I awoke to the darkness of my mind. Knowing Nothing, Feeling Nothing. As I opened my eyes, I found I was looking into the eyes of a man. They were dark, filled with fear. I reached out and touched the tears that were falling from his face.

“Scully! Talk to me Scully!” I could not understand what he meant.

“Scully! Can you hear me?”

I withdrew my hand, and closed my eyes to return to the peacefulness of my mind. Only to be awoken again by the man who was shaking my body.

“Say something Damnit!”

“I…”

I didn’t know what to say. I had nothing to say. I knew not who I was, or where I was, or how I came to being here. “Scully?!”

Or exactly why this person had taken so much interest into me, or who he was.

“Who are you?” I felt as though I was adrift in a calm river, flowing to a cross section that would take me to an unexplored place, changing me forever.

“Scully?” He looked at me, as though almost anticipating my response.

“Yes, you keep saying that but what does it mean?” I asked. “Do you remember…anything?” He asked desperately.

I thought about it, but my mind was empty, of all personal thoughts.

“About what?”

The man’s head slumped forward as he rested it against my shoulder. I was lost. I slowly sat up, resting the man’s head onto my lap, as I gently stroked his forehead. I sat there for awhile watching his chest rise and fall. His hair was dark and soft, and his eyes, though closed were beautiful. But they were sad. I could not think or understand why. They told a story of lies and deceit. Of frustration and anger, but mostly now of sadness and regret.

His skin felt smooth under my touch, slightly damp due to perspiration. I ran my eyes along the soft contours of his face until I reached his lips. They were lightly, pressed together and somehow I felt myself wondering more about him. “Who are you?” I asked gently.

He slowly opened his eyes, and raised his body until he sat facing me.

Mulder screeched the car down the road, almost missing the turn up to Scully’s apartment. He jingled the car door handle; violently pounding against it which refused to budge. Thunder and Lightening continued to reach across the sky in an on going saga.

“C’mon Damnit!!!” The door burst open, the rain twice as hard as before as Mulder leapt out of the door, sprinting to the elevator.

As he reached the Hallway, he saw dark man walking down the corridor, but his mind clouded over, unable to recognise the figure.

‘There’s something familiar about that ….’

“MULDER….!!!” He heard Scully’s voice pierce the air. It woke his responses, as he tore down the hall to her door.

Not attempting to knock, he rammed his body hard against the door, as it splinted off the hinges and fell open.

“SCULLAAAYY!!” Mulder yelled through the apartment only to be met by silence. It was dark, every object illuminated by the faint light seeping in though the doorway.

‘I was once again running through the desolate cornfields in the cold night, as the Helicopters preyed upon me. Scully was behind me, failing to persist my speed. I was loosing her.’

Fear crept over him, as he anticipated what had happened. Not a single object was out of place, which displayed no sign of a struggle. There was no forced entry. Not until he had broken the door down. Then he stopped. His heart shattered.

There Scully lay, deathly still upon the floor. Mulder ran to her body.

“Scully!” He picked up her limp figure and began shaking her. “Scully!” But there was no response. “Damnit Scully! Wake up!” Mulder was falling to pieces. If she was gone, due to his selfish quests, then he would be over. Scully was a part of him that he had simply just accepted that she’d always be there with her science and explanations to bring him back round to reality. Tears began to fall from Mulder’s face. He couldn’t loose her. Not now. How could he have let this happen? He shouldn’t have left before. Mulder closed his eyes. Many times before had he lost her, too many times.

Then there was a movement beneath him. Scully’s body slightly squirmed beneath him, as if trying to escape from someone Her eyelids slowly opened to a new world. She was born into the unknown, to be met by a man of whom trusted her with his whole life.

Mulder felt a hand touch his face, and he looked down to see Scully. His heart almost jumped out of his throat as he struggled to breathe or make any sense. “Scully! Talk to me Scully!”

She stared straight at him with the most empty expression he had ever seen.

“Scully can you hear me?”

She was not there any more. Her life had taken from her, her every essence that made her who she was.

Afraid perhaps, she withdrew her hand from him, and drifted back to the abyss of her mind.

“Say something Damnit!” Mulder was frightened of loosing her again. He shook her back into the world.

“I…”

“Scully?!”

It had happened to her. Just like the others. Gone. Everything just gone. She was lost forever, never to be the same person again. Mulder would never know the Scully he had once known. “Who are you?”

That question was like a knife right through his heart. No, this can’t be happening.

“Scully?” Mulder’s tone was desperately searching for recognition of anything, though at the back of his mind he anticipated responses would end to nothing.

“Yes, you keep saying that but what does it mean?” She opened her eyes innocently. Mulder looked down into them, as deep blue as the oceans upon the horizon. He blinked blandly, as if to awaken himself.

Below him, Scully appeared so vulnerable. So open to the world. She knew Nothing. Absolutely nothing. “Do you remember…anything?”

“About what?” Her voice sounded hollow as it reached through the room, echoing a thousand times back towards Mulder. He slumped his head forward, resting it upon her shoulder. He was defeated. Things would be different from now on. How was he going to explain the concept of anything to her? How was he going to explain this to the Assistant Director? It was as though nothing mattered any more. Like a one way conversation. Scully lifted his head onto her lap and began to gently stroke his head. ‘It was a blissful where I was. Yet horribly wrong. The situation could advance on me, and because I love her too much, it would be too wrong. She has no idea of the affects this has on me.’

“Who are you?” Scully’s voice sounded, as it awoke him from his daze. Mulder could not handle it any more and sat up to move away from her.

“My name is Fox Mulder. Scully I…” Fox began. Scully knotted her eyebrows. Something was troubling him. It was hard for him to say anything at all.

“Is that who I am? Scully?” She inquired, tilting her head to one side, as if listening.

“Ok. I’m sorry Scully. There’s too much for you to know here. If I get to fast for you, remind me to stop ok?” Scully nodded slowly as Fox fumbled with his shoelaces, trying to pinpoint a place to begin.

“So. Your name is Dana Katherine Scully. You were born on,” He hesitated. “..Scully, do you mind if I don’t begin with that sort of stuff?” Fox looked up at her. There was a longing in his eyes, a lost connection.

“Fox, ..” Scully began. Mulder smiled. “What?” Scully looked at him curiously.

“Oh nothing, it’s just that you used to call me Mulder.” He looked at her, with an expression that seemed to show old memories that were coursing through his mind. It was as though they were back in the Basement of the Federal Building, Mulder’s office, being introduced for the first time. Except the fact that there was an uneven balance here. For a moment, the rain pelting upon the windows were all that could be heard. Mulder turned his head towards the window.

“Ok Mulder. Let me get something straight. Why do I not remember who you are?” Scully looked at him directly. That had a reaction. He refused to look up at her.

“Mulder?” When he raised his eyes towards Scully, there were tears along the rims of them. She reached out for his hand. “Who was I to you? What is causing your pain? I can see it in your eyes Mulder, hear it in your voice.” She looked down at the floor.

“Scully I…” His throat tightened as he struggled to continue. Scully moved over to him and took him in her arms. Mulder held her close to him and buried his head in her shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered. He pulled away from her and began to tell his story.

“Scully, I met you five years ago. No, I’ll have to begin further from there.” He took a breath.

“In this world it is filled with chaos, it is a cruel, cynical place.” Mulder took a breath.

“Mulder, I believe I already know that.” Scully looked at him as a matter-of-fact. He looked towards at her with a queer expression.

“Scully, how much exactly do you know? Or maybe, what don’t you know?” Scully looked around the room, then focused her eyes upon Mulder.

“Where am I? I believe this is an apartment of such, but that’s about it.” Scully shrugged her shoulders.

“This is where you live.” Mulder continued to watch her.

“I have no memories of my family, of where I have worked…did I have a job?” Scully looked into Mulder’s eyes for a sign of any thing that she may remember. He smiled.

“As I was saying, five years ago, I met you at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, hence the FBI. You were a trained Medical Doctor from Quantico, assigned with me to work on the X-files Division for cases of unexplained phenomenon. You were assigned to debunk my work of the paranormal on orders of our Government. The men, who assigned you to this, were of an unknown Secret Agenda, working against me. Your were to reign me in, to Shut me Down. However, you refuted these orders. You became the partner of ‘Spooky’ Mulder…”

“And why is it that you earned your self that title?” Scully frowned her eyebrows at him.

“I’m a key figure in an ongoing government Charade. An annoyance to my superiors, a joke to my peers. They call me ‘Spooky’. Spooky Mulder, whose sister was abducted by aliens when he was just a kid. Who now chases little green men with a badge and a gun, shouting to the heavens and anyone else who’ll listen, that the fix is in. That our Government’s hip to the Truth and a part of a conspiracy. That the sky is falling, and when it hits, it’s going to be the shit storm of all time.” Mulder waited for a response.

Scully looked at him with a sympathetic expression. ‘Mulder, that’s sounds like the type of recited speech you may have spoken when you were drinking to much whisky.” She let go of his hand.

“It was. And it basically summarises what’s going down. But you were different. You didn’t listen to the bogus crap that everyone else did. Though you never agreed with me with my out there theories, you and your scientific explanations, you always trusted me. You were my Partner in the X-files, always there to pull me out of trouble and follow me along with my crusades. Numerous times you saved my life Scully, you’ve even shot me in the shoulder.” He rubbed his shoulder as if the whole event was re-occurring in his mind.

“Really? Why would I be so irrational? Did you deserved it?” Scully laughed, awakening the solemn mood that was set around the apartment.

“Yeah, I did. I was behaving like a maniac. Someone had contaminated my water system, which was meddling my mind. Scully, you don’t know how important you are to me.” Mulder paused as he thought.

“If you hadn’t come round to reality, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Scully frowned yet again.

“What’s bothering you?” Mulder looked at her.

“Mulder, have we ever been involved together before?” She asked up front, yet shyly hiding her curiosity. Mulder went quiet for a moment. He was tempted to say something about that. But she was so innocent; he could not lie to her. Oh Scully, if only you knew. Mulder’s senses were opened to him, in the Street below he heard the voices of many men, shouting orders to each other with strict direction, as their footsteps could be heard echoing across the road. Within minutes, the voices filled the Hallway invading the still privacy. There was a loud knock upon the door, before anyone realised it was open.

“Agent Mulder!” Mulder turned his head towards the doorway. There was a voice, stern with authority that had been shaped over the years due to events that were revealed and justified. Of a strength that had been built. Assistant Director Skinner’s frame appeared as a silhouette against the outside light.

“This better not be a useless cause. The Bureau will hold you with disregard if you have brought out a S.W.A.T team here for some…” Skinner was interrupted by the urgency of Mulder’s statement.

“We have got to find that man!” Mulder’s anger was burning for revenge. “After all he has done.” Mulder stood up, placing his hands upon his hips.

“What has he done, and who is the suspect? Who are you naming?” Skinner looked around the room, then his eyes landed on Scully, who was still sitting upon the floor. “Mulder, in the hearing that you gave the Board of Directors, we found you claims hard to justify.” He took a step towards Mulder.

“Well here is your proof.” Mulder voice began to break, as he indicated to Scully. When she heard her own name sounding in the room, she began to rise from the floor.

“What do you mean? If there is something you aren’t telling me...” Skinner paused, and looked at Scully. Through his eyes, she seemed perfectly normal, except for the object that she was not supporting Mulder’s claims.

“He took them from her. All of her thoughts, her memories, her mind!” Mulder threw his hands up in the air before bring them hard to his sides. “The culprit is one of our very own men within the FBI. Special Agent Gyde Saunders.” Mulder dropped his head stubbornly, as he waited for Skinner to reply. Skinner gave a disbelieving look at the sullen figure of Mulder, as he found the concept hard to grasp.

Scully looked towards the Assistant Director and then back towards Mulder. She was totally oblivious to the conversation. She was more confused than before, being revealed to so many people.

“Agent Scully, is this true?” Skinner tried to make eye contact with Scully. “Do you remember anything?”

“What Agent Mulder spoke of, though I cannot recall any of the events, his statements I believe are true.” Scully held the Assistant Director’s gaze. “I can recall the most basic objects within life, yet I could not recite to you my personal history, family, or who even you are.” Scully looked towards Mulder before continuing. “At the moment, the only person in this room whom I know is Mulder. But that is only because I awoke to him first.” Skinner considered all that Scully had said.

A figure emerged through the doorway, followed by another. Dressed in FBI attire, Mulder recognised the people immediately. “What is Agents Walker and Byrnes doing here at this moment?” Mulder whispered in a harsh protective tone towards the Assistant Director.

“Agent Mulder, you can’t allow them to be overlooking the fact that Scully is unaware of who they are. It could lead her into misinterpretations. The situation could advance on her unexpectantly. Don’t assume anything.” Skinner glanced towards Walker suspiciously.

His face was beaming with a confused smile, as he boldly strode across towards the Assistant Director Even broader still was the smile that was growing on his face as Scully came into his view. “What’s all the commotion about? I was called up here, no questions asked.” He shook his head, but his grin only grew wider as he saw Scully’s eyes on him in a peculiar manner.

“Hello Dana, would you mind filling me in?” Walker came round towards Scully, just as Skinner decided against that idea, collaring him.

“Why don’t you go downstairs and find out if the S.W.A.T Team have discovered anything in regards to the suspect.” Skinner raised his eyebrows towards Walker, as he casually began his excuses.

“Well, sure, but they already decided to inform you in person.” Walker looked once more towards Scully before stepping aside. Skinner continued his inquiries with Mulder despite the intrusion.

“Agent Mulder, what exactly have you witnessed? Did you see anyone?” Skinner folded his arms across his chest, while contemplating the fact that it could be one hell of a long night.

“I saw a man.” Mulder began. He ran his hands through his hair, which was slick due to the rain.

“Yes.” Byrnes nodded her head in contemplation, her voice with a high manner of speaking. “I believe I also saw a man, but then suddenly it was as though I hadn’t seen him at all.” She looked back towards Mulder, who began in reply.

“My mind clouded over, not due my own cause, but because of some self inflicted occurrence which I presume was caused by Agent Saunders. Then I heard Scully scream out my name. After I had forced in an entry, I found her lying on the floor. However, nothing was out of placed. Nor was there a sign of a forced entry. Of course I cannot prove that now.” Mulder indicated towards the door.

Just as he did so a S.W.A.T team man walked through the door, brushing off the droplets of water which clung to his jacket, whilst being careful not to knock anything on his way in.

“Sir,” He began towards Skinner. “We have seen a figure of a man, which could fit the figure and description of whom Special Agent Mulder spoke of, but he vanished before a trace could be established. However, we have received a call from Mrs. Scully, inquiring about Special Agent Dana Scully. She was worried that something had happened.” The man waited for a reply, edging curiously at the situation, attempting to pick up any details that he could whilst being given the chance.

“St. Patrick’s Day.” Mulder mumbled.

“What did you say?” Skinner asked.

“St. Patrick’s Day. It totally slipped my mind. Every year, on this day, due to Scully’s Catholic Religious relations, her family celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. Mostly likely that this occasion is the first time Scully has missed her family gathering, Mrs. Scully was wondering what had happened.” Mulder raised his eyes to Scully, and then back to the Assistant Director.

“Sir, if you’d take this into consideration, I believe that taking Dana to this function would be a good idea. You shouldn’t have her doing things out of the ordinary, depending upon how public you would like this issue to be.” Walker looked towards the Assistant Director for support. Mulder retorted to himself. ‘Dana’, then with haste, he turned away from the discussion as to hide the facial expression he was making.

“Agent Walker, you have a point that I agree with.” Skinner nodded, rustling his jacket.

“Would you not need someone to help inform her with details involving family background?” Byrnes strode into the conversation, from observing objects within Scully’s apartment. Walker began nodding vigorously in agreement.

“Agent Mulder,” Skinner turned away, ignoring Walker. “I would advise that you attend the St. Patrick’s Day gathering with Scully, as you are the one with the most knowledge about her relations.” Mulder turned towards Skinner, before checking the time on his watch.

“Scully, we’d better be leaving pretty soon.” Mulder nodded towards the doorway, before siding Scully next to him. Mulder grinned at her.

“Alright, what this time?” Scully cocked her head to one side, questioning Mulder’s expression whilst passing him a wry smile trying to hide her nervousness.

“Well, at least I don’t have to worry about being awoken in the morning at about 3 am, requiring a ride from a drunk Scully. Who can’t even take a step out the front door without waking the neighbourhood due to the most ridiculous singing, before being cut short from falling over from the front steps.”

“I would never do that!” Scully elbowed him hard in the side, before striding triumphantly through into the Hallway. Mulder doubled over laughing, holding his side.

“Oh Scully…”

- Scully eXtremis To be continued...