“Mulder! For the last time, no, that was not an unexplained happening, and it was not a little coincidental! That man who was lost in the Baltimore woods had a case of amnesia. No, he did not have any metallic implants or any recollection of aliens, or a white light, or of government conspirators, or any other of that extra terrestrial related things that you believe in!”

“But what about when…”

“Mulder!”

Scully just about wanted to rip her hair out at Mulder. He had been so damn frustrating lately, especially with the latest case that they had been assigned to. And Assistant Director Skinner had especially directed them to it.

The case had involved a series of related occasions; people with their minds wiped clean of any memory it may once have contained. Every single thought that had once flowed through their minds had merged into one question. Who they were. They had no remembrance of the past, or what the Future may have held. Or for that matter, even who they were…

Usually they would disembark in unexpectant places, wandering aimlessly until revealed to the world, lost in the abundance of possibilities and questions, all ending in hopelessness and confusion.

Yesterday, the fourth victim had been turned in unexpectantly. Scully had been woken from her sleep at 4:37am in the morning (yes, she remembered the exact time, and if she racked her brain hard enough, maybe even the exact seconds too.) by a phone call, (that irritating mobile!):

“Hey Scully..” The familiar voice sounded on the other line, with a hint of anticipation and eagerness in his tone.

“Mulder?,” Only Mulder. Of course. He would be the only one excited and awake at 4:40am in the morning.

“This better be important, or else I’m going to file a complaint about this..”

“Oh Scully, don’t be so serious! It’s not that early in the morning, take a look, the sun is already rising.” Mulder almost sounded like he was eager to let her in on something, but holding off for the big one.

Scully, as groggy enough as she was, rolled of the bed covers and started for the window. As she drew back the blinds, she almost rolled her eyes.

“Oh,” she said with annoyance in her voice, “I take it that you mean that vague hint of crimson that is peaking over the horizon?”

“What day is it?” Mulder asked.

“Mulder, its Friday.” Scully stated, not believing that Mulder could be that forgetful.

“Well, that’s what you think with your scientific rations, but my out there theories predict that it is St Patrick’s Day. At around 11:00pm in the morning, you are going to call me on the phone, and ask me to come and pick you up from your Mom’s house. Because you’ve had too much to drink, and won’t be able to walk down the stairs without singing aloud and falling on your face. Dr enigma Scully, tell me this is true?” Mulder was walking around his apartment, kicking furniture whilst waiting for Scully’s reply.

“Mulder, you’re smiling, already anticipating me aren’t you? I can here it in your voice.”

“Ok Scully, but that’s not the point. So at least you are now out of the bed. Get dressed and hurry down to the Bureau. I’ll meet you there.” The click of the phone indicated that Mulder was already on his way.

By the time she had arrived, it was about 5:21am, and Mulder was already there. A smile crept across his face as he saw her flustered figure striding towards him. Yet however bewildered she may have been towards Mulder’s theories, and beliefs, she was always there for him, willing to listen. No matter how abstract it seemed. After all, having been with him for five years now with the FBI, she had come to understand him in a way that no one else ever had. They had a special relationship that no one else had, and Mulder was grateful that he had Scully. He would do anything for her, even give up his life.

He walked over to her, and began guiding her towards the Federal Building. “Alright Scully, now I’m sure you have been waiting for this. Yet again, much like the other victims we have had in on this case before, a forth one has turned up. He is similar to the others, in the way that he has no memory or any recognition of his identity. But have you noticed Scully that along with all the similarities discovered these people are all-important personal? Ie: The first one was a recruited officer from the Navy. The second was a member from the Federal Board of Justice. The third one was a Sailor, and the most recent one an air pilot. He was found in Baltimore, wandering aimlessly in the forests. A local Sheriff picked him up in his Ute, and sent him to the headquarters. Eventually he found his way in the hands of the Bureau. Scully, I think there’s a pattern here. Look, see for yourself.” Mulder pulled out from his pocket a fold out tourist map of the United States of America.

“Here, in Boston was where the first one was found,” He pointed to the marking on the Map. “ And the second one was found here in New York. Then the third one was found in Philadelphia, and then last but not least, the most recent one in Baltimore. Scully, they are following a pattern along the coast, due South West.”

“Mulder, are you saying that perhaps there will be another one in Washington? But what if this is the last one?” Scully looked at the map, tracing the path with her finger. “Well, as it just happens, I did some background information on all four of the victims..”

“You mean you have already seen the one from Baltimore? Mulder, How long have you been awake?” Scully passed him a sly look.

“Well,..I couldn’t really get to sleep, and I couldn’t help thinking that this may have happened before, as I was almost certain I had come across it as an X-file. So I popped down to my office, and checked the Federal Service Computer Database for any matching cases with similarities. Scully, I think we have a recurrence here. Five years ago, when we only began on the X-files, the Bizarre Affair Division had to handle a similar case. Except that instead of four victims, there were five.” Mulder waited for her to catch on to his point

“Are you saying that we have yet a fifth one to account for?” Scully faced Mulder, and looked at him directly. He had a gleam in his eyes, which meant there was yet another twist to his tale. “And, not only that, but..well…” Mulder’s voice trailed of in the distance as he avoided eye contact with Scully.

“Yes?” Scully shot at him.

“Ok Scully, I just wanted your opinion on this one, but I think you better come see for yourself.” Mulder began heading in the general direction of the Custody Unit, before Scully collared him.

“Mulder, must I remind you that we have a board meeting with the Assistant Director, or have you already lost yourself within the world of unknown possibilities?” Scully folded her arms across her chest, looking at Mulder. He shrugged.

Mulder and Scully reached the Bureau, and headed straight for the Assistant Director’s office. Whilst remaining seated waiting, Mulder began wondering about there reason for being here.

“Scully, what exactly is the purpose of our visit?” Mulder inquired.

“Skinner wants an update report on the Amnesia case for the record.” Scully paused before adding on to her conclusion. “Oh, and he mentioned the fact that we would be assigned two other agents to work with us Mulder. Special Agents Lyle Walker and Calista Byrnes.” Scully smiled upon seeing Mulder's reaction. She knew without a doubt that Mulder felt, insulted perhaps? On being assigned with other Agents. Mulder was the type of Agent who preferred working alone.

“Assistant Director Skinner will see you into his office now.” Skinner’s sectary gestured the Agents through the door. As they entered the door, they were met by the presence of two other Agents. Mulder presumed that they were the Agents to be assigned with them. He couldn’t quite work out exactly why he needed outside help. Outside. That wasn’t exactly the right way to place it, but that’s what it seemed. Perhaps it was that for so long he had been seen as an odd Agent, that anyone else new to his presence felt on the outside. True, but then there was Scully.

“Agents Mulder and Scully, please have a seat.” Skinner's resonating tone brought Mulder to his senses. Skinner was what his title said, their Assistant Director. But it hadn’t always been that way. Skinner was a friend yet at times the foe. He could wheel and deal, pulling the strings in Mulder’s favour, always saving his ass, yet risking his own authority.

“As you have probably been informed, you will be teamed up with Agents Byrnes and Walker.”

Mulder leant over to Scully and spoke softly in her ear. “Doesn’t that name not remind you of the Phantom, Ghost who Walks?” Scully looked wide at Mulder, attempting to conceal her laughter.

“Mulder!” She elbowed him, whilst turning around to take a look at Agent Lyle Walker.

He was smiling at her when she placed her eyes on him. He was a tad shorter than Mulder, but more stocky. With blue eyes, and an odd shade of blonde hair,…well actually Scully couldn’t exactly label it as any colour. His smile was seductive, but it lacked something. Or it was overly done. Whatever, Scully couldn’t place her finger on that either.

“Agent Mulder, if you wouldn’t mind sharing your comments upon this issue with us?” Skinner looked sternly upon Mulder. Skinner knew Mulder as the maverick Agent, going against the rules, and protecting the Truth at any costs, revealing the lies. Mulder passed a cough before continuing. Seriously Mulder. Scully rolled her eyes towards the ceiling, trying to be excluded from this discussion.

Maybe if I close my eyes, I’ll drift away from here, and…Nope. It’s doesn’t work like that any more. It might have in primary school, but not in the FBI.

“I was just saying that I was keen to get back on track with the case.” Mulder looked directly at the Assistant Director, as to emphasis the point. Skinner nodded towards Mulder. “If you would like to inform me about details, then I’ll let you get back to the Investigation.” Skinner replied. Mulder cleared his throat before beginning.

Scully sat there solemnly, vaguely nodding her head every now and again, staring straight passed the Assistant Director. She couldn’t exactly make out words, but she heard voices droning on in the background.

“Agent Scully?” Scully wasn’t quite sure whether or not she heard something vaguely recognisable.

Was that Mulder voice? This scene seemed too familiar to her. A dozen times had Mulder and she sat in the very same chairs reporting their theories and investigative conclusions to the Assistant Director. Scully decided to awake to the conversation. Agent Scully? Do you have anything to add to this report?” Skinner raised his eyebrows towards her.

“Well I think that just about sums it up.” Scully blinked her eyes slowly.

“Dana?” No, she still hadn’t quite come around from her dreaming. “Hey Dana?”

“What?” She turned around and realised that Mulder and Byrnes had gone with Skinner for an insight board meeting with the other Directors of the FBI.

“Are you around up there?” Walker indicated to her head. Scully lolled her head around, until she placed her focus on Walker. He was looking at her meaningful, just…watching. Scully turned away, to distract herself, wondering when Mulder had left, and how long she had not being paying attention.

She picked up Skinners plaque, turning it over in her hands. When was the last time Scully had seen one with the words Special Agent Dana Scully engraved on it? Come to think of it, she really didn’t belong to an office. Always drifting around Mulder’s cluttered space which was spilling over with manilla folders, files, papers, filing cabinets, photos tacked into the wall anywhere there was a free space. The ‘I WANT TO BELIEVE’ poster.

Scully smiled at that. It was basically Mulder intentions. But then her smile slowly turned into a frown. All of Mulder’s work had been burned to the ground. Gone forever, all of the entire X-files that she and Mulder had ever investigated. They brought back many memories to her. Then she realised that Walker still hadn’t removed his eyes from her. She could feel them prickling along her neck.

Maybe this wasn’t a very good idea leaving me alone with him. She turned around again and sat facing him. I swear that that seductive smile has been glued to his face. Maybe I could peel it off, and it might reveal something a little more mundane.

“Sorry? Did you want to say something?” Scully raised her eyebrows towards Walker. “How long have I been sitting here after Mulder left?” She glanced around the room.

“Uh, hmmmm. Can’t quite recall. But then, I’m sure we all drift off every now and again. Say Dana..” Scully cut in before he could continue.

“No please, you can call me Scully.” “I wouldn’t feel proper without addressing someone by their correct name, besides, Dana is a beautiful name. You should be recognised by it more widely.” Walker moved a little closer.

Oh Jesus Christ. Scully muttered to herself. I can’t believe this. Is he implying something here? I sincerely hope not, for his sake.

Scully pulled away from her chair and stood up to walk around to the other side of the room. She could feel his eyes following her, like at trained missile following the target point. Scully shuddered. Where is Mulder?

“So. What is your division?” Walker’s voice reached Scully, but she tried to block it out.

“I work on the X-files with Agent Fox Mulder, investigating the paranormal, unexplained phenomenon.” Scully turned around to face him.

“Spooky Fox Mulder?” Walker asked with a hint of Mockery in his voice.

“Yes, if that’s what his reputation is around here. But if that’s the way it is, then I must what they call Mrs Spooky. I’ve heard that one around.” Scully folded her arms across her chest. Walker was beginning to irritate her. Walker looked away from her, as if to not crumple his reputation. Scully smiled.

The door opened, as voices rolled across the air. Mulder strode in, with a look that said I’m going to need you to help convince the panel Scully. That wasn’t the first time she had seen that expression across his face. Mulder ushered Scully to his side, as the Assistant Director spoke to Walker and Byrnes.

“So how it go?” Scully spoke in a hushed voice.

“So how was your little snooze?” Mulder said sarcastically. “Ok, well I think that we need to get down to the Custody Unit for some Interviews Scully and Agents Walker and Byrnes will follow us shortly. No really, when did you come round?”

“Mulder, I don’t even want to talk about it.” Scully passed a sly look towards Walker.

Mulder walked fast, as Scully struggled to keep the pace. People watched them hurry by. Whenever agents saw Agent Spooky taking Scully around anywhere, they knew that he had hit a new theory and something was going down.

Mulder and Scully headed straight for the Custody Unit. Scully’s mind was racing with possibilities about the case, as well as trying to determine some logical answers to all the questions, which had presented themselves.

“Id, division and the purpose of your visit.” A Registrar guard spoke in an authoritative voice.

“Special Agent Fox Mulder, with Special Agent Dana Scully. We are from the FBI X-files Division on unexplained phenomenon and we are here to see the latest questionnaire, Ivory Nelson” Mulder stared directly at the guard, as he stood recording all the information, when he slowly raised his head towards Scully. “Ma’am, did you say that your ID is Dana Scully?”

Scully looked at him with hidden confusion and curiosity. “Yes, is there are problem?”

“No, it’s just that someone was asking after you.” Scully frowned her brow in concern.

“May I ask whom?”

The Guard shook his head.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t say. He was a man, about the height of... your partner I’d say. Strong looking guy, deep voice with a controlled tone, blue eyes, brown hair…”

“Sounds like your type Scully.” Mulder said trying to hide a smile. Scully elbowed him into silence.

“Ow.” He said quietly, rubbing the place where Scully had touched him.

“There was something about that man though. Something I couldn’t exactly say, or pinpoint. It was like, well, to be honest, I felt like he could see right through me crystal clear, if you know what I mean.”

“You mean like Telepathic or a mind reader?” Scully queried.

“Yeah, something like that maybe. Anyway, it was that he held some kind of aura about him,” The guard smiled. “Well, be on the look out for him.”

“Thankyou.” Scully dismissed Mulder from the entrance, and began walking down the corridor.

“Mulder, who do you think could be looking for me, and why?” Mulder looked at Scully, and thought to himself.

“Hmm, Skinner maybe. But maybe not, because otherwise the guard would have pointed out the fact that he was bald, burly and wears glasses and the fact that he…”

“Mulder, we don’t want to be caught saying things about the Assistant Director, especially being that I can see a smile creeping across your face. I can only anticipate what you were going to say.”

Scully smiled at Mulder, but quickly returned her focus towards the point of their being here. She had often had to force herself to learn how to turn away from a situation, where she would fall adrift. Especially when they involved Mulder. Mulder. When she had first met him in his basement office within the Bureau, with the words “No one down here but the FBI’s most unwanted…”, she had remembered that the look he had given her with his eyes. They hid a story, of hidden lies that were burning into him. Desperation for the truth that he would never find. Of coming so close to the answers only to be taken back to nothing. Darkness. But now she saw something else. Something that she herself could no allow to surface to her mind… “Scully?” Mulder waved his hand in front of her face, as if waking her from a daydream.

“Where were you?”

“Oh thinking.” Scully replied, not paying attention to the responses.

“About what?” Mulder placed his hands on his hips. “Scully, you know that day dreaming is not categorised as official FBI Business!” Mulder gave her a knowing look. After all, that was the second time in one day. Scully blushed slightly at the comment, when she looked at Mulder.

No Mulder, it isn’t Official FBI Business, especially when you are thinking about things that…oh Mulder. Scully slumped her shoulders, and sighed, shaking her head.

When she raised her eyes, the gaze of a man met them. Tall, dark hair, blue eyes, strong figure…was this not the exact description that the guard had given her? And he was right to. Something was not right. There was an un-balanced frequency wave here. He did have this…aura about him.

“You must be Special Agent Dana Scully and Fox Mulder.” The man smiled at Scully then took to Mulder.

“Special Agent Gyde Saunders here, and I am to direct you to the latest person who was taken.”

Saunders turned and began walking down the corridor expecting Mulder and Scully to follow in pursuit.

Scully raised her eyebrows at Mulder, and he shrugged his shoulders in return.

Scully sat at a hard cold desk, sitting on an incredibly uncomfortable chair, shifting every now and then. She stared aimlessly through the one way glass, watching the latest amnesia victim, Ivory Nelson, who sat answering questions given to him by the board.

“Do you know what your name is?” “No.” “Do you know what day it is?” “No.” “Do you know where you are?” Ivory looking concerned, circled his eyes around the room, glancing at the glass window, then returning them towards the man whom sat opposite him. “I believe that I am in some kind of solitary confinement, being held here for some unknown reason.”

The opening of a door startled Scully, as she was Agent Walker stride in, followed by Byrnes. He smiled at her, before placing himself beside her. Scully rolled her eyes, turning her gaze towards Mulder. He leant over her, and beckoned her over to the wall, where a map of the United States was pinned upon the wall. “Scully, look at this. I was thinking about how the pattern is following the coastline, and check this for size. The previous five began from Montreal, which is more inland, and then they follow on through Valleyfield, St Johnsbury, Vermont and Rochester. Now I know these aren’t as well known places as the other latest ones, but I believe that what ever was happening, only began as a small thing, occurring in smaller places. As you can see, after five years, they can continue down the line, reconnecting with Baltimore, which was where the first on Scully, do you think that it is possible that this amnesia can be given to someone by another being? Or forced upon someone in this case?”

“Amnesia is not something you can give to another, it is usually due to a inflicted head injury. Besides Mulder, who would want to forcefully drive someone to the state of amnesia?” Scully said at Mulder as a matter-of-factly, and Mulder shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t know, but this isn’t your usual case of amnesia. Did you notice that this ability is very direct? How can someone’s total mind be wiped from them Dr Scully?”

“Only in extreme cases have peoples memories been removed by a chemical reaction in the brain, but over time the thoughts and memories do seep back.” Scully stated, challenging Mulder’s theories, then turned around to sit back in her seat.

“Are you a Medical Doctor?” Walker turned to face her. Scully responded slowly to the question, as if no one had ever asked her that for a long time.

“Yes. A graduate from Quantico.” Scully turned back to face the question panel.

“Where do you live?”

“ I can not recall.”

“Do you remember what happened before you were wandering in the woods?”

“No.”

“Can you remember anything at all?”

Ivory, looked again towards the one way glass, and stopped his gaze directly at it.

Scully was almost half-asleep when she realised that Ivory was looking directly at her. He can see me. She shifted uncomfortably, yet enable to break her glance. “Dana, what is it?” Walker asked, looking out through the glass. “He can see me.” Scully said, a little unsure. “How can he see you?” Mulder asked, walking over from the wall, looking through at Ivory. “He knows where I am, he can sense me. Even I can feel it Mulder. This is weird.” Ivory slowly lifted himself out of the chair and began walking towards the glass, in the direction of Scully.

“Excuse me, would you answer the question?”

Paying no heed to the man who had sat opposite him, he looked directly at Scully, knowing she was there by unknown means.

“Dana Scully.” He mouthed the words, and then slowly collapsed to the floor.

“Mulder! Omigod…” Scully almost jumped out of her seat. “He...he mouthed my name!”

Mulder placed a hand on Scully’s arm, as her heart raced pounding.

“Can you be sure?” Mulder looked over; Walker sat out of his chair peering over the glass before racing into the next room barking orders.

“Mulder…I, there is something is going on here. He knew where I was, Mulder, he even knew my name! This isn’t right.” Scully began to try and control the panic that had begun to sound in her voice.

“Its ok Scully, I’m sure this was just a coincidence.” Mulder held her hand reassuringly.

To be continued... - Scully eXtremis