Mind Games
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters
They are the property of Chris Carter and Ten Thirteen
productions.
I do promise to look after them and return them when
I am done.
X Files fan fiction
Skinner and Scully het
Spoilers...who knows, who cares
Rated NC17 for sex, language and minor violence
Summary:Scully is investigating a murder suicide in a small townwith the help of her boss Walter Skinner
One
Scully watched the taillights of Mulder's car disappear into the fog. She shook her head in disbelief.She simply could not believe that he had ditched her yet again.
Slowly she made her way back to the dingy hotel room, pulling her coat closer around her slender frame.
The room was cold, she tapped the radiator heater in the corner, it was not working. Great, she thought
sourly, just great.
She sat on the edge of the bed, wondering what to do next. She hated it when Mulder just took off like
this. She had no idea of where he was headed or when he would be back.
So much for being partners, she thought to herself. Then with a sigh, she did the only other thing that
she could think of to do.
She dialled Skinner's number, the phone at the other end was picked up on the second ring.
"Skinner here".
"Uh, Sir, it's Agent Scully".
"Yes Agent, what can I do for you"?
"Um...I'm here at the hotel that Mulder and I are booked into Sir, I'm afraid that Agent Mulder has taken
off".
"Taken off, what do you mean...taken off"?
Scully closed her eyes, fighting back tears. It had been a rotten day. First of all, Mulder and she had been
sent to investigate a triple murder in a small red necked town in the middle of nowhere.
Then to make things worse, Mulder had proceeded to piss everyone off within a five mile radius.
He had, in typical Mulder style, managed to inadvertently insult the inhabitants and anger the local Sheriff.
"We investigated the case Sir, the triple homicide. It turned out that it was a murder suicide pact.
The wife and girlfriend of the deceased, Mr Wayne Hartford decided that they had taken enough of his
abuse and violent behaviour and they plotted to murder him, then, for reasons still unknown, they
took their own lives".
"I see Agent Scully". Assistant Director Skinner replied. "But it still does not explain why Agent Mulder
'took off', or where he 'took off' to".
Scully smiled in spite of herself, just hearing her boss's voice was making her feel much better.
"He received a call on his cell phone Sir about half an hour, I think it might have been one of the Lone
Gunmen. Then next thing I know, he told me that he would be back soon and he took off."
"Great". She heard Skinner muttered, and smiled.
"Tell me where you are now Agent Scully and I will be right out".
Scully told him the name of the hotel and gave him directions.
"Stay there and I'll be out there as soon as I can". With that, Skinner hung up the phone.
With a sigh, Scully settled decided to order a pizza, and settled down to wait.
Two
Pizza eaten, Scully laid on the bed, knowing it would be at least a couple of hours before her supervisor
arrived. She closed her eyes and dozed off, wondering exactly what it was that had
made her partner take off like he did.
"Probably a UFO". She mumbled, as sleep overtook her...
...and she found herself standing on a street corner all alone. It was dark and she looked down at herself
she was wearing a filmy robe that draped around her slender body.
She looked around. The street was empty, nothing stirred. The cars were all parked neatly in rows, no
one in them. the buildings were all abandoned. Scully shuddered. Where was everyone?
She began to walk towards the largest, most imposing building. It loomed over her in a way that was
almost menacing.
She stared up at the building, frightened, yet strangely attracted to it at the same time.
There was something in there, something of great importance. She needed to get it, but she was too
afraid to enter the building.
She placed one foot on the bottom step, suddenly there was a violent hammering somewhere behind her.
Mulder? She tried to call out, but she could get the words to form properly. Mulder? She wanted to call
out... is that you?
"Scully, Agent Scully, are you in there"?
It was Skinner. Scully sat up on the bed, she felt strangely light headed.
There was another knock at the door. "Agent Scully"?
"Coming Sir"! She got off the bed and made her way over to the door. Skinner was standing outside.
"Come on in".
Skinner stepped into the room, taking in the empty pizza box and rumpled bed.
"Uh, sorry Sir, I must have fallen asleep". She replied, slightly embarrassed. But the truth was, she had
been working steadily since daybreak and she was exhausted.
Skinner noticed the dark circles under her eyes, reminding him that she had not been well lately.
Even though her cancer was in remission, her health was still delicate, and she refused to take a leave
of absence.
"Do you want to fill me in on everything"? He said quietly. Scully nodded and sat on the edge of the bed,
while Skinner sat himself down in a battered armchair.
"The case has been turned over to the local police now that we have discovered what happened".
Scully explained, Skinner nodded, he could hear the fatigue in her voice.
She continued to fill him in on the case, then she stopped. Skinner frowned slightly, he could see that she
was upset.
"After we returned to the hotel, Agent Mulder received a phone call. He then told me that he had to go,
he did not say where, and he told me that he would return soon. And that from Mulder could mean
anywhere in the vicinity of a couple of hours to a couple of weeks".
At that, Skinner broke into one of his rare grins. Scully could not help but notice how attractive he was
when he smiled. Probably because he smiled so rarely.
"Well, if the case is more or less wrapped up, then I can't see any reason for you to stay on here".
"Sir, but Agent Mulder"...
"Is going to hear from me for ditching you Agent Scully". Skinner replied firmly.
"This has gone on long enough, Mulder is a good enough agent to know procedure. And if he has forgotten,
I will be more than happy to remind him".
Scully said nothing. Normally she would have defended her partner, or made excuses for him, but right
now, she was feeling too tired and to be honest, fed up. Mulder had just ditched her once too often.
Skinner glanced at his watch. "It's late, no good driving all the way back now. I'll take a room here at
the hotel and we can head back first thing tomorrow morning".
"Yes Sir". She replied, glad that he did not insist on driving back now, she honestly did not think that she was
up to the journey.
"I'll see you in the morning then". He replied. Scully watched him leave her room, she could she could not
explain the sudden feeling that came over her. Somehow, she felt almost...bereft.
Get a hold of yourself Dana, she scolded herself. This is ridiculous. You are just very tired and
feeling angry at Mulder for leaving you stuck here in Happy Hollow.
She had privately given that nick name to the small town of Harton Hollow, because all the residents
seemed absolutely miserable. No wonder those two women had killed their husband
and boyfriend respectively. Living here must have driven them to it.
She gathered the empty coke bottle and pizza carton up and carried them over to the trash can.
Then she sat down at the small table and opened up her lap top.
Soon she was immersed in her report, when there was a knock at the door.
"Agent Scully, it's me".
Scully frowned, why did AD Skinner come back to her room?
"Please come in"! She called out. Skinner entered, to say that he seemed out of sorts would have been
a gross understatement.
"Sir"?
"Would you believe that this place does not have a single room available. It seems that there is some sort
of conference or something and the place is filled up. And this is the only hotel around here".
"It's a sales convention Sir". Scully replied. "It started yesterday and goes for three days so I guess
there isn't going to be anything available until then".
Skinner sighed. "Well, I don't fancy having to sleep in my car".
Scully smiled. "Around here, you'd probably be arrested. You can share this room if you like".
Skinner looked up at her, clearly startled by the suggestion. "I don't think that would be appropriate
Agent. I thank you for your kind offer though".
"Sir, I don't mean to place you in an uncomfortable position, but if these's no where else"...
"There has to be a bed and breakfast or something around here surely". Skinner replied.
"I'm afraid not Sir, all there is are farms and some stores, that's it, unless you fancy a two hour drive to the
town that is". Scully replied.
Skinner thought for a moment, as an Assistant Director and her direct supervisor, he did not think that
sharing a hotel room was appropriate, but then neither was having to sleep in his car.
Finally, he relented. "Thank you Agent Scully". He replied so formally, that Scully had to bite the inside
of her cheek to keep from laughing.
"I can sleep over there". He said looking over at a small vinyl covered couch over near the window.
It was only a two seater, Skinner wondered how he was going to fit his six plus frame
into it comfortably.
Obviously, Scully must have been thinking the same thing, because she replied. "Sir, perhaps I should
take the couch".
No Agent, I wouldn't hear of it". Skinner replied firmly. "I'll take the couch".
"Okay". Scully replied. After all it was only going to be one more night. God, she couldn't wait to get out
of this godforsaken dump.
Suddenly, her cell phone rang. Scully answered it. It was Mulder.
"Scully, Hi, where are you now"? He asked.
"I'm still at the hotel room, wondering where you are". She replied coldly, she still had not forgiven him
for taking off the way he had.
"I'm on my way to Denver". He replied. "I'm at the airport now as a matter of fact".
"Denver, why are you going to Denver"? She asked. Skinner looked up at her with a 'what the hell is going on?'
expression on his face.
"I got a call from Langly, apparently there's been a series of UFO sightings in the last two days. I want to
go and check it out and since the case has been wrapped up"...
"Mulder, the case has not been 'wrapped up' quite yet, there was still the matter of trying to find out why
the wife and girlfriend decided to commit suicide. And then there was the"...
"As I remember it, the case was handed over to the local PD". Mulder replied. Scully bit her lip,
she could feel her patience wearing extremely thin.
"Mulder, I feel that there are still some questions about this case that need to be answered".
"Look Scully, you continue the investigation in Harton Hollow, and get back to me on your findings. I'll
call you when I get to Denver, bye". With that, the line went dead, he had hung up.
"I take it that was Mulder"? Skinner said, a slightly ironic smile playing about his lips.
Scully nodded. "Uh, he's headed to Denver and he feels that I should stay here and continue the investigation"
"Denver"! Skinner replied. "Why the hell is he headed to Denver of all places"?
"He got a call from one of the Lone Gunmen, Sir with some information on UFO sightings in that area".
Skinner shook his head, this was unforgivable, even for Fox 'Spooky' Mulder.
"I cannot believe that he left an ongoing investigation to go chasing UFO's because he got a phone call
from one of the Three Stooges, this is too much, even for him".
Scully sighed and rubbed her hands over her eyes. She was close to exhaustion now. Skinner looked over
at her, concerned.
"You need to get some rest Agent Scully". He said quietly. "In fact, we both do. I think that we should both
get some sleep and get an early start tomorrow morning".
"But AD Skinner... the investigation". Scully replied.
"Forget it Agent, it has been handed over to the local police and they can take it from here, you said so yourself".
"But there are still some things about this case that's bothering me Sir". Scully replied.
"Such as"?
"I am still not sure why those two women killed themselves the way they did. I have not been able to
find any sort of satisfactory answer to that".
Skinner nodded thoughtfully. "What have the local police turned up"?
"Nothing as yet Sir". Scully replied. "They found the murder weapon lying near both of the women. His
wife, a Mona Hartford and his girlfriend Carla Kliski".
"What about prints"? Skinner asked, sitting down into a chair.
"Three sets of prints were lifted off the murder weapon. They belonged to Wayne Hartford, his wife and his
girlfriend". Scully replied.
"If no other fingerprints were found Agent Scully, I can't see where this can go any further". Skinner said.
"I know Sir, there's just something about this case that I can't put my finger on".
Skinner could hear the frustration in her voice, he knew that she would not be happy until she had explored
every possiblity.
"Very well Agent". He said after a moment. "One more day. I'll give this case one more day, and if nothing
further turns up, we will let the local PD handle it. Okay with you"?
Scully gave her boss a radiant smile. "Thank you Sir".
"I'll stay here with you until you have finished up on this case". Skinner continued. "Since your partner
has decided to go chasing UFO's".
"Thank you Sir". Scully replied gratefully. For some reason, she was suddenly feeling a hundred percent
better now she knew that Skinner was going to stay on here with her.
"Well, I don't know about you Agent, but I haven't eaten since lunch and I am starving. Is there anywhere
around here where we can eat"?
"There's a diner a couple of miles up the road, the food's not great, but it won't kill you either". Scully replied
with a grin.
"Well, in that case then, shall we"?
Two
Scully had been right, the food was not great, but at least it was warm and the coffee surprisingly, was notbad at all.
Skinner was aware of the locals watching him and Scully surreptitiously, as they both ate their meals.
Ignoring them, he motioned the plump dour faced waitress over to refill both his and Scully's
coffee cups.
"Will that be all"? She asked gruffly as she poured the coffee, splashing a little of it onto the lino table.
Skinner glanced at the woman, irritated, but said nothing. She saw the look, and wiped the
spill up with a grey tattered washcloth.
Skinner watched her return to the counter, one of the locals leaned over and said something that Skinner
did not catch. The waitress barked a harsh laugh, then turned to replace the coffee pot
back onto the warming pad.
Friendly place". Skinner observed, he he lifted the cup to his lips.
Scully smiled. "I'm afraid they all seem to be like that Sir, and I'm afraid that Mulder didn't improve things".
Skinner looked up at her, puzzled. "What do you mean"?
"Well, let's just say that he wasn't overly thrilled to be assigned to this case in the first place, and it sort
of showed". She replied with a smile. "And you know what he can be like".
"Hmm". Skinner set his cup down. "So he set about pissing off the locals".
"That's one way of putting it, yes".
"Well, it looks like Agent Mulder and I have a lot to discuss when I see him next". Skinner replied ominously .
"I'm tellin' ya I saw it, larger than life it was. Right there in front of me"!
Both Skinner and Scully glanced over at the raised voice. A tall raw boned man with close cropped gray
hair and a thin beak for a nose, was standing near the long counter, waving his arms about
excitedly.
"Oh Cheezer, you and those crazy stories of yours. I swear, one day someone is going to put you away
for good". The waitress said with good natured impatience.
"Aw c'mon Sal, you know I'm tellin' the truth, always have been. I can't for the life of me understan'
why you don't believe me".
"Oh yes Cheezer, we believe you don't we"! A huge bear of a man replied to roars of laughter from the others
sitting at the counter.
Cheezer glared at him, red rimmed blue eyes glittering dangerously.
"Huh, what would any of you know about it huh? Buncha laughin' hyenas, that's all you lot are. Dumbass
hyenas, laughing at what you don't understan' and don't wanna understan'."
"Hyena's huh, well better a hyena than a crazy old skunk like yourself Cheezer". The huge man replied,
to the laughter of everyone in the diner.
"Go on, laugh now you fools, but when the time comes, it'll be me laughin' me! And you know why...
'cause I was the one that wuz right... that's why"!
"Oh Cheezer, calm down". Sal, the waitress said. "C'mon, I'll pour you a cup of coffee".
"You'll all burn in hell, the lot of ya"! Cheezer yelled furiously. "Hear that? Burn in hell"!
With that, he stormed out of the diner. Scully and Skinner could still hear him cursing as he headed down
the street.
"Wonder what that was about"? Scully muttered.
"I'd say that was the local crazy". Skinner replied.
"Don't you folks worry about old Cheezer"! Sal called over from behind the lunch counter. "He's harmless,
just a little, well...eccentric, that's all".
"That's okay". Skinner replied. He leaned over and whispered to Scully. "Let's get out of here".
Scully agreed, she'd had enough of the local populace as it was, and this little floor show had not helped
her opinion in any way.
Skinner paid the bill and both he and Scully headed back towards the hotel once more.
Three
She was standing in front of the building, looking up at the smooth, featureless facade. Everythingwas still, there was no movement from anywhere. No wind stirred, no insect scurried
across the cracked gray pavement. The whole place reeked of desolation.
She looked down at herself, she was no longer wearing the filmy gown, but now, a long heavy robe,
deep blue and trimmed with a heavy gold braid. It looked somehow...ceremonial.
Carefully she placed her bare foot onto the lower step, feeling the cold stone almost like a shock against
her skin.
Slowly, the massive wooden doors swung open, revealing a darkness so thick, it was almost liquid.
"Enter". A voice sighed. She climbed the stone steps, moving carefully towards the swirling darkness.
She watched herself reach out and press her hand against the darkness, watching with
no emotion as first her hand, then her arm were sucked into the black rippling mass.
"Scuullleeeee". The voice sighed. Scully tried to pull her arm back out of the dark mass, but it was stuck.
Panis over took her and he pulled harder, but the swirling mass seem to tighten it's grasp.
"Help me"! She gasped, tugging frantically, please oh God...pleassee"!
"Scully...Scully, wake up". Something grasped her shoulder and shook her roughtly. She opened her
eyes. Skinner was looking down at her, concern in his brown eyes.
"Are you all right Dana"?
She nodded, and sat up. "God, what happened"?
"You were having one hell of a nightmare, that's what". Skinner replied. He touched her arm gently.
"Are you sure you're okay"?
"I...I think so". Scully replied. She rubbed her hands over her eyes, God, she was feeling so disoriented>
"I'll make us some coffee". Skinner said. He walked over to the tiny kitchenette that had a miniature
bar fridge and a hotplate for heating food. It also had an electric kettle, which Skinner
plugged in.
"I think there's coffee in the top cupboard, there's also a couple of mugs as well".
"Yeah, I found them". Skinner replied. He started to make the coffee, when suddenly he staggered.
"Sir"? Scully got up and walked over to where he was. "Sir, what's wrong"?
Skinner shook his head. His face had suddenly gone very white. "I don't know". He replied.
"Here let me have a look at you". Scully helped him over to the chair and sat him down. Her medical
training took over as she quickly examined him.
"Do you have any headaches, blurred vision"? She asked. Skinner shook his head. "No, I just felt
dizzy for a moment".
"I think that I should take you to a hospital and have a doctor give you a proper examination". Scully told him.
"Agent, I'm fine, I just felt a little light headed, that's all. Probably something I ate at that diner".
"It could also be something more serious Sir. Dizziness could indicate the presence of a lesion or tumour.
It could also be the onset of a mumphh...
The rest of her words were muffled as the Assistant Director of the FBI pulled her to him and kissed her
deeply on the mouth.
Scully pulled away from him, her eyes wide in astonishment. "Sir..Sir, what do you think you are doing"?
Skinner looked at her, confusion and another, deeper emotion, playing on his broad, handsome features.
"I...I am not sure Agent Scully". He replied shakily. He pushed away from her. "I am so sorry, I have
no idea what's come over me".
"Sir, I really think"... Scully stopped. A sudden feeling of nausea washed over her. She staggered over
to the table, stumbling against it.
"Dana"? Skinner hurried over to her, helping her into the chair, where he had just been sitting.
"AD Skinner, Sir...I think that"...She stopped, clearly confused. The she stood up, grabbing the surprised
man by his shirt front and kissing him hard.
Skinner stumbled backwards under the precipitated onslaught.
"Agent Scully, please"... Skinner tried to break her grasp, but as small as she was, she was dammed
strong.
Skinner took hold of her wrists, not wanting to hurt her, just break her grip on him. Then another wave
of dizziness hit him. He let go of her wrists, and circling her in his arms, he pulled her close.
"Sir...why are we..."? Scully began, but another wave of dizziness hit her and she lost her train of thought.
Before either of them realize what was happening, they found themselves on the bed. Skinner shirt had
been ripped off and he was pulling at her own shirt and dark navy skirt.
Skinner ran his lips down her neck, nipping at the soft fragrant skin. Scully moaned, wrapping her arms
around his muscular shoulders. From somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized that what
they were doing was wrong. A small voice screamed at him to stop, but he was helpless.
"Dana". He whispered, not knowing if it were an endearment or a plea for help.br/> Scully gasped and arched herself up, carried away but feeling of sexual pleasure that she had no idea
even existed.
Groaning with pure need, she opened her legs to him. Skinner ran his tongue down her chest. Tasting
each nipple in turn. Scully could feel a wave of pure heat ripple through her.
She could feel his tongue across her belly, going lower and lower, until he found the very core of her.
"Oh God"! She cried out, lifting herself up as his tongue probed deeper and deeper. He tasted every inch
of her sex until she was on the very brink. Suddenly, she felt him moved away and she sighed
with disappointment.
Skinner gently slid his hand under her buttocks and lifted her up. He slid inside her warm wet depths,
feeling her shudder with pleasure.
He could feel her clutch at him, her nails scratching thin line of fire down his chest and arms.
"Don't stop". She moaned. Skinner thrust, feeling her muscles rippling against him, urging him on, until
he came to a shuddering climax.
Scully cried out as she came, wrapping her legs around him hard.
Sated, Skinner collapsed onto the bed beside his subordinate.
"Oh my God". He heard her say in a shocked voice. "What the hell did we just do"?
"I'm not sure". Skinner replied softly. "I'm just not sure".
Four
Scully, ran the comb through her damp hair, listening to the sound of the shower. She sighed and set
the comb down onto the night table.
After she and Skinner had made love made love, the previous night. It was more like plain old
fashioned hot monkey sex, she thought to herself, they had quietly showered and changed into
fresh clothes.
She knew that they were both avoiding what had just happened. What the hell is going on?
She thought to herself. Both you and Skinner are professionals, he's your direct supervisor for
heaven's sake. How the hell did we end up in bed together?
And more to the point, how were either of them going to be able to work together from now on?
She water stopped running, Skinner must have turned off the shower.
She sighed and braced herself to meet him face to face. The only thing was, how was he going to
deal with what just happened?
br>
Shit, she thought, upset and angry with herself more than anything else. Scully, you have just
taken the first brave steps towards the destuction of your career.
Skinner, dressed in a clean suit and crisp white shirt, walked into the room.
"Scully". He said gruffly.
"Sir". She replied. Great, he's probably in complete denial now. She thought. Shit
"Well, what have we got on the agenda for today"?
"Well Sir, I thought that it would be a good idea to question the neighbours that live near the Hartford's
again. Oh and I want to question Carla Kliski's room mate again. I have a feeling there
was something that she wanted to tell us".
"Very well Scully". Skinner replied. "I want to see the Chief of police first though, see how far their own
investigations have gone".
The Sheriff was a big man, heavy set with thick forearms and a square shaped jaw. He sat behind a battered old
desk, looking at Skinner and Scully with suspicion.
"I told you and your partner that the case was closed". He told them both coldly. I don't understand why
you still insist on investigating it".
"As agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, we have the right to be able to continue an
investigation if we feel that it is warranted.
Particularly since you called us to help in the first place."
Skinner informed the hostile man in his best
Assistant Director's voice. The Sheriff, Warren Greensley, shook his head, his disgust obvious.
"Well, yeah, you folks do have that right. I can't argue that. But this is a small town and what's
happened is a tragedy, a terrible tragedy. We all knew the Hartfords, and Carla Kliski. The three
of them had lived here all their lives, and now this". He sighed, shaking his head. "Terrible
terrible thing to have happened".
"Yes it is". Skinner agreed. "And that is why we want to try and prevent something like this happening again".
"Can't see how you can do that". Sheriff Greensley replied. "After all, it's human nature isn't it. You know,
killing things".
"I'd like to think that we can at least try and prevent these things from happening". Skinner replied shortly.
He was begining to lose patience with the man.
"Well, you can ask around and check everything that you want to Mr Skinner, but as far as I am
concerned, it was a murder suicide, committed by two uhappy women on a man who had a roving
eyes. That's all, nothing more, case closed".
"Well then, I know that you won't mind us asking a few questions, and once we are satisfied, then we
will be on our way". Scully answered him. The Sheriff looked her up and down in a way
that set her teeth on edge.
"Sure thing little lady". He replied coolly. He got up from behind his desk and walked over to the door,
opening it.
"I do wish you folks the best of luck, and I hope that you find what it is you'e both looking for".
"How about some decent law enforcement officers". Scully muttered as she made her way out the door.
Skinner overheard her comment and chuckled. "Yes it was a bit like dealing with Andy Griffith wasn't it".
"Except, he was a lot nicer than that jerk". Scully replied, Skinner could hear the anger in her voice.
He had a feeling that the sheriff was not the only one she was angry with.
"I guess that Mulder didn't help things either, when he was here". Scully said suddenly. "So I suppose
the sheriff does not really trust us".
"I have never known Mulder not to do a good job". Skinner replied. "Up until now".
Scully shrugged. "Yes, he was acting kind of strange while he was here, really erratic. Not like his usual
meticulous self".
"Yes, it would seem that we all have been acting strangely". Skinner replied thoughtfully. Scully glanced
up at him. Ah, so he does acknowledge what happened last night. She thought.
"I think that we should go and see the flatmate first, I would be interested in what she has to say".
Skinner said.
Scully nodded, pleased that the subject had been changed.
Five
Carla Kliski's room mate turned out to be a pretty dark haired girl of about twenty. Vivacious and
cheerful, she ushered them into the small tidy flat.
She offered them coffee, but they declined. She sat down on the low floral couch, hands folded neatly
in her lap.
"So your name is Davinia Uberson". Scully said, checking her notepad. Davinia nodded. "Yes, that's right".
She replied solemnly. She looked at Scully with large deep blue eyes.
"You spoke to me before, you and another man, really goodlooking, had dark hair".
"That's right Ms Uberson. That's was my partner, Agent Mulder". Scully replied. Davinia smiled at her.
"I remember, he had a funny name...um, Wolf, Vixen...."
"Fox, Fox Mulder". Scully corrected her.
Davinia giggled. "That's right, I'm sorry, I am absolutely terrible with names you know. Just can't
remember them at all. Now faces, no problem, but names". She shook her head
"Assistant Director Skinner and I just wanted to ask you a couple more questions Ms Uberson". Scully said.
"Assistant Director, that sounds important". She replied, with a warm smile towards Skinner.
"Please just answer the questions as best as you can". He told her as gently as he could. She was just
a kid really and he did not want to intimidate, or frighten her in any way.
After all, the more relaxed a person was, the better able they were to tell a coherent story.
"Is there anything you can tell us about your flatmate Carla Kliski that might be able to help us try and
figure out what happened". Scully said to her. Davinia shrugged. "I thought it had been a
murder suicide thing". She replied. "I mean, that's what everyone's saying".
"Well, there are some things that we still need to check out". Scully replied. "Now is there anything at
all that you would like to tell us"?
Davinia thought for a moment. Then shook her head, dark curls bouncing around her shoulders.
"There's not really that much to tell". She replied. "I mean, she was a great person, fun to be around,
when I was told that she had been having an affair with Wayne Hartford of all people, I was
shocked. I mean Wayne of all people. Who would have thought".
"So I take it that you did not know that she had been seeing Wayne Hartford then"? Scully asked.
"God no, she couldn't stand Wayne. You see, he had tried to hit up on her a few months back, and she
told him to get lost...and she meant it. She could not stand the guy. Said that he was a letch.
A real creep".
"I see". Scully replied thoughtfully. "If she felt that way about him, then what might have made her
change her mind"?
"I have no idea". Davinia replied. "All I know is that Carla would never have looked twice at a middle
aged balding man that fixed cars for a living". She glanced over at Skinner, flushing slightly.
"Uh, sorry about the bald thing".
"Think nothing of it". He replied with a smile.
"I just don't understand why she did it"? Davinia continued, shaking her head, more puzzled than
anything else. "I mean, she never liked Wayne Hartford, so why would he suddenly start having
this torrid affair with him, then team up with his wife to kill him and then themselves.
None of it makes any sense".
After Scully and Skinner left the apartment, they to see Mona Hartford's sister.
Terri Davidson was sitting on the porch, cigarette in hand, when Skinner and Scully arrived.
"Can I help you folks"? She called out as they walked through the open gate and headed up the
cracked path that led to the house.
"Mrs Davidson, do you remember me? I'm Agent Dana Scully, I was here a couple of days ago".
"I remember you". Terri Davidson replied. She dropped the butt onto the porch floor and crushed it
under the heel of her shoe.
"What can I do for you"? She asked, squinting up at them.
"This is my Boss, Mr Skinner, he is also with the FBI, we have a couple of questions that we need to
ask you". Scully said, as both she and Skinner showed the older woman their badges.
"I told you and the Sheriff everything I know". She replied. "There's nothing more I can tell you".
"I know Mrs Davidson, but there's a couple of things that we still need investigate, and I was hoping
that you would be able to help us".
Terri Davidson reached over and took another cigarette out of the pack that sat on the small wrought
iron table. She lit it, inhaling deeply, then let out her breath in a gusty sigh.
"Sorry". She said. "I've got the habit, what can I say? I have been trying to quit, but...well".
She drew on the cigarette again, then shrugged.
"I don't know what else there is to tell you. My sister was married to that loser for fifteen years. Fifteen.
I used to tell her that she would have got less for murder".
"I take it that you did not care for your brother-in-law then". Skinner replied.
Terri glanced up at him, her hard, care worn face, suspicious.
"Not much, no. I thought he was lazy and shiftless. A real loser, but Mona loved him, so what can you do"?
"Was he in the habit of being unfaithful to his wife"? Scully asked.
Terri shook her head. "Nope, well not that I know of. I mean, Mona didn't
ever mention anything, and I think she would have told me if he had done".
"Then I take it that you and your sister were close"?
"I suppose, personally I thought she was a fool for marrying that moron, but
Mona always did what she wanted to do, once she had an idea in her
head, it would take nothing short of a full tackle to stop her".
Terri's chuckled turned into a hacking cough. "Fuckin' cigarettes". She choked out.
"You had no knowledge of Wayne Hartford's involvement with Carla Kliski"? Scully
asked.
"None what so ever". Terri Davidson replied. "Strange though. I never liked
Wayne, but I never pegged him for the type that would cheat, you know".
Six
That evening, Scully and Skinner were back at the diner, eating steaks with a
rather wilted looking side salad.
"I don't understand it". Scully said as she picked at lettuce leaf.
"The more we dig into this, the more questions seem to appear".
"All the same Agent Scully, the facts still fit what happened. The two women did
shoot Wayne Hartford, and then themselves". Skinner replied. "There's
no getting around that".
"But we heard from both Carla Kliski's room mate and Mona Hartford's sister that
Neither Carla, or Wayne were the type to have an affair, and
especially one that would lead to such a violent crime of passion".
"I admit, there are a lot of unanswered questions here Agent, but this really is
no longer a matter for the FBI". Skinner said with a sigh. He lifted
his cup of coffee to his lips. It was lukewarm.
"I still want to know why, two people, one who was completely unattracted to the
other would start having an affair that would lead to the death of
three people". Scully replied.
Skinner glanced at his watch, it was after nine.
"Let's wrap this up for the day Agent, we both need to get some rest. And we
have to head back to Washington tomorrow, after all, your day is up".
Scully nodded, she was not pleased that she had no found anymore answers, but she
had to admit that she had not been able to turn up anything that could
fully explain what happened.
"Very well Sir". She replied. Well, she told herself, at least you will be able
to leave this dump and go home.
They returned to the hotel room, Skinner leaving her there while he went to the office
to see if another room had become vacant yet. The convention was
still going on, the small parking lot was filled with cars and he could
hear laughter and loud talking coming from the other rooms.
Still it would not hurt to try, especially after what had happened the night before.
He would be dammed lucky if she did not file sexual harrasment charges
against him.
The clerk, a small weedy looking man wearing a dirty baseball cap sat behind the
desk, he had his feet propped up on the counter, reading a magazine.
He looked up as Skinner approached the desk.
"Help you there Sir"?
"Yes, I am hoping that you can". Skinner replied. "I was wondering if you had
a room come free at all"?
The desk clerk shook his head. "No Sir, with this convention on and all".
"I understand". Skinner replied. "Thank you all the same". He turned to leave,
then turned back, curious.
"Mind if I ask you a question"?
The clerk shrugged. "Fire away".
"This town is pretty small..." Skinner began. The clerk looked up at him.
"We like it". He replied defensively.
"Yes, it's very nice". Skinner hastened to add, to mollify the man. "It's just that
I did not think that a town this size would attract many conventions,
that's all".
"Oh they come here every year". The clerk replied with a wave of his hand.
"Spend a lot of money in this town too, I'll have you know, so we look forward
to having them here".
"Salespeople aren't they"? Skinner asked thoughtfully.
"Yep, sure are".
"What do they sell exactly"? Skinner asked. The clerk shrugged. "All sorts of things
I imagine. Doctor's supplies, I know that. And I think some of them
work for the big drug companies as well".
Skinner nodded, his mind already ticking over. He thanked the clerk and left
the office, heading back to the hotel room.
Scully heard the knock and opened the door, Skinner entered.
"I was just over talking to the desk clerk, there's still no rooms available".
He told her.
She nodded. "You will have to stay here again Sir". She replied. Skinner could
hear the hesitation in her voice.
"Scully I"...He began, then something like a bolt of lightning hit him with
enough force to make him stagger.
"Sir, what's wrong"?
Skinner could see Scully's pale worried face looming over him, as he sank to the floor.
"Scully, help I..." Skinner gasped as another bolt of pain ripped through him.
"I'm calling an ambulance Sir". She said, grabbing her mobile phone off the table.
Suddenly she cried out and dropped the phone. She staggered over to the battered
couch and collapsed, holding her head.
"God, what's happening"? She whimpered. She reached out to try and grab the phone
again, but her nerveless fingers could not grasp it.
"Scully". She heard Skinner moan. "Scully, call"...
He slumped over, groaning in agony.
Scully gasped and tried to lift herself up off the couch, but only succeeded
in landing on the carpeted floor with a thud. Pain rolled over her
in waves and she pressed her hands to her eyes.
"What is this"? She thought wildly, some sort of stroke or aneurism?
Dimly, she could hear Skinner moaning with pain. Lifting herself up on her
elbows, she tried to crawl over to where he lay.
Suddenly, she heard the front door open. Scully lifted her head, wincing at the
bolt of pain that shot down the back of her neck.
A pair of dusty boots appeared in front of her.
"Well, well, well, what have we here folks"?
Just as suddenly as the pain hit, it receded. Slowly Scully sat up. It felt
like her bones were filled with broken glass.
The owner of the boots hunkered down in front of her. It was the Sheriff. He smiled
at her, cold blue eyes glittereing.
"Tried to warn you folks off". He said with a shark like smile. "But you wouldn't listen would you".
"What the hell is going on"? Scully asked.
The Sheriff hooked a hand under her arm, helping the disoriented FBI
agent to her feet.
"I didn't want you FBI people snooping around here in the first place".
Sheriff Greensley said thoughtfully, his eyes roving over the younger
woman.
"Trouble is, I had to do things by the book, you know, make it look
like it had been a real murder suicide".
"What are you saying"? Scully asked, God, if only she could get her thoughts to
unscramble. She rubbed her hand over her eyes,desperately trying to clear her head.
The Sheriff chuckled and shook his head. "You know, for a goverment agent, you
sure are not the sharpest tack in the box are you"?
Scully drew her breath in concentrate she screamed at herself. You are
in a life and death situation here...concentrate!
Sheriff Greensley glanced over at Skinner, who was still lying on the floor.
"Looks like this fellah has had it, won't get any fight from him now". He said
clearly satisfied. "It was easy to get rid of the other fellah, that
young Mulder. All I had to do was plant the idea that the case was
wrapped up. And that call he got, well I guess that was pure luck. Thought
that you would go with him, I never thought that you would stay behind, and calling your boss. Well, that was not the smartest thing you could have done".
"Wait". Scully said, holding her hand up. "Are you saying that you are responsible
for the deaths of Wayne Hartford, his wife and Carla Kliski"?
"I never did like that Wayne Hartford, he ripped me off, did some work on my truck
he did a lousy job on it, and when I asked him to refix it, he laughed
in my face...right in my face. Son of a bitch".
"But how were you able to"...?
"Arrange their deaths. Same way I was able to get rid of your partner, and the
same way I was able to get you and your boss here to fuck like bunnies
in spring time".
"Are you saying that you have some sort of psychic ability"? Scully asked him,
she glanced over at Skinner, who was slowly begining to sit up.
"I guess you could say that". The Sheriff replied with a shrug. "Ever since I was
a kid, I could kinda... push people with my mind. Make them do
things, or see things. Anything I want as a matter of fact.
"I see". Scully was playing for time now, keeping one eye on the Sheriff, who seemed
completely wrapped up in what he was saying, and another eye on Skinner
who was shakily climbing to his feet, a grimly determined expression
on his face.
"Did you cause my nightmares as well"?
Sheriff Greensley shook his head. "Nope, that just seems to be some sort of
side effect, after a while, the nightmares become so intense that they drive
a person crazy, like Old Cheezer".
"You were using your...abilities on that old man we saw in the diner"? Scully asked.
"Yes, oh he was already half crazy with cheap booze, so I just used him to
practice with. Planted pictures in his head, then sat back to watch the fun".
Scully felt sickened by the huge smile on Greensley's face.
He's insane. She thought to herself. Have to do something...but what?
"I was hoping if you and Skinner fucked each other, you would be so shocked at your
behaviour, you'd both close the investigation and leave, but you didn't
so I guess I'll just have to have you both take care of each other...
permanently".
"Get us to shoot each other, like you got Mona Hartford and Carla Kliski to
shoot Wayne Hartford, then each other"? Scully asked coldly.
"It was a shame about Mona and Carla, I didn't have anything against either of
them, and Carla, was such a pretty little thing. But what else could I do"? Greensley replied. "Well, my Mumma always said, you can't make an omlette
without breaking some eggs".
"Three innocent people are dead Sheriff". Scully replied, her voice harsh.
The Sheriff was just about to answer, when he was suddenly grabbed from behind and
whirled around. Skinner had his arms locked around his throat.
br>
The Sheriff fought ferociously, but he was no match for the bigger, stronger
and marine trained AD.
Scully dived for her gun that was still in her jacket on the couch. She pulled
it out and pointed it straight at the Sheriff, who seeing it, stopped
struggling at once.
"I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Wayne and Mona Hartford and
Carla Kliski". Skinner growled at him, arms still locked around his throat.
The Sheriff said nothing, just slumped helplessly, all his smug bravado gone.
Seven
"So he was the one that had caused the deaths of the Hartfords and the Kliski
girl"? Mulder asked as he unwrapped the sandwich that Scully had bought
him. They were both sitting in their office, writing reports and
eating lunch.
Scully nodded, chewing on a roast beef sandwich. She swallowed.
"It seems that the Sheriff had a grudge against Wayne Hartford over some work that
he had done on the Sheriff's pick up truck. So he arranged to have Mona
and Carla kill him, then kill each other. How I have not yet dertermined
but I think we will find that he slipped them a powerful
hallucinogenic, something that would have made them very susceptible
to suggestion".
"So you don't believe that he really possesses ESP or telekinesis, anything like
that Scully"?
She smiled and reached over for her bottle mineral water.
"I doubt that very much Mulder". She replied. "Actually it makes sense, since
a drugs and medical supply company held a convention there, every
year. He could have bought some drugs from an unscrupulous sale rep".
"That's what AD Skinner thought initially".
"Still, it's worth looking into don't you think"? He asked her.
"Mulder, right now the man is locked up in a mental ward, he is totally unresponsive
, in fact he is nearly catatonic.
"Well, it would have been great if the theory of psychic ability could have
been proved". Mulder replied thoughtfully.
Scully sighed, but said nothing, all she wanted to do was finish the report and
call it a day.
Eight
Scully looked up from the book she was reading. Someone was knocking on her door.
She got up and opened it. Skinner was standing outside.
"Um, mind if I come in"? He asked somewhat awkwardly.
Scully stood back to allow him to enter into her small neat apartment.
"Is there something I can do for you Sir"? She asked, careful to keep her
voice neutral.
"I was just passing and I thought I would drop in and see how you were doing". He replied.
Then he sighed. "No that's not it at all".
Scully smiled, she had never seen him look so uncertain in his life.
"Look Scully, the truth is"...he stopped, not quite sure how to go on. he had
"Sir, there's nothing you need to say". She told him gently. "What happened in
Harton Hollow was... well let's just say that the circumstances were...
a little unusual".
Skinner smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that Scully found rather
attractive.
"Than you Agent Scully. He said. "Well, I think I had better get going".
"Would you like to stay and have some coffee or something Sir"? She asked. For
some reason she did not want Skinner to leave just yet.
He looked at her for a moment, then relaxed. "Sure Agent Scully, that would be great".
Scully smiled back at him. "Make yourself comfortable Sir, I'll get the coffee".
Skinner seated himself on her sofa while she went into the kitchen to make coffee.
Well, she thought to herself. Maybe it was the influence
of Sheriff Greensley, but Walter Skinner is one attractive
looking man.Then she smiled...who knows just where this might lead.
End
background art courtesy of Celtic Art Web Page
background art courtesy of Celtic Art Web Page