Washington, DC
6:44 p.m.

The White House stands a source of fascination for
numerous tourists.  Many stand outside the gates taking
photographs.  The trees on the grounds just beginning to
show signs of spring.  A timid looking man, probably in
his middle thirties, walks past a small group of Japanese
men and women.  He bumps into one of them, but makes
no move to apologize.  Howard Salt closely observes the
grounds, and then quickly begins to scale the wrought iron
gate that surrounds the White House property as he sees a
hole in the Secret Service's patrol.  People look on as he
runs across the lawn, moving toward the house.  Several
yards from the front door, he is surrounded by Secret
Service agents, their guns in hand.  Howard raises his
hands, but continues on his original path, pleading with
the men.

"Freeze!  Put your hands in the air!"  A Secret Service agent
shouts as he moves closer to the trespasser.

"I need to speak with the President.  I have to tell him
something."  Howard responds.  "I have to tell the
President something."  He looks around at the group of
agents that have closed in on him.

The first agent, a tall handsome black man, orders him to
the ground, and a group of agents wrestle him to the
ground.  Howard continues to insist upon seeing the
President, drawing the attention of first agent.  He listens
as Howard maintains his diatribe, talking of alien plots.
As agents jerk him upright, they notice a gun tucked in his
waistband.  Howard removes the gun, pointed toward the
ground.  It appears he's surrendering the weapon, but it
discharges as an agent grabs his wrist.  Howard's been
shot.

"Someone get a medic!" The first agent shouts.

Howard looks up at the man, pleading with him.  "Please,
the PresidentÖneeds to see this.  Please get this to him."
Howard hands a CD with the words "They are here"
handwritten on it. The agent stares at it.


Mulder's Hospital Room

Mulder sits in a chair, facing the window.  He seems lost in
thought, then suddenly rises from the chair and crosses to
the mirror above the sink in the small bathroom attached
to his hospital room.  He leans close to the mirror and
examines his face.  The skin is unmarked, unflawed, but
for an instant, he can see the series of small, round
puncture marks creeping up the sides of his face; scars his
eyes tell him aren't there.  Yet his mind insists they should
be.  He reaches behind him and unties the back of his
hospital gown, letting it fall forward off his shoulders,
exposing his chest.  It, too, is unscarred.  Even the gunshot
wound in his shoulder from where Scully had shot him all
those years ago is gone.  He runs his fingers down his
breastbone, but the livid scar he knows should be there
isn't.  He closes his eyes, trying to remember what
happened to him, how the scar came to be there in the first
place, much less how it was erased, but all he can see is
darkness and all he can hear are the echoes of his own
screams.

A soft snick of the door alerts him that he is no longer
alone.  He pulls his gown back up and leaves the
bathroom.  He sees Scully standing in the doorway.  He
offers a small smile, though there is little sincerity in it.
Mulder begins move toward her, but his legs are still
weak, making it difficult to move.  He struggles to remain
standing, his knees wobbling, and Scully moves to his side
to offer assistance.  Mulder gently waves her off, needing
to feel independent.

"So when are you busting me out of this place?"  He asks
her as he shuffles to his bed.

"Hopefully today.  The doctor is pleased with your
recovery and wants to discuss a few things with me before
he'll turn you loose."  She tells him with a smile.

"Good.  I don't know how much more jell-o I can take."  He
smirks.  Gently Mulder seats himself on the edge of the
bed, Scully moving close to help lift his legs.  When he's
somewhat situated, he gazes at Scully, in particular her
pregnant belly.

Scully draws his attention back to her face.  "Mulder, there
are a few things we need to talk aboutÖ"

"What did you have in mind?  I could think of severalÖ"
His voice trails off, but his hands gesture at her swollen
belly.  It's clear he is referring to her pregnancy.

She looks stricken, but recovers quickly.  "That's not what
I'm talking about."  Scully sighs deeply.  "I had to give up
your apartment.  Your lease was up and the landlord
wouldn't let me renew it."

"Well, why would you?  I was dead, wasn't I?"

Shock registers plainly on her face.  She's taken aback by
his cold, unfeeling description of the past months events.

"Sorry."  He looks shocked at his own comment and
remorseful that he upset her.  "So, where am I going to
stay?"

"Well, I have a number of your things at my place, so I
figured that would be best.  Plus, I could look after you."
She says, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.

Mulder seems touched.  "What did you bring to your
apartment?"

"I, uhÖ" Scully begins hesitantly, but is interrupted by the
doctor entering the room.

"Excuse me, Dr. Scully may I speak with you for a
moment?"  He asks.

Scully looks at Mulder, offers a slight smile, then turns to
follow the doctor into the hallway.  Mulder sits on the bed,
watching the door close behind her.


Scully's Apartment

Scully opens the front door and steps aside to let Mulder
enter.  He removes his jacket and moves to the couch,
taking notice of the various objects from his apartment.
His fish tank garners the most attention and he rises with
caution and makes his way to it.  Scully smiles and heads
to her bedroom carrying a medium sized black duffel bag.
She returns to the living room and Mulder directs his gaze
at her.

We're missing a molly."  He informs her.

"I know."  She smiles sadly.  "She wasn't as lucky as you."

Mulder looks away, the emotion on Scully's face too much.

"I, um... I found a new respect for you, Mulder, over these
past few months.  I never understood before what it was
like for you when I was taken, and then when I came back,
most certainly about to die, trying to find a way to let go,
to say good-bye..." she breaks off, her eyes filled with
tears.  "And now, to have you back...I guess...I guess if it's
disconcerting for me, I can only imagine how it must feel
for you."

Mulder offers her a small smile.  "Thank you.  I guess it's
like they say... 'Until you've walked a mile in my shoes...'"

Scully's voice cracks with emotion.  "Mulder, I buried you.
I stood over your grave as they lowered you into the
ground, thinking you were gone forever.  Believing you
gave your life..."

She pauses, tears welling in her eyes.  She looks to Mulder
again.

" I don't mean to be cold or ungrateful.  I'm just having a
little trouble processing everything that's happened.
Everything that's changed."  He looks pointedly at her
stomach.

"MulderÖ"

"I don't know where I fit in anymore."  He looks to her, his
eyes clouded with confusion.

Scully moves to him, takes his hands in hers.  "Right here
is where you fit.  That is one thing that hasn't changed.
This is where we belong Mulder.  Please don't doubt that."
She releases his hands to wind them around his neck.  He
returns the embrace warmly, resting his head atop hers.


Federal Correctional Facility
Perkey, West Virginia

A prisoner wheels a cart filled with books into a large
common room.  He makes the rounds, approaching
several of his fellow inmates, offering reading material.
The man stops at the table Absalom is sitting at.  He offers
Absalom a book

"I have my books."  Absalom insists.

"I think you'll really be interested in this one."  Marion
says, handing "The Coming Apocalypse" to Absalom.

He takes the book and opens it, finding a newspaper
clipping about the death of Howard Salt.  The article reads
"Census Worker Shot on White House Lawn."  Absalom
reads the article, his piercing blue eyes turned watery and
red evidence of his distress.


Kersh's Office
F.B.I. Headquarters

Skinner and Doggett enter Kersh's office as the Deputy
Director rises to greet them.  Neither Skinner, nor Doggett
seem at all pleased to be in this man's company.  Kersh
nods his greeting, directing the two men to the chairs in
front of his desk.  Skinner sits first, with Doggett following
close behind.

"An application was submitted to me this morning by
Agent Scully on behalf of our old friend, Fox Mulder, for
reinstatement.  I assume you both know about this."  Kersh
states.

Skinner and Doggett look puzzled.  "Reinstatement?"
Skinner asks.

"To the X Files."  Kersh clarifies.

"I thought he was just released from the hospital."  Doggett
appears perplexed.

"Well, someone is anxious for him to get back to work."
Kersh sneers.  "I wanted to let you both know that I'm
denying the application."

Skinner is struck.  "The investigations Agent Doggett and
Agent Scully investigate would certainly benefit from
Mulder'sÖ"

"Let's be honest for a moment, shall we A.D. Skinner?  You
and I both know that one of the most significant reasons
Mulder joined the Bureau was to investigate his sister's
disappearance- to further look into his belief in aliens.  The
FBI isn't a place for personal crusades."  Kersh insists, his
voice and appearance stern and unforgiving.  He stares the
two men down, and then softens slightly.  "Now, I'd ask
that you make that understoodÖ on my behalf."

Doggett is appalled.  "You can't ask me to tell Mulder he's
off the X Files.  It's his unit."

Kersh smiles.  "I'm not asking you John."

Agent Doggett is clearly angry.  He rises from his seat
saying, "You put me in charge of the search for Mulder.  I
found him.  Don't charge me with driving a stake through
his heart."

"Maybe you'd rather I close the X Files."

Skinner interrupts at this point.  "Let's go Agent Doggett."

Doggett doesn't listen, but continues to stare down Kersh.
Kersh breaks eye contact and Doggett turns to follow
Skinner as he leaves the office.


Scully's Apartment
Next day

Mulder and Scully sit side by side on the sofa, dressed
casually.  Mulder is in jeans and a t-shirt, while Scully is
wearing casual pants and a sweater.  Mulder's bare feet are
propped up on the coffee table.  The pair sits close to one
another looking comfortable in their surroundings, yet still
somewhat uneasy with each other.  Skinner sits in the chair
next to the sofa.  He hasn't removed his overcoat, clearly
not intending on a lengthy visit.

Mulder sighs.  "Kersh wants me behind a desk?  Somehow
I think there's more to it than that."

Scully looks at her partner.  "I agree.  I think he wants you
to quit."

"He wants to punish you, to hurt you."  Skinner says.

"And you by putting you in this position.  And Scully for
not giving up on me.  Truth is this is a bullet that was fired
about eight years ago.  It's a magic bullet that's been going
round and round and right now it seems poised to hit me
right in the back of the head, although not in the way it
was originally intended."

"What are you referring to?"  Skinner asks, appearing
anxious.

Mulder doesn't answer, just looks pointedly at Scully.  She
returns the look.

"I think the question is, Mulder, are we going to sit here
and let this happen?"  She asks him.

He smiles.  "Scully, you're going to give birth in a couple
of months.  You have the best of intentions, but everyone
knows that you're going to have more important things to
worry about.  Especially something like whether or not the
X Files remain open."

Skinner corrects Mulder.  "He isn't closing the X Files.
Kersh plans to keep them open with Agent Doggett
running them."

Scully glances at Mulder out of the corner of her eye,
trying to read his reaction to that information.  He appears
impassive, showing little emotion.  "Does he know what
he's doing at all, this guy?"

Skinner smirks.  "About the paranormal?  Not much."

"I see.  Is Kersh not working alone then?"

Scully turns to Mulder.  "Agent Doggett is a good man.  He
has backed me up numerous times.  He's being
maneuvered just like you."

"At least he's maneuverable."  Mulder says as he rises off
the couch.  He moves toward the bedroom.

Skinner inquires, "Where are you going?"

Mulder looks between his partner and his former boss.
"I'm getting dressed.  For the first time I feel like getting
back to work."  Mulder disappears in the bedroom,
shutting the door softly behind him.  Skinner looks to
Scully, but she avoids making eye contact with him.


Federal Correctional Facility
Perkey, West Virginia

Mulder is seated at a table in a small private visiting room.
This room is usually reserved for lawyer/client
conferences, but the prison guards made an exception for
the FBI agent.  Mulder drums the fingers of his right hand
on the table while his left hand rubs at his cheeks.  The
door opens and Mulder stops fidgeting and stands to greet
Absalom.  The guard walks Absalom to the chair and
lowers him into it.

"Knock on the door when you're done, Agent Mulder, and
I'll be back to get him."  The guard says.

"Thank you.  I will."  Mulder retakes his seat as the door
shuts behind the guard.  "Absalom, I've heard so much
about you."

"Like what?"  Absalom looks at Mulder uncertainly.

"I heard that you know things.  That a man by the name of
Jeremiah Smith was helping you gather and take care of
abductees."

"I don't know what you're talking about."  Absalom insists,
shifting in his chair.

Mulder smiles.  "I think you do.  I think you also know
that I was one of them; one of the people you and Jeremiah
tried to help.  How did you find them?"

Absalom doesn't answer, but continues to move around in
his chair.

"You know what's going on.  You know the truth.  All I
want to do is help you Absalom.  I want to make sure what
happened to me doesn't happen to anyone else."  Mulder
pleads with him to open up.

Absalom lifts his head, meeting Mulder's stare.  "I can't
help you."

"Can't or won't?"  Mulder asks, but again receives no
response.


Scully's Apartment
Later that evening

Mulder unlocks the front door and steps into the darkened
apartment, careful not to make too much noise.

"Where did you go?"  Scully calls to him from the sofa.
She's lying on her side, curled up under a blanket.

"I went to the prison to see Absalom."  He tells her as he
lowers himself in front of her on the coffee table, lightly
stroking her hair.

"Why?"  She asks.

"I wanted to see if he had any answers- if he knew
anything."

"Did he?"

"He knows something.  He wasn't too cooperative though."
He rises and moves toward the kitchen.

"MulderÖ" Her voice, strained and upset stops him.  "I
wish you'd take some time.  You've been through a
horrible ordeal.  I don't think you should be at work right
now.  Maybe take a few weeks..."

"Is that your professional opinion Dr. Scully?"  Mulder
asks, irritation evident in his tone of voice.

"Yes, as your doctor...as your friend, someone who cares a
great deal for you, that is my opinion."  She replies calmly.

"I know you're concerned and I appreciate that, I do."  He
begins.  "But I need to understand what happened to me
and why.  It's okay Scully.  I'll talk to him again.  I need to
know what he knows."  He resumes walking to the kitchen,
then turns back to her.  "I'll be fine Scully."


Bassett County, West Virginia
4:43 p.m.

A crew of prison workers in orange jumpsuits is cleaning
up the roadside, surrounded by armed guards.  Absalom
is there, working with his fellow inmates.  The side of the
road is dusty, clouds of sandy particles flying around as
the men continue.   As he works, Absalom spots a small
piece of wood on the ground.  He picks it up, noticing a
nail protruding from the side of it.  He slides the wood up
his sleeve, concealing it as best he can.

Two vans arrive to transport the inmates back to the
prison.  One of the guards orders the men to finish up their
work and move toward the buses.  The other guards move
in on the inmates, insuring that they all get on the bus.
The orange clad men walk to the vans and Absalom slowly
slides the wood down to his hand as he moves closer to
the van.  He falls out of line, moving determinedly to a
guard standing to his left.

"Get back in line..." The guard halts his order as Absalom
swings the piece of wood at him.  The guard falls and
Absalom takes off.  Several other guards assemble, some
chasing him on foot as the prisoners cheer Absalom on.
Two guards stay behind to tend their fallen comrade.  The
vans roar to life, lights flashing, and begin pursuit of the
escapee.  Absalom runs, knowing that he must succeed.
He cannot remain imprisoned, not with the knowledge he
has.  Absalom's legs pump furiously, carrying him further
and further away from the guards and the vans in pursuit
of him.  Absalom notices that he is approaching a set of
railroad tracks as he runs.  A whistle blows, announcing
the impending arrival of a freight train.  He moves faster,
determined to flee no matter what.  As the train barrels
down, it's speed remaining constant, Absalom darts across
the tracks, narrowly escaping the freight train.  The vans,
however, are left behind.


Georgetown
5:26 p.m. (next day)

Mulder emerges from his car, closing the door and arming
the alarm system.  He walks with purpose toward Scully's,
and now his, apartment building.  He jogs up the steps,
entering the building.  As he slides his key into the lock,
he hears a noise to his left.  He glances over and sees a
figure stepping toward him from the shadows.  It is
Absalom.

"Absalom!"  Mulder is shocked to see the man out of jail.
"What are you doing here?"

Absalom steps closer, now standing in front of Mulder.
"Did you mean what you said?  You want to help me?"

Mulder nods his head.  "Yes.  I do.  I need to do everything
I can to stop this."

"Okay then.  I need you to show you something."
Absalom tells him.

Mulder looks to the building, then shakes his head
slightly.  "Let's go for a walk."

The two men move away from the building, Absalom
trailing Mulder slightly, following the agent's lead.  The
brisk early spring air whips around, blowing their hair
around.  The trees above them shake with the wind.
Mulder looks to Absalom, waving his hand encouraging
the other man to walk closer to him.  Absalom now walks
beside Mulder.

"You said you wanted to show me something?"  Mulder
prompts.

Absalom pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket, the
newspaper clipping he was given.  "Do you see this?"

Mulder reads the headline.  "Man Shot at White House."

"They killed him for what he knew.  They'll kill me too."

"I can help you."  Mulder tells him, trying to talk him
down.

"I have one chance - with you."  Absalom rambles on.  "The
invasion has begun.  They're already here."

"How do you know?"  Mulder asks.

Absalom ignores Mulder's question.  "We have to go."

Mulder nods and follows Absalom to a pick-up truck
parked across the street.  Absalom slides into the driver's
seat, Mulder following suit, seating himself in the
passenger's seat.  He looks to Absalom as they pull away
from the curb, his gaze turning to the apartment building
as they speed past.


FBI Task Force Briefing Room
5:39 p.m.

Skinner is speaking to a room full of agents, briefing them
on the escape of Absalom.  Scully stands in the back of the
room, repeatedly trying to reach someone on her cell
phone, with no luck.

"He goes by the name Absalom.  Agent Scully and I
apprehended him in Montana where he commanded a
small UFO cult."  Skinner is pointing to Absalom's picture
on a screen at the front of the room.  Skinner advances the
slide, next showing the inside of Absalom's prison cell.
The words "They are here" are handwritten on the wall.

"These words were found on the wall of his cell after he
escaped from a work detail forty miles from the state
prison.  Now, we don't know what they mean, but
Absalom claimed to have knowledge of an alien invasion."
Skinner pauses.  "There were also claims of healings of
numerous abductees... that have been subjected to alien
torture."

Several agents snicker, clearly amused by this.  Skinner
becomes slightly irritated.  "Claims that haven't been
substantiated...or refuted."  Skinner advances the slide to
show a picture of Teresa Hoese, badly beaten, comatose.
Skinner looks up in time to Scully turn away from the
image of a battered Teresa.  He advances the slides again,
bringing Absalom's face to the screen.

"The torture these people suffered was real.  The only way
to get the answers we need is to bring this guy in.  He
should be considered armed and dangerous."  Skinner
glances around the room, observing Scully's tense posture.
"All right.  That's it."  The agents disperse, leaving Skinner
and Scully.

"Where the hell is Agent Doggett?  This is an X File.  I need
him on it."  Skinner tells her.

"He's downstairs."  She murmurs distractedly.

Skinner takes in her posture and the concerned look on her
face.  "What is it?"

She glances up and smiles.  "Probably nothing.  I don't
know.  Mulder should be home by now, but he isn't
answering."

"Do you think something's wrong?"  He asks as the door
opens to reveal Agent Doggett.

"What's wrong?"  Doggett asks.

"Nothing."  Scully says quickly.  "Everything's fine."  She
forces a smile, trying to convince the two men standing
beside her.  "Everything's fine."


5:51 p.m.

"Where are we going Absalom?  What are you going to
do?"  Mulder asks as Absalom drives the truck.

"We're going to get what that man at the White House died
for."

"Where?  Where are we going?"  Mulder asks again.

"The Federal Statistics Center."  Absalom answers,
glancing at the man beside him.  "I just need access to
wherever they compile all the available data from the
current US census."

"Then what?"  Mulder asks.

"You call the FBI and tell them you won't be back to work
until someone pays attention to us."

"We might not make it that far."

Absalom looks at Mulder.  "You better hope we do."
Determination is clear in Absalom's voice.  He cannot
accept failure.

"Why don't you tell me what's there that's worth dying
for?"  Mulder asks.

"It's all in the census data."

"What?"  Mulder pauses as realization washes over him.
"You're telling me that the government knows they're
here?  That they're keeping track of them?"

Absalom looks to Mulder, offering a small smile and a nod
as his answer.


6:22 p.m.

Scully enters her apartment, turning the light on quickly.
Skinner follows close behind.  She moves further inside,
calling out.  "Mulder, are you here?  Mulder, I'm home."
She receives no response.  She walks into the bedroom,
finding it empty as well.  Scully turns and heads back to
the living room.  Skinner stands there, his eyes focused out
her front window.

"What?  What is it?"  Scully asks as she moves to his side.
There, parked in front of the building, is Mulder's car.
Scully gasps, her hand going to cover her mouth.  "Oh no.
Not now."

"Scully, we'll find him.  Don't worry."  Skinner lays a hand
on her shoulder as he takes his phone out of his pocket
with the other.  He dials quickly as Scully lowers her
awkward body to the sofa.  "Doggett, it's Skinner.  I need
you to get over to Scully's apartment right away."  Skinner
glances at Scully, her face impassive, yet her concern is a
tangible entity in the room.


Federal Statistics Center
Crystal City, Virginia
7:11 p.m.

Mulder and Absalom approach the entrance to the secure
federal building.  They stand at a guard's station as the
man eyes them suspiciously.

"State your name and business."  The guard orders.

Mulder holds up his badge.  "Agent Mulder, FBI."  Mulder
takes note of the security features in operation here.  The
guard enters Mulder's name into a computer, pulling up
his picture and record.  He buzzes open the door, still
watching them closely.  Absalom keeps his hand in his
jacket pocket.  As they walk past, the guard looks at an
infrared image of the two men.  He spots the gun in
Absalom's pocket and immediately presses a red button
beside the video monitor.  The guard emerges from the
booth, removing his gun from the holster.

"Stop right there."  The guard yells.  Absalom and Mulder
turn, Absalom's hand in his jacket pocket.  "Hands above
your heads."

Absalom raises his hands slowly, pulling his weapon out
of his pocket.  Quickly, he grabs hold of Mulder, the gun
placed at his temple.

"I have a loaded gun aimed at this man's head!"  He
shouts, trying to make the guard keep his distance.

"Listen to him!"  Mulder yells, "Back off!"

"I'll pull the trigger!"

A group of seven SWAT team members approach the three
men from all sides.  They are dressed in full riot gear,
weapons drawn and aimed at Absalom.  The SWAT team
continues to move in on Absalom and Mulder.  The guard
falls to the background, his duties taken over by the more
qualified men who have arrived.

Mulder, becoming more and more nervous, shouts, "Back
off!  Lower your weapons!"

"Sir, lower your weapon!" One of the SWAT team orders
Absalom.  "Drop the gun!"

"I will pull this trigger."  Absalom bellows.  "Don't make
me do that!"

The SWAT team stops advancing, their seven guns trained
on Absalom.  One of the SWAT team members fires,
striking Absalom in the head.  Mulder looks on in shock as
Absalom's dead body slides to the ground.  Mulder turns
his horrified glance on the SWAT team.


Skinner's Office
Next Morning

Scully sits uncomfortably between Doggett and Mulder.
The silence in the room is deafening as Skinner looks
through a sheaf of papers on his desk.  Scully glances to
her left at Mulder who sits stoically staring straight ahead.
Skinner looks up at the trio before him.

"You say this man claimed the U.S. Census Bureau had
information that he was after which connects to this man
who was shot on the White House lawn?"  Skinner asks
Mulder.

"He said the Census Bureau had proof that they were here
among us."  Mulder states.

"Who is among us?" Doggett asks, befuddled.

Mulder smirks.  "If you have to ask that question Agent
Doggett, I have to wonderÖ"

Skinner cuts him off.  "Enough Mulder."

"You mean aliens?"  Doggett scoffs.  "You can't be serious."

"I am."  Mulder insists.  "Just how serious are you about all
of this?  The X Files?"

Doggett is offended.  "Hey, I do my job to the best of my
abilities."

Mulder smiles.  "I'm sure you do."  A veiled insult.

Scully's had enough.  She slowly pushes herself out of the
chair.  "Excuse me."  She walks to the door and exits,
slamming it behind her.

Mulder glares at Doggett and rises from his chair.  He too
exits Skinner's office, catching up with Scully at the
elevator.

"ScullyÖ" He calls, stopping her.

"Is your pissing contest finished already?"  She seethes.

"I'm sorry.  He opened the door for me.  I couldn'tÖ"

"I don't care about that Mulder."  She snaps, then takes a
deep breath rubbing her lower back.  "You've been home
for a few days and I nearly lost you again."  She closes her
eyes, fatigue and emotion overcoming her.  "I don't know
how much more of this I can take."

Mulder moves closer to her.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to
upset you."  He looks at her face.  "Come on, let's go
home."


Scully's apartment
Late afternoon

There is a loud knock at the door and Mulder lowers
Scully's feet from his lap, rising from the couch.  He opens
the door to reveal the Lone Gunmen.  Frohike is the first to
enter, smiling widely at his friend.  Byers and Langly
follow close behind.

"You know, it's really not fair.  You've been dead for
months and you still look better than me, though not by
much."  Frohike says as he moves to hug Mulder.  The
smaller man wraps his arms around Mulder's waist,
squeezing lightly.  Mulder returns the embrace warmly
and laughs.

"Melvin, I'd be a whole lot happier to see you if you'd take
your hands off my ass."  Mulder smirks.

Frohike releases his friend, looking embarrassed.  "Sorry."
Byers and Langly move to greet Mulder.

"I think it goes without saying that we're tremendously
relieved."  Byers tells Mulder as he shakes his hand
affectionately.

Langly pipes in.  "And not just because we understand
congratulations are in order."  The blond man waggles his
eyebrows behind his glasses, nodding in Scully's direction
where she sits on the sofa, observing the reunion.

"I've already got some cigars on order from a black-market
source.  Authentic Cubans."  Frohike adds.

Mulder looks pointedly at Scully, who shrugs eloquently.
"Just don't think you're going to smoke them within a three
mile radius of this building," she says sternly, starting to
rise from the sofa.  Without thinking, Mulder takes her arm
and helps pull her up before turning his attention back to
their visitors.

Frohike begins.  "So, what do you need help with this
time?"

"How hard to you guys think it would be to break me into
the Federal Statistics Center?"  Mulder inquires.

Scully jerks her head up, looking sharply at Mulder.

"Do you mean in in or hack in?"  Langly asks.

"In in."  Mulder clarifies.  "I need to find some files that I
can't access from the outside.  I've already tried."

Scully is shocked.  "How Mulder?"

Mulder smiles at her, looking forward to sharing this with
her.  "It was something Absalom said to me.  I somehow
managed to get in on my computer, but there was a
password, of course.  I wracked my brain, trying to think
what could possibly fit.  Then it hit me.  Something
Absalom said right before he had his head blown off."

Scully scowls at him.

"Sorry."  He is penitent.  "Anyway, he told me that they are
here."  Mulder puffs out his chest, clearly proud of his
detective work.

"They are here is the password?"  Scully asks.

"Yes."  He nods.

"Bitchin' password."  Langly states.

"So you want us to get you in there."  Byers gets back to
the matter at hand.

"Yeah.  Does tonight work for you?"  Mulder asks.

"Mulder..." Scully interrupts, irritated that Mulder isn't
taking her earlier advice.

"Scully, I'll be fine."  Mulder tells her, seeing her
uneasiness.  Scully sighs, knowing the battle is futile, at
the moment anyway.


Federal Statistics Center

Mulder and Scully sit in her car on the outskirts of the
Census Bureau's property.  Scully is tense, clearly nervous
about what's about to happen.  Her hands tap against the
steering wheel, an odd beat to an unknown rhythm in her
head.  Mulder moves his left hand atop hers, stilling her
movements.

"You didn't have to come."  He tells her.  He releases her
hand, placing it on his thigh.

"Right.  And let you and the gunmen run wild?  I don't
think so."  She snorts.

"Scully, do you really think this is a good idea?  I mean,
this kind of stress is probably bad for the baby."  He says
gently.

"Don't pull that crap with me Mulder."  She says with a
glower.  "I don't want to be here, and I don't want you to be
here either.  I don't see why you feel you have to do this.
However, we're here, and I'm not leaving until this is
finished."

Mulder sighs.  "I'm doing this because I want it all to stop.
I don't want what happened to me to happen to you.  Or
the baby.  I couldn't live with myself if..." Mulder trails off.
He closes his eyes, his forefinger and thumb pinching the
bridge of his nose.  He continues, his voice strained.  "I
will do everything in my power to make sure you and the
baby have a future."

"And you."  Scully whispers.

Mulder smiles.  "Of course.  And me.  You're aren't getting
rid of me just yet."

"Better not."  She warns him.

"Mulder."  A voice fills his ear.  "Let's get moving, huh?"
Langly barks at him.

Scully grasps his hand.  "Be careful."

Mulder smiles as he opens the car door, releasing her
hand.  "Promise."  He exits the car, closing the door softly
behind him.

Scully watches as Mulder moves away from her.  She is
clearly ill at ease with this situation.  Her cell phone rings,
startling her.  She lifts it to her ear, pressing the send
button.

"Scully."  She says.

Skinner's voice fills her ear.  "Where are you Agent
Scully?"

She sighs, rubbing her forehead.  "The Federal Statistics
Center."

Mulder moves inside the compound, walking toward a
guardhouse.  "Guys, let's go.  I'm dying out here."

"Well, let us just finish our cappuccino and biscotti and
we'll see what we can do."  Frohike's voice whispers
through the earpiece Mulder wears.  The three gunmen are
dangling in harnesses next to a wall, which contains
security wires for the entire building.  Frohike clamps one
wire, then another.  Byers watches him, waiting for a nod.
He gets it.

"You can start walking now Mulder."  Byers instructs.

"Is the system bypassed?"  Mulder asks.

Langly snorts.  "You'll know if it isn't."

"Great."  Mulder sneaks past the guard, kneeling next to
the door.  The guard is closely watching his monitors
when the phone rings.  He moves to answer it.

"We hijacked the feed from the surveillance cameras."
Langly tells Mulder.

"What the guard is seeing on his monitors are still frames
from ten minutes ago."  Byers clarifies.

Langly mutters to himself.  "We'll be watching Mulder get
busted if I don't find that override circuit."

"Everything's under control Mulder."

"I've got it!"  Langly hollers.

The door beside Mulder clicks open.

Outside the compound, Scully is becoming antsy.  She
picks up her phone, then puts it back on the seat next to
her.  She drums her fingers on the steering wheel and sees
Skinner approaching her.  She rolls down the window.

"Where is he?"  Skinner asks.

"Inside."

"Doggett found some information.  This has all been a set-
up."  Skinner tells her.

Scully is visibly disturbed.  "What do you mean?  What
kind of set-up?"  Her voice raised with concern.

"Doggett found out that one of the guards on duty the day
Absalom learned of the census worker's death was also on
duty when he managed to escape.  That guard is nowhere
to be found."

"Someone wanted Mulder here."  Scully figures.

"Yes."  Skinner agrees.  "Someone knew he went to the
prison to see Absalom.  They were aware of his escape.
Scully, Mulder was lured here for a reason."

"To get rid of him, like they did Absalom."  She surmises.

Skinner nods.  "We have another problem.  Kersh knows
Mulder's here.  He's been having him followed since
Absalom was killed."

"What?"  Scully barks.

"Apparently he plans to have Mulder arrested for breaking
and entering.  He's been in contact with the security here."

"How do you know this?"  Scully asks.

Skinner hedges.  "That doesn't matter."

Scully watches Skinner, understanding.

"Go on and get out of here."  Skinner insists.  "I'll get him
out."

"No way.  I told Mulder I'm not leaving without him.  I'll
tell you the same.  Just go get him."  Scully states with
finality.  "I'll watch for trouble."  She says as she rolls her
window back up.  Skinner sighs and does as he was told.
As he moves to enter the building, he spots several armed
guards entering the building in formation.  Skinner moves
faster.

Mulder enters the compound and walks down the
hallway.  Skinner arrives and follows the same path
Mulder took previously.  Mulder moves through the
corridors, coming to a stop outside a set of glass doors
leading to a bright, sparsely furnished room.  Inside
Mulder can see two computer stations, one on the left and
one on the right.

Byers' voice sounds in his ear.  "According to our
information, those doors will lead you straight into the
databanks."

"Hey, who's working on the locks?"

"There you go."  Frohike tells him as the doors open.
Mulder enters the room and closes the door behind him.

"Mulder," Langly's voice begins, "there should be two
work stations in the middle of the room.  Either one will
give you access to the data."

Byers adds, "We'll try to keep the firewall disabled so you
can transmit the data out."

Mulder walks to one of the stations and sits down.  When
asked for the security code, he enters they are here.
Numerous files scroll on the screen.  Skinner arrives and
starts pounding on the door.  "Mulder!  Mulder get out of
there!"

Mulder glances at Skinner, then continues what he was
doing.

"What's that?"  Frohike asks.

"Skinner."  Mulder answers tersely.  Mulder jumps as
Skinner shoots out one of the glass doors.

"Mulder, you have to get out of here.  Someone knows
you're here."

"Obviously.  You're here, aren't you?"  Mulder continues
working on the computer.

"I called Scully."  Skinner sighs, exasperated.  "Look, we
don't have time for this.  We have to go.  In about two
minutes this room will be filled with armed agents ready
to take us out like they did Absalom.  Let's go."

"This information is important.  People need to know the
government has been keeping track of them, targeting
those that fit a profile for abduction.  This can't happen
anymore.  I can't let it."  Mulder desperately tries to
continue.

"Mulder, you and I both know the likelihood of that
information making it out of here is next to nothing.  Let's
go."

Outside, Agent Crane stands near the rear entrance.
Armed SWAT team members arrive.  Crane approaches
them, holding out his FBI badge.

"Agent Gene Crane, FBI.  You're here looking for Agent
Mulder?"

"Yes.  We were told he breached security.  We've been
ordered to arrest him."  One of the SWAT team says.

"He's been taken into custody already.  The situation is
under control."  Crane tells them.

The armed men eye him suspiciously.

Scully dials her phone, eyeing the clock in the car.  Byers
picks up the other line.

"Something's wrong."  Scully says.  "You have to get them
out of there."

"Right now that's basically impossible."

Frohike sees the SWAT team.  "Uh-oh.  Mulder?  You
better start typing real fast."

"Why?"  Mulder asks.

"The cavalry has arrived."

"Get him out of there!"  Scully shouts at Byers, her voice
desperate.

Skinner lays his hand on Mulder's shoulder.  "We have to
go.  Come on.  They'll kill us both, is that what you want?
To leave Scully behind?  And the baby?"

Mulder stops and looks at Skinner, slumping slightly. "Of
course not."  Mulder rises.

The two men stand there, hearing numerous heavy
footsteps outside.  They freeze, afraid the chance of escape
has eluded them.  Mulder looks to Skinner, his face
apologetic.  Skinner's mouth twitches, clearly nervous.
Mulder's attention is focused on the doors they had both
entered.  Mulder's breathing is labored, his chest rising
and falling at an accelerated rate.

The footsteps begin to recede, fading into the background.
Skinner looks to Mulder, shock evident on his face.  "Let's
get the hell out of here."  Mulder nods, and follows
Skinner out.


Kersh's Office

"I trust Agent Mulder is doing well?"  Kersh asks Scully as
she enters his office.

Scully is caught off guard by this somewhat kind question.
"Yes sir.  Thank you."

"Please sit Agent."  Kersh gestures to the chair in front of
his desk.  Scully takes the seat offered her, lowering herself
into the chair. "The reason I asked you here is to make
clear that Agent Mulder is to have no part in any X Files
investigation."

"I understand sir."  Scully says.  "What I'd like to know is
why."  Scully is undaunted by her superior.

Kersh is shocked at the question.  "There are already two
agents assigned to that division, as you are well aware."

"Yes, one of whom is going to be on maternity leave in a
matter of weeks.  I would think you'd be looking for
someone to take my place."  Scully responds.

"True.  However, the Bureau feels at this time it would
be...inappropriate...for you and Mulder to continue
working in the same division."

Realization dawns on Scully.  Scully shakes her head and
chuckles to herself, rising slowly from the chair.  Her
cheeks are flushed with anger as she stands opposite the
Deputy Director.  "Mulder was right."

She turns and exits the office, Skinner waiting for her in the
anteroom.  He stands as she moves toward him.  "What
did he say?"

"Mulder was right.  His magic bullet theory?"  Skinner
nods his head.  "I'm the magic bullet."


Scully's Apartment

Scully and Mulder are sitting at the kitchen table in an
uncomfortable silence.  They have finished their dinner,
but now seem to be lost in their own thoughts.  Scully
raises her eyes to Mulder's, catching his gaze.

"You ok?"  He asks, concerned.

"I'm sorry things went so wrong."  She tells him.  "I know
how badly you wanted that information."

"I wish I could say I'm surprised that once again, the
evidence we sought fell through our fingers, but I'm not."
He chuckles to himself.  "It's the nature of the game we
play.  You know that."

"It's not a game Mulder.  It hasn't been for a long time."
She insists.

He nods.

Scully smiles sadly.  He rises and begins to clear off the
table, but she stops him.  "Leave it.  Come sit down with
me."  She leaves the kitchen and moves to sit on the sofa.
Mulder lowers his body beside her.   "I know that I don't
understand what you went through, the same as you
didn't know what I had experienced when I was taken.
When I came back, you were always there for me and I
appreciated that, more than you'll ever know."  She sighs.
Scully raises her tear filled eyes to his.  "I will always be
here for you, no matter what."

"I know that.  I do."  Mulder reassures her.  "I had the
shock of my life when I found out I had been dead and
was resurrected.  But that was nothing compared to this."
He lays his right hand on her belly.  Scully opens her
mouth to say something, but he silences her with a finger
to her lips.  "A pleasant, wonderful shock."

"I'm glad you feel that way Mulder."  Scully whispers.
"But I can't help thinking..."

"Uh-uh."  He says as he shifts position to lie on the couch.
His feet dangle over the arm of the sofa as he lowers his
head to her lap.  He raises his head to look at her face,
pleased to find her smiling down on him.  "Let's talk about
happier things."  He returns the smile.