Skinner paced up and down the small comfortable room.
He was not sure how long they had been keeping him waiting. It had to have been a couple of hours
at least.
After he had spoken to Scully in the *salon*, they had escorted him to this room. First the guards
had taken his goverment issued weapon and his wallet carrying all his cash, credit cards and ID.
They had even taken his watch.
He was about to go and bang on the door, just to see if there was anyone out there, when suddenly
it opened.
CSM entered the room a couple of guards flanking him.
"Mr Skinner, I am sorry to have kept you waiting. Very rude of us, but unfortunately, we have been
quite busy".
Skinner took a deep breath, willing his temper to stay down. As much as he would have loved to
punch that smug black lunged bastard into a bloodied pulp, he knew that one: he would never be
able to get past the heavily armed guards, two: that it would not help matters, and three: it would
more then likely to get them both him and Scully killed.
"I hope that you have not been too uncomfortable while you have been waiting". CSM continued
in that irritatingly silky tone of his.
"Everything has been just perfect". Skinner replied drily. "Would be even better though if you would
allow my agent and myself to leave".
"As I said Mr Skinner, all in due time. But there are some things we need to discuss"
"Such as"?
"I have been keeping a close eye on both Agent Mulder's and his partner Agent Scully's careers.
Both fine agents, bright, dedicated, they get the job done. A credit to the F.B.I."
"I am sure that you did not abduct Agent Scully and then use Krycek to lure me here simply to compliment
my agents on their efficiency". Skinner said coldly.
CSM smiled at the AD. "No of course not. It's just that, well as good as both your subordinates are
at their jobs, lately they have become something of a nuisance to not only myself, but to my associates".
"Oh, in what way"?
"In every way I am afraid". CSM sighed and gazed down at the cigarette dangling between his fingers.
"Both Mulder and Scully have been prying into areas that, well frankly I would prefer that they
didn't. I have spoken to you about this before Mr Skinner, as their supervisor I would have
thought that you would have taken the situation in hand. But you haven't. To be honest
I am disappointed in you".
"I see". Skinner replied quietly. "So this is what it's all about. They stumbled across one of your group's
dirty little secrets did they. Uncovered something that they shouldn't have. Well what a shame for you"
"More of a shame for you Mr Skinner". CSM replied calmly. "And for them". He pinned the larger man
down with a chilling stare.
"I think that it may be time that we reigned Mulder and his sweet little partner in for good. And you
Mr Skinner are going to help us".
"No"!
"I'm sorry"? CSM cocked his head slightly, making sure that he had heard correctly.
"You heard. I said no"! Skinner walked over to CSM, making use of his full height and strength.
"I have no idea what Mulder and Scully have done to step on your toes. But I am not going to sit back and
watch while you and those other bastards ruin the careers of two of my best agents"!
CSM shrugged. "Then you leave me no choice".
Skinner's eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "What the hell are you planning to do Spender"?
CSM glanced up at the extremely pissed off AD. He had to admit that Skinner was an intimidating
sight once his blood was up. The AD was a former marine and had the training, not to mention the
muscles to go with it.
Still, muscles were useless when faced with two well trained guards both holding semi automatics.
"I am afraid there is nothing for it Mr Skinner. You have let Agent Mulder run loose, prying into things
that he has no right to. And pulling Agent Scully right along after him. We have all been very
patient up until now, but even we have our limits."
"So what is it you are going to do to them"? Skinner asked, he could feel real rage building up inside now.
God how he hated this man.
"An accident perhaps, or is that a little messy for you. Not that bloodshed has ever been an ethical
problem for you. Or blackmail. Now that's something that you excel at".
CSM chuckled. "No nothing like that Mr Skinner. No I don't want anything permanent to happen. No
I don't wish to turn our dear Agent Mulder into some sort of martyr. Just a disgrace, something
that will force him and Scully to resign from the F.B.I".
"You know Mulder would never leave the X files". Skinner replied. "He'd die first".
"Well I would certainly hate to see that happen". CSM dropped the glowing butt on the floor, then
ground it out under the heel of his shoe.
"But if it were to come to that"...
"You touch either of my agents"... Skinner warned.
"Then help me". CSM replied. "Help me, and everyone can walk away from this. And your agents might
actually be allowed to keep their careers.
Skinner glared at him for a moment, brown eyes smoldering with helpless rage. Deal with the Devil
he thought to himself. Deal with the devil and when the notes finally came due, they came
due in brimstone. Did he really want to sell his soul to this man? But the real question
was, did he have a choice"?
CSM watched the internal struggle going on inside the AD, and waited. After all he was a patient man.
He could wait for a long as it took. Which surprisingly enough, did not take that long.
It seemed that the good Assistant Director really did care about his subordinates after all.
Well that was all too the better.
"All right Spender, you tell me, what will it take"? Skinner asked. And when CSM told him, the AD
suddenly looked old and defeated.
Which, to CSM, was not such a bad thing at all.
*Mulder's office*
Fox Mulder sat behind the desk in his basement office staring at the phone. Skinner had called him earlier
that day, telling him that everything was fine and that he and Scully would be returning
soon. That had been nearly three hours ago and thetre had been no word since then.
He knew it was no good trying to call the AD on his cell phone, Mulder was not suppose to know
about Skinner's little trip to where ever it was they were holding Scully.
Still, he had to do something. It was completely against his nature to sit back and do nothing.
He was about to grab his coat and had upstairs, when a figure appeared in the open doorway.
It was Alex Krycek.
"What the hell do you want"? Mulder snarled. Krycek saunted into the room, his usual smirk in place.
"Just thought I'd drop in on my favourite F.B.I agent, see how he was doing".
Krycek held his hands up. "Steady on Mulder, I come in peace".
"And I swear you are going to be leaving here in pieces if you don't get to the point.
Krycek chuckled. "So nice to know that I'm welcome".
"Krycek".
"Save the growl Mulder, your not scaring anyone. Only that mean tempered boss of yours can
come close to doing that. And he does not seem to be available at the moment".
Mulder got to his feet so fast, his chair slid out from under him and sit the back wall. Fists clenched
he stalked over to where Krycek was standing.
"Get out of my office now Rat Boy or I will personally break your goddam neck and dump your corpse
in some dark cellar for the other rats to chew on".
"Someone's testy today". Krycek sneered. That was too much for Mulder. He threw a punch at the
Consortium operative, who ducked and grabbed Mulder by the arm. He swung the agent around and
pinned both his arms behind his back. Then kicking the door closed behind them both,
he wrestled the agent towards his desk.
Mulder cursed and struggled, but he was no match for Krycek.
"If you calm down Mulder, I'll tell you why I am here".
"Fuck you asshole".
"My my, such language, tell me Mulder, do you kiss your mother with that mouth"?
Mulder, for his part, nearly went beserk nearly knocking Krycek over, the operative tightened his grip.
"Are you going to calm down, or do I have to knock you out"?
A string of curses coarse enough to make a sailor blush issued forth. Krycek laughed and leaned
over to kiss the enraged agent on his cheek.
"Do you know how cute you are when your angry".
"Don't tell me Krycek, you're not some kind of fag are you"?
Krycek laughed and reached around to run his hand over the front of Mulder's pants. "Why would you
ask that"?
"Because you just happen to be groping him". Both men started and turned. There in the doorway
stood AD Skinner.
Krycek swore. "How long have you been standing there"?
"Long enough to see you putting your hands where they don't belong".
"Shit". Krycek snapped. "He's not exactly objecting is he".
"Let him go, then we'll see". Skinner answered drily. Krycek released Mulder, who promptly turned
and let fly a punch that if it had actually connected, would have taken the other man's head off.
But Krycek was too quick. He ducked away.
Behind him, he heard the AD chuckle. "One thing about rats, they sure can move fast".
Mulder threw another punch and this time it landed solidly against Krycek's chin. He stumbled against
the desk, then came at the agent, intent on inflicting bodily harm. That was when Skinner
finally stepped in between them.
"All right, the pair of you. Enough's enough". He grabbed Mulder and pushed him into a chair.
"I said, that will do"!
Both men heard the steel of command in Skinner's voice and both stopped.
"Right, Mulder, sit over there. Krycek, you over there". Both men promptly took their seats.
"Oh... and Krycek, if I ever you see you touch my agent like that again, I will personally rip your head
off. Got it"?
Krycek swallowed hard, and nodded. There was no way he was going to argue with this man.
"Good, now can we all talk like adults"?
Both men nodded.
"Fine". Skinner regarded the pair of them coldly. "Mulder, you haven't asked me about your partner".
Mulder looked up at his supervisor sharply. "Scully, where is she? Did you manage
to get her out"?
"As a matter of fact no. But she is safe". Skinner held up his hands before Mulder could erupt.
"Mulder, you have to understand, I am doing everything to negotiate her release".
"Negotiate her...!" Spluttering Mulder leapt to his feet.
"Calm down Mulder". Skinner snapped. "You know that I am doing the best I can".
"With all due respect Sir, no I don't think you are". Mulder replied angrily. "I say that we gather a team
and go in there and get her. And that we smash this Consortium once and for all".
"That's impossible, and you know that". Skinner replied. "These men are too powerful, they are above
the law. Any attempt to try and break Scully out of there by force would only result in
her and us getting killed. We have to play it their way for now".
"This is complete bullshit Sir and you know it". Mulder replied, fury sparking in his hazel eyes.
"I don't like it any more than you Agent Mulder, but unfortunately, this is what we are stuck with for
now, so I suggest that what you do right now is cool off and leave everything to me.
Frustrated, Mulder nodded, then turned away. This was crazy, his partner was missing, god knows
where they were holding her, and they were helpless. Suddenly he felt liking kicking something...hard.
He glanced over at Krycek speculatively.
Skinner turned to the other man. "What the hell are you doing here Krycek"?
"I want to help".
"What"? Both Mulder and Skinner stared at him, wondering what piece of treachery Krycek was planning now.
"Look I am sick of being forced to work for these people". He said quietly. "I have had to do things,things
that have sickened me, and for what? So they can hold on to their power. So that they
can manipulate the future. These men have no conscience, no ethics, they don't care who
they screw over and I don't want to see them hurt anymore innocent people".
Krycek looked from Skinner to Mulder and back again, he could see that neither of them believed him.
He sighed wearily. "What is it going take for you to believe me"? He asked. Skinner frowned, was that
a note of desperation he could hear in Rat Boy's voice?
"Why should we believe you? Give us one good reason". He replied. Leaning against Mulder's desk,
he folded his arms over his broad chest, regarding Krycek closely.
"Because I'm telling the truth, that's why"
Mulder burst into incredulous laughter. " Oh Rat Boy, this is good, even for you. You expect the both us to
take you word on anything"? Mulder shook his head. "You are a liar, an opportunist
and a murderer. You killed my father, you have sold goverment secrets and you
have betrayed anything and everyone in order to further your own agenda."
"Yes, that's true, but you have to admit, my heart was in the right place".
Mulder jumped up from the chair he had been sitting in, storming over to where the other man sat.
Krycek got to his feet, fist already up in a classic defence pose. Skinner quickly got between to the
men before they ended up killing each other.
"Right, that's enough, the both of you. I have more important things to do than having to stop you two
idiots from killing each other.
Both Mulder and Krycek backed off, eyeing each other with open hostility. Satisfied, Skinner walked
back over to where he had been standing just before.
"Now Krycek you say that you don't want to work the Spender and the Consortium anymore. Then why don't
you just walk away"?
"Walk away"? Krycek stared at the AD clearly wondering if the other man had lost his mind.
"You just don't 'walk away' from these people. Not if you don't want to end up a nasty accident somewhere.
I have seen what they have done to people to have tried to 'walk away'. Trust me
when I say that it wasn't pretty".
"Then why start working for them in the first place"? Mulder asked skeptically.
"I never had a choice". Krycek replied bitterly. "I was a kid when they recruited me. I was living in Russia
with my parents and grandmother. These men approached my father, said that he could
get my family to America, to live the good life". Krycek's laugh was an angry bark.
"The good life, yeah right. All they had to do was let them recruit their only son. Of course my
father had no idea what he was getting into at the time. He thought these men worked for the goverment.
Both my parents had been raised on farms. They were simple peasants, they had
no idea of the kind of evil, the kind of duplicity these men were capable of. Of course by the time they found
out. It was too late. Both my parents ended up having an unfortuate accident. One that they had arranged".
He smiled bitterly. My grandmother was heartbroken. She had lost her only daughter and son-in-law. All she had left was me, and they took me away to train me to become one of their assassins.
She died within the year". Krycek stopped, staring into space for a moment, trying desperately to get his emotions
under control.
"So you see, I have every reason to hate these men, to want to stop them once and for all. To destroy
the destroyers".
Neither Mulder or Skinner said anything. They were not sure whether Krycek was telling the truth.
The problem was, he had lied so often and so convincingly, they had no way of being able
to tell whether he was telling the truth now or not.
Krycek could see the doubt in the other men's eyes. Well we could not exactly blame them. It was not
like he had ever done anything to earn their trust.
"Look, I want to help you get Agent Scully away from them. Away from that black lunged bastard and the
rest of his cronies. I want to help you".
"I'm not buying any of this". Mulder replied. "Kreycek, I want you to get the fuck out of my office and
I swear, if I se you again, I'll shoot you".
Krycek stared at him for a moment. Then abruptly, he stood up. "Fine, I'll just do this myself"!
He headed for the door. But before he could leave, Skinner reached over and grabbed him by
the arm.
"You aren't doing anything by yourself Krycek".
Krycek shook him off. "Think you can stop me big guy"? He sneered.
"Yeah, as a matter of fact, I think I can".
"Fuck you, you bald asshole".
Skinner smiled at him, then landed a very neat punch to Krycek's stomach. With a whooff the other
man doubled over.
"You little piece of shit". Skinner said, his voice deadly. "Do you
really think that you can intimidate me"?
He dragged the hapless man upright, giving him a rough shake. "Now you listen to me. You are not
going to run off half cocked and get yourself, or more importantly, Agent Scully killed. Is that
understood"?
Krycek nodded, still struggling to catch his breath.
"Good, I am going to allow you to help us, only because you know your way around the Center. If you try and
double cross us in any way, Mulder won't have time to draw his gun, because I will shoot
you first. Do you understand what I am telling you"? Another hard shake.
"Y...yes I understand".
"Good, because I don't want there to be any sort of misunderstanding. If you do anything to betray us
at all... I. Will. Kill. You". Each word was punctuated by a rough shake. Krycek nodded frantically,
by now completely cowed.
"Good". Skinner dropped the smaller man, satisfied that his point had been made.
"Now gentlemen, this is what we are going to do".
*The Center*
Scully looked up as the door to her room opened. CSM entered, a couple of guards flanking him.
" Am I to take it that you don't you believe in knocking"? She asked him coldly.
He smiled at her, his eyes raking over her as she got up from the chair she had been sitting on.
"You look quite lovely today my dear". He said.
Ignoring the compliment, she faced him, arms folded over her chest, head slightly cocked. "What do you
want"?
He spread his hands in a shrug. "Do I have to want something Agent Scully"?
She sighed and glanced away, showing her impatience.
"I thought that perhaps we could talk, have dinner together perhaps".
She gave him a sharp glance. Her green eyes hardening perceptibly. "I don't think so".
"That's a shame Ms Scully, I thought that you would be curious as to what I have to say".
"Not really". She replied. "After all, you have not told me anything at all since I've been here. In fact,
all you have done is told me a pack of half truths and downright lies. Why should I want to
listen to anymore of it? Frankly I am sick of being given the runaround".
"Please Ms Scully, I can't blame you for growing impatient with the way you have been treated. Allow
me to try and make it up to you now. I shall answer any questions that you have. And all
that I ask in return is that you allow me to have the pleasure of your company tonight."
Scully sighed inwardly. "All right then, but do me one small favour"?
"Of course, what would that be"?
"Lose the guards".
They were both siting in a small cosy dining room. Waiters hurried back and forth, refilling their wine
glasses and pouring coffee into tiny fine china cups.
"I certainly hope you enjoyed the meal tonight". CSM said as he sipped a brandy. Swirling the amber liquid
around the large brandy balloon. The light from the candle burning on the table between
them reflected off the glass, creating a tiny rainbow of reflected light.
"Yes I did thank you". Scully replied. As usual the meal had been excellent.
"Now, coffee". CSM said as he lifted his cup up. "And conversation".
"I would like to know why I have been brought here". Scully said quietly. She regarded the older man
coolly. He nodded. "Very well then Ms Scully, the truth".
She smiled sardonically. "That would be a first".
He inclined his head, point well taken.
"The reason that you have been brought here is simply this. Ms Scully, you are being used as a
bargaining chip. That is all".
Scully sat back in her chair, open mouthed. "What"?
CSM shrugged and sat back to light a cigarette. "I hope you don't mind. Filthy habit really. I have tried
to quit, but well, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak".
"A bargaining chip. For what"?
"We needed a little leverage, to get our favourite Assistant Director to cooperate with us. He has been
shall we say, a little less than enthusiastic of late. we just needed something to bring him
back to the fold. And with unfortunate demise of his wife"...
"You needed someone else to blackmail him with didn't you"?
CSM regarded the glowing tip of his cigarette. "Blackmail is such an ugly word Ms Scully, or may I call
you Dana. Such a lovely name, Dana".
"Agent Scully will do just fine". She told him drily.
He inclined his head, unperturbed at her hostility. The perfect gentleman.
"I think that by using me, you'll find you're barking up the wrong tree. AD Skinner is my boss and that
is all there is too it, nothing more to it".
"Ah, but that's where you are wrong. Walter Skinner is very fond of you, very fond as a matter
of fact".
Scully stared at him for a moment, then shook her head. "Sorry Sir, but you are mistaken".
CSM took a sip from his cup. "Hmm, good coffee". He commented. "Agent Scully, you are a very
beautiful, intelligent woman. Dedicated and very good at her job. Walter Skinner is a very lonely
man, and has been since his wife left him. You both work very closely together. Now a smart lady
like you can do the math".
"No, you are wrong Sir. There is nothing between AD Skinner and myself". Scully replied firmly.
"I respect AD Skinner as a good man who does his job well. And he has gone out on a limb for Mulder and myself on a number of occasions. But that is all".
CSM chuckled, as he set the cup back down on the saucer with an audible chink.
"Ms Scully, I must say I find your naivete somewhat charming, but right now, the fact is, Skinner is
willing to make a deal for your safe return. And that's all that matters right now".
If looks could have maimed. The Smoking Man at that moment, would have been carried out in a basket.
"What the hell have you done you bastard"?
"Why I have just brought a little insurance, that's all".
Scully stared down at the table for a moment, thinking hard. She remembered what Skinner had told
her last night. Be patient, don't take unnecessary risks.
"What sort of deal"? She asked cautiously. CSM smiled. "Nothing that should concern you Agent
Scully".
She pinned him with a glare. "Considering the fact that I have been brought here against my will Sir.
And that I happen to be part of this blackmail deal against Skinner, no matter how unwilling
I might be. I have a right to know what it is you are planning against my supervisor".
"That is where you are wrong Agent Scully. I don't have to tell you anything. You are only a very small
part of this plan. What I tell you is what I want you to know and nothing more".
Scully lips quirked up into a smile. "Well then I guess I should be grateful for the little that you tell
me".
"Believe me Agent Scully when I say that there are things that you are better off not knowing".
"Ha". She shook her head. "Can't you ever just explain anything without having to obfuscate, to tell
half truths and outright lies"?
He leaned back in his seat and lit another cigarette, drawing the smoke in deeply.
"There is so much that you do not understand, the years of work, the sacrifices that have been
for the sake of the Project".
Scully frowned. "The Project. What is that exactly"?
"Something that I and my associates have been working towards for a very long time". CSM replied.
"We have given our whole lives over in order to make certain events come about.
To help create a whole new world as it were".
"And in order to do that, all you have to do is destroy the world that we have now". She replied softly.
"You and your...associates are nothing more than power hungry unscrupulous men
whose only agenda, whose only objective is to keep your power, your authority intact."
CSM shrugged, unwilling to argue this further, he had told her more than he had meant to already.
She sighed and stared down at her coffee cup for a moment.
"Mulder has always told me about his theory. About the existence of alien life forms and how he saw
his own sister get taken by an space craft. He believes that there are people
who have been abducted by these...aliens and taken for experimentation. And he also believes that
you, and men like you are assisting these aliens in what they are doing".
"And what do you believe Agent Scully"?
She smiled at him. "I believe that you have your own reasons for what it is you do, and that it has
nothing to do with aliens at all. I believe that you have been stringing Mulder along all these years
with your lies and half truths and so-called evidence of aliens lifeforms and alien abductions".
CSM inclined his head towards her, a slight smile touching his lips. "Bravo Agent Scully. Bravo indeed.
I wonder if Agent Mulder realizes how lucky he is to have such an intelligent and sensitive
woman for a partner?
Scully rolled her eyes. The one thing she hated more than anything was to be patronized. And especially
by this man.
"I have just one question for you". She said quietly. "Are you going to allow me to leave here"?
"Yes Agent Scully, we are going to allow you to leave".
"When"?
He shrugged. "Well that Agent Scully depends on your AD"
*Skinner's Office*
Skinner sat behind the desk, staring that the envelope in front of him. Then he looked up at the elderly
man that sat in the chair opposite.
"So tell me again what is so important about this disc". He said tiredly. He already knew, but he needed
to hear it again just to be sure.
Tobias Sorenson leaned forward, the chair creaking under his weight.
"As I said before Mr Skinner, this disc contains information that is vital to both you and Agent Fox Mulder".
"Vital, in what way"?
"Names Mr Skinner". Sorenson replied. He reached over and tapped the envelope with a long forefinger. "Names of the men that run the Consortium, details of various projects that they have
created.
Projects that have changed the world, over and over again".
Skinner sighed and looked up at the old man. Earlier that morning, at his apartment, he had received a
phone call. It had been Sorenson, asking to meet with him. Something of vital importance, were the
words he had used. And now, two hours later, he was sitting in the AD's office.
"How can I be sure that the information on this disc is correct"? Skinner asked.
Sorenson smiled at him. "Because I have worked with these men Mr Skinner. Because I have been
a party to their schemes and their plots. I have helped them Mr Skinner and in doing so
I also discovered their secrets. The secrets that I have placed on this disc. The secrets that I hope
will be their downfall".
" You tell me that you worked for these men and you expect me to trust you".
"I know that I am asking a lot of you Mr Skinner, but to be honest, I have no where else to turn. You
are the only one that will listen to me. You and Agent Mulder".
"And what do you know about Agent Mulder Mr Sorenson"?
"I know that he too is a seeker for the truth, and that he is completely dedicated in his quest". Sorenson
replied. "And I know that he will do what is right. He can't be bought Mr Skinner, he can't be
bribed and he can't be scared off. Your agent is a man that I can respect".
Skinner leaned back against his chair, regarding the man sitting in front of him. What do you know
about this man? He thought to himself. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Then how can you
even think of trusting him?
The answer was obvious, how could he not. If he was telling the truth, it that disc really did contain
the information that could finish the Consortium, then he had no choice did he?
Skinner picked the envelope up, holding it his his hand. "Very well Mr Sorenson. I will give the disc to
Mulder and he can have a look at what's on it. If there is anything that we can use, I assure that
the F.B.I will act on it immeadiately".
Sorenson nodded. "That's good enough for me".
"But what about you"? Skinner asked, suddenly concerned. "If these men were to discover that you
gave me this information, they would not hesitate to kill you. I could help you, place you into
protective custody".
Skinner stopped as the other man waved his hand, chuckling.
"There is no need to be concerned about me Mr Skinner. Even if they did find out that it was me, it doesn't
matter. You see I am dying. A rare and virulent form of cancer. I only have a matter of weeks
now, according to my doctor. So if they put a bullet in me. So what, all it would do is save
on medical bills". He smiled again, a trifle sadly. "I cannot say that I have lived a good life
Mr Skinner, but I know now that at least I have done something...decent, something honest for
once in my life. And that Sir is what feels really good".
With that Sorenson rose from his chair, and made his way to the door. Skinner watched him go, then
looking down at the envelope, once more thinking about deals with devil. Then he reached for the phone.
Once outside the F.B.I building, Sorenson pulled out a mobile phone, and dialled a number.
"He's taken the bait". He said, then listened to the voice on the other end of the line.
"Yes, I am sure that he will hand the disc over to Mulder, and when he does"... Sorenson let
the rest of the sentence trail. He listened once more, then satisfied, he put the phone back into his coat
pocket.
He headed down the street, walking briskly along. Everything was going exactly to plan. The old man
smiled, very much like a shark would, spotting it's dinner. Oh but it felt good to be alive.