Disclaimer:  See Part 1

A M B I G U I T Y  (6/8)
by Missy
missy@lexicon.net


As soon as she broke her connection, he was anxiously asking "What is
it?"

"The parcel was delivered to Agent Reid safely but......." Scully stumbled
over the next few words.

"But....?"

"Mulder, Agent Reid was found shot dead through the head with a 9mm
caliber weapon.  The parcel has disappeared along with the assasin.
Apparently the AD at New York is breathing fire and Skinner wants us to
report to him immediately."

Mulder stopped in front of Scully and just placed a hand on her shoulder
in support "Scully, the Gunmen got the samples you sent them."  

"It won't make any difference, Mulder.  Any results they might obtain
will only be for our own use.  The FBI would be able to claim that they
have been tampered with because *I* did not follow procedure."  Scully's
voice was devoid of any emotion.  Mulder knew that this day must be
draining on her even more so than on him and punishing herself was the
last thing she needed to be doing.  He also knew that Scully would be
blaming herself for the death of Agent Reid although she had not said
anything.

"Scully, you *did* follow procedure.  You sent the double set to the
Gunmen for your own satisfaction not for any evidence.  You were sure
that somehow the evidence would be destroyed, as in the past, and you
were right.  You can't blame yourself for what has happened."  Mulder
turned off Scully's computer and bundled her out of the room ignoring
her protests of their having to call Skinner.  

"Scully, you have had a long day.  I'll call Skinner.  You've been up since
four o'clock this morning and we have been on the go all day.  I think it
is about time you get some sleep."  

Mulder thought he was going to have quite a fight on his hands and was
genuinely surprised when she conceded defeat with very little more
discussion.   Neither of them had any clothes as a result of their
escapade from the men sent by the shadow government and so had to
make do with whatever was in the cupboards and drawers.  

Mulder was able to find a pair of gray tracksuit pants with matching
sweatshirt.  He even found a pair of runners which were quite a good fit
considering the size of his feet.    He went to the kitchen in the hope of
making some coffee.  He was in luck.  All the goods were in the cupboards
ready for use even milk, though it was the UHT variety, and  grimaced at
the thought.  He could hear the water running in the shower and decided
to make the call to Skinner while he waited for the kettle to boil.  

Mulder's fingers deftly tapped the phone number for his boss and waited
for his call to be answered by his ever efficient secretary.  "Assistant
Director Skinner, Agent Mulder returning his call."

"Putting you through Agent Mulder."

Mulder only had to wait a few moments before the terse voice of his boss
came onto the line "Agent Mulder"

"Sir?"

"Agent Mulder. What are you and Agent Scully doing in Ithaca, New
York?  I have not given authorisation for any investigation."  

Mulder could imagine Skinner standing before his desk, removing his
glasses as he demanded an explanation to the origin of their
investigation.  

"I was provided with information about a possible X-file relating to the
disappearance last night of Dr. Charles Subanzki."  Mulder was hoping
that Skinner would, knowing *who* his sources had been in the past
would not require knowledge of where the information had come from and
its reliability.

"Agent Mulder, Dr. Subanzki has been located.  It would appear that he
was the victim of a hit and run.  He was admitted to Bethesda Naval
Hospital this evening.   Your supposed investigation is now complete and
I will expect you and Agent Scully to report to my office first thing
tomorrow morning.  You are both booked on a 6.07 a.m. flight to D.C. on
United Airlines."

When there was no response from Mulder he continued "Is THAT clear,
Agent Mulder?"

"Yes Sir."  Mulder cut the connection wondering if there would ever be a
day when a discussion with his boss would end in good circumstances. 
He knew *he* had breached protocol once again and was going to be
hauled over the coals for doing so.  The one thing he regretted was the
fact that he had drawn Scully in on this without letting her know that he
had not obtained authorisation for their investigation.

The kettle began whistling with shots of steam blowing into the cold air
of the cabin.  Mulder had not started a fire which was not a good idea at
the beginning of winter.  He poured out two cups of coffee into
intricately made coffee mugs. He had heard Scully turn off the shower as
he finished his conversation with Skinner and was waiting for Scully to
emerge from the bedroom to give her the details of Skinner's command
that they return to D.C.

Mulder was on his knees immersed in attempting to get a fire started
when Scully came out into the living area dressed in a thick chennile
bathrobe and her hair tied back in a ponytail, a few tendrils escaping
the confines of the elastic band.  

"There's a cup of coffee for you on the kitchen bench"  

Scully went and fetched the cup of coffee, noticing how engrossed he
was in getting the fire started, picked up her notes and tape recorder
from her brief and went to her computer to start typing up her autopsy
report on Marissa Jordan.

She had managed to complete several paragraphs before she heard
Mulder enter the room and felt his presence at her shoulder.  "I thought
you were going to get some rest"  he said quietly.

End Part 6/8