| Chapter 3 1:43 PM February 18, 2001 Alexander Residence Piper sat down on her couch. She curled her legs up underneath her. She glared at the blank spot, which used to be her TV. Police officers were all around dusting for fingerprints and collecting evidence. Scully walked over to Piper and draped a blanket over her shoulders and then sat down. “They haven’t found any fingerprints, besides your families. And…” Scully began. “And aside from that nothing else is missing and at no time during the night, did we hear or see anything.” Piper finished. “You’re getting good at this.” Scully commented. “Yea, well I spend enough time with you guys to be able to complete your sentences.” Piper said. “We don’t know what kind of burglar would only steal a television but we’re determined to find out.” “I know.” Piper said. “I know why they would take only the TV. “ She paused. “It was the most expensive thing we owned.” “What are you talking about?” Scully asked. “Never mind.” Piper responded. “Really Piper, what did you…” Scully began. “When are your parents coming home?” Doggett asked walking over and sitting down next to Scully. “They should be home later today if it’s any concern of yours.” Piper answered. “Piper.” Scully said, sternly. “They’re at my aunt’s house. I was gonna call them to tell them what happened but I figured they would just rush home and be all worried and I wanted them to enjoy the rest of the day.” “We’ll stay with you at least until they come home.” Scully said. “Oh great I get to spend the day with Mr. Congeniality.” Scully gave her a strange look. Piper understood what she meant and she nodded as she cuddled with the blanket that Scully had given her. She looked down at her clothes and realized that she was still in her pajamas. One of the police officers walked over to the couch and faced Piper. “Well, I think we’re done here.” The man put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a little card. He held it out to Piper who took it and looked at it. “This is my name and number. If you find anything else to be missing or if you have anymore information, call me.” “Okay.” Piper said. The man smiled and walked to the front door. He took one last look around and then walked out. The rest of the officers followed him leaving Doggett, Scully, and Piper alone. “Why does something tell me that he thinks I know something that I’m not saying?” There was a long uncomfortable silence until Scully spoke. “Well, I’m going to confirm that you and Maxine were actually on the phone at the time that we received the phone call.” She said. “I can assure you I was.” Piper responded. “I believe you, Piper but we have to make sure for our final report.” Scully said. She stood up and grabbed her trench coat from a nearby chair. She walked out the front door. Piper looked over at Doggett who slouched against the back of the couch. Two hours later, Doggett walked into Piper’s computer room where she was on the computer. Her hair was wet from the shower and it dampened the shoulders of her shirt. She turned and glared at Doggett as she heard him enter. “What are you playing?” Doggett asked as he sat down in the chair next to Piper’s. “A game.” She answered. “What’s that?” He wondered as he pointed to the genie on the screen. “It’s a genie.” Piper responded. “He grants you wishes. One a day. Sometimes the spell that he uses gets reversed and it’s something bad.” “Well, what happened when you rubbed it this time?” Doggett questioned. “He gave me more cooking points. At least this time my stove won’t light on fire.” “I’m assuming then that you need the cooking points to be able to…” Doggett began. “Crap!” Piper yelled, cutting him off. “What?” Doggett asked, looking at the screen. “My stove caught on fire and my Sim just died.” “Your Sim?” “Not that you care but the game I’m playing is called the Sims. Basically, you control a family that you create. Anything can happen to your family, including death.” Piper explained, turning back to the game. “You know Piper, about this investigation…” Doggett began. “We should be working together not apart on this thing.” “You think I stole my own television don’t you?” Piper asked. “Why do you say that?” “Because you think this entire thing was a prank to see Scully again. Right from the time you received my phone call you thought it was a hoax.” “Did Agent Scully tell you that?” “No, I just figured it out for myself. I’m smarter than you think. You say you want to play the same game and I can assure you that in the long run we will be but let me tell you that I can play it better and I will win.” Piper saved her game, got up, and walked away. Doggett leaned back in his chair as the doorbell rang. He stood up and walked into the parlor as he saw Piper bounding up the stairs towards her bedroom. He shrugged and answered the door. Scully walked inside. “I think I was just threatened by a teenager.” Doggett said. “What?” Scully asked. “Never mind. So, was Piper on the phone with Maxine at the time we got the call?” Doggett wondered, walking into the computer room and taking a seat at the computer Piper was previously at. “Yup, it all checks out but at the same time nothing make sense.” Scully said sitting down at the computer next to him. “Well, it’s not our job anymore to make sense of it.” “What are you talking about?” Scully asked. “Assistant Director Skinner called me while you were out. He wants us back in DC as soon as possible to investigate those murders that we left in the dirt. So I say we start to pack our bags and leave.” “I think we should at least wait until Piper’s parents get back.” Scully suggested. Doggett rolled his eyes. “Can I assume that you two didn’t patch your relationship while I was gone.” “Assumption correct.” Doggett said. “I can understand that you knew Piper before but me and her just don’t…mix.” “I still think we should wait for her sake. She may talk smart and she may be smart but she’s still a teenager and staying home alone while there’s a possible intruder lurking around can cause some problems.” Doggett sighed. He knew arguing with Scully would just get them into a fight. He turned his chair so he was facing the computer. He looked at the game and glanced over at Scully. “What is it?” Scully asked as Doggett got an odd expression on his face. “There’s a tombstone where her Sim died.” Doggett answered. “What are you talking about?” Scully asked, looking at the screen. “Piper was…explaining to me that the game she was playing was called the Sims and you control a family that you create.” “So I guess you and Piper did do more than insult each other.” “Not much more.” Doggett said. He continued to stare at the screen. “Interesting game.” Scully said. “You don’t think this game is a little…morbid.” Doggett asked. “For Piper? No. Before you can communicate with her you have to understand what she’s been through. She’s found dead bodies, she’s seen her friends get murdered from unexplained forces, and she’s watched Agent Mulder and myself spend days investigating a case and then come to no conclusions. She’s a strong girl and she won’t let anyone take anything else from her. So this is not morbid for Piper. Not at all.” “You think she thinks I’m trying to take Mulder’s place?” Doggett asked. “I don’t know.” Scully said. There was a long uncomfortable silence that hung in the air for a moment. “We should start packing.” Scully got up and walked out of the room. |