Title: Clement C
Author: Pattie
Rated: PG
Categorization: SA, X-File.
Spoilers: None. Set around Season 3.
Summary: Scully is being harassed by an unknown stalker.
Archive: Gossamer or any other nice home. Tell me where we 
went.  
Feedback: Always appreciated, pattie@parentpatch.com
Disclaimer: Theirs; not mine.  No money made; no copyright 
infringement intended. CC, 1013, Fox--I said it anyway.



8:35 p.m., September 15, 1996,
Outside Scully's Door,
Dana Scully's Apartment Building,
Georgetown.




As her stereo blared away, the petite red-head stood in the hallway 
with cellphone in hand, hoping and praying her partner would answer, 
since he always seemed to be home by this time.  She was more angry 
than scared, really, and there was a reason her stereo was set to 
full blast.

"Mulder."

Dana Scully let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, I'm so glad you answered."

"Scully?  What is it?  You sound... Are you all right?"

"Yeah, yeah I am, Mulder. Look, I need you over here.  I know it's 
not office hours, and I know the regulations..."

"Forget the regulations. I'll be right over." Mulder grabbed his 
coat and keys and headed for the door.  Scully sounded scared. He 
knows she would never admit it, but he did remember her begging him 

to check her back for signs of abduction during their very first 
case, and if that wasn't scared, then he was Tom Cruise.

Scully was sitting on the hallway floor when he arrived forty 
minutes later.  He could see her still clutching the cellphone and 
staring into her apartment in what seemed to be shock.

He knelt beside her and she didn't even notice.  "Hey."

"Ahh! Mulder, don't do that to me!"

"You're not the nervous type.  What's up?" Extending a hand to her, 
he had intended to guide her into the apartment, but she stopped him 
after she stood.

"Shh.  I think we'd better talk out here."

"Don't you think the music is loud enough to cover anything you 
might say, if someone's in there?"

"Nobody's in there.  I think, well, I don't know how long... but, 
I was  unplugging my clock radio to move it, and the plug broke off. 
So, when I turned off the circuit breaker and got into removing the 
plug and the outlet cover..."

"You removed the outlet cover?" She's full of surprises, he 
thought.

"Had to clean around it.  Anyway, I found what looks like a bug."

"A BUG bug? Or a surveillance bug?"

Scully didn't like the hint that she was afraid of insects. "Of 
course a surveillance bug!  First the office, now here.  Who's doing 
this to us, Mulder?"

"And why? Let me take a look, and I'll see if I can find anything 
else around here.  Chances are, there's more than one. C'mon.  And 
please turn that down.  Not everyone likes Smashing Pumpkins."

Careful not to say anything, Scully turned the stereo off.  As she 
walked around watching Mulder peering under sinks, into closets, in 
her dresser and bedside table, she was surprised she didn't feel as 
violated as when she happened upon the listening device. I DO trust 
him, she realized.  And I am a scaredy-cat for calling up this big 
man to look for these mere objects of the idiots stupid enough to 
set up listening devices. 

Even the kitchen cupboards yielded no further surveillance 
paraphernalia. The china cabinet was clear.  Ditto the sofa.

"All clean, Scully. Can you think of anything out of the ordinary, 
anything unusual around the nieghbourhood, in the places you 
frequent? Anything that didn't usually enter your routine?  
Strangers hanging around extra long on the corner? Parked cars?"

"No... No. Not really. There was a hang-up call on my landline 
last night, but some people just dial wrong numbers, you know 
that. Everything seems as it should be. No new deliverymen in the 
area."

"Have you checked your emails?"

"Uh, yeah.  Three days ago. I've been trying to catch up on some 
reading and clarifying my report for the Salinsky case. There 
wasn't anything other than a quick note from Mom, a birth 
announcement from a med. school friend and a party invitation."

"Party? Sorry, none of my business. Partners.  Check today's 
mail."

"Are you serious, Mulder?"

"Scully, you're an F.B.I. Agent. You'd tell anyone else the same 
thing. You know about being thorough in an investigation."  When 
she just stood there as if he was about to look into her private 
thoughts, he repeated, "Check your email. You can trust me."

As she typed in her password, she knew that, yes, someone could 
be doing something not on the up and up. And as a Federal Agent, 
she was not immune to some harassment from a newly-released felon 
they had apprehended. The pair went through the Junk Mail first, 
to be sure she didn't delete some clue. There was a message from 
her brother Bill about his recent Naval assignment, a reunion 
notice from high school, a tenants' association meeting schedule, 
and a "Hello" from her mother. One piece of mail was from an 
unfamiliar address with an unfamiliar name. For a split second, 
she hesitated over the keyboard, and Mulder nodded at her. It was 
not your usual howdy-do.

"Sweet porcelain-faced angel
 So lovely and small.
 I'll have you forever--
 Once and for all."

 Clement C.

"Clement C.? Is that a name for one of your admirers? Sounds more 
like a plea one makes in a court. Don't you think?"

"I don't know anyone in the world named Clement. Maybe it was 
addressed to me by mistake."

"Maybe it was someone we arrested and had convicted.  Maybe 
someone who beat a death sentence." Mulder's mind was already 
searching for names. "Maybe you're being stalked."

"I doubt it. But I think we should go over the files and see 
what we can dig up." I think I am being stalked, she admitted 
to herself.

"I think we should do it right now, Scully.  This person sounds 
like he's not the type to give up.  Good thing he hasn't been 
calling you and emailing you that... long... "

Scully turned very pale, if that was at all possible.

"Wait... are you keeping something from me that I should know? 
Because if you are, I can't be a good Agent and help you, Scully. 
I think you've been looking tired since, let's see.. last week. 
And when Milligan and Sorens took us for lunch yesterday, you 
forked your way through the whole meal. Don't you trust me? Look 
at me, please?"

"Yeah, I just didn't want anyone thinking I was being paranoid. I 

thought I could take it until I found out who it was.  But... 
the..." She was starting to shake, her voice quaverring with each 
word. "The bug was the last straw!" She fell to her knees and 
began to sob. "I'm so sorry..."

Mulder knelt to hold her as a father would a child. "We'll get 
you through this. We will find whoever's doing this." Mulder 
kissed her soft, fragrant hair. "We won't stop until we do. 
I promise you. Let's go see what we can find in our files."

As Scully went to her room for her purse and jacket, the phone 
rang.

"Turn on the answering machine and let's go," Mulder advised 
her.

Scully stared back at the phone in sheer terror and then dashed 
out of the place, slamming the door and locking it.

"Get my poem, sweet angel? Soon, you'll be all mine. Soon, 
Angel."Unknown name, unknown number" appeared on the phone 
display, and disappeared with the click of the unsuitable suitor's 
receiver.

September 16, 1996
J. Edgar Hoover Building,
Mulder and Scully's Office,
11:00 p.m.

The desk was a mess of casefiles, but as haggard and worn-down as 

Scully felt, she and Mulder were pouring through all the files 
available to them to begin their search for Scully's tormentor.

"Hastings case: Jack Hastings called, followed and raped Janice Fold
and six other women.  Nebraska police officer shot him. Mulder, 
we've been through all the predator cases since I started working 
with you. Absolutely nothing in these files about someone who 
calls himself "Clement C." And I don't recall hearing the name in 
our work."

"None of these cases is an X-File. Scully, there were no Federal 
Agents involved as victims.  Well, you need your rest." Mulder 
began closing folders. "Look, will you go to your Mother's for the 
night, at least?"

"She went to Bill's for a few days. I guess I could... "

"No, you're not staying alone. Look, I'd offer you my place, but 
there's only that couch."

"I could stay in a motel. But I need a few of my things, so I'd 
be better off going home. Really, I'll be fine."

"You're not fine now, are you? I'll bet you haven't slept well 
in days. The office is not exactly the Hilton. Look, I agree 
you'd be better off in your own bed, but I think this calls for 
a stake-out."

"A stake-out!? Mulder, I'm a big girl, I have my gun, I keep 
in shape... "

"And your partner is sworn to protect you in any and all duties. 
The guy isn't going to stop, by the sound of it.  I'll sleep on 
the couch. Tomorrow we go through some of the X-Files predator 
cases, and we fill Skinner in on what's been happening."

"Mulder, really, I don't need a body guard." Scully faked a smile. 
"I'm a good shot, remember?"

"Get your stuff and let's get out of here." There was that 
no-nonsense look that she just couldn't rebel against. But then, 
she always seemed to trust older father-like men. She had even 
dated a couple.  Strange, how fate or God would find such a man 
for her to work with. And it was a rather endearing trait. That
no-nonsense decision to protect her.

"Okay," she sighed. "No tricks, and no stories to the guys 
tomorrow."

Mulder appreciated the gravity of the situation. "That is really
uncalled for. You know I'd never do anything to make you feel 
more vulnerable than you feel right now. Scully pride aside.  
You're my best friend and my partner. C'mon. We're outta here."

As Scully slept, (and Mulder insisted she give herself a sedative 
and watched as she swallowed it), Mulder decided to quietly listen 
to the answering machine for any suspect messages. Sure enough, the 
last caller was the man who had left his words on tape as they left 
the apartment.

Mulder took notes, but there wasn't much evidence to build a proper
profile yet. And the email was little help.  Scully had deleted all
other messages from him. She would have to be encouraged to reveal 
the contents of those emails, and any phone calls she had listened 
to before the hang-up call--if it was a hang-up call. Somehow, 
Mulder felt Scully was holding back about her recent calls. Just 
how long did she think no one would notice she looked thinner, 
seemed less energetic, more pensive at the office? As Mulder 
pondered the tell-tale sign he'd let slip past him, he was falling 
asleep. His near-slumber was shattered by a loud, "NOOO!" followed 
by repeated screams. 

He drew his gun and ran into Scully's bedroom. There was Scully, 
bolt upright, scared as hell and sobbing, rocking, holding herself. 
Still, he searched the room and checked the window, which was 
locked. Mulder sat by her side and held her. "It's okay.  You had 
a bad dream. You can tell me if you want to, or not. I'm just here 
if you want to."

"I don't even remember.  I don't even remember, but I just found
myself awake and so scared... I don't know what to think... I 
can't even remember why I screamed," she cried. "But I'm glad you 
were here."

"This is really bothering you, isn't it? Look, you know total 
honesty is the only way anyone can help you. We're good friends. 
I believe that. No one can store this type of stress up forever, 
Now, I'm right out there if you need me, or want to talk."

"I think I want to sleep... I'll talk to you later, okay? I 
promise. And I do trust you, Mulder. I trust you."

"All right.  Get some rest. We'll talk in the morning. I'll 
leave your door open."

"I was just going to ask that," she said, head now on her 
pillow, as she drowsed off into slumber. "Mulder?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," she said sheepishly.

"Hey, you're going through a rough time. There's nothing to feel
ashamed of.  Go to sleep."

With coffee and donuts in the car, the ride was quiet, almost 
somber. Scully managed to sip her coffee, quietly going over things 
she shouldn't because they were only upsetting her more. She had 

to pull herself out of that state, she decided, if she was to help 
nab this privacy penetrator.

Mulder left her to her thoughts as he thought she wanted some 
emotional space. As they entered the F.B.I. parking garage, 
Mulder tried to reassure his partner as best he could. "You know 
many of these guys just get their jollies out of your reaction, 

Scully."

"Yeah. Look, I just feel so silly bringing you into this."

"Don't." He locked the car and they walked to the elevator, 
Scully peering back and forth and all around. That was 
understandable.  She was an agent as well as a potential victim.

As they entered the office, Mulder was in need of the washroom, 
so Scully picked up the phone, not thinking it could be anyone 
but Skinner or one of the other agents in the building. "Scully."

A male voice, obviously disguised. "My dearest lady, I await 
our meeting. Won't be long now.  Get rid of your boyfriend and 
I'll show you a time..." She slammed the receiver down as Mulder 
ran into the room. 

He picked up his cell phone and quickly asked for a trace. 
"Payphone. No time to get a location. You okay?"

"Oh, swell."  She sat in front of the desk. "He awaits our 
meeting."

"I'll arrange for a phone tap at your place. We'll screen the 
email later and see if the police have any recent similar 

complaints. And don't tell me you're fine. I want you to see 
someone in Employee Services. Will you do that for my peace of 
mind?"

"I think maybe I should. After that, I'll need to talk to 
you."

September 16,1996
Mulder and Scully's Office,
J. Edgar Hoover Building.
2:00 p.m.


I was difficult to admit that she was feeling vulnerable, afraid 
and helpless.  Helpless to predict what her tormentor would dream 
up next, how he would carry out his plans.  Yet, she felt she owed 
it to Mulder as well as to the Bureau Social Worker to own up to 
her state of mind if there was to be any resolution to this ... 
ordeal.

"Yeah, I feel like it's an ordeal.  Mulder, I've been receiving 
sexually explicit threats from this... this thing for three weeks. 
The things he says are things I have never in my life even heard 
of. And I feel so damned... So damned angry that I can't punch him 
out, that I can't feel stronger and not let it get to me."


"I can see that. Scully, how long have the emails been coming?"

"Since last week.  Mulder, I shouldn't have erased them, I know.  

But just knowing that I would even have to keep them for 
evidence made me feel so violated and dirty.  I thought I could 
make it all go away by ignoring his calls and mails."


Mulder put his hand on her shoulder for support. "It doesn't 
always work with the determined sickos.  Give me the name of 
your email provider and phone company.  Their records would 
tell us everyone who emailed or called you within the last three 
weeks. Remember, tonight we'll have a wiretap. I've arranged to 
have it set up after I take  you home tonight. There's an agent 
watching your building already."

"Look... I didn't tell everything in my session.  I couldn't let 
her hear the things I heard.  I didn't have the heart."

"Why are you always trying to protect everyone else, Scully? 
It needs to be brought out if we are to get a profile of this guy, 
his M.O. and just maybe some of his sex trade haunts in the 
area he lives."

Scully wrote some names and on a slip of paper, leaving them on 
the desk. "I need a coffee. These are the email and phone 
companies. You want one?"

"Yeah, thanks.  And, Scully?"

"Yes?"

"You need to tell me everything."

"When I come back."  Scully hadn't been long getting the coffee. 
By the time Mulder had a log of email sent to her address, she 
had the coffee. She looked at the computer display. "Find 
anything?"

Mulder shook his head. "Several different internet cafes, 
scattered around three different towns. That's only the first 
week. I still have to go through the phone logs when they come in. 
Maybe tonight we'll get something direct and nab the guy.  So, 
sit and talk."

Reluctantly, Scully sat in front of the desk and detailed 
contents of calls she could remember and frighteningly 
obscene emails she had read. Midway, she had to stop to compose 
herself. grabbing for a box of tissues.

"Okay, it's okay.  You're not with a stranger. Take a few sips 
of your coffee, a few deep breaths and we'll come back to it."

"Thanks, Mulder. Well, at least I have an on-the-job 
psychologist working with me. That's a bonus."

"And friend," Mulder emphasized. "No matter what. We protect 
each other, you know that."

"I know. And I'd protect you with my life. Okay, let's get all
this over with."

The details were recordered as Mulder made some notes 
pertaining to this 'Clement C', if that was indeed his real 
name. Terms such as sexually immature, unfulfilled, 
misogynistic, paranoid, overly confident... the list grew by 
the minute. Then a few things were scratched out. Scully 
managed to get through the rest of what she was able to recall. 
Then, the emails and telephone numbers were studied.

Mulder stretched mid-afternoon and tried to relieve some 
muscle tension in his back.  Scully put the monitor on 
screen-saver. "I guess you're about as wiped out as I am," 
he whispered, a tired hoarseness in his voice.

"Very wiped-out.  I forgot, I need to call about going to my
high-school reunion."

As Scully picked up the receiver and was ready to punch in 
the numbers, Mulder took the receiver from her hand.

"Did you say high school reunion?"

"Yes.  Why?"

"Because maybe, just maybe this guy went to school with you."

"C'mon, Mulder. I went to an all-girls' school."

"But guys did hang around outside waiting at dismissal time, 
right? I mean, they were waiting for their girlfriends, or 
looking for a girlfriend?"

"Sure.  But I don't remember anyone being taunted by someone 
like this, Mulder."

"Just the same, I think we should check things out."

"How?"

"We go to your reunion.  That's if the records here don't 
pan out."


                                   ***


The rest of the afternoon had been tense and the evening ahead was 
no different.  Scully had grown to live in fear of the telephone 
ringing, and tried not to even look at it.  She was tempted to 
yank the plug from the wall, but the wiretap was already set up 
by the time she thought of that one.

The agents had picked up dinner on the way to Scully's home. 
Chinese Food was always a good bet, and something special was
more appetizing than home-cooked food tonight.

"Well, it's about time you ate something," Mulder remarked. 
"This is better than the usual place we order from."

"It's all right, I guess. So, did you find any pattern to the 
phone numbers or the emails?"

"Well, the phone calls have a couple of patterns to them, and 
forget about the emails.  This guy forged most of the addresses.  
You sure there was nothing in your regular mail?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing, Mulder. I promise, I am not 
holding anything back."

"Too bad.  If there was something written, we could have a 
graphologist  look at it, even compare the writing with other 
harrassing letters."

As Scully grabbed some breaded jumbo shrimp, the phone rang, 
jangling her out of the beginnings of comfort.

"Well, go ahead. I'm right here."

She walked slowly to the phone and lifted the receiver to her 
ear. "Scully."

"Not long my pretty one.  Not long.  Soon I will see you, touch you 
and... "  Scully held the receiver far from her ear as the man went 
on in explicit, frightfully vivid detail, and Mulder listened in on 
the bedroom extension.

Mulder peered out of the bedroom long enough to mouth the words, 
"Keep him on as long as possible."

"Why are you calling me? I don't know you," she fumbled for words, 
"but I think you... have a problem and, uh,... "

"Nice try sister.  Gotta go now.  And get rid of Mr. Whatshisname!"

Mulder came out and announced that there had not been a successful 
trace, but by the time there was a clue to the location of the 
call,  the man would likely be far from the phone. "Recognize 
anything about his voice?"

"No, it was disguised.  Almost like an impressionist. A fake 
Southern accent, I think. And gravelly. But he changes it a lot. 
I can't think of anyone I know or even knew who does that."

"Well, at least we can work on it. Just put the answering 
machine on. Relax. Finish the supper... "

Scully was off to the bathroom in a flash.

"Scully?" Mulder ran after her and knocked on the bathroom 
door. "Are you all right?"

She flushed and then washed her face.  "Umm... yeah. Just sick. 
I think it's the 'flu or something."  She exited the bathroom. 
"Really. I'm fine."

"It's your nerves." Mulder was right. He saw Scully trembling.
"Okay.  Come into the livingroom, watch some T.V. and keep me 
company. Keep your mind occupied. C'mon."

Scully reluctantly followed her partner into the livingroom and 
sat on the couch.  She thought how lucky she was not to have 
been alone, to have someone there.  It was a good feeling. But, 
what would the night ahead bring?  She hoped quiet and rest. 
Hoped.


September 17,1996
Dana Scully's Apartment,
Georgetown.
7:00 a.m.


The prevous night had brought no solace for Dana Scully.  If she had
been afraid up until now, then she was terrified today.  She dressed 
and dried her hair as Mulder took his turn in the shower. Coffee had
been brewing already.  Nice of him to put it on, she thought.

As she was sipping her morning jolt, she heard the sound of people in
the hallway.  They sounded like moving men, as she had expected 
someone to be renting a vacant apartment on her floor this month. She
opened her door to investigate further. 

There didn't seem to be anyone but the movers hauling furniture and 
boxes, so she closed the door.  If she was lucky, maybe it would be a
nice, quiet female business woman, or an insurance salesman who kept
to himself. Maybe a nice, reserved, married couple. "Dream on," she
whispered to herself.

She poured Mulder a coffee and freshened her own as he came into the

kitchen adjusting his tie. "Sleep at all?"

"No. I couldn't. I hope you did."

"A bit. Maybe we'll get a better lead today, Scully. Look, I'm sure
Skinner would understand if we asked for more help. We don't seem to 
have enough people doing this."

"Maybe.  Maybe it's just a matter of time. Look, it's almost time to 
leave, so I think I can drive myself in, Mulder. Really, I might want 
to do some shopping later."

"Well, so might I.  How about that? See, there's more than one reason 
to drive a friend to work, Scully. Seriously, you look beat, and your 
nerves are shot. If you want to go in to work, and you should, because
maybe we can keep you busy on another case, then please let me drive 
you." Mulder listened to the noise in the hallway. "A new neighbour?"


"Probably. It's been empty for about three weeks, now. This building
stays pretty full. We have a good landlord."

"Yeah, uh, can I get in touch with him?"

"My landlord?  Sure.  Why?"

"Just a thought. You're right.  It's time we got in to work."


                                    ***


Assistant Director Walter Skinner was more than willing to supply more
manpower to help find Scully's stalker. "I'll give you three more men,
and Scully, I want you to take some time off."

"Would that be wise, Sir?  With all due respect, I know you're concerned
and I really appreciate it, but I think we'd have better luck catching
this guy in the act."

"But look what this has done to you?  You don't even know the guy, and 
he's really done a number on you physically and emotionally," Mulder
countered.

Skinner sat back and thought.  Weighing the pros and cons of letting 
Scully stick around to be bothered by this sick person, he decided to
let Scully choose to do as she wished. "It's up to you, Agent Scully.
Whatever you decide, I'll back you up all the way. The agents I put
outside your apartment should be reporting shortly. Meanwhile, I want
you to keep doing all you can to get to the bottom of this."

"Phone logs, email logs, both show consistent patterns in some respects,
however, this man seems to be changing patterns with regularity, Scully.
Maybe we can pinpoint some pattern from dates instead of places, I don't
know.  Seems to me he only called or wrote when we weren't out in the 
field."

"Yeah, I noticed that. Maybe I'm forgetting something. Maybe I missed
something in my neighbourhood. It might be someone who knows who I am, 
and yet I don't know him. But we're still not getting anywhere."

"Well, I think we are. Maybe he's getting closer to home.  Maybe that's
where we should be looking."

"Mulder, I've lived in the same neighbourhood for nearly four years and
haven't been bothered by anyone.  Well, with the exception of Mrs. 
McVeigh's yowling cat, maybe. Seriously, my neighbours are about as 
normal as anyone gets."

"What's normal?"

"Oh, here we go.  Mulder, you seem to forget that not everyone's out to
get somebody."

"Scully, you seem to forget there's someone threatening you personally,
as a woman and as a human being.  'Get rid of the boyfriend'. I'd say 
he's threatening me, too, not that I'm your boyfriend."

"Well, you can call my landlord and check out everyone in my building.
I doubt anyone is involved in anything but their own lives. I hardly
ever bother with them."  Scully thought how lonely that must have 
sounded. "But I am a busy person," she added.

"It's the job." Mulder jotted down the number Scully dictated to him,
asking for a list of clients, and his opinions of them. He also ran
some background checks through their Social Security Numbers. There
was something rather interesting about Scully's newest neighbour.

Scully went through the email addresses and checked with internet
providers, coming up with relatively the same changes and patterns
as Mulder had found in the phone logs.

"Well, Scully, your new neighbour is a Mr. Alden Vargas."

"Alden Vargas... Well, I can't say I've heard the name before. I  
once knew an Alden a long time ago in San Diego. A Navy brat. But I
think I was a very little girl then."

"He may be worth looking into just the same. We might even drop in on 
him soon."

"With all due respect, Mulder.  Your clothes are in Alexandria and so
is your apartment. May I suggest you go home tonight?  I'll be all right
with an agent out front and my cell within reach."

"But the stores here are so much better than the ones at home, so I 
think I'll just buy myself a change of clothing and drive you home 
all the same.  Besides, I want to meet this Alden Vargas. And I want
to make sure you don't have another night like last night."


7:00 p.m.,
Scully's Apartment,

Geoergetown.


Mulder ushered Scully straight to her apartment in order to get her 
out of sight, because, in his mind, the stalker could be anywhere in 
the vicinity, including the newly-rented apartment on her floor.

"Mulder! What's the rush?"

"Listen, I didn't want to say anything yet, but just maybe this 
guy is closer than you think." He took his newly-purchased clothes 
into the bathroom.

Scully carried a couple of bags of groceries into the kitchen 
and began putting things away. "Mulder, now I think you're being 
silly. I bet you think he's right in this building!"

"Well, maybe, Scully." As Mulder helped her put a box of crackers 
in the cupboard, she put the kettle on the stove. "Anyway, it's 
only a thought. And the sooner we get anything else to go on, the 
sooner this will be all over, and you can be your old, strong, 'I'm 
fine' Scully and get on with your quiet life."

"Quiet?  It was ONLY quiet here, Mulder. Life on the road is never 
dull."

"Are you saying I'm never dull?"

"Don't push it, Mulder. These past three years have not been your 
typical work-a-day world years. Strange, gooey, even enlightening, 
but never dull. Why don't I put something together for supper. I 
think I remember how to cook."

"You're okay with that?"

"I think so."  The kettle whistled, and she made them some tea. 
"I think I can manage to think of this as a case.  As long as I do 
that... " Her eyes managed to see an envelope slipping under her 
door. "Uh, why don't you go wash up while I get to work?"

"I'll be in the shower. Don't answer the phone, remember. Let the 
answering machine pick up. Promise me?"

"Yes, I promise."  As soon as Mulder was out of the room, she went 
for the envelope.  Her hands trembled as she was tempted to open it, 
or burn it, or give it to Mulder, or tear it up and flush it. A 
wave of hot anxiety swept over her, her heart beat a mile-a-minute, 
and she began to sweat. "No. You are not going to frighten me."

"Give that to me, Scully."  

Mulder must have seen the envelope and wondered how far Scully would
go. "Alright.  Look, maybe it's just from one of my friends."

"I doubt if your 'friends' leave notes under the door when they know 
you're home." Mulder tore the letter open. "Let's just see what this 
says... Remember Tenants' Association Meeting next Tuesday, Fran."

"See?"

"It had you scared, Scully. Stop it. Don't invite the fear. Leave 
these things to the ones who are trying to help you."

"Right. I mean, all right. Mulder, I'm sorry, but I am starting to
get angry about this. Look, go have your shower. I'll be okay."  She 
retrieved two steaks from the freezer part of the refrigerator and
placed them in a casserole dish, added some tomato sauce and put
them into the oven. As she reached into the fridge for a bag of
frozen corn, she heard what sounded like a gunshot. She ran to the
window facing the street, then grabbed her gun to investigate.

As Scully reached the lobby via the stairs, she carefully peered out
the door, then raised her gun as she exited the building. The agents 
who had been watching her building were nowhere in sight. As she 
looked to her right, a gloved hand went over her mouth. She heard
a raspy, disguised voice warn her, "Don't scream.  Tonight, my little
doll, will be the night of my dreams."

Scully couldn't knee him, kick him, or throw him. The man held her in 
such a way as to prevent her from any of her self-defence tactics. He
began to speak his list of things to do with her that night-- grizzly,
unthinkable things. Scully tried not to listen. She tried to hum. It
was of no use.

"F.B.I. Freeze! Let her go now and I won't kill you!"  Mulder arrived
with a towel wrapped around his waist. "Now!"

The assailant released Scully and held his hands in the air, turning
to face Mulder. "Awright, Awright!  Just... don't shoot!"

"You have the right to remain... "  Then, Mulder asked, "You okay, 
Scully?"

"Yeah, uh... I heard a shot and came down to investigate. Thanks."

"Well, obviously our watchdogs were the victims of a red-herring. Are
you sure you don't know Alden Vargas?"

Scully looked closely at the man as he was being led to a police car.
"That's my stalker?  That's the dirty minded S.O.B.? Mulder, he 
works at a supermarket I frequent in Washington!"

"Well, it is a small world, Scully."

"That isn't funny, especially since you're wearing nothing but a towel."

"Sorry. I'll get dressed, and take you down to file the complaint. I
mean about Vargas."

Scully smiled. "Hey, Mulder. Thank you, I really mean it. You've been so
supportive. Just... can you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"Turn the oven down. I want to make sure I don't burn your dinner."


"Scully, I think this is progress."


                                      END

Pattie