Disclaimer: I don't own Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Margaret Scully, or any of the Lone Gunmen. They belong to Chris Carter, TenThirteen Productions, and Twentieth Century Fox. I also do not own Samantha Waters, John Grant, Bailey Malone, Chloe Waters or Angel. They belong to NBC and someone that I can't remember. No copyright infringement is intended. AHHH. I can finally relax now that finals are over and get back to writing stories. Thanks as always to Sarah Kiley for her guidance and support. If you want me to continue this please e-mail me. Summary: Scully is stalked by the same man that stalks Sam and suddenly Mulder is threatened too. Will they make it through, alive? Title: Stalked Author: Katilina E-mail: player@crown.icongrp.com Website: www.geocities.com/Area51/1513 "Scully." She answered into the phone but was greeted by silence. "Hello?" she asked, her brow crinkling in confusion. "Watch your back because you will be mine when you least expect," a computer altered voice rasped and then Scully heard the click of a phone hanging up. She turned off her phone and then stared at it. "Dana, are you O.K.? Who was that?" her mother asked, looking at her across the table where they were having an early lunch. "I'm fine. It was nothing, just a practical joke," Dana answered and then started eating again. Her mom started talking about the boys again and Dana just kind of retreated into her thoughts. * Who could that be? * she asked herself and then shook here head and tried to pay attention to what her mother was saying. She briefly glanced at her watch which read 11:21. * * * * * * * * * * * She was sitting up in bed, reading a book when her phone rang. "Scully." She said as she picked up the phone. Once again there was silence. "Hello?" she said, getting slightly angry and slightly afraid. "Are you watching you back? Did you check your apartment? I could be anywhere," the same voice from earlier rasped. Dana just hung-up on him. The phone immediately rang again. "O.K. I don't know what game you're playing but I'm not a part of it. So stop calling me!" she said angrily into the phone. "Scully? Are you all right?" Mulder's voice asked over the phone. "I keep getting these strange phone calls. A computer generated voice keeps saying that they are going to get me and just now it asked if I checked my apartment. It is really freaking me out," she said, sitting on the edge of her bed with her gun in her lap. "I'm coming over. I'm currently in the park down the street jogging. I was taking a break and decided to check up on you. I'll be there in about 2 minutes. Don't open your door to anyone but me," he warned and then clicked off his phone. She stood-up and walked into the living room, her gun outstretched before her and ready to be fired. In exactly 1 minute and 29 seconds there was a soft knocking on her door. She looked through her peephole and saw a very ragged looking Mulder who was panting. She unlocked her door and then quickly let him in. She then dead bolted it after he was in. "Wow, you got here fast. What did you do, sprint all the way over here?" she asked, turning to face him. "I was worried about you. This is really scaring me so I can only imagine what it is doing to you," he said, slightly caressing her cheek. "I will be fine. You don't have to stay," she said, leaning slightly into his hand. "I know I don't have to, I want to," he answered back softly. She smiled at him and then jumped when the phone rang. She motioned for him to go to the other extension in the kitchen where he could still see her in the family room. He sprinted in there and waited for her to pick up the phone. "Scully." she said, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Agent Mulder being there won't help your chances at all. He'll just get in the way," the computer generated voice rasped. "What do you want?" she asked angrily. "You, of course," the voice rasped and then hung-up. She slammed the phone onto the receiver and then wrapped her arms around her legs and lowered her face on top of her knees. Mulder slowly walked into the family room and then put his arms around Scully comfortingly. She just shook but refused to cry. "He can see us! He knows you're here! He can see into my apartment!" she gasped, trying not to cry. He just hugged her even tighter. She finally fell asleep wrapped in his arms, confident that Mulder would protect her and keep her safe. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The phone rang again at exactly 6 o'clock. Mulder quickly reached around Scully and picked up the phone. "Hello?" he answered into the phone. "Shouldn't you two getup? You're going to be late for work," the computerized voice said and then hung-up. "Was it him again?" Scully asked, her eyes just opening. Mulder nodded his head. "What did he say this time?" she asked. "He said that we should get up or we will be late for work. Scully, we have to tell Skinner. Maybe he will put you in a safe house or something," Mulder said. She just nodded and stood up to go into her room. "Wait, come with me while I go check it out," he said, standing up also and pulling out his gun. He slowly went into her room and did a sweep, Scully standing behind him watching his back. "All clear," he said and then left so she could change. She quickly pulled on a pair of slacks, a blouse, and a suit jacket. "O.K. Let's get out of here. I'm getting creeped out by my own apartment," she said, coming back out into the living room. "O.K. Let's go," he said, but was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. He bolted into the kitchen and once again waited for her to pick it up. "Scully." She answered into the phone. "You and Agent Mulder are both in danger now. I will stop at nothing to kill him, and then you will be mine," the voice said, but this time without the computer. He sounded even worse. "Why?" she asked simply. "Because, the ladies of the FBI are the most beautiful, the smartest, and the sexiest," the voice said. "Who are you? Why can't you leave me alone?" she asked, the despair creeping into her voice. "Just call me Jack," he said and then hung-up. She hung-up the phone and then yelled to Mulder in the kitchen, "Let's get out of here. I can't stay in here for a minute longer," she said, putting on her coat and grabbing her keys. She threw open her door and then gasped aloud. Laying in front of her door was a big bundle of red roses. She carefully picked up the card which simply read, 'Love Jack.' "Oh, God!" she exclaimed. "What? What's wrong?" Mulder asked from behind her. "It's from Jack. Come on, I want to get to the Hoover Building as fast as possible. It's the safest building that I can think of," she said. "Wait, your car might not be safe. Let me call someone who can come pick us up," Mulder said, disappearing back into her apartment. He returned a couple seconds later and said, "Come on. We can go and wait for him out front." She didn't ask who he called, she trusted him. They were only waiting outside for about 20 minutes when a blue Ford Taurus pulled up with Skinner at the wheel. "Hop on in and you can explain yourselves while we stop at Agent Mulder's apartment so he can change," Skinner said, as two agents who were riding in the backseat got out. "Agent Scully, will you give them a key to your apartment? They are going to sweep it for bugs and dust for prints. Has anyone been your apartment lately other than yourself and Agent Mulder?" Skinner asked. "My mother. And Samantha Waters," she answered. "Samantha Waters? You know her?" Skinner asked, slightly shocked as they got into the car. "Yeah, we've been friends since the academy. She's-- Oh my God, it's Jack. Jack of all Trades," Dana exclaimed. "Exactly what I was thinking," Skinner said. "Will someone please fill me in? Who the hell is Jack of all Trades and who is Samantha Waters?" Mulder asked, slightly confused. "She's an FBI Agent who is being stalked by a madman that she has named Jack of all Trades. He has killed dozens of people just because they knew her. Including her husband. She is a profiler, one of the best the F.B.I has ever seen, yourself being the exception. She has just rejoined the FBI, but lives in a safehouse, almost right next door to the Hoover building. There are extensive security measures, including a fingerprint access code machine. No one can get to her, just her friends, which is exactly Jack's purpose. The only reason that we haven't caught Jack yet is because he a master of disguise. He can take on the appearance of anyone at any time. We haven't even got his fingerprints, the only prints that turn up on the scene of the crime is of past victims," Skinner explained. "Does he leave any messages at the scene of the crime?" Mulder asked. "Yes, almost all of them have been directed at Sam. They can only be found with a black light search," Skinner answered, pulling up in front of Mulder's apartment building. "Mulder you can go on in. Scully will be safe here with me," Skinner said. Mulder just looked at Scully who nodded her assent and then hopped out of the car and ran up the steps of his apartment building. "So, what exactly has been happening?" Skinner asked. "I've been getting phone calls by a computerized voice that said hat they were going to get me and then that they would get Agent Mulder. The only call without the computerized voice was this last call. I also got 2 dozen red roses, which read that they were from Jack," Dana said. "Was there ever any reference to Sam?" Skinner asked. "Not directly, but he said that the ladies of the FBI were the 'most beautiful, the smartest, and the sexiest.' I guess that could be a reference to Sam," Dana said. Just then Mulder came quickly back down the stairs, dressed in a suit. "What's wrong?" Dana asked as he got into the car. Just being able to tell that something was wrong by the look in his eyes. "Someone broke into my apartment. They didn't steal anything they just killed my fish," he said. "He killed your fish?" Scully asked incredulously. "Yeah. I was careful not to touch anything while I got dressed. We better call those Agents at your place and tell them to sweep mine as well, using a black light," Mulder said. They all sat in silence the rest of the way, each contemplating what was happening. After Skinner parked and they all got out and started walking toward the building, Skinner said, "I want to take you to meet Bailey, Sam's boss. He set up the system at Sam's, maybe you two can live there for a while," Skinner said, leading them toward the VCS bull pin. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Sam!" Dana exclaimed as she saw her blond haired, blue eyed friend. "Dana!" Samantha Waters exclaimed as she quickly walked toward them. Sam engulfed Dana in a hug, but as soon as she pulled back she closed her eyes. "Are you O.K.?" Dana asked, concerned. "It's Jack, isn't it. He's after you, too," Sam whispered, her voice cracking. "Yeah," Dana answered, her eyes filling with tears. The ladies hugged again, but were interrupted by Mulder clearing his throat. "Oh, sorry. Samantha Waters, this is my partner Fox Mulder, just call him Mulder, and our boss, Assistant Director Skinner," Dana introduced. Sam shook each man's hand. "This is John Grant," Sam said, motioning over to an agent with a short haircut who was quite handsome, " And this is Bailey Malone." Bailey was a large, powerful looking man but had a gentle, trusting air around him. "Come on into my office, we can talk in there," Bailey said, motioning toward his office. They all followed Bailey, Dana and Sam lagging slightly behind everyone else. "Scully?" Mulder called out from the doorway of Bailey's office. "I'll be there in a minute," she called back with a smile. He nodded at her and then disappeared inside. "Jack threatened Mulder, too. Didn't he?" Sam said, not as a question, as a statement. "Yes, he did. He could see or hear us in my apartment, too. Sam, what does he want?" Dana asked, the uncommon fear returning to her voice. "Total domination. Of me and now you. And just one question, you love Mulder, don't you?" Sam asked, being very straightforward as usual. Dana didn't answer, but the look in her eyes gave Sam the answer. "Thought so," Sam called after Dana as they made their way to Bailey's office. Sam closed the door after them and then leaned against the wall as Dana sat down in the chair next to Mulder across from Bailey and Skinner. Mulder had already basically taken care of telling Bailey everything. Skinner had just gotten off the phone with the agents at Mulder and Scully's apartment, no messages had been found yet, but a small video camera also had been found in nearly every room at Dana's apartment. "He's been there! He's been in my home! He watched me in my home!" Scully exclaimed, almost hysterically. Mulder stood behind her and started to massage her shoulder's to calm her down. "That's it. They are staying with Chloe, Angel, and me at the safehouse," Sam said, the look on her face telling everyone in the room that her decision was made. "Hey, Bailey. The agents going through Agent Mulder's apartment found a message," John said, sticking his head into Bailey's office. "Thanks John. What did it say?" Bailey asked. John came all the way into the room and closed the door. "It said, 'You're mine'. It's the only message left at a scene where the person hadn't been dead," John said, leaning against the wall next to Sam. "Not a person, but my poor fish," Mulder said wryly. "Anything at my apartment?" Dana asked, turning to look at John. "Not yet, the agents are still working," John answered. Dana nodded and then turned back to Bailey. "O.K. Well, I'm going to go over to the safehouse and reprogram the computer--" Bailey started, but stopped immediately when Dana's cell phone started to ring. "Oh, God," she whispered. "It's O.K. He can't get you in here, we've made sure of that," Bailey said soothingly as Mulder kneeled beside her and put his hand on her knee. "Scully." She said, calmly into the phone. "Isn't it sweet, my two girls together," Jack's voice said over the phone making shivers run up and down her spine. "What do you want, Jack? Why can't you leave me, my family, and my friends alone?" Dana asked tiredly, trying to keep on the line while Bailey was calling in to get the call traced from her cell phone number. "Don't worry about your friends and family. I won't touch them, because you only belong to one person, and you know it. And so does Mulder. Once he's gone you will be mine," Jack said. "I will never be yours!" Dana yelled into the phone but was just greeted by the click of the phone as Jack hung-up. * * * * * * * * * * * * "Dana, why don't you call your mom and tell her to go on a vacation or stay with relatives for a while?" Mulder suggested. She just nodded in silence and picked up her phone. "Wait! That phone could be bugged. Why don't you go on into my office, right next door and call? John will show you where it's at," Sam suggested. Dana just nodded again and then followed John out of the room. "She's going into shock," Mulder stated, staring worriedly after her. "Yeah, I think so," Sam agreed, also very worried about her. Bailey had already left to start reprogramming the security alarms and had taken Skinner with him. "So, I finally meet the famous Fox Mulder, the only profiler in the FBI with a better record than mine," Sam said, trying to change the subject. "Yep, that's me. Except, you should be passing me up pretty soon since I no longer actively profile," Mulder said, slightly embarrassed. "Why did you stop?" Sam asked, intrigued by this man. "I couldn't handle it anymore, I couldn't handle all of the evil that I found in a person's mind. I started becoming the evil and I just had to leave," Mulder said quietly, thinking back to that Gargoyle case. She just nodded in understanding. "You're very worried about Dana, aren't you?" Sam asked, tenderly. Although it made Mulder slightly mad that she was psychoanalyzing him, he was oddly reassured because he knew that Sam also cared for Dana. "Yeah, she told me right after the second time that Jack called. You know Dana, she doesn't ask for help unless she's really in trouble. For her to have told me that early, she had to be really worried," he said, staring at a place directly over her head as he went off into thought. "You love her, don't you?" Sam asked, once again not really asking. Mulder just nodded silently. Sam smiled to herself, besides keeping them safe she would get Dana and Mulder to realize their feelings for each other. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Chloe? Angel? I'm home!" Sam called out as Dana, Mulder, Skinner, Bailey, and John got off the elevator. Chloe, a pretty little blond hair , blue eyed girl, came bounding down the hallway. "Mommy!" she squealed and launched herself into Sam's arms. Then she went up to Bailey and gave him a big hug and kissed John on the cheek. "Hi, Uncle Bailey and Uncle John," Chloe said, not noticing the three people behind them. "Aunt Dana!" she exclaimed and then launched herself into Dana's arms. "Hi, Chlo. How are ya, munchkin?" Dana asked, gently pushing back a strand of Chloe's hair. "Good, who are they?" Chloe asked, motioning to Mulder and Skinner. "Why don't you go introduce yourself and let them tell you themselves. Don't worry, they won't bite. They're my friends," Dana exclaimed. Chloe walked slowly over to where Skinner was standing. "Hi, I'm Chloe Waters," Chloe said, bravely putting out her hand even though she was terrified of this ex-marine. "Hi, Chloe. I'm Walter Skinner, but you can call me Uncle Walt," Skinner said, with a smile. "'kay," she said with a smile and then slowly walked over to where Mulder was standing. "Hi--Daddy?" Chloe asked, her eyes huge. Sam gasped and covered her mouth with her hand to cover-up her sob. "No, honey. I'm just a friend. You can call me Uncle Fox, o.k.?" Mulder said, trying to set the little girl straight. "Excuse me," Sam managed to croak out before running from the room. Bailey started to go after her but John got up 1st. "Let me," John said and then started after Sam. "Hi, I'm Angel," a dark skinned woman said as she stepped forward, trying to break the tension in the room. "Walter Skinner," Skinner said sticking out his hand to shake hers. They shook briefly and then she turned to Mulder. He was just staring after the place where Sam had previously occupied. "Mulder?" Dana said, walking over to him. "I--I'll be right back," he muttered, and then walked quickly to Sam's room. As he reached the door he heard her utter into John's chest, "I won't let him hurt them. I can't. He's already killed too many people close to me and it is time for this to end." * * * * * * * * * * * * * "So, how can we catch this guy?" Mulder asked, sipping his coffee after Sam told them everything that she knew about Jack. "I don't know. We've tried everything. He's too good. He had never made a mistake. We have no idea what he even looks like," Sam said with a sigh. "How about we bait him?" Scully asked. "Absolutely not! I will not have you or Sam put into that kind of danger," Mulder exclaimed, standing up indignantly. "Mulder, can you honestly tell me that we're in less danger with him out there? At least this way we have some element of control," Dana explained. "You're right, but I still don't like it. Not one bit," he said, sitting back down and crossing his arms across his chest. "I recommended that to Bailey a long time ago but he refused me, saying that it was too dangerous and then he pulled me off of active duty for a month," Sam explained. "Has there ever been any one incident that really provoked him, made him lash out more than usual?" Mulder asked, staring at Sam. "No. Yes! I was seeing a man from the bomb squad, Coop. Jack starting stalking him and would have killed him if we hadn't put the clues together faster," Sam exclaimed, remembering Coop fondly and sadly that they no longer saw each other because of the danger. "How about we go out on a double date. He didn't seem to like the fact that Mulder and I are so close, and he doesn't like the fact that you have other men in your life. This is the perfect way to bait him, and keep ourselves safe," Dana suggested. Sam thought for a few seconds and then nodded her head. "I think that this is the only way that we are going to get to him," Sam agreed. "Who are you going to ask? He will have to stay at the safehouse, too," Mulder said. "Man! Im starting to run out of room for all of these people!" Sam cracked. Dana just smiled and shook her head. "How about John?" Sam suggested. "If that's who you want then by all means ask him. Just make sure that he knows the risks completely," Mulder warned. "O.k. Why don't we got to bed? Its almost 2 AM," Dana suggested with a yawn. Mulder just grinned at her. She blushed a deep shade of red when she realized what she had just said. "Come on you two. I'll show you where you will be staying," Sam said, leading the way down the hall. They were all suddenly started by a yelp from Chloe's room. Sam ran in a panic into the room with Mulder and Scully following close behind. Chloe was whimpering as she tossed in her sleep. Sam sat on the edge of her bed and calmly smoothed her hair back over her forehead. "Shhh, it's O.k. sweetheart. It's only a dream," Sam said softly, soothingly completely absorbed in her daughter, completely forgetting about Mulder and Scully. The two agents shared a look and then quietly slipped out of the room. Dana closed the door after them almost soundlessly and then turned to Mulder. "'Night Scully," he whispered, almost seductively. "'Night Mulder. I'm sorry," she apologized. "For what?" he asked, looking deeply into her eyes, not feeling the distance closing between them. "For having Jack focus on you, for him killing your fish, for making you go into hiding with me," she said, casting her eyes to the floor. In one quick moment her engulfed her into his arms. "There is absolutely nothing that you could have done to prevent this. This is in no way your fault," he whispered into her silky red hair. She then reached up and quickly touched his cheek with her lips. "Thank-you for understanding," she said quickly and then bolted into her room and closed the door, leaving him standing in the middle of the hallway, his hand covering his cheek. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Scully, can you hear me?" Baileys voice whispered into her ear, via the ear piece that she was wearing. "Yeah, I can hear you loud and clear," she whispered back into the tiny unseen microphone attached to the collar of the hunter green evening gown she was wearing. "Good. I'm going to check with the others. Over and out," Bailey whispered back and then left Scully with just silence. She rechecked her make-up one more time and then slowly slipped on her shoes and grabbed her purse. She exited her room and then knocked on Sam's door. "If it's Dana, Angel, or Chloe you can come in. If it's Mulder, John, or Bailey, you can't," Sam called out. Dana chuckled as she slipped into the room and closed the door behind her. She found Sam standing in front of a full length mirror crucially examining her appearance in the full length dress that was very similar to Danas only red. "You look great, don't worry," Dana reassured. "I'm not, I just really I don't know. I know this isn't a real date, it's a trap for Jack, I just feel something special for John," Sam said, looking over herself one more time. Dana widened her eyes and pointed to her microphone. "Damn," Sam silently cursed. "Don't worry Sam, neither of the men are hooked up to the microphone or ear piece yet," Bailey reassured her through the tiny ear piece in her ear. "Thank God! Please don't tell him, Bailey. Promise me," Sam begged. "Don't worry, I won't tell him," Bailey promised and then clicked out. Sam just ran her hand over her face. "Come on, lets not keep them waiting any longer," Dana suggested and started toward the door. * * * *Meanwhile* * * * "I just feel a sort of connection to Sam that I've never felt with anyone else. It's like we were meant to be together. Do you understand?" John asked Mulder as they were sitting on the couch waiting for the ladies to come out. "Oh Man, do I understand!" Mulder said, under his breath. Dana choose this exact moment to come out of the bedroom with Sam trailing behind her. "Ready to go?" Dana asked. "As ready as we'll ever be," Mulder uttered, completely stunned by how beautiful she looked. He looked over at John and noticed he was similarly stunned by Sam. "O.k. then. Let's go," Sam said, as she grabbed her coat. "Yeah, let's go," John repeated, still staring at Sam. Dana just shared a look with Sam and then the 2 couples left the safehouse. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "You look gorgeous," Mulder whispered sexily into Danas ear. "Thanks. So do you," she answered, turning a deep shade of red. "Hey, you two. Knock it off," John teased as they walked up to the front of the restaurant. It was specially setup just for this and all of the waiters and waitresses were FBI or CIA agents and all of the people eating were also agents. They were shown to a table in the center of the room where they could be seen by everyone and sat carefully so that they could see in all directions. "Bailey, anyone that's not an agent here?" Sam asked under her breath. "Nope, no one yet. Enjoy yourselves and let us do out jobs, Sam," Bailey answered back softly through her ear piece. "Well, what can I get everyone to drink?" a waitress/FBI Agent asked. They all ordered their drinks and meals and then started into small talk. "Watch out! A Caucasian male is entering alone. He just took a seat in the corner table near the door and is watching you guys," Bailey warned through the ear pieces. Just then their food was brought out and over to the table. The waitress also slipped Sam a note which read Everything is under control- Don't worry and enjoy yourself- Youre safe. She passed the note around the table all the while Dana and she talked about Danas mother and Chloe and Mulder and John talked about the X-Files. Mulder nodded imperceptibly at Dana and then grasped her hand briefly under the table. He winked at Sam and John and then leaned in and kissed Dana full on the lips. It only lasted a few seconds but it set the man off. He looked very agitated and started to squirm in his seat. Dana sat back and blinked at the intensity of the kiss and then whispered to Bailey, "What happened?" "He definitely didn't like it. He became very uneasy and distraught. I think that we might have our guy. O.k. Its Sam and Johns turn. Since you guys aren't partners, make it a little more spicy," Bailey whispered. Sam rolled her eyes and then leaned towards John as he leaned toward her. They met and immediately started to make out. Mulder whistled softly under his breath after the kiss passed 30 seconds. "Jeez John, I didn't know that you had it in you," Mulder teased softly once they pulled away. Suddenly there was a loud clang and the sound of dishes hitting the floor and breaking filled the restaurant. They sung around and saw the man standing there with a gun pointing straight toward the table and his thumb resting on a red button in the other hand. Instantly there were twenty guns out and pointing at him. "You idiots actually think that I'm Jack? He wouldn't walk into such an obvious trap as this. He sent me to deliver a message to Sam and Dana," the man said, holding out a brown manila envelope. One of the agents grabbed it from him. "Now, no one will get hurt if you all just let me leave. See this little button? If I press it this whole place goes boom So get outta my way," the man ordered, walking backwards to the door. "Thanks for the company, guys and gals. Oh, and a word of warning to the ladies. Don't make Jack mad," the man warned as he reached the door. Suddenly he turned and ran from the restaurant. He was halfheartedly chased down the street but the agents soon returned. "Why aren't you chasing him?" Sam asked incredulously as she ripped the microphone off of her collar. "There is a car tailing him and just in case he does get away from the car there is a small homing device on his back. Either way, he should lead us straight back to Jack," the closest agent said as he handed them the envelope. "Thanks," Dana said apologetically, trying to apologize for Sam yelling at him. The agent just nodded at her and walked away. "I want to go home," Sam said, almost sadly and almost relieved at the same time. John just nodded and then said, "If you guys will wrap things up I think I'm going to walk Sam home." Mulder and Scully just nodded and then watched them walk out the door, John's arm around Sams shoulders. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Thank you, John," Sam said softly as they walked the block back to the safehouse. "For what? Kissing you was my pleasure," John said good-naturedly. "Yeah, that was nice, but also for putting yourself on the line for me and jeopardizing everything you worked for to catch this guy," Sam said, looking up into his eyes as they approached the house. "Sam, in no way is any of this your fault. I signed up for the FBI knowing that I would be putting myself on the line and if I really thought that I was jeopardizing everything that I worked for I wouldn't be here. I have total confidence that we are going to catch this guy, and I have total faith in you," he answered, gazing into her eyes with the same if not greater intensity. "You have no idea how much your confidence and faith means to me, John. I don't know how to say this. When I'm with you, you make me feel safe," she finally spit out. "Before or after we catch the serial killers and lunatics?" he cracked. She smiled at him before swatting him lightly on the arm and saying, "Come on. You know what I mean." He just smiled back at her and watched as she slipped her hand into the fingerprint analysis key to get into the house. The door slid open and she stepped into the elevator with John close behind. "Sam, I think I love you," John whispered as the elevator slowly ascended. She turned and stared at him. "I'm sorry. It's just I don't know. I feel something special for you. I'm sorry," John said, casting his eyes to the floor. "Don't be sorry, John. I feel the same way. I think I love you, too," Sam whispered, putting her hand under Johns chin and tipping it up so that she could look into his eyes. Their lips came together in one slow moment as the doors opened on the home floor. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "O.k. Thanks guys," Mulder said into the phone and then hung-up. "The Gunmen have been running a surveillance on my apartment since I've been away and they said that no one has been in or out of my apartment as far as they can tell," he told Scully who was talking to an agent and gripping the package in one hand. "O.k. Well, there's nothing else we can do here. Lets go back to the safehouse," she suggested, laying her microphone and ear piece next to Mulder', Sam's, and John's on the table. Mulder slipped her coat on over her shoulders and then with his hand resting in the small of her back led her gently out of the restaurant and towards the safehouse. "I am really worried about Sam," Dana said softly as they walked hand in hand. "I know. Me too. I just don't know what all we can do about it. He's been doing this for years. She told me that everyone one of his twenty something victims has in some way been connected to Sam. I just don't understand how this all ties in with you," Mulder mused. "Wait. What do you mean that all of the victims had been somehow connected to Sam?" Dana asked, getting an idea. "Yeah, the doctor that delivered her. The person that sold her books and the man the fixed her toys. And also, of course Tom, her husband," Mulder said, a touch of sadness entering his. Even though he had only met Sam a few days ago he felt a connection like he had always known her. It wasnt as strong as his connection with Scully, that one was as if they were meant to be together forever, he just felt an odd familiarity that he had never felt with anyone else. "What occupation was her father?" Dana asked eagerly as they walked inside the bottom level of the house. "Um... I think he was in the.. oh God! It was in the Navy! That's the connection with you! Maybe he knew your fathers!" Mulder speculated as Scully put her hand on the fingerprint analyzer and the doors opened. "Where's the elevator?" Dana asked, not really to Mulder or herself as she pushed the button. She finally heard the elevator whir to life and descend down. When it stopped and the doors opened they both gasped in surprise. John and Sam were on the floor necking like to teenagers. Mulder softly cleared his throat. Sam raised her head to see and the moment she saw them her face turned a bright shade of red and she rolled off of John. He also turned red and Mulder could see the faint red coloring start in his cheeks. Dana just grinned as she got on the elevator and Mulder could hardly keep from laughing out loud. The rode in silence upstairs, Dana and Mulder trying to stop laughing and Sam and John hiding in their embarrassment. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "So, you think that since out fathers were in the Navy that that is the common link between us in Jack's eyes?" Sam asked as they were all gathered, once again, around the kitchen table with the only addition on John. "Yeah, that and the fact that you went to the Academy together and are both FBI agents and of course beautiful women," Mulder said, sipping his now stone cold coffee. "I'm going to call Nathan and see if he can dig anything up on anyone that knew both of your fathers," John said as he stood up. "Who's is Nathan?" Dana asked, not wanting to involve anyone that didn't need to be. "His name is Nathan Brubaker. He's an agent that works with us. He's also been a target of Jack's," John explained. "John, it's almost 1 AM. Shouldn't you wait until tomorrow?" Sam asked. John glanced at his watch and then hung-up the phone. "It's only 1 AM? I'm going to go pay a visit on the Lone Gunmen," Mulder said, standing up as John sat down. "Isn't it a little late for that, too?" Dana asked. "Nah, they never sleep," Mulder said with a smile. "Who are the Lone Gunmen?" Sam asked. "A group of men that can find out anything for you. They are anti government and run a small magazine that is pretty widely circulated. They will do just about anything for free because one of them has a tremendous crush on Scully," Mulder said with a wink at her. "Why don't we all go?" John asked, standing up. "You're welcome to come if you want," Mulder said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Lets go change," John said and then walked off to his room followed closely by Sam. "Shall we?" Mulder asked Scully, indicating towards the bedrooms. She was just staring at him. "What?" he asked. "You're taking John to the Lone Gunmens hideout? You've known him for a whole 3 days. You waited like 3 months before you took me!" she said incredulously. "I, for some unknown reason, trust him. Hes a renegade. Interested in finding the truth. He's like me. He's also devoted to just one woman," he said, the last part softer. "You didn't trust me enough in the 1st 3 months of our partnership to take me?" she asked, the sharp edge of her voice gone, trying to ignore that devoted part. "Of course I trusted you! I didn't want them to scare you," he answered with a smile. She just shook her head as they went in to their separate rooms. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Knock. Knock. Knock. "Password?" a voice asked from the other side of the door. "Redheads are the best," Mulder said with a smile as Scully glared at him. "Mulder!" the voice exclaimed and the group heard about ten locks being turned on the other side of the door. The door swung open and they saw a medium sized man with long scraggly blond air and thick black glasses. "Hey there Langley," Mulder said as they entered the room. "Scully! How nice to see you again!" Langley exclaimed and then bellowed, "Frohike! Your girlfriend is here!" He just smiled in response to her glare and then turned to Sam and said, "You must be the brilliant and beautiful Dr. Samantha Waters. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Langley." "Langley, it's a pleasure to meet you," Sam said with a weird quirk of her lips. "And you must be John Grant," Langley said, sticking out his hand for John to shake. They shook briefly and then Langley turned back to Mulder. "Why don't we go on back into the lab and see what we can do?" Langley said and then started for the door at the far end of the hallway, He pulled out his key and unlocked the door. The door swung open to reveal a makeshift lab, full of all kinds of computer equipment. "Dana! My love!" a small, balding man exclaimed, pushing his glasses back up on his nose and bounding toward her, only to be stopped by a 3rd man who was tall and had a beard. "Frohike, Byers, this is Samantha Waters and John Grant. Sam, John, this is Byers and Frohike," Mulder introduced. "What can we do for you all today?" Byers asked, releasing Frohike after he calmed down. Dana wordlessly handed him the unopened envelope. All three men immediately snapped on gloves and then set to work. They quickly opened the envelope and out spilled 5 pictures and a note. All of the pictures showed Scully, Mulder, Sam, and John in the safehouse. The note simply read, "The end is near." "What can you tell from all of this?" Sam asked, looking over Byers shoulder. Byers answered quickly, "Well, look at the heading on the paper. It's from the FBI. That means that Jack has to be someone on the inside. Someone in the FBI." "What do you mean, someone working in the FBI?" Scully asked, her knees starting to shake. Mulder slipped his arm around her waist for support before Byers continued. "This paper is only given to FBI Agents," Byers said, pointing to the header and the FBI seal that was printed lightly in gray in the middle of the paper. "The photos were also taken with an FBI issued camera on FBI paper. Either he's getting sloppy or he wants you to know that he is working for the FBI," Langley said. Sam covered her mouth with her hand as her face went pale. John pulled a chair over from the corner and made her sit down in it. "All this time, I thought I was safe while I was at work. He's been there all along. I want to send those to Pendrell, too. Maybe" Sam said, the strength starting to return to her voice. "Pendrell!" Mulder interrupted her. "Yeah.. wait, you don't think that he... come on, Mulder... Oh God! It all makes sense!" Sam said, speaking in broken sentences as she realized the obvious. "If it makes sense to you, you've managed to confuse me even more," John said, and Scully nodded in agreement. "Frohike! Run a check on Pendrell, I want to know his father's occupation and if at any time he was on a base where Dana or Sam was living," Mulder ordered, not pausing to slow down or explain. "Scully, think about it. Pendrell knows you both. He's is practically in love with you and you barely have enough time to pay any attention to him unless you need something. If his father was in the Navy..." Mulder started but was interrupted by Frohike yelling out, "I got it! His father WAS in the Navy! He was at a base with Sam in 1968 for 2 months and he was at a base with Dana in 1969 for 1 month." A scared light finally went on in Dana's eyes. "Frohike, what's his first name?" she asked, her voice wavering. "Joshua, Joshua Alan Pendrell," Frohike answered quickly. "Oh my God! I remember him! He was in love with me back then! He used to chase me around the kindergarten school yard. I ignored him," Sam said, that last part soft. "I remember him, too. He asked me to go out with him when he first got there. Of course, in 1st grade I thought boys were yucky and had cooties and so I just ignored him," Dana said quietly. "Do you still think that boys are yucky and have cooties?" Mulder asked, with a twinkle in his eyes. "I should have seen it! Every time I see him he practically falls over himself and I just ignore him because I'm either too wrapped up in a case or in John to care," Sam berated herself. "This is not your fault! There is absolutely nothing that you could have done to prevent this," John reminded her as he gently massaged her shoulders. "I know. I just can't help thinking of all the people that wouldn't have died if I would have paid more attention," Sam said sadly, thinking of her little girl at home without a father. "What can we do now to catch him in the act?" Mulder asked the Gunmen. "We can put a surveillance on him and just wait for him to move," Langley offered. "No, that's too time consuming. How about Dana and Sam call him and get him to meet them somewhere outside of his apartment and we can go in and look for evidence?" Frohike counter-offered and challenged Langley with a glare. "How about both?" Mulder asked. "That works out O.k.," Byers said, trying to diffuse the situation. "We better get back to the safehouse before they realize we're gone," Sam said, standing up. "O.k. We'll meet you guys here tomorrow at noon," Mulder said, as he started towards the door. He suddenly felt an irrational wave of jealousy as Scully leaned over and kissed Frohike on the head. "Thank-you," she whispered and the followed everyone out the door. Mulder sent a warning look to Frohike before following Scully and closing the door behind himself leaving a very happy Frohike. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Where the hell have you all been?" Bailey yelled as they walked quietly back into the safehouse, his face contorted with rage. "We went to go visit some of Mulder's friends. Bailey, we think we know who Jack is," Sam said excitedly. Bailey immediately calmed down and his face was overcome with surprise. "Who?" he asked eagerly. "Joshua Pendrell," Mulder answered for her as he hung-up his and Scully's coats in the closet and as John hung-up his and Sam's. "You've got to be kidding!" Bailey exclaimed. "No Bailey, we're not. Think about it. He matched the profile that I made perfectly! His father worked in the Navy and he was stationed at a base where my father was at the same time. I remember him! I totally ignored him then like I unknowingly do now! It's the exact same story with Dana, too!" Sam explained. Bailey started to rub his head and looked like a migraine was coming on. "You mean, he's been right under or nose for so long and you've been in danger?" Bailey asked. Sam nodded and went to speak but was stopped as Dana got a horrified expression on her face. "The camera and microphones," she mouthed silently, intentionally facing away from the camera. Sam covered her face with her hands. John turned pale and Mulder started to hit his head against the wall in frustration. "Get them off! Everything! All the microphones, cameras, bugs, everything! I want it all gone!" Sam hissed. Bailey scrambled to his feet and left the safehouse in a run. "He knows we're on to him," Dana said in a terrified voice. "Of course I do," a voice boomed over the microphones in the house as all the windows and doors automatically locked, leaving them all trapped inside. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Oh GOD! Chloe!" Sam screamed and started to run towards her room. "Sam, calm down! Before we left on the 'trap' I sent her and Angel off to her grandparents just to be safe," John explained. "Thank you so much. Thank you for keeping my baby safe," Sam babbled as she collapsed into his arms. "I'm going to call Bailey," Mulder said as he picked up the hall phone. "You don't think I'd be stupid enough to keep the phone's connected, do you? Agent Mulder, you should think before you act," Pendrells now familiar voice said over the speakers. "Shut-up! Just shut-up!" Sam screamed and then buried her head in her hands. John immediately went over and wrapped his arms around her. "Get away from her!" Pendrell boomed over the speakers. John immediately jumped away. "I want Dana and Samantha on one side of the room and Mulder and Grant on the other. Now!" Pendrell ordered, Dana and Sam's name considerably softer than John's and Mulder's. The four people immediately separated, but not before John whispered unseeingly to Scully. "We have to make him angry, get him to mess up. That is our only way out of this situation," he hissed to her as they passed. She nodded almost imperceptibly at him and then went over to Sam and tried to calm her down. "We need to make him mad, that's the only way out of this," Scully said softly into Sam's ear as if she was comforting her. Sam squeezed Dana's hand and then raised her head. Mulder locked eyes with Scully, silently telling her that he understood. "Joshua? Or Jack, whatever you want to be called, why are you doing this? Why? Did you ever think that maybe one of us might have said yes if you asked us out?" Dana asked sweetly. "Shut-up! You know that you wouldn't have! You were and still are too busy with your *partner*! And Sam is too busy with Agent Grant to even notice me!" Pendrell's voice spit out. "I think he isn't man enough. He won't even show his face to look us in the eyes," John taunted. "I'm more of a man than you'll ever be!" Pendrell retorted back angrily. "You've got a point, John. He won't even look us in the face while he tortures us," Mulder said, not really looking at anyone in particular. "Torture! You have no idea what torture is! Torture is looking at two beautiful women all day and knowing that their taken! Torture is knowing that they belong with me, and not you!" Pendrell screamed. "Joshua, you know that I don't belong with you. I belonged with Tom, the father of my child, but you took that from me. Now I've moved on and I belong with John. But I have never or will never belong with you," Sam said indignantly. "God, Samantha you're so sexy when you're angry!" Pendrell leered. Dana just took a deep sigh and then launched herself into Mulders arms. They started to kiss immediately, Dana's hands running up and down the front of his chest and sides and Mulder's hands slowly roving from the small of her back into her hair. "Stop! Stop it now!" Pendrell yelled as if in a tremendous amount of pain. "Why should they? Your not down here to stop it," John offered. "Not yet. But I will be!" Pendrell threatened and then there was a loud click over the speakers. "Joshua?" Sam asked, but received no answer. "Hey you guys can stop now. He's gone," John told Mulder and Scully who were still kissing. "Well that worked. Now what are we going to do?" Dana asked, her head leaning on Mulders chest, her arms wrapped around his waist as he rested his chin on the top of her head and had is arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Well, we all have weapons, don't we? And the Lone Gunmen were supposed to start their surveillance of Pendrell soon, if I know them they already have. They should put two and two together soon, hopefully," Mulder offered. "Even if they don't, Bailey should be back soon and when he realizes he can't get in he will get help," John said, trying to throw anything he could think of. "Unless Pendrell has already gotten to him," Sam said morbidly. "Don't even think like that. We will get out of this. We just need to have faith," Dana said, trying to make the best of the situation. "I'm so glad your thinking positively, darling. Now, I want everyone to unholster their guns and slide them over to me without turning around. That includes both of your weapons," Pendrell ordered from behind them. They all complied from fear of getting shot in the back. "Joshua, why can't you just let Mulder and John go? You know that Sam and I would willingly stay with you if you let them leave unharmed," Dana said, trying to bargain with him, trying not to look at Mulders stricken face. "I'm sorry, my sweet, but you will never fully be mine until the person you love the most in the world dies in your arms," Pendrell said to their backs, still keeping his distance behind them. "You know that you're not making us love you or want you more by killing our loved ones," Sam pointed out, a barely visible tear running down her face. "Why, Samantha, you of all people should know this. If I hadn't killed Tom you wouldn't be standing here right now would you?" Pendrell asked. "Josh, just give it up. You know that the FBI will be here at any moment. They can see everything that's been going on here. And even if they couldn't they would be here as soon as Bailey realized that all the windows and doors were locked," John said, trying to get him to give himself up. "No! Shut-up! You can't call me Josh! Only Samantha and Dana can call me that! Only them! You and Mulder call me either Jack or sir!" Pendrell screamed psychotically. "O.k. O.k. Calm down," Mulder soothed. "Shut-up! No one can talk!" Pendrell screamed, obviously very distraught over what John had just pointed out. "Joshua, what do you want from us? Do you want our love? You know that by killing the ones that we love will only make us hate you. Do you want to have sex? Sam and I will gladly give it to you if you just let Mulder and John go, you know that. So what do you want?" Dana asked, trying to get him to release John and Mulder. "No! That is not an option," Mulder said through clenched teeth. "Actually, since you just recommended that, it is an option. O.k. Mulder and John get out. The front door is open . . . Now," Pendrell said, his finger pressing down on a button and the door opening. "No, we won't leave," John said, just as angry as Mulder. "Yes, you will," Sam answered back, trying to show him that it was all right, that it only mattered that they were safe. "Move now! Or I blow the beautiful Agent Scully away," Pendrell said angrily, coming up behind Scully and laying the muzzle of the gun up against her temple. Mulder and John unwillingly started edging toward the door. Mulder only stopped once and turned to see Danas and made sure he still had her approval. Her eyes pleaded with him to leave and then he followed John outside the door and into the elevator. Pendrell's finger pressed down on the button once again and the door locked into place. "O.k. ladies. I want both of you over there against the wall. Now," Pendrell ordered, motioning towards the wall on the far side of the room. Both women slowly sat down with their backs to the wall, facing Pendrell. "Now, I want to ask some questions first. When was your last experience?" Pendrell asked, keeping the gun leveled at them. "Coop," Sam answered simply. "Jack Willis," Dana answered, not as quickly. "Ah, it has definitely been a while hasn't it? You will be first, my love," Pendrell said to Dana, smiling at her. She felt as if she was going to throw-up. "O.k. Can I just ask one question?" Dana asked, taking a deep swallow. "Of course. We now have all the time in the world," Pendrell said, trying to be sweet. "To get close to us, why did you feel the need to kill our loved ones?" Dana asked, trying to stall him until Mulder and John could get back in time with help. "My, Agent Scully, how clever! Trying to stall me! It won't work. Get-up. Now!" He ordered her. She slowly rose to her feet. "Start with the jacket and take your clothes off very slowly," he said, licking his lips. "What happens if I say no?" Dana asked, trying to make the time for at least Sam. "Samantha dies. As much as that would be unfortunate, it would have to happen," Pendrell said. "No, wait, I have another idea. I brought some things with me. I want you to walk single file into the guest bedroom," he said motioning with his gun. They got up and silently walked into the bedroom, with an increased feeling of dread. "Okay, Samantha, I want you to take these handcuffs and handcuff Dana's hands and feet to each post on the bed," Jack said, standing directly behind Sam with the gun pressing into her back. Samantha slowly took on pair of handcuffs and snapped it around Danas hand and then snapped the other side around the bed post. She then continued on to do the other arm. "How do you want me to do the legs?" Sam asked brokenheartedly. "Separate," Pendrell answered back quickly. Sam just nodded and then cuffed both of Danas legs to the posts. "Good job. I'll be right back, darling," he said to Dana and then turned to Sam. "Lay down on the bed, now," Pendrell ordered. Sam laid down and then Pendrell cuffed her almost exactly as Dana was cuffed. Pendrell then sauntered back to where Dana was lying and started to climb into bed. Suddenly, the door was kicked in. "Freeze! FBI!" an unknown but very welcome agent yelled. Pendrell froze exactly where he was hovering over Dana. With a maniacal glint in his eyes he started for his gun. The agent shot him as other agents swarmed in. He fell on top of Dana and in his dying words he whispered, "I love you." Dana just closed her eyes and let the tears flow, still attached to the bed. "Where is Agents Grant and Mulder?" Sam asked, concerned. "Bailey wouldn't let them in. They are pacing outside," the closest agent said as he pulled Pendrell's body off the top of Dana. He pulled the handcuff keys out of one of Pendrell's pockets and then undid Sam's handcuffs. He then undid Dana's, who was still sobbing uncontrollably. Sam, on the other hand, had control of herself. "It's over. He can't hurt us now," Sam said soothingly, giving Scully a hug. Dana just pushed her away and rose from the bed. "Agent Scully, I think you should sit back down and wait for the ambulance," the young agent warned. She just walked blindly past him, making her was towards the front of the building. "Agent Scully, I must insist," the agent said again, trying to get her to sit down. "It's o.k. Let her go. She needs this," Sam said, following Dana out the door in front. She needed this as much as Dana. They slowly made their way out of the building. Dana looked all around, trying to spot the familiar form she was looking for. They spotted each other at the same time. "Dana!" Mulder yelled as he ran toward her and she ran toward him. They engulfed eachother into a hug and their lips met in a love that none of the other agents had ever seen or known. Sam looked at John and then just engulfed her arms around him as he did the same. They were safe. The End Well, did you all like this? Please e-mail me with any comments at all!