Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997
From: Kaitlin

Subject: NEW STORY:LINKING

DISCLAIMER: I didn’t create Mulder or Scully....but Maggie and Mike are mine.I’m just having fun and making no money off of this....so....1013/Fox/CC don’tget your underwear in a knot. I have nothing except my outdated puter....:)

Rated: PG-R...Bad words
Comments etc...to Kaitlyn at lengler@earthlink.net

Intro: A long while back I wrote a piece called “Wrong Place, Wrong Time”. Itintroduces Maggie and explains her ability. You don’t have to read it to understandthis one, but it helps. I only wrote this one because I have gotten quite a few e-mailsasking for another Maggie story. I’m not sure this one is done....but here it is. Bekind.

Linking

Maggie's head was pounding. "Damn, I knew I shouldn't have pulled thatall-nighter." she grumbled to herself as she walked across campus to her final.
"Hey Mags!" yelled Mike as her ran to catch up with her. "Did ya finishstudying?"
"Ya, at 7 this morning....I'm wiped out." she told him. "If you hear mesnoring during the test, throw something at me, will you?"
Mike grinned. "You know you are going to screw up the curve for the rest of us, likeyou do every other time."
"We'll see." she said as they walked into the lecture hall.

Maggie glanced around the room as she thought about the question she was suppose toanswer. She smiled as she noticed Mike chewing on the end of his pen. "Boy, would Ilike to be on the receiving end of those lips." she thought smiling. She shook herhead. "Woah, where did that thought come from?" she wondered. She looked back ather test paper. "Come on girl, one more question and you can play for a week."she told herself.

“Geezz, I’m glad that’s over.” Maggie said to Mike as they walkedacross the Georgetown campus. “So what did ya think of it?”
“Not as bad as I expected from Bundy.” replied Mike. “Could have been a lotworse considering...Mag, what’s wrong?”
Maggie was staring at Mike like he had just grown another head. She was white as a ghost.Mike reached over and touched her arm. “Maggie? Mags, talk to me...”
“Mike, I’ve got to get to a phone, now.” She told him.
“Ok, not a problem. There’s one over by that building.” he said as he leadher toward the phone. “Are you going to tell me what this is all about or not?”
“Yeah, ummm, you know how sometimes I kind of connect with people?” she askedhesitantly.
“Know? Hell yes...I’ve been on the receiving end a few times. It’s reallyfreaky!”
“Well, I just got an image of a friend of mine... and I need to check on him.”she explained.
“Him??” asked Mike.
Maggie put up her hand as she spoke into the phone. “Hi, Agent Mulder please.”
“Scully...”
“Hi Dana, it’s Maggie. Is Mulder around?” she asked.
“Hi Maggie, how’s it going? No, Mulder is out of town on a case.” repliedDana Scully.
“Damn!”
“Something I can help you with?” asked Scully.
“Have you heard from him recently?” Maggie asked.
“Yeah, about 2 hours ago. Why?”
“Was he ok?” Maggie questioned.
“Yes, he was fine.” Scully answered. “Maggie, why don’t you tell mewhat’s wrong. Maybe I can help in some way.”
“I don’t know Dana...it must just be me, not enough sleep with finals.”Maggie said feeling embarrassed.
“Explain Maggie, now or I’ll call Mulder and have him hound you.” Scullythreatened.
Maggie sighed. “I just finished my last final and I got this image of Mulder. He wastied up and a man was hurting him. I must just not be getting things right. I’mreally sorry I bothered you at work Dana.”
“No, you didn’t bother me. Maggie?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you tell me a little more about what you saw?” asked Scully.
“Yeah, sure. He was tied up in a building.”
“What kind of building?” asked Scully.
“Ummm, it sorta looked like the kind of warehouses you see around the docks inBaltimore.” Maggie said.
“Tell me more.” Dana demanded.
“He was tied to the wall, with his arms above his head. There was a man with one arm,beating him.”
Dana gasped.
“What?”
“You just described a incident that Mulder was involved in about a 3 weeks ago.”
“What?? Why didn’t he tell me?” asked Maggie.
“Well, he figured since you didn’t call, you must not have known about it. Hedidn’t want to worry you with finals coming up.” explained Scully.
“I’m going to kill him!” shouted Maggie into the phone. “What did hethink was going to happen when I found out? That I would be happy that he didn’t wantto bother me?”
Mike had no idea who Maggie was talking to on the phone, but he felt very sorry for themat that moment.
Scully winced as she listened to Maggie’s tirade. “Maggie. Maggie!” shoutedScully into the phone.
“What?”
“Look, would you just calm down a bit? I’m not Mulder. Scream at him, not me. Itold him that you wouldn’t be happy when you found out.” Scully told her.
“Sorry Dana. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I just hate it when he doesstuff like this. He knows damn well I’ll find out eventually. I wish I was better atlong distance linking. I would definitely give him something to think about until he getshome.”
“Maggie, you could try ordinary methods and just call his cell phone.” laughedScully.
“Never thought of that.” Maggie giggled. “I guess I better wait untilI’m not so pissed at him huh?”
“Nahhh, go for it now. Maybe he’ll think twice before he pulls it again.”
*******

“So, is everything ok?” asked Mike as they walked away from the phone.
“Well, he’s all right, at least for now.” Maggie told him. “Until Iget a hold of him that is.”
“Poor guy.” sympathized Mike. He grinned as Maggie shot him a death look.
“He didn’t want to tell me that he had been kidnapped and beaten. He didn’twant it to affect my finals! I swear I’m going to hurt that man when I get my handson him.” growled Maggie.
Mike laughed. “Yeah, like you did to me when you found out I had been in thatmotorcycle accident. My own mother didn’t baby me as much as you did!” Mikelooked over at Maggie and noticed she wasn’t smiling. She was suddenly veryinterested in her shoes.
“I’ve gotta go.” she said quietly as she started to walk away.
Mike grabbed her arm. “Maggie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,really.” She shook her head and tried to pull her arm away. Mike grabbed her otherarm and pulled her to face him. “Hey.” he said as he tilted her chin up.“What are the tears for?”
“I thought I’d lost you that day. I was so scared. I knew it had happened, but Ididn’t know where you had been taken. It took me 2 hours to find what hospital youwere in.” sobbed Maggie.
Mike pulled her into his arms. “Sssshh, it’s ok. I’m right here. I’mnot going anywhere.”
Maggie looked up at him and smiled. “I know. Sometimes this is hard to deal with. Idon’t always get all the information and then my over active imagination jumpsin.”
“You know that I’m here for you, don’t you?” asked Mike.
“Yes. Thank you.” Maggie replied shyly.
Mike reached down and tilted her chin up again. He leaned down and kissed her gently.
<Oh my God!!!! He’s kissing me!!! What do I do?> thought Maggie.
<Ummmm, you could try kissing me back. That is if you don’t object to this.>came the thought from Mike.
**********

<Geez, I hate airports.> thought Mulder as he waited for his flight back to D.C.His cell phone rang. “Mulder...”
“You are in SO much trouble when you get your scrawny butt back here, that it’snot even funny!!!”
“Hey Maggie! How’s my favorite telepath?” grinned Mulder.
“I’m fine and you are a dead man.” replied Maggie. “How dare you nottell me.”
“I don’t remember putting a “Mother Wanted” ad in any of thepapers.” snapped Mulder.
“I’m not your mother...”
“Then stop acting like it. I get enough of that from Scully. I didn’t tell youfor a reason and how did you find out about it anyway?” asked Mulder
“Well, your reasons sucked. I found out about it after my last final. I was talkingwith Mike and got the image in my head.” she explained.
“Wait, you’re telling me that you got an actual picture???” asked Mulder.“When did you start getting pictures?”
“Hah! Guess you don’t know everything. How do you like being kept in thedark?” asked Maggie and she slammed down the phone.
Mulder shook his head and looked at his phone. <Guess I’m going to have to go seeher as soon as I get back.> he thought.
<Yup, but you better make sure you are armed!> Mulder just laughed and got his bagsand boarded the flight home.

Mulder got off the flight and saw Scully waiting for him at the gate. “Heypartner, what are you doing here?” he asked.
“I just thought you might like a ride home.” explained Scully. “How was youtrip?”
“Fine. The case got wrapped up pretty quickly.” he said.
“Get any strange phone calls?” grinned Scully
“Ha ha ha. Very funny Scully.”
“She is seriously P.O.ed at you.” Scully informed him.
“Yeah, I know. I ‘m going to have to go see her pretty soon.” Mulderreplied. “Did she tell you she was getting actual images now?”
“Yes, but I guess it didn’t dawn on me until now that she never got picturesbefore.”
“Nope. Before it was just thoughts.” explained Mulder.
“Well, I don’t think you should go bouncing over there tonight.” warnedScully.
“Why not?”
“She said she had just finished finals and she sounded absolutely beat.”
“She probably is. Hey, maybe it’s a good time...she can’t kill me if she isthat tired.” said Mulder. “Why don’t we stop by on the way to myplace?”
“Oh good Mulder...then she yells at me too.”
“You’re tough Scully, you can handle it.” grinned Mulder.
************

Mulder knocked at the apartment door. Inside he could hear voices whispering.“Shit...who could be coming by at this time?”
“Oh God...noooo.”
“Who is it?”
“My worst nightmare...with really bad timing.”
The door opened a crack and a pair of bright green eyes looked out at Mulder and Scully.“What do you want?” Maggie growled.
“Aww come on Maggie...let us in. I haven’t even gone home yet.”
Maggie sighed and took the chain off the door and let it swing open. She glared at Mulder.“Ya know something? You have THE worst sense of timing in this world.”
Mulder look at Maggie’s disheveled appearance and Mike, who was hiding behind thewingchair. He realized that they really had come at an inopportune time
“Ummm...sorry...I guess we could talk another time.” said Mulder, slightlyembarrassed.
“Mulder, office...now.” growled Maggie.
Mulder looked at Scully. “Oh no, Mulder...don’t give me those puppy dogeyes...you got yourself into this mess with her, you get yourself out.”
Mulder hung his head and followed Maggie into the den. He turned to looked at her as sheclosed the door and was met with daggers. “What?” he asked as innocently as hecould muster.
Maggie walked toward him without saying a word. She waited until she was nose to nose withhim. “Don’t you DARE “what?” me!” she snarled. “Your ideathat I need protecting from my own abilities is crap! I did not choose to link withyou...it just happened. There is usually a reason behind it, but in your case Ihaven’t figured it out yet. Maybe I did something REALLY bad in a past life and thisis penance for it...I don’t know. But get one thing through your arrogant F.B.I.head...you don’t control this...so no more fucking games G-Man. Do youunderstand?”
Fox Mulder was stunned. In the year that he had known Maggie, he had never heard her utterone swear word, much less raise her voice to him. He nodded his head in agreement and juststared at her waiting to see what would happen next.
“Now, you are going to take yourself and your partner out of my apartment. Take herto dinner, go look for E.T., take her home and go to bed with her...I don’t give ashit. Just get out of my apartment and let me get back to what I was doing before youdecided to interrupt. And, if you are a good boy, I’ll call you tomorrow when I feellike being a mature adult and we’ll go out to lunch and talk about this.” Withthat she opened the door and walked out.
“It was nice seeing you Dana, we’ll have to go to lunch during my break.”said Maggie as she walked over to Mike.
Mulder came out of the den. “Come on Scully, drive me home. Ummm...nice meeting youMike.” Then to Scully’s surprise, he just turned and walked out the door.
“Bye Maggie. Call me. Nice talking to you Mike.” she said as she ran afterMulder.
***********

Scully watched her partner as he sat silently in her car. “Mulder?” He turnedand looked at her and she could see the hurt in his eyes. “What happened?”
“You were right, Scully. She is really upset with me. I think I may have lost...ohhell, it doesn’t matter.”
Scully pulled the car over and put it in park outside of his apartment. “Mulder, whatever it is, it matters. Talk to me please?”
“I should just be used to it by now. I don’t have many friends for a reasonScully, and I think I just lost one. That’s all.” He explained glumly.
“Mulder, I don’t know Maggie as well as you do, but from what I do know abouther, I think she was just upset. I think you really scared her and that’s why shereacted the way she did. Beside the fact that you interrupted a rather romantic moment forher.” Scully said as she reached over and squeezed her partner’s hand. “Ithink given a day to cool off, everything will be fine.”

Mulder looked at his partner. “You think so?”
She smiled. Sometimes he really reminded her of a little boy. “Yes Mulder, I thinkeverything will be fine. Go upstairs and get yourself unpacked. I’m sure you’llhear from her tomorrow.”
Mulder lay on the couch, surfing the channels. He glanced at the clock, 3:14. He rolledover trying to sleep.
Across town, Maggie lay in her bed staring at the ceiling while Mike slept next to her.She knew Mulder was awake. She also knew that she had really come down hard on him. <Ididn’t mean to.> She argued with herself. <Yeah, but you did anyway. You knowhow easily he gets hurt.> “Ahhhh...” she groaned getting up. She tried todecide what she should do. Finally she gave up. She sat down and started to concentrate.<Mulder?> <Mulder...answer me...I know you’re awake.>
<What? You weren’t finished yelling at me earlier? Going to do it telepathicallynow?> came the response.
<Nope.> <Mulder?>
<What?>
<Love you.>
There was silence for a few minutes. Maggie started to wonder if he heared her.
<Maggie?>
<Yeah?>
<Right back at ya.>
She smiled and went back to bed knowing that everything would work out.

**********
Maggie woke to the smell of coffee. It took her a second to realize who was in herapartment. She wandered out to the kitchen.
“Hey Sleepyhead.” greeted Mike.
Maggie smiled. “Hi yourself.”
“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” asked Mike.
“I don’t know, what do you want to do?”
“Wel, actually, I ummmm....”
“Spit it out Mike, it can’t be that bad.” Maggie said.
“Well, I didn’t exactly know that we were going to happen. Ummmmm, errrrrr. Ikind of planned to play basketball this morning with the guys.” Mike finally got out.He glanced over at Maggie expecting to see anger in her eyes. Instead he saw her grinning.“What did I say that was so funny?”
“You sounded like a guilty little boy who had been caught planning somethingawful.” giggled Maggie. “Go play ball and have fun. Say hi to the guys forme.”
“You’re welcome to come watch. Danielle always does.” Mike offered.
“No thanks. Danielle only goes because she thinks Randy is fooling around onher." Maggie explained. "I'll come watch or maybe play another time. I shouldprobably go have a chat with Mulder anyway. I was a real witch to him last night."
"Yeah...you were." smiled Mike. "But it will work out. Tell him and Danahello for me."
"Ok. Do you want to have dinner here tonight?" asked Maggie.
"Nope." smiled Mike as he watched her expression.
"Oh, all right, no problem. " said Maggie trying not to sound disappointed.
"But, I'd love to take you out to dinner tonight, if you don't mind." he toldher.
Maggie smiled. "Great. What time?"
"7:00?"
"I'll be ready. Have a good time today."

*********

"Mulder..."
"Hi. Up for some lunch?" asked Maggie into the phone.
Mulder smiled. "Yeah, sure. What time?"
"Well, I'm in front right now...but I can do some shopping and be back later."explained Maggie.
"Nope. Be right there." Mulder replied.
Mulder walked out of the building and saw Maggie sitting across the street on the parkbench. He walked over to her and sat down next to her. "So, where to?" he asked.
"How about the Joe's?" Maggie suggested.
"Ohhhh... grease...yummmm. Scully's gonna kill you. She keeps trying to cut that outof my diet." teased Mulder.
"Oh, like you need to worry Skinny." laughed Maggie poking his stomach.
After getting a table in the corner and ordering Maggie looked at her friend. She noticedhe looked tired but there was something else that didn't look normal...she just couldn'tput her finger on it.
"What? Am I turning into an alien or something?" asked Mulder.
"No. Sorry, didn't mean to stare. You just look...different." explained Maggie.
"Good hair day." grinned Mulder.
Maggie laughed. "I'm sorry I was so rude to you last night Mulder."
"That's ok. I deserved it." he said.
"No, you didn't. No one deserves to be treated like that, no matter how mad someoneis at them." apologized Maggie.
"Well, I'm sorry I messed up your night with Mike."
"You didn't." grinned Maggie.
Mulder looked at her with his eyebrows raised.
"Enough of that subject." Maggie said quickly looking embarrassed.
"You are turning soooo red." laughed Mulder.
"Thanks....teasing me about it will really make it go away."

*******
"So, why were you so upset with me for not telling you about the problem I gotinto?" asked Mulder. "There's been lots of times I gotten into a situation thatI haven't let you know about. And incidentally, how come you knew about this time and notthose others or have you not been telling me you knew?"
"I was upset because at the time I thought it was happening right then and I didn'tknow what to do. I usually have a kind of screen up, otherwise I'd be getting a whole lotmore of what goes on in your head." explained Maggie. "I guess with finals andall the lack of sleep, I was just tired and stressed and that let everything down. Theonly other times I've gotten messages that strongly was when Mike was hurt or when I hadbeen drinking. I think drinking lets my guard down. I don't do much of it anymore."
"That makes sense. So Mike gets treated to this attention too, huh?" askedMulder.
"Yeah, not as often...just when I try really hard or one time when he was in anaccident." Maggie explained.
"Well, I'll try and let you know if anything comes up in the future so you don'tworry, ok? promised Mulder.
"Deal." said Maggie.
Mulder reached across the table for the salt shaker. "Mulder?"
"Yeah?"
"What happened to your wrist?" asked Maggie staring.
Mulder looked down and pulled his shirt sleeve down. "Uhh, nothing. just must havebumped it."
Maggie reached out and took his hand and pushed the sleeve back up. She stared at theangry looking purple bruise on his the side of his wrist and on the palm of his hand. Shelooked up at him. He pulled his hand back. "It's nothing, really. Don't worry aboutit."
"How could you have such nasty looking bruises and not know where you got them?"asked Maggie.
"You know me....Mr. Klutz!" smiled Mulder.
Maggie looked more closely at him. She stared at his face and then realized what lookeddifferent. <He's wearing cover up makeup.> she thought.
"Well, I'm glad you're not still upset with me." said Mulder starting to get up.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.
"Back to the office. I have a lot of paperwork to catch up on from the lastcase." he said glancing toward the door. "Lunch was great."
"Mulder, what's going on with you?"
"Nothing...I really have to go." he said looking anxiously toward the front ofthe restaurant.
"Fox!! What are you doing here?" came a voice from behind Maggie. Maggie turnedto see a tall dark haired woman walking toward Mulder. "And with another woman noless. How interesting."
Maggie looked at Mulder. She had never seen him look so panicked. <Mulder...what'swrong?>
Mulder stared at her. <Nothing...>
<Then why do you look like the Bogeyman just walked up to us?>
<Stop it. I said it's nothing. Leave it alone.>
"Hi. I'm Maggie...I'm a friend of Mulder's." she said as she held out her hand.
"Janice. I'm not a friend...I'm his lover. Understand?"
Maggie just stared at the woman. She looked over at Mulder who was white as a ghost.<Mulder?>
<Just drop it and get out of here...please Maggie?>
"Well, we were just about done and I have some shopping to do, so I'm going to go.Have a good day both of you. We'll talk later Mulder." said Maggie as she got up.
"Well, you have a nice day too." replied the woman. "I know I will."

"Look Janice, she really is just a friend." said Mulder after Maggie hadleft.
"Well, I don't remember giving you permission to have friends that were girls.Especially pretty ones. I put up with your partner, but that's all I'll tolerate."said Janice. "Let's go."
"I can't. I have to go back to the office. I have a lot of paperwork to do."
"Oh, I see. You have time for her, but not for me."
"Janice, please don't start. I'll see you later."
"Fine, I'll be waiting for you at your place. Be home early." sneered Janice.

*******
Maggie sat in the park across from the Hoover building. She really didn't like to invadepeople's privacy, but she had to know what was going on. Mulder had been acting sostrange. She concentrated. What she saw shocked her. < That woman gave him thosebruises. No wonder he was so upset.> She got up and went back to Joe's. She saw Janiceas she was walking out. "You and I need to have a little chat." she said as shewalked up to the woman.
"I only have one thing to say to you...he's mine. Stay away from him. I don't allowfriends." hissed Janice.
"Gee....last time I checked, he was a person...not property." sneered Maggie."And, if I find out you have laid a hand on him again, you'll be dealing with me, andmy mother never taught me not to hit back."
Maggie was still seeing red when Mike showed up to pick her up. "Hi Beautiful!"exclaimed Mike as she opened the door. Maggie smiled and took the roses he offered her.
"Thanks...they are gorgeous!"
"Just like you." smiled Mike. "Ready to go?"
"Yup."
*******

"Delius Mike?" Maggie asked as they pulled up in front of the restaurant."This is really expensive!"
"Don't worry about it, I got a check from Dad today." Mike explained. "So,how come you are so quiet tonight?"
"I'm sorry, I'm just worried about Mulder."
"Why? Didn't things go well with him today?" asked Mike.
"Well, yes, they were going fine until some woman showed up at Joe's. He looked likehe was terrified of her. She was really rude and introduced himself as his lover."Maggie told him. "I did something that I usually don't do, I kind of listened in towhat was going on in his head. Mike, she hits him."
"What do you mean she hits him?"
"She hits him; as in punches and hurts him." Maggie said.
"Mulder is an F.B.I. agent, he knows how to defend himself. He wouldn't let anyone dothat." Mike told her.
"Mike, I know what I saw. I saw bruises on him and I saw him thinking about it."
"Maybe he likes it?"
"Mike! No, I think he is afraid of something. Something she is holding overhim."
"And you intend to find out right?" asked Mike.
"Well, I kind of already told her if she touches him again she deals with me and Idon't play nice."
"Ohhhhh...cat fight!"
"It's not funny!" exclaimed Maggie.
"Hey speak of the devil....Mulder just walked in."

Maggie turned toward the door. Sure enough, in walked Mulder with Janice.<Great!> thought Maggie.
"Do you want to leave?" asked Mike.
"No, but since you are facing them, tell me if anything weird happens." saidMaggie.
"You're not going to connect with him?" asked Mike.
"No. I think it would just make him uncomfortable. Besides, I want to see if he actsso strange around her when he thinks no one else is near."
"Makes sense."
"Mag?"
"What?"
"Was Mulder's arm in a cast earlier?" asked Mike.
"No! That's it, I'm going to kill her!" hissed Maggie.
"Maggie, you can't do that here. You are going to have to wait until we leave toconfront her. Just try and enjoy your dinner." pleaded Mike.
"I'm sorry Mike. I don't mean to ruin your night. I'm just really concerned abouthim." Maggie apologized.
"I understand, he's your friend. I know how protective you are of the people you careabout." smiled Mike squeezing her hand.

******

"Did you enjoy dinner?" asked Mike.
"Yes! It was wonderful. I'm really sorry that I seemed preoccupied." Maggiereplied as Mike paid the check.
"Well, it looks like our friends are about to leave. Would you care to discreetlyfollow?" asked Mike holding out his arm.
"Thank you , sir!" smiled Maggie.
"I believe that we are going for a walk through the park." stated Mike as hewatched Mulder and Janice go through the gate.
"We better stay far enough behind that they don't get suspicious." said Maggie.
"Fortunately, there seems to be a few other couples walking there tonight."replied Mike.
They followed the couple to the far end of the park. Maggie was just about to whisper toMike when he abruptly pulled her against a tree and started kissing her. "They werelooking." he whispered between kisses. "I don't think Mulder saw you. Hopefullythey think we're just a couple making out." Mike glanced over at the couple and sawMulder on his knees. "I think Mulder's hurt!" Mike said.
Maggie pulled away and looked over in time to see Mulder crouched on the ground and Janicekick him in the ribs. Janice was so intent on the beating that she didn't hear Maggie comerunning up. Throwing herself at Janice, both woman ended up in a heap. As the two womanwrestled Janice yelled "Mulder, you better call her off or the story goes outtonight."
"Maggie...stop....please." begged Mulder trying to sit up.
Maggie didn't even hear Mulder she was so angry. She pinned Janice face first into theground. She grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. "I told you to keep you handsto yourself." she yelled.
Janice glared defiantly at Maggie. "That's it Mulder. The secret comes out now!"Turning to Maggie she said "We'll see how precious you think Mulder is when you findout what he is truly like. I guess he has never told you about his little habit hashe?"
"Janice, stop...Maggie let her go please?" groaned Mulder.
"Like I would believe anything you had to tell me Bitch." snarled Maggie.
"Oh...you don't have to believe me, I have tapes of all the conversations we havehad. Do you know your friend Mulder likes phone sex?" grinned Janice.
Maggie looked at Mulder. <Mulder...> <Fox...look at me.>
Mulder looked up. She could see the shame in his eyes.
<Nothing she says makes any difference.>
<Yeah, right.>
<Mulder....what did I tell you early this morning?>
<I don't know.>
<Yes, you do.>
<That you love me.>
<Always...no matter what.>
Maggie glared at Janice. "Unlike you...Mulder has people in his life who care abouthim no matter what he has done. Nothing you have to say will change that."
"I'm sure it won't change anything you think, but I'm sure his boss at the F.B.I.won't be as forgiving"
Maggie glared at the woman on the ground. "Mike, take Mulder back to the car."
"Maggie, just let it go. I deserve this." Mulder pleaded.
"Come on Mulder." said Mike as he helped Mulder to his feet. "You shouldknow by now to do what she tells you."

"So, how do you feel about an I.R.S. audit on the last seven years of your life,Janice?" asked Maggie. "I'm sure my father would be happy to have one of hispeople look into it since he heads one of the regions. Or better yet, maybe Agent Mulderwas working a sting operation because his good friend Mike was getting obscene offers overthe phone. Then we could work in assaulting an officer as well as the rest of thecharges."
Janice paled. "You can't do that!"
"Try me."
"What do you want? I'll leave him alone."
"That's not enough Janice. We are going to take a little trip to your place. You aregoing to give me every copy of EVERYTHING you have, phone tapes, videos, computer disks.Then you are not only going to leave him alone, you going to get out of D.C. If I everhear hint that you are anywhere near him again...I start making phone calls. Do weunderstand each other?" explained Maggie.
Janice nodded her head.

#############3HOURS LATER########

Maggie walked into her apartment and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dark. She sawa dark form lying on the couch. As she got closer, she saw that it was Mike, sleepingpeacefully. She wondered if Mulder's injuries were enough to put him in the hospitalagain. Then she heard a whimpering sound coming from her room. She quietly walked into thedarken room. Mulder was curled up into a ball in the center of the bed. Maggie wasn't sureif he was awake or not. She sat down carefully on the side of the bed and reached over."Mulder?" she called softly touching his shoulder.
Mulder jumped and stared at her. She could see the tears on his face.
"Hey, you ok?" she asked.
Mulder nodded. "Yeah, I'll just get out of your way." He started to get up.
"Mulder, you are not in my way." she stated putting her hand on his arm."Do you want to talk about it?"
"I can just imagine what you think of me now." Mulder said glumly.
"Really? You think you can huh?"
"Yes."
Maggie concentrated. <I think you one the most warm and caring people I know and I amso glad that you are my friend. And yes, I still love you.>
Mulder's eyes widened as he got her message.
"So, is that what you were imagining??"
"Ummm, not exactly."
"Well, that's what I was thinking. I guess my ability isn't rubbing off on you,huh?"
"How can you think that way when you know what I did?" asked Mulder.
"Part of caring about people is knowing that they are not perfect. You do things, Ido things, Mike and Dana do things that are not to other people's liking, but it doesn'tmake anyone a bad person." explained Maggie. "It makes us individuals. You justhave to accept your friends for who they are and go from there."
"Scully would hate me." mumbled Mulder.
"I doubt it. Given half a chance, she would probably tell you to call her instead ofsomeone like Janice." grinned Maggie.
Mulder looked up with a shocked look on his face.
"Think about it G-Man. Could be a good thing."
"Maggie, have you been reading Scully?"
"Nope, no can do. But I am a girl and I see the way she looks at you. Suffice it tosay, she thinks you are hot."
Mulder looked puzzled.
"Why is that so hard for you to accept?" asked Maggie.
"I just never thought she would be interested in someone as messed up as I am."
Maggie leaned over and hugged Mulder. "You are no more messed up than the rest of us.Some of us just hide things better than others. Now why don't you get some rest and in themorning you can call Scully and test out our theory?"
"I don't want to put you out Maggie, I'll just go home." Mulder replied as hestarted to get up.
"Nope. You are staying. I don't want you on your own tonight. I'm going out to cuddlewith Mike and I'll see you in the morning. No arguments are being taken on this."
"Thanks Mag."
"Any time Mulder."

End???

Comments and sequel ideas to:Kaitlin