex (but not graphic)
Setting: Season 4. Post Momento Mori, pre Max.
Rating: PG14. Some strong language.
Please archive, but it's mine, so make sure my name is up there in
bright bold letters!!

Summary: Computer dating can be bad for your health!

****************************************************************

Control. Alt. Delete. by Caroline O'Connell

Fox Mulder stared blankly at the computer staring blankly back. It was
not working....period!!

"Stupid Thing!" he muttered and hit the terminal.

"That'll fix it!!" Scully said sarcastically. "When modern technology
fails, hit it a thump!!"

"Any suggestions?" he asked throwing her a look.

"I'm just a Doctor!" she said, melodramatically. " Not a computer
expert!" She got up to leave.

"Where are you going?" he sounded panicked.

"I'm going ot do something useful!" she said "I'm going for coffee."

"Don't leave me!" Mulder said.

The cursor flashed white on a black screen. Any attempts he made to log
on didn't work. He switched it on and off repeatedly.... re-booted
it... pleaded with it's sense of fair play... nothing worked. The small
white cursor blinked repeatedly at him, taunting him. He hit it again.

"Stupid thing!"

He was about to get really nasty with it and sulk when the phone rang.
"Hello, Mulder"

"Hi, this is Grace in networks. I believe your computer's not working"

"That's right....how did you know?" Mulder asked.

"There's a built in sensor on each unit. When some stupid agent hits
it, alarms go off up here... and Networks has just gone ballistic!" She
said

Mulder was speechless. He stared blankly at the screen not knowing what
to think. Then the voice down the other end started laughing. "Your
partner reported it!"

"Oh"

"Had ya going, though, didn't I?!" Grace said "Well, panic no more, help
is on it's way! First, the basics. It is switched on, all the plugs
are in and your copy of Doom II is out of the disk drive because this is
the FBI and we don't play games!"

Mulder was doing his best not to laugh down the phone at her. "I just
have a flashing cursor."

"Dirty little beggar!! Well I'll be down to sort you both out in a
moment... You're lurking down in the basement, aren't you?" Before he
had a chance to reply, she had hung up. Mulder was left looking at the
reciever as Scully returned with the coffee.

"That wasn't you was it?" He asked as he returned the reciever to it's
cradle.

"That wasn't me what?" Scully asked. Mulder waited for some kind of
reaction from her to give the game away, but she looked as confused as
he did.

"There's a strange woman coming down from networks to fix the
computer." Mulder said, staring once again at the cursor. He knew
Grace had to be joking about the terminal... But then again, you can
never tell these days.

"I'll have to find a computer somewhere else, then, because if I don't
have these reports to Skinner before lunch, I won't have a job!!
Seeya!" She picked up a bundle of papers and left.

"Seeya later." He said waving her out.

Moment's later there was a knock at the door. "It's Grace from
Networks." She said. Mulder recognised the voice. Before he could get
to the door she had let herself in. "Hi, Grace Kennedy." She held out
her hand and he shook it.

"Fox Mulder" He said, looking at her. She was about 5'9", slim, but
with a well defined figure accentuated by the moss green trouser suit
she wore, but what most captured Mulder's attention was her hair. It
was red, not as red as Scully's and piled in a tousled heap on her head.
Ringletted strands cascaded around her face. She wore more make-up than
most women in the Bureau wore. Soft colours highlighted her brown eyes
and a spicy terracotta red made her lips the focus of a beautiful face.

"What the hell did you do?"

Mulder was snapped out of his Raphaelite fantasy by Grace's exasperated
tones.

"Nothing." he said innocently. "It was working fine yesterday."

"Not a connection... not a virus... " she muttered to herself giving the
terminal a once over "So, you crashed it!"

"Nope, not me!" Mulder replied, protesting his innocence.

"Hmmmmm... Must've been the little green men, then!" she muttered
again.

"I beg your pardon?" He didn't like the tone of the remark.

"Well if it wasn't you, it was the little green men, or the tooth fairy,
or maybe the men in black!" She said trying to laugh it off. "I'm
sorry, but you wouldn't believe the excuses I get. When stuff crashed
in december, everyone from Santa Claus to Rudolph to Frosty the Snowman
got blamed... nobody likes to admit they're computer illiterate!! I'm
sorry, I saw your poster" She pointed to Mulder's I want to Believe
poster and I assumed you were some kind of Trekkie or Star Wars buff or
something. "

"Well, it's part of my work." he said, apologetically. "I'm sorry. I
thought your were... you know.."

"Taking the piss?" she asked. Mulder smiled. It was a phrase he hadn't
heard since college.

"Have you ever lived in England?" he asked

"My dad's Irish. He posesses a wonderful flair for the vernacular!! I
suppose some of it rubbed off!!" She smiled. "Ah, I've got
something!!" Her face lit up as she began to work furiously at the
keyboard.

"Is it fixed?"

"Not even close!" she sighed. "I'm going to be hours! You don't have
to hang around."

"Well....I..." Mulder started shuffling the papers on his desk.

"Afraid I'll find your Christmas card list... or the novel your working
on?" She was enjoying taunting him.
"Don't worry, paranoid boy, your secrets are safe with me!!"

"It's just that my work isn't exactly run of the mill."

"So it is Spooky!!" She smiled, looking up at him.

"How many Spookys do you know?" he asked, smiling back at her.

"I was warned you'd try to probe me to see if I was an alien!" She was
flirting with him! And he was loving every minute of it!

"Excuse me!" he exclaimed. "The Geek Squad is having a go at me?"

"Touche!" She said and resumed working at the computer. He watched her
work. Occasionally whe would flick a strand of hair from her face, but
most of the time she just typed. Mulder could smell her perfume. It
was fresh and spicy with lemony undertones. He thought about getting
closer to her. Maybe asking her out.... (Don't be stupid.. you know her
10 minutes!!... Get a grip!)

Absentmindedly, Grace reached for Mulder's coffee mug. Before he could
stop her, she took a gulp out of it. Her face contorted as she
swallowed. "What the hell is this?"

"Coffee?" he asked.

"No, that is the coffee like substance from hell!!" She said trying to
get the taste from her mouth. "It's awful!" She handed him back the
mug.

"That's government coffee for you!" he shrugged. She smiled at him.
It wasn't a joined lipped smirk like Scully's, this was a full blown
grin, and she was beautiful. Her whole face lit up. Mulder found
himself staring at her again as she worked. He also noticed it was the
second time he had compared her to Scully! Why was he doing that? he
never felt the need to compare Scully to any woman. She was his
friend. He never had any kind of...sexual feelings for her... well...
he had, on their first case, but never acted on them... particularly
when she came into his room wearing that cream satin bra and panties
ensemble...(ah the joys of a photographic memory!) but then she thought
she'd been abducted by aliens... not exactly the best of romantic
situations!!

"Would you like to go for coffee sometime?" Grace asked, snapping him
out of yet another daydream! He was taken aback for a moment, then he
though what the hell!

"Okay. Tonight?" he answered.

"Great, I'll meet you out front at 6.00. I know a place that serves the
best coffee in the city!" She said smiling that smile again. She got up
from the computer.

"Is it fixed?" He asked, hoping it wasn't.

"No, not yet. I have to get some stuff from networks to do lots of
technical stuff you wouldn't understand!"

"Well, if I'm not here, feel free to work away and drink all the crap
coffee and read my Christmas list, and I'll see you at 6." Mulder said
as she left the office. He sat at his terminal feeling very smug.

Just before lunch, Scully came in. "Were networks here?"

"Oh yeah!" Mulder replied sounding very self satisfied.

"I missed something, didn't I?" She said looking at him grinning like a
cheshire cat! He looked far to pleased with himself, and not in a case
solved, 'I was right, you were wrong' kind of way!

"Oh yeah!" he repeated

"Ok, spill it!" She sat down. "What's her name and what are her
prospects?" she was joking hoping to get some information from him. He
went red . "Mulder, I do believe you're blushing!... You hit on the
computer person!!!"

"For your information, Scully, she hit on me!!" he retorted, clearly
delighted with himself. "Her name's Grace Kennedy."

"And..." Scully asked looking for more information. Mulder could hardly
tell her that Grace was a redhead with the most luscious lips he had
ever seen and he couldn't wait to get close to them, or to run his
fingers through her curly red hair.... "Well?"

"And we're going for coffee tonight"

"And?" she repeated, not satisfied with the answers he was giving.

"And I promise, Mom, to have her home early, cos it's a school night!"
He said. "Honest! That's it!"

"Hmmm!" Scully said. She picked up her jacket. "Well, I'm off to
lunch, bye!"

"Seeya!" Mulder said, still feeling very pleased with himself and
eagerly anticipating 6.00pm

****************************************************************

End of part one.

caroline@intex.ie


From: "Caroline O'Connell" <caroline@intex.ie>
Subject: Control. Alt. Delete (2/5)

Disclaimers: See part 1

Control. Alt. Delete. by Caroline O'Connell.

Chapter 2.

Fox Mulder spent the rest of the afternoon feeling very pleased with
himself. This would be the first date he'd been on since.... since
forever! He was looking forward to female company other than
Scully's... Not that there was anything wrong with Scully's company.
Most of the time she was great to be around... He was doing it again!
Comparing her, justifying his relationship with her. Why? Maybe it was
the red hair. They were both intelligent pretty redheads with a certain
something about them. Maybe he was just over analysing!

"I need to get out more!" he sighed to nobody in particular.

Mulder met Grace at reception at 6.00 on the dot. She looked at her
watch. "Punctual... I like that!"

"So, where are we going?" He asked as they left the building.

"It's not far from here, we can walk, it's lovely out today." Grace
said putting on her sunglasses. "Now isn't this much better than the
basement!" She said as they strolled in the warm, early summer day.

"And networks is awash with windows... and I don't mean Microsoft!!"
Mulder said as she laughed.

"Well, I get sent all over the place trying to sort out the mess that
people leave behind when they crash the system, much like you did!" She
poked him in the arm "so I'm well travelled!"

"You're not what I expected for..."

"A computer nerd?" She interuppted. "It's a great job!! I get to hack
into lots of things!!

"Sounds like fun"

"You have no idea the damage I could do!" She looked at him over the
top of her sunglasses.

"Funnily enough, I believe you!" Mulder laughed.

They walked on for a few minutes more until the smell of freshly roasted
coffee wafted invitingly onto the street. They entered a small,
intimately lit cafe and ordered. Just as they were starting to get
into a good conversation, the band that had been setting up started
their sound check. Grace and Mulder struggled to hear each other over
the noise. They drank down their coffee and left.

"Your were right about the coffee!" Mulder said

"Shame about the music, though." Grace sighed "Maybe we can do this
again." She looked at her watch. It was still early.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" Mulder asked hesitantly. "Now?"

"I'd love to." she smile at him and he found himself smiling back. He
hadn't felt like this for a long time. It surprised him how easily it
had happened. He really liked her.... liked her a lot.

They started walking around again looking for a restaurant and settled
quickly on an Italian meal.

They could finally have the conversation that had been interrupted by
the band in the coffee house.

"So tell me Fox..." Grace started, as she sipped on a glass of wine.
He scrunched his face up. "What?"

"Only my mother calls me Fox." he said. "Everyone else calls me
Mulder."

"Kinda like Madonna, or Sting!"

"Yes, but with out the talent or the bank balance!"

"Ah the burden of a name!" Grace sighed " I know the feeling all too
well! Take me, for example. The name Grace, after Princess Grace..."

"I loved her in High Society!"

"It implies a lot." She said, gesturing with her hands. "Poise,
refinement, elegance... Grace. And I am none of those! I am, infact,
the Anti-Grace, completely lacking in any social skills and the desire
to wear anything remotely girlie!"

They talked at length for hours, working their way through 2 bottles of
wine in the process. Mulder decided to call a cab to take them home.

"I can't believe it's so late!" He said looking at his watch. It was
almost midnight.

"They say time flies when your're having fun." Grace said inching very
close to his face. It was the invitation he had been waiting for all
evening. He leant in and kissed her gently on the lips. She responded
willingly and it turned into a more passionate embrace, stopping only
for the arrival of the cab which took them straight to Mulder's
apartment where they were able to continue uninterrupted.

Grace woke up when Mulder's arms tightened around her. He was still
asleep. She could feel his warm breath on her shoulders as they lay
together, a mass of crumpled bed linen and tangled limbs. She eased
herself gently out of his embrace. He stirred awake and smiled at her,
sitting with her bare back to him on the bed.

"Leaving so soon?" He asked running a finger down her soft back.

"Just going to the bathroom... Go gack to sleep!" She kissed him and
grabbed his shirt from the floor and put it on. Mulder repositioned
himself and dozed off back to sleep. He didn't see Grace go to her bag
and take out a small bottle. She poured some of contents into a
handkerchief and quietly walked over to Mulder as he slept. She placed
the handkerchief close to his face, close enough to effect him, but not
close enough to disturb him.

He noticed a strange smell, but it felt very far away. He could barely
muster the energy to open his eyes to find out what was going on. His
eyes flickered opened and Grace panicked. She thrust the handkerchief
across his nose and mouth, grabbing his wrist as he tried to stop her.
He was too weakened by the drug to put up any defence. His eyes slid
shut, and he stopped struggling with her. Grace left him lying in bed
and went to his computer.

It took her moments to get in, despite being protected by a password.
She searched through his files trying to locate the exact one she
needed. She knew Mulder would be unconsious for a couple of hours so
the pressure was off her to work at a frantic pace, like she had to do
in his office. She needed to get in there by herself so she could make
doubly sure that she had missed nothing. But there was always the
chance the information was here.

The sun began to filter through as Grace switched off the terminal. She
rubbed her eyes an went for the phone. "It's not there. It must be
buried somewhere in his computer in work.... Look how could I work
properly with him hanging around me like a bad smell!... No he hasn't
found it, for crying out loud! Computer literacy isn't his strong
point!" She listened intently. "I don't know what that would achieve...
because he know's nothing. How many times do I have to tell you
that!... Are you questioning my judgement?... Because I <slept> with
him?!? Get over it!... Look, I know I can find it on his computer in
work, I just need time to work on it." The line went dead. She threw
the phone down and slumped onto Mulder's couch, still wearing just his
shirt. She could see through to the bedroom. He was still
unconscious. She felt badly for him. He was nice, she hadn't expected
him to be. She slept with him because she wanted to, not as part of the
job. He had had so much to drink, she could have easily drugged him as
they arrived at the apartment... He'd have been none the wiser.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door....

*******************************************************************

Dana Scully dropped her briefcase next to her workspace and left the
office to get that all important morning cup of coffee. When she
returned, she noticed there was no sign of Mulder. She shrugged it off
as a curiosity and began to sift through the workload. When it came to
10.00am and there was no sign of him she began to worry. This wasn't
like him. No voice mail, no notes, no message of any kind. She rang
his cellphone. It rang out. Then she rang his home number and got the
machine

"Mulder, if you're there, pick up.... Mulder I'm on my way." She hung
up and left the office. Every few minutes she would try both phones,
but got no reply from either. She entered the complex, and took out her
gun just before she entered the apartment. She let the door swing
slowly open and she peered around. The living room was empty. She
cautiously entered. "Mulder?" she called, but there was no reply. She
saw the bedroom door was open. As she entered, she saw a woman sprawled
across the bed wearing a white shirt. Scully slowly moved towards her
and felt for a pulse. It was strong and steady. Scully gently shook
her to get some kind of reaction.

Without warning, the woman shot up. "No!" she screamed, and cowered
into the wall. "Don't shoot, please!"

"Special Agent Dana Scully." she took out her badge "Where's Agent
Mulder?"

The woman thought hard. "I don't know." she said, faltering. "They
broke in last night and... I don't remember much."

"Who are you?" Scully asked, still training the gun on her.

"Agent Grace Kennedy, FBI Computer Division. My ID is in my jacket."
Scully took it out and looked at it.

"Grace from Networks?"

"Yes." Grace said agitatedly. "Can I get dressed now?" Scully gestured
for her to get her clothes as she put the gun away. "Thank you." She
said dryily, scooping up her clothes and locking herself in the
bathroom.

Scully couldn't believe that Mulder had slept with her on the first
date... Not that she was jealous, he just never seemed the type!

Moments later, Grace emerged from the bathroom, barefoot and annoyed.
"Where the hell does he keep the aspirin?" she muttered, heading for
the kitchen.

"On top of the refrigerator" Scully said, watching Grace fill the
kettle and put it on the stove to heat it up. "Your concern is
admirable". Grace, at this stage had started to fix her make up.

She turned on Scully, hands on hips, curls falling into her eyes, "Look,
I just work in computers. I don't do the dangerous stuff like you do!"
She was getting progressively louder. "I'm not used to being attacked
in the middle of the night, so excuse the hell out of me if I'm just a
little bit pissed off here!"

"I'm sorry." Scully said "You should sit down."

"There were 3 of them. They had guns." Grace said, as she sat on the
couch. Scully handed her a cup of tea.
"They wanted some computer file... They kept asking about the Thinker."

Scully immediately remembered the name. "Mulder got a tape from him,
encoded Department of Defense stuff."

"Like a lot of hackers, The Thinker was and anarchist with a plan to
bring down the government." Grace explained. " Because Mulder
downloaded the file onto his system, there's now a dormant virus waiting
until a prescribed date, within the next 4 weeks, and we need to find it
before it affects every system in the country."

"A Doomsday virus? Is that why you were working on Mulder's computer?"
Scully asked.

Grace nodded "I haven't found it yet and now I'm afraid that they think
Mulder has it and is going to do something with it. I tried to tell
them that I was the computer expert and he knows nothing, but they
wouldn't listen."

"Who are <they>?" Scully asked.

"I thought they were my superiors in the FBI, but I've been doing some
digging and I can find no record of these people."

"That doesn't really surprise me." Scully sighed.

"Because of my specialist skills, I wasn't recruited through normal
channels. I was brought in to get information from computer systems all
over the world... Digging up dirt, if you will. And I'm very good at
what I do. This virus will destroy all the information we've
gathered... actually, it will destroy all information if we don't find
it and neutralise it."

"Would you know where they've taken Mulder?" Scully asked, concerned
for his safety. She knew the type of people he was up against.

"I have a few idea, but I need to contact a few people. If you let me
handle it, I'll see what I can find out." She handed Scully a business
card. "This has my cellphone number on it."

"I'm coming with you."

"You can't!" Grace said. "If they find out that I told you any of this,
you know they wouldn't think twice about killing us both, and Mulder."
Scully had no reason to disbelieve her. Grace seemed scared.

She grabbed her jacket and shoes. "I'll go find out what I can. You
wait here... He might return."

********************************************************************

End of part 2

caroline@intex.ie

From: "Caroline O'Connell" <caroline@intex.ie>
Subject: Control. Alt. Delete. (3/5)

First of all, apologies for the delay in posting this. I'm in a cafe,
so, it costs a bomb!! I hope people think it's worth the wait. Thanks
for all the positive feedback.

Secondly... on with the show!

Disclaimers: See part 1

Control. Alt. Delete. by Caroline O'Connell

Chapter 3

The first thing Mulder was aware of was that it was warm. The second
thing was that it was dark... but it was the wrong kind of dark. He
wanted to rub his eyes, to clear the heavy feeling from his head, to
curl up in a ball and hope the stomach churning would stop, but nothing
worked. He was immobile, and he didn't know why.

"Tell us about the Thinker, Fox." The voice came out of nowhere, but
richocheted through hes head.

"Huh?" he asked groggily. "I can't see you."

"Tell us about the Thinker." the voice repeated.

"He's dead." Mulder said, despite himself. "What's happening?"

He was left in silence for a few moments. Mulder could feel his heart
racing. He was desperately trying not to panic. "What's going on?" he
yelled.

"I don't like his blood pressure." One of 3 people in the nearby
observation room said, looking at a monitor displaying Mulders vitals.
"The drugs are affecting it. We need to calm him down before he has a
stroke."

"Any suggestions?" asked a second man, turning to the third person.

"Let me talk to him." Grace Kennedy said. She entered the room and
quietly walked to the bed where Mulder was held in restraints and
blindfolded. She crouched close to his head. "Mulder?" she whispered.

"Grace?" He asked "What's going on? I can't see."

"You're just having a bad dream." She said matter of factly, stroking
his arm. "You can't see because it's still dark... Everything's fine.
Go back to sleep." She sounded so calm, he had no reason not to believe
her. He didn't see her give him an injection, but he felt her lips kiss
him gently as he drifted back into a hazy unconsciousness.

She removed the blindfold. "No wonder he's panicking!" She swung it on
her fingers. "This was a mistake! But as usual, you're brute force
over gentle persuasion!"

"I didn'tsee you get any information from him, Gracie!" one of the men
snapped.

Grace returned to the room. "Oh please! One night of passion..." She
rolled her eyes. "and he'd tell me all his secrets? He's been with his
partner for 4 years, I'm sure he doesn't tell her everything! You gotta
crawl before you can run, guys!"

"And we'll all be running for our lives if that program goes active!"

"His blood pressure's going down. When he comes around we can start
questioning and find out what he knows" the first guy said.

"Again, I repeat, he knows nothing!" Grace said, exasperated. "But hey,
knock yourselves out!"

"What about his partner?" the second said. "What does she know?"

"Dana Scully believes a virus is going to destroy all Government records
and will do everything in her power to prevent that!" Grace smiled.

"Oh, you are good, Gracie. Real good!" the first said.

Scully paced around Mulder's apartment. She was doing nothing! She
could do nothing and she hated that more than anything. She should have
gone with Grace. This pacing was doing no good either!

She stopped. "That's it!" she said to nobody in particular and took
out her cellphone. "Agent Pendrell, please..." She left the apartment.

"Hello, Agent Pendrell." he introduced himself.

"Hi, this is Dana Scully. I need your help."

Pendrell nearly fell off his chair. "Whatever you need." he said,
trying not to sound too enthusiastic... or desperate!

"Can you hack a computer?" She asked, heading for her car.

A smile spread across his face. "Sure can!"

"Great, I'll meet you at Mulder's office as soon as I can." and she
hung up.

Pendrell thought it was a good job that they were speaking on the
phone, or she would haveseen him punch the air with delight at having to
work with her again.

"What are we looking for?" Pendrell asked, sitting at Mulder's
computer.

"A virus." Scully said, leaning over him, typing in Mulder's password.
Her hair brushed against his ear as she moved back to let him work. He
wanted to talk to her, engage her in conversation. Topics ran through
his mind... 'Would you like to go for coffee'... 'Would you like to go
to dinner'...'Would you like to be mother of our children?...

"Would you like a coffee?" Scully asked. "I know I could do with one!"

"Yes please. Black, two sugars." he said as she left the room. He
nearly lost his life! She asked him for coffee!! Could motherhood be
far ahead in his dreamplan? He slid down the chair until he almost fell
off. "Get on with it!" he said to himself. "Find her virus and ask
her out for once and for all!" He ran his fingers back through his
short hair, trying to pull himself together. He couldn't figure out if
it was him, or if the room was warm... But he was definitely hot and
bothered!!

Scully returned with the coffee. "No luck yet, I'm afraid!" he said,
smiling cheerfully at her.

"Well, Grace Kennedy in networks took 3 hours and she could find
nothing, so I'm not panicking yet!"

"Who in networks?"

Scully was immediately worried. "She's about 5"8', with red curly
hair?" Pendrell shook his head indicating he knew nobody of that
description... He would have noticed her! "Okay, you keep working on the
computer." Scully said grabbing her things. "If you come across
anything, ring me." and she raced out.

As she left the building in her car, Scully dialled the number Grace had
given her. It was time to play 'Call My Bluff'.

"Kennedy." Grace said, standing in the observation room.

"It's Dana Scully. I had a friend work on Mulder's computer, and I
think we've found your virus."

The two men looked at her. Grace shook her head indicating that she
didn't believe Scully. "That's great, Dana. Meet me at Mulder's
apartment. I'll tell you what I know then." and she hung up. "Well
boys, gotta run and take care of G-Woman!"

This time Mulder was all too aware of his situation. They never let
up! They kept asking stupid questions about his computer and the
Thinker and as much as he didn't want to tell the bastards anything, he
couldn't stop himself. He couldn't see who was asking the questions,
but the voice seemed to be everywhere.

"Tell us about Dana, Fox." one of them asked.

He tried his best to say nothing. "She's my partner."

"Is that all?"

"She's... she's my friend." he said. "You bastards, if you touch her,
I'll kill you." He struggled against the restraints.

"So, now you're threatening me?"

"Yes!" he yelled angrily and it had nothing to do with the drugs!

"You're in no position to threaten anyone, Fox." the voice said
calmly. "You're just going to lie there and answer my questions."

Mulder knew despite fighting against it with every ounce of strength he
had, he'd have to do it... It still didn't stop him trying.

"His blood pressure's up again." The other guy said.

"Shit!... Better knock him out again. If we leave him conscious, he'll
just lie there working himself up into a state. And I'd just as soon
not have to dump another body."

A door opened behind him. Mulder twisted and craned as much as he
could to see who was there. The headboard of the bed acted as a barrier
between him and his annonymous captor.

"Time for a nap, Fox!" he said mock cheerfully. Finally Mulder got to
see his face. He had short brown wavy hair and glasses. He held
Mulder's arm steady, despite his struggling and gave him yet another
injection. Mulder flet the curious sensation of all his strength
running out of his body. Guy with glasses released his grip as Mulder
slipped back into the darkness.

Grace arrived at Mulder's apartment and knocked at the door. "Dana,
it's Grace."

"It's open." Scully said from inside. "Come on in."

Grace drew her gun and gently pushed the door open. She didn't see
Scully behind the door as she stepped in, but she felt the steel barrell
press against the back of her head and the click as Scully removed the
safety.
"What the hell are you doing?" Grace asked angrily as she let the gun
swing through her fingers. Scully took it.

"I believe that's my question." Scully replied calmly. "Sit down."
Grace did as she was told. "You don't work in networks... You don't
exist and you have ten seconds to tell me where Mulder is or you will
cease to exist, permenantly."

"You won't kill me, Dana." Grace said. "You're not the type."

"As I said, you don't exist... So technically, I wouldn't be killing
you."

Scully's phone rang. It was Pendrell. "There's a whole load of
encrypted information here. I'm saving it to disk."

"Great!" Scully said, keeping a close eye on Grace. "Can you remove it
from Mulder's drive completely?"

"Definitely! Once the download is complete." he replied.

"Do it." Scully said. "Get rid of it."

"No!" Grace sprang to her feet. "You have no idea what you're dealing
with!"

"Oh I think I do!" Scully said, raising the gun. Scully knew that
Grace hadn't heard that the information was being saved to disk. "Tell
Skinner when it's done." and she hung up.

Grace slumped back to the couch. "Do you know how long it's taken to
get that information?" she snapped.

"I don't care!" Scully said, trying to retain her composure, but
getting angrier by the minute. "All I care about is Mulder."

"Look, if you're going to kill me, just do it now." Grace sighed.
"Because, I'm dead anyway, once that information gets out."

"Is Mulder dead? Did you kill him?" Scully asked.

"Jesus, no!" Grace exclaimed. "I'm not a killer! They weren't supposed
to take him!

"I don't believe you! You haven't told the truth once. Not to Mulder,
and certainly not to me! It's been one lie after another." Scully
said. "Now tell me where he is or I will shoot." Grace looked her in
the eye. She had never seen such determination before. Scully meant
every word she said.

"Okay. I'll take you to him." Grace said, resigned to the fact that
she was caught.

Scully kept the gun trained on her. "Lead on."

******************************************************************

End of part 3

caroline@intex.ie

OOOPS!!! I've just noticed a massive hole in my timeline!! It's
supposed to be late spring. But Pendrell (RIP) died in February. Mea
Culpa... Don't make me rewrite it...please!!!

Sorry!

Cal

From: "Caroline O'Connell" <caroline@intex.ie>
Subject: Control. Alt. Delete. (4/5)

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Control. Alt. Delete. by Caroline O'Connell.

Chapter 4

"How's Sleeping Beauty?" asked one of the men watching over Mulder from
the observation room.

"Sleeping." The Guy with Glasses replied. Mulder lay completely
still. Even without the confining restraints, he wouldn't have made a
move. Oblivious to time, devoid of dreams, deeply unconscious.

"How's his Blood pressure?"

"Coming down, slowly." Guy with glasses sighed at his impatient
colleague. "We're moving too quickly. this procedure should take days,
not hours!" He actually sounded concerned for Mulder's health.

"Well, we're running out of time!" the Other Guy said. "If the
information goes on line, we are seriously screwed! Everyone with
access to a computer will know exactly who we are and what we do...
Kinda defeats the purpose of being covert!"

"I think Gracie's right." Guy with glasses said. "This guy know's
nothing. From what she said and the answers we got, I think I'm safe in
assuming G-man is not a threat."

"So what do we do now? I'm not comfortable with the idea of killing
him."

"I can give him something once his b.p. levels out. He won't remember
much, if anything, of this" Guy with glasses said going to a tray of
various drugs and syringes.

"With all the crap in his system, I'll be surprised if he remembers his
own name after this!" the Other Guy said.

"This way is safer. If we kill him, we risk all kind of shit from on
high! Not to mention police, FBI, and a partridge in a pear tree after
us when his body turns up with a small chemical dump in his body."

Grace drove up to the front of an old house. Scully was sitting in the
passenger seat. "We're here." Grace said, making no attempt to move.

"Take me inside." Scully said.

"You've got to be kidding!" Grace exclaimed. "Gun or no gun, I'm not
going in there with you!"

"Okay! Fine!" Scully said snapping her handcuffs through the steering
wheel and around Grace's wrists. "In case you plan on leaving!" Then
Scully took the keys from the ignition and left Grace sitting in the
car. It was starting to get dark as She looked around the outside of
the house. Scully had Grace's gun tucked into the small of her back.
Experience had taught her to carry a spare!

Scully took out her cellphone to dial for backup. She couldn't get a
dial tone. Then it dawned on her. She had forgotten to recharge the
damn thing! It was dead, leaving her completely alone. She thought for
a moment of not going in, waiting for backup... But Mulder needed her
help. There was probably an arsenal of weapons and a lot of big men
just waiting for her to get inside, but she didn't have a choice. She
had to get Mulder out... Somehow.

Inside, the two men kept a close eye on Mulder, waiting for the first
opportunity to finish this thing for once and for all.

"Maybe if we stop staring, he'll wake up." Guy with glasses said. "You
know, watched pots and all that!" The Other guy just looked at him in
disgust and left. "What? I can't have a sense of humour?" he called
after him.

Mulder's eyes slid open. He knew from the look of the room that he was
still captive. He was too weak to struggle, he was too weak to care.
He had lost all sense of time. One second awake, then the blackout,
then the questions... Questions he had no answers for. But he knew he
had been there for a while because his headache never abated. Pulsing,
pounding across his temples. The stark, bright light in the room didn't
help either.

The guy with glasses came into the room. Mulder turned his head and
looked at him. "More questions?" he groaned as he saw the syringe.

"Here's a question for you, Fox," He said, preparing to give Mulder his
final injection. "What's the sound of one hand clapping?"

Before either Mulder could answer, or the injection could be given, the
one way mirrored window to the observation room was shattered by a
gunshot. "Step away from him!"

Mulder smiled as he heard Scully's familiar tones. The needle rested in
the vein in Mulder's hand. The Guy with glasses raised his hands but
didn't move.

"I told you to step away." She said calmly, but firmly.

"See those monitors?" Guy with glasses pointed to Scully's right. She
glanced over. "See his blood pressure? It's off the chart!"

"Don't listen to him, Scully!" Mulder yelled. "I'm fine!"

But Scully could see that he wasn't. His blood pressure was starting to
rise to dangerous levels. There was no reason for the results to be
faked. She wasn't expected. She also didn't expect the blow to the
back of her head that sent her crashing to the ground. The other guy
leaned over her and took her gun.

"Use the small syringe!" Guy with glasses called in, as he caught hold
of Mulders hand and plunged the contents into his system. Mulder's head
began to swim, but as hard as he tried to stay conscious, it was no
use. Within seconds, he was back in the far recesses of his mind where
nothing happened.

Guy with glasses race into the observation room and took the syringe
from the other guy. Scully was starting to come to her senses. She
reached for the gun in her waistband, fully intending to use it.

"Hold her down!" The other guy did as he was told, grabbing Scully's
arms, before she could get to the gun.
He put his knee on her back, rendering her immobile as Guy with glasses
stuck the needle into Scully's backside. She let out a small yelp of
pain and stopped struggling. The two men calmly picked up as much as
they could carry and left the building. Leaving Scully and Mulder to
the darkness.

"Hey Gracie!" Guy with glasses said, getting into the car.

"Would have loved to join the party, but..." She said rattling the
cuffs. "I'm a bit tied up at the moment!"

"You have never looked lovlier!" The other guy whispered seductively in
her ear as he set about releasing her. "Ah, that magic touch!"

"When you two are finished!" Guy with glasses said impatiently. "Half
the FBI is probably on it's way, so can we go... now, please!"

"We better take another car. Scully knows this one." Grace said.
"Also, we need to get to Skinner..."

They moved to another car and drove off.

Scully crawled slowly into a sitting position. It felt like moments
since she's been knocked out, but she knew from the aching in her
muscles, she had been lying still for a while. She gingerly made it to
her feet. The initial dizziness nearly swamped her, but she held on to a
table until it passed.

"Is someone there?" it was Mulder. "I can hear you... Answer me
please." His voice was barely audible, but there was no hiding the
desperate tone.

"Mulder, it's me. I'm going to get you out of here." She said,
entering the room and going over to him.

"Scully?" He blinked at her. "Everything's a blur." She unfastened
the restraints and removed the medical equipment they were using to
monitor him. "I can't see anything." She looked into his eyes. they
were glassy with dilated pupils. "Did I have an accident?... I don't
remember anything."

"I'll explain everything later, Mulder." She said helping him into a
sitting position. "But this isn't a hospital. We need to get you to a
hospital." He nodded, the confusion etched on his face. He was
completely bewildered, but he knew Scully was there to help him so he
had to put his fear aside and trust that she'd get him to safety. "Can
you stand?"

"Gotta do it sometime." he shrugged. He put his bare feet on the cold
tiles and stood up as Scully supported him. He faltered for a moment.

"Stay with me, Mulder." Scully pleaded. "Because if you pass out, I
can't carry you."

"Heaven knows you've been carrying me for years!" Mulder said,
laughing. Humour at this point was a defence mechanisim. He was
terrified, but he didn't need for Scully to know that. He stood still
for a moment, arms out to balance himself. "I think I'm okay. I still
can't focus."

"That's okay." She took his hand. "I'll lead you out." She held his
hand tightly as they walked through the deserted house. Scully still
had Grace's gun and she kept it ready as they made it to the car.
Scully could feel Mulder trembling with the cold. He was just wearing a
t-shirt and jeans. As Scully opened the back door, Mulder felt a wave
of dizziness pass over him. He slumped against the car

"Scully...my head... I.." His head fell forward onto her shoulder as
she helped him in. She lay him across the back seat. He had lapsed
back into unconsciousness. Scully had to drive at break neck speed to
reach the hospital. She had no idea what they had given him, but the
levels were high enough to completely screw up his blood pressure.
Finally the hospital came into view. She sighed with relief as a team
of doctors and nurses swarmed around the car, racing Mulder into the
ER. Scully explained what she knew as she showed them her badge.

"Okay, we're looking at a possible overdose, here!" One of the doctors
said as Scully was led from the trauma room into a waiting area. She
went to find a phone.

"Assistant Director Skinner's office."

"This is Agent Scully I..." before she could finish she was interupped
by Skinner himself.

"We've been trying to contact you for hours!" he said, concerned.
"What's going on?"

"I'm at the hospital with Agent Mulder, sir."

"Pendrell told me about the abduction. Is he alright?"

"He's in the ER at the moment. There's problems with his blood
pressure." She explained. "Sir, I'll contact you later, when I know
more." And she hung up. As she returned to the trauma room she looked
on horrified as they were shocking him. "Oh my God, what happened?".
One of the nurses quickly backed her out as Mulder's body jolted once
more.

"We got a rhythm!" one of doctors said and immediately, Mulder was
surrounded by the medical staff working to save his life.

"What happened?" Scully repeated.

"His heart stopped. We started to bring his blood pressure down and
there was suddenly a rapid drop, but as you can see, we got him back.
We have to move him to intensive care once we have him stabilised.

It seemed like an eternity before Mulder was wheeled out. Scully went
with the medical team up to ICU where Mulder was to be kept. One of the
doctors began to usher Scully out of the room.

"I'm not leaving." She said calmly, as she sat beside the bed.

"You can't stay here, hospital policy." The doctor said.

Scully took out her badge and marched towards him. "I don't care about
your policy. I'm staying here, with him until he wakes up. An attempt
was made to kill him. I'm going to make sure nobody else tries." The
doctor was about to argue his point, but then saw the determined look in
her eyes and thought better of trying to reason with her. He scowled at
her and left. She retook her seat an held onto Mulder's hand. Her
small fingers knitted with his. She never let go through the night.
His grip was loose and slight, but hers was strong and resolute. Even
if he didn't know it, she was there for him.

The sun was glinting through the blinds as it rose in the early morning
sky. Mulder snapped awake, statled by the sun in his eyes. He began to
panic when he couldn't recognise his surroundings.

"Mulder, it's okay." Scully stood up so he could see her properly.
"Mulder, calm down... I'm here" He kept a tight grip on her hand as she
rang for the doctor. "Can you see straight?" He nodded. "Well, that's
a start."

Agent Pendrell was summoned to Director Skinner's office. "You wanted
to see me, sir?"
There was a man sitting opposite Skinner.

"Agent Pendrell, I want you to meet Special Agent Paul Bartley." The
man stood up to shake Pendrell's hand. Neither agent knew that he was
one of the men who had held Mulder captive.

"I believe you were able to find the Virus." Bartley said to Pendrell.

"Yes sir, but it's encrypted, so I haven't been able to read it. I have
a copy of it here." Pendrell took a disk out of his breast pocket.

We'll be able to get our people working on it straight away. "We had
been told by the woman calling herself Grace Kennedy that it had been
destroyed." Bartley said taking the disk.

"You didn't believe her?" Skinner asked.

"The woman's a pathalogical liar! You can't believe a word she says!
But now that we have the disk, we'll be able to press charges. Thank
you both for your time." And he left.

"I am not a pathalogical liar!" Grace said into his earpiece as he
entered the elevator.

"Yes you are!" He said smiling, as the doors slid closed.

"Yes I am!" She laughed.

Scully finally got back into Mulder's room. He was propped up and
awake. "Hi, how do you feel?" She asked

He thought for a moment. "Weird... I know something happened. I just
don't know what." he sighed. "Doctor said my heart stopped, and I
flatlined."

"You shouldn't think about that." Scully said. You're still here...
Take more than that to keep you down!"
He smiled. "Thank you." he said quietly. This time it was his turn to
take her hand.

"You should get some sleep. I'll be back later"

Mulder spent the next day sleeping. He didn't notice half the people
dropping in to visit him. The nurses were taking blood samples on a
regular basis. Scully arrived as they took another sample. "How are
you feeling."

"Like a pincushion!" Mulder muttered. "I didn't think you'd be here
til later."

"I'm actually here on official business." She said taking out some
artwork. She handed the sketches to him.
"Do you recognise this man?"

Mulder looked long and hard at it. "Nope... Should I?"

"This is the Agent that allegedly arrested Grace Kennedy. That Skinner
and Pendrell gave the disk to. This is the agent that doesn't exist!"
Scully said with more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice..

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Mulder sighed handing her back the
sketch.

"Well, I have to go now and work... You remember work!" She smiled.
"Here's the books I promised you. So, you just lie there and sleep and
do whatever it is you do!"

"They're letting me out on Friday!" He said stretching triumphantly.

"So soon?"

"You said it yourself, Scully! Can't keep a bad thing down!" Scully
checked his chart. "You don't believe me! I'm hurt!"

"Mulder, you would say anything to get out of hospital! Particularly
when needles are involved!!" She checked her watch.

"Am I keeping you from something?" he needled her.

"I thought seeing as you were laid up and unable to drag me off on any
wild goose or wild alien chases this weekend, I was going to
redecorate!" She said, well able for his wit. "So I have to go and get
paint delivered!"

"Such a wild and crazy life you lead, Scully!"

"You have no Idea Mulder!!"

*****************************************************************

End of part 4.

caroline@intex.ie

From: "Caroline O'Connell" <caroline@intex.ie>
Subject: Control. Alt. Delete (5/5)

Yeah me!! The final chapter!! Thanks to all for your help and support!
Comments still welcome!

Disclaimer: See Part 1.

Control. Alt. Delete. by Caroline O'Connell

Chapter 5

Fox Mulder was relieved to be back in his own bed. He had spent Friday
doing as little as he had in the hospital, but at least he got to do it
in his own place. He finished the second book that Scully had given him
and closed it over. He looked over at the white shirt that lay crumpled
in the corner. It was the last thing he had seen Grace in. He sighed
wistfully. Whatever he may have forgotten, he remembered her. Every
gorgeous sensual detail. Even though they had spent less than 24 hours
together, he had fallen for her. And now that he was by himself for the
first time in several days he had time to sit and think about her about
the time they had spent. It was totally irrational, but during dinner,
he found himself thinking of the future with her. Had the relationship
developed, she could have been the one! She was bright, funny, smart,
sexy as hell, everything he ever wanted in a woman... and she tried to
kill him

"Ain't life a bitch!" he said to no one inparticular and once more
settled down for some sleep.

Scully got up early Saturday morning and began to work on her
apartment. Breakables were removed, dropcloths thrown and she started
to paint her bathroom a bright summery green. Her hair was piled in a
messy ponytail on top of her head and the overalls she wore were rolled
at the sleeves and ankles. They were old ones of her father's and
clearly too big for her. Decorating when she was a child was a big
family affair with everyone expected to pitch in. She smiled at the
memories of the arguments over who did what and the satisfaction of a
job well done.

Being such a small room, she finished the first coat quickly and moved
on to the living room. The sun drenched the room in light and she soon
found it too warm for the overalls. She found a belt and fastened it
around her slender waist allowing the top half to dangle free as she
turned up the music and got back to work.

When Mulder drove up in the early afternoon, the windows were wide open
around her ground floor apartment and the music could be heard floating
out onto the street. He went straight to the window, instead of
knocking at the door.

"I'm sorry, this is a Van Morrison free area!" he shouted over the
strains of "Brown Eyed Girl"

Scully turned quickly, startled by the unexpected voice. "What are you
doing here?" She asked as she let him in. He handed her the books she
had given him. "You finished them already?"

"Captive audience! I had nothing else to do." He said. "Do you need a
hand?" He picked up the brush.

"Are you sure you're up to this, Mulder?" Scully asked, concerned.
"You are just out of hospital."

"I'm fine, how about you?" he asked. She knew what he was talking
about. Should she be exerting herself with her tumour?

"I'm feeling very optimistic, Mulder!" She said, as she changed the cd
on the small system. "So optimistic that I'm spending some of my
savings on doing this place up!"

"Now that is optimistic!" Mulder laughed. He handed her a brush.
"C'mon Scully! Get to it! The sooner we start, the sooner we finish!"

They spent the afternoon moving from room to room. The time flew with
two of them painting the small apartment, but not without a few
mishaps! Mulder whilst being very tall and able to reach higher, was
not particularly good at it. Paint trickled from the brush down his
arm. Scully couldn't help but laugh.

"What?" he asked as she dissolved into fits of giggles at him. "What?"

"I'm sorry! I've never seen anybody so bad at decorating!" She
laughed.

"We used to get somebody in to do it for us." he sniffed, trying not to
sound offended. He wiped his hand on the back of his jeans leaving
primrose yellow stains on his backside. She laughed more. He flicked
the brush at her spraying her with specks of paint.

"You do realise that this is a declaration of war!" She picked up the
paint can. "And you are seriously out of your league!!"

Mulder stood just a few feet from her, lips pursed, eyebrows raised.
"I'm dead aren't I?" Scully nodded as she dangled the paint can in her
hand. "Do I even get a head start?" He dived behind the couch for
cover.

"I'm not wasting good paint on you!" she said leaning over the couch.
"Get back to work!"

"Sir, Yes Sir!" Mulder said grabbing the brush.

By the time they were finished, it was early evening and both were
exhausted. Mulder was sprawled on the dropcloth that covered the
couch. Scully sat across one of the armchairs. Her feet dangling over
the arm.

"I can't move." She made an attempt to get up. "No... Can't move."
Mulder just stared up at the ceiling. "Are you hungry?" she asked,
stretching for the phone. He nodded. "Pizza?" He nodded. "With
everything?"
He nodded again. She rang for a large pizza.

Neither could muster the energy to move until it arrived. Scully got
plates and cutlery. Mulder took out one of the bottles of wine given to
her at Christmas and her birthday. Scully got the large tub of ice
cream and they dumped everything onto the table between the couch and
the chair. As Mulder sliced the pizza, Scully poured the wine. "I
didn't think I was hungry until I smelt that pepperoni!" Scully said
digging in.

The music continued to play into the evening. They had opened a second
bottle and both were relaxed. Scully was back sitting across her
chair. Mulder was facing her, scraping out the end of the tub of ice
cream. Intelligent conversation had finished around the same time the
second bottle came out.

"So was Reg leader of the People's Front of Judea or the Judean People's
Front? I can never remember which!"
Scully asked as they discussed the finer points of Monty Python's Life
of Brian.

"The real question is, Scully. What have the Romans ever done for us?!"
They both started laughing. "You have no more ice cream!" He lobbed
the empty tub at her.

"That's what you think Mulder!" She grinned, throwing it down beside
the empty pizza box. "I lost count of the times I saw that in college!"

"LIfe of Brian is the best thing they've ever done!" Mulder said,
pouring another glass.

"Except for the parrot sketch!" Scully interrupted.

"Okay, except for the parrot sketch, Life of Brian is the best thing the
Pythons have ever done."

"And the Spanish Inquistion... No one expects the Spanish inquistions!"

"Right, except for the parrot sketch, the Spanish inquisition..."

"And the ministry of Silly Walks" Scully was trying not to laugh... and
failing.

"I will not fall for that one again!" Mulder said, realising she was
winding him up.

"Ah, Life of Brian!" she sighed. "Always look on the bright side of
life, Mulder!"

"What bright side?" Mulder muttered, half joking.

"What's wrong?" She looked at him staring into the wine glass.
"Something's up, what is?" She was afraid he had bad news from the
hospital, but all his tests were clear.

"I really liked her."

"Grace?" Scully asked incredulously. Mulder nodded.

"I... I mean I'm not asking for much." he said. "But it would be nice
to have a relationship where she didn't try to kill me!" he laughed
ruefully.

"Been there, done that, read the book, got the tattoo!" She raised her
t-shirt showing her snake.

"Oh, yes! Crazy Ed and his talking tattoo!." he said as she leant over
to pour herself another glass. The tattoo would serve as a permanent
reminder of <that> relationship."

"Even you, Scully."

"Even me what?"

"Even you tried to kill me!"

"TV made me do it!" She said defensively. She was slightly drunk and
not as articulate as usual.

"And you shot me!" he patted his shoulder. Then drained the second
bottle.

"Because you were going to shoot Krycek! Couldn't let you shoot the
little rat... although maybe you should have!"

"Next time you're faced with shooting me or somebody else, Please shoot
somebody else!"

"Unless you're going psycho at the time, Mulder!"

"Especially if I'm going psycho at the time!"

"Why?"

He stopped and thought for a moment. "I don't know!" he laughed. "It
just sounded good at the time!"

"I'm going for more wine." She stood up quickly. After a couple of
steps she started to falter. Mulder jumped up and caught her, even
though she knew she wasn't going to fall.

"My God, Scully, Are you okay?"

"Mulder, I'm okay... It's just the wine."

"I'm sorry." he said quietly. He stood behind her, both hands on her
shoulders. "I worry about you sometimes." he whispered in her ear.
"And I want you to know I'm here for you." He wrapped his arms around
her.

"I know, Mulder." she put her hand on his arm. "I know."

Both had been brought back to earth with a jolt. They stood therefor a
moment holding onto each other. He was so much taller than her that she
was completely swamped by his frame. From behind she couldnt even be
seen. "Thank you." She said. "You have no idea how much I needed
that." She was tired of putting on a brave face for everyone when it
came to her illness, but she didn't want the fear to overwhelm her.
Mulder spending the day with her had been really good for her. He could
be arrogant and dismissive sometimes, but he was there, holding her
tight with a reassurance that almost took her breath away.

"Thank you." she repeated. He let her go and kissed her lightly on the
cheek. Which took her by surprise.

"I'll make coffee. Sit down, take it easy!"

She sat down pondering the kiss. Was she making more out of it than she
should? A few weeks ago in hospital he kissed her on the forhead, now
the cheek, was he working his way down to the lips? She shook her
head. This was the same guy who had slept with Grace the Programmer on
the first date! So, he's not exactly backward about coming forward!
Maybe he just wanted to let her know that he cared, that he loved her,
and she loved him. She knew deep in her heart they'd never have that
'fall in love, get married, live happily ever after' kind of love, but
she cared deeply for him. When she saw him being shocked in the
hospital, when she thought he could die, it was like the world would
fall apart. They shared a closeness that was hard to define. There
were times when she wanted to throw him on the floor and have her wicked
way with him there and then! She was only human after all... She was
pretty damn sure he's had the same thoughts about her!

Now she had this image of Mulder and herself in her head that she
couldn't shake!! She wouldn't be able to continue any kind of
conversation with that running through her head! She got up and threw
the cover from the television. She found a videotape from her
collection and set it up to play.

Mulder came in carrying a tray with a pot of coffee, mugs and a plate of
cookies. "Your secret chocolate cookie stash is a secret no more!! I
never knew you were such a sugar junkie, Scully!"

"If I thought I'd get service like this all the time, I'd keep you!"

"What are we watching?" he asked as she turned on the VCR. She said
nothing as the screen flickered to life.
"LIfe of Brian!!" he laughed. "The end to a perfect day!"

Mulder entered the office and tried to figure out where he had been
before his unforseen absence. He checked his e-mail. There was a
message from Grace.

'There's no point in trying to trace it. You know I'm not there. I
just want to tell you I'm sorry for what happened. I know you're going
to be alright. I hope you know that I would never hurt you and I didn't
sleep with you as part of the job. That was my desicion and one I don't
regret. Thank you for a lovely night. I'm going to miss you.

The Anti-Grace!

He stared at the screen for a moment and deleted it. Scully came in and
saw him at the computer.

"Anything interesting, now that it's actually working?!

"No... just some junk mail." He said quietly. "But, I did have these
sent to me from a contact!" He brightened up as he showed her some
photos. "What do you think that looks like, Scully?"

"I know what you think it looks like, Mulder!" She said looking closely
at them. "You should get them analysed for their authenticity." She
handed them back.

"Sure, fine, whatever." he muttered looking at them once more.

*****************************************************************

Fade out

The End!

Comments, etc...
caroline@intex.ie