The basement office was dark and remarkably quiet. Mulder and Scully had gone home for the day over an hour earlier when the door slowly opened. Light spilled in from the hallway, framing the person that stood there.

Walking into the office, reached a hand up beside his face and a small orange flame illuminated his shadowed features. "Well, Harry. I was told you spoke today."

The computer blinked to life, seemingly of its own accord. "Hi ya, Ciggy."

Cancerman brought the cigarette to his lips, and the tip glowed brighter as he inhaled. "No, not Ciggy. Do tell, why was it you felt compelled to break your silence. There are rules about that sort of thing you know."

"Well, I tell ya, Ciggy." Cancerman's eyes flared at Harry's continued use of such a ridiculous nickname. "You didn't play it straight when you put me down here in this lovely little corner of the universe. If anybody broke the rules, it was you."

Another drag off the cigarette. "I don't think so. You see. I make the rules." An air of pompous superiority hung around the older man.

"Uh-huh. You make the rules, Ciggy? What about the people you work for, huh, Ciggy? The ones' good old Mulder here is always chasing?"

"I work for no one." The cigarette never left his mouth as he spoke. "You, however, work for me."

"So you said, Ciggy. Tell me, are you so tough without your security blankey? How 'bout a conversation without the cigarette?" Harry's mechanical laughter echoed.

Cancerman dropped his cigarette and snuffed it out underfoot. "You know your place, Harry. When it became apparent that Agent Scully was not fulfilling her role spying on Mulder, you were brought in." However, as he spoke he lit another cigarette.

"Agent Scully wouldn't spy on Mulder!" Michael's childlike voice cut in.

Harry growled. "Always her defender, that's love for you," Harry muttered under his breath. "That's the point, pipsqueak. Now stay outta this."

Michael continued anyway. "But that means you're spying on them, Harry? How could you do it? What about Laura, what will she think?"

Irritation filled Harry's voice at being reminded of his lost chance with the little cell phone. "Mikey, I said butt out. This is between me and the chain smoker here." The small office was beginning to reek of smoke. "Speaking of. Ciggy you might want to watch it, or Mulder's gonna know you were here."

He coughed. "That is not your concern, Harry. Remember I make the rules, not you. We've already established that you work for me, now you will report what happened today."

"Well, what if I don't like it? What if I don't wanna? What ya gonna do 'bout that one, Ciggy? You can't make me spill my RAM."

Cancerman took a step forward. "How dare you question my authority, you . . . you . . ."

Harry laughed. "Ohhh, is the big bad wolf at a loss for words?"

"Fine then, I'll simply have you terminated." A hollow laugh followed him as he turned and began to walk out the door.

"Not so fast, Ciggy. Hey, Jerry, you get all that?"

Cancerman turned to see the VCR turned on. "Every word, Harry."

"You have nothing!" Cancerman stated, his calm a mask for a temper beginning to boil.

"Oh yeah?" Jerry asked, maniacal laughter tinging his words. "Playback time!"

'I don't think so. You see, I make the rules.' Cancerman flinched slightly when he heard his own voice being replayed.

It was soon followed by Harry's voice. 'Uh-huh. You make the rules, Ciggy? What about the people you work for, huh, Ciggy?'

'I work for no one. You, however, work for me.'

Jerry laughed, "That enough for now, Cancerboy?"

Cancerman's anger grew. "No one calls me that! And I will not be undone by a couple of silly little office appliances."

"Actually, Sir, I think you just were." Michael had gathered up enough nerve to break his silence and respond to Cancerman's threat. Harry and Jerry looked on in shock while he continued. "And, I'd suggest that if you ever want another decent cup of coffee, you'll walk out and not threaten us again."

"Way to go, Mikey!" Harry nearly cheered.

"That's telling 'em, Mike!" Jerry added.

Cancerman's fists clenched at his sides. "This isn't over," he said to the room in general. "You see, I always win."

"Is this guy a walking cliche or what?" Jerry asked.

"Well, not this time, Ciggy. And as for my spying on Mulder . . . Well I might not always get along with the guy, but you can consider that job title revoked." Cancerman opened his mouth to speak, but Harry continued. "Jerry?"

'I work for no one.' The player repeated.

"Has a nice ring to it, don't ya think?" Jerry continued to laugh.

Harry added, "Later, Ciggy!"

Cancerman nearly growled, turned and stalked from the office.

"Did we win?" Michael's small voice answered.

"Chalk one up for the home team, boys!" Harry added.

fin