Mind's Eye: Hidden Suspicions

"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.

-Scully eXtremis