HOME AGAIN

CHAPTER 2



"What is it, Mulder? What's wrong?" Scully entered the darkened apartment and eyed him carefully.



"I don't know … something isn't right. I thought you might be able to tell me."



She walked over to him and placed her hand on his forehead; then looked into his eyes.



"What makes you think something's wrong? You seem fine to me. Did something happen in Atlanta?" She asked as she switched on a light.



"No, it was a dead end." Mulder paced the floor and tried hard to sort out his scrambled thoughts. "At least I think it was."



"You were gone for almost a month and you didn't find out anything?" Scully took a seat on the black leather couch while Mulder leaned back against his desk.



"No; I don't think so. It's all kind of fuzzy."



"Fuzzy? Describe the feeling."



"I remember going to Atlanta, I remember getting a hotel room, I remember spending days at the library researching the Bagwell family. I remember following a few of them and coming up empty. No connection with the case at all. I remember that much very clearly."



"And you felt OK all that time?"



"Yes. Then I remember going over to some warehouse. I don't remember where it was or what it was about or which Bagwell was connected to it. That's about all I remember clearly."



"That took three and a half, almost four weeks?"



"That's where I get confused. I thought I was gone about a week but the date on today's paper says it's weeks later."



"And you have no memory of being gone that long?" Scully was sitting on the edge of the couch leaning forward now.



"No. And Scully, I don't even believe this part myself but I don't remember flying home. I don't remember anything at all after entering that warehouse."



"You'd better let me take you in and run some tests. I can't tell anything here."



Two hours later …



"Everything checks out just fine, Mulder. There's nothing physically wrong with you."



"Then why am I so confused? Where was I for those weeks I was gone?"



"I don't know, Mulder. We may never know; unless you would consider being hypnotized?"



"No. You know how I feel about that. I don't want anyone messing around with my mind. I'm just tired. Maybe once I get rested up I'll remember things more clearly."



"Well, I'm glad you're back. It's been pretty dull around here." Scully admitted as the two of them walked to a nearby coffee shop.



"I thought you liked dull. Isn't that why you went into teaching?" Mulder chided her as they sat down.



"I like teaching, yes; but I don't like dull. When you're around, it's never dull." She smiled up at him.



"So do you think this is some big mystery or do you think I'm just tired?" He asked as they opened their menus.



"With you, Mulder; it could be anything from the possibility that you probably didn't sleep the entire time you were gone to the possibility of some vast international conspiracy."



"Coffee and a sweet roll." Mulder gave his order to the waitress standing next to their table with pad and pencil in hand.



"Mulder, you need to eat something more than a roll! He'll have a ham sandwich and a bowl of vegetable soup and I'll have the same thing; thanks." She closed her menu and handed it to the waitress.



"I'm not hungry." Mulder said staring off into space.



"You're never hungry, Mulder, but you need to eat. Starving your body alone could lead to mental confusion. Your body needs to eat and sleep at certain intervals every day; not just when you don't have some lead to follow up on. You should know that by now."



"All right, I'll eat. But that won't answer any of my questions; where the hell was I for those weeks and why I can't remember."



"Maybe not; but it will keep you healthy; and maybe with some rest and a few good meals in you; the confusion might clear up. It could be that you found out nothing at all and it was just a dead end and was so boring your tired mind tried to wipe it all out."



"Or it could be the opposite; that something important happened and my mind is somehow rejecting the memory." Mulder challenged.



"There are many specialists who work with repressed memories. I could recommend someone."



"No thanks. I'll eat and then I'll go back home and take a nap. You said yourself there's nothing wrong with me."



"There's nothing physically wrong with you but the mind is a tricky think to diagnose. It's always best to consult with experts on the subject."



"I'm not going to waste my time sitting in some office for weeks discussing whether or not I was potty trained too early or if I sucked my thumb. I'll eat, I'll rest; then it's back to the case so I can see if there's anything I missed. If Atlanta was a dead end then there must be something else that I overlooked."



"OK, Mulder. But you need to take this seriously. Missing time is nothing to sneeze at."



"This soup does smell good." He ended the conversation as food was placed in front of them and they ate their lunch.



XXXX



"Who are you and what do you want?" Skinner shouted as he strained against his bonds but it was useless. The men that had him hurried him along a long corridor and answered no questions; in fact they hadn't even spoken. They simply grabbed him and sprayed something in his face that made him stumble and fall to the ground. He remembered seeing Alex transport just before he blacked out so he knew Alex was safe and that he would be coming for him before long.



"Hurry up, Alex. Get back here fast and bring an army. There's a million of these guys!"

Walter whispered a silent prayer.



He was shoved into a tiny windowless room about eight feet square and the door was closed and locked behind him. He sat down against the far wall and waited saying his silent prayer again and again. "Hurry, Alex. I need you."



He sat patiently for hours then got up and began to pace; stopping every now and then to bang on the door and yell again and again, "Who are you and what do you want with me?"



He was awakened several hours later as two men came in dressed in white contamination suits. This was the first time he'd seen any of them in anything other than jeans and blue work shirt. They pulled him to his feet and walked him out of the room and down the hall.



"Where are you taking me? I insist on speaking to whoever is in charge." He peppered them with questions but like the day before, got no answers or even as much as eye contact from either of the two burly men pulling him along.



He managed one time to twist out of their grasp and run but that only resulted in another two men cutting him off at the other end of the hall way. Their vice-like grip on his arms prevented that from happening a second time.



He was escorted into another room where he was stripped of all his clothes which took all four of them to accomplish. The two men in white hauled him into a shower room and turned on a valve. The foamy substance seemed to come from every direction and the two men turned him around, lifted his arms, and spread his legs to make sure he was completely covered.



The chemical smell was over powering and he wondered what it was that the two of them wore protective suits. He didn't have much time to worry as within minutes the foam stopped and what appeared to be clear water drenched him thoroughly. Then the air came on and within minutes he was completely dry.



He was then pulled into the next room where he was met with someone who sprayed a light mist in his face. He recoiled from it but it was too late. He was already graying out as his legs buckled beneath him. He would have fallen if they hadn't been holding tightly to his arms.



The next thing he knew he was being placed on some table. They rolled him over on his side and something cold and metallic feeling was inserted into his rectum. He was rolled back over and his arms and legs were being strapped down. A strap across his forehead and he was now completely immobile. He tried to speak, but words wouldn't come. He was in a daze; not unconscious but not fully awake either. Some device was wheeled over to the table and he could feel it being hooked up to his body. Something was being secured to his pelvis area, his penis tightly enclosed inside.



Panic gripped him then and he started breathing in deep gasps which only heightened the effects of the spray and things dimmed out entirely. He awoke some time later with his insides churning and his pulse racing. The room was silent and he struggled to free himself but it was useless. He felt a warmth in his groin and was stunned to realize he had a hard-on. He struggled and called out again and again but no one came. The probe in his rectum began to vibrate against his prostrate. "Nooo! Noooo!" He cried out as he ejaculated with such force that he passed out.



XXXX



"All right, all right; what is it?" Mulder said as he opened the door grumpily.



"Mulder, I need your help. It's an emergency." Alex begged in desperation.



"I gave at the office," Mulder said and started to close the door.



Alex held the door open and begged again, "Mulder please! It's Skinner. He's been taken. I need your help."



"Skinner?" Mulder questioned; opening the door a bit more.



"Yes. Please, let me come in and explain."



"And why would I believe a word you said?" Mulder asked, holding his hand on the door to keep Krycek from entering.



"Mulder, I'm desperate. The situation is desperate and time is ticking away and there's no telling what they're doing to him. Please let me in. I'll do anything, I'll answer any questions; give you any information you want only please, please help me find him."



Something gave way in Mulder then and he opened the door. Krycek rushed into the room and Mulder closed the door behind him.



"So talk; what makes you think Skinner has been taken?" Mulder asked as he joined Krycek in the living room.



"We were on an assignment together and he disappeared. I know who has him and I've got a pretty good idea where to look for him but I need help. I can't do it by myself."



"So why not call the Bureau. I'm sure they'd be glad to send a team out to help find him."



"This is not something the Bureau is equipped to handle. You are."



"So you expect me to just take off with you with no more information than that? You're dreaming, Krycek. Go home and sleep it off."



"Look, Mulder. I'm offering you the opportunity to see for yourself all those extreme possibilities that you've believed in for years and to save Skinner as well."



"And all I have to do it take off with you in the middle of the night to God knows where?"



"It'll take several hours to get to where I think they're holding him. I can give you all the details on the way. Please … will you come with me?"



"I wouldn't walk across the street with you, Krycek; let alone take off somewhere in the middle of the night." Mulder slouched down on his couch and popped a sun flower seed into his mouth.



"All right. Do you remember Jeremiah Smith, the healer?" Krycek took a computer disk out from his pocket. "Will you at least look at this?"



Mulder stood up, took the disk and placed it into his computer and turned it on. Jeremiah Smith came on looking harried and ill.



"Mulder. I hope you remember me and remember that I helped you in the past. I'm asking for your help now. Walter Skinner is missing and time is of the utmost importance in getting him back. The group that has him will likely terminate him once they are finished with him. They are not known for holding their prisoners for any length of time.

Walter has been a member of our group, the Resistance, for nearly a year now. He was on assignment with Alex when there was an explosion. Alex managed to escape but they took Walter. We have healed Alex but cannot spare anyone to go on this mission with him. The male population of our group has suffered a great epidemic. The females have been filling in whenever possible but with Alex newly healed, he doesn't have enough strength and I don't think a female would have either. We need your help him to find Walter and bring him back to safety.

I have known of you and your work for years now and you are on the right track. I have authorized Alex to give you any information that you request. If you choose to help us, we have an inoculation that will prevent you from contacting our present malady. Alex already had his and he has enough for both you and Walter.

Before you accept, I must warn you that this is an extremely dangerous mission. Be warned; it will not be easy.

I pray that you will help us. Walter is too fine a man to loose so early in his journey with us."



The disk ended.



"How do I know this isn't fake?" Mulder asked.



"You and I have had our differences in the past, Mulder, but I have never tried to kill you. Please give me five minutes of your time to prove it."



"OK. You've got it. Five minutes. Then I want you out of here." Mulder crossed his arms and leaned back against his desk.



Alex stepped close to him and closed his eyes tightly. An instant later they were standing in the transporter room.



"Wh…where are we? How did you do that?" Mulder glanced around the small room.



"Transporter room. Come with me. I'll see if Jeremiah is well enough to talk with you."



"He's supposed to be a healer. If he's sick, can't he just heal himself?" Mulder asked as he followed Krycek down the hall into Jeremiah Smith's office.



"No. It doesn't work that way. He can heal others but not himself. The other healers have been working on him but their powers are very weak right now with so many ill."



"And you didn't get whatever this was?"



"No. Walter and I were off-world on a mission."



"Off world?" Mulder questioned but before Krycek could answer, Jeremiah came into the room.





"You came! I knew you would; I just knew it." Jeremiah reached out a hand to Mulder. "Thank you, thank you for coming to our aid."



"I'm not sure I can do anything to help; Krycek hasn't given me any details yet." Mulder shook his hand.



"The trip will take several hours he can explain everything then." Jeremiah leaned back against his desk and wiped his forehead.



"How are you feeling? Are you any better?" Alex asked.



"Yes, I am much better. The progression of the virus has been stopped and we are now just all working on regaining our strength. I'm afraid I still have no one well enough to accompany you unless you choose to wait for a few more days before you leave."



"No, I can't wait. I'm leaving immediately. Is the shuttle ready?"



"It is. Mulder, I'm so glad you're in on this with us. Alex is not long out of the chamber himself and really should be recuperating instead of taking off on a rescue mission."



"I'm fine. Come on Mulder. It's time for you to make your decision. Do you leave with me or do I take you back to your apartment to your TV set?"



"One thing first. May I see the back of both of your necks?"



"Certainly." Jeremiah answered first and turned to allow Mulder to check for tell-tale alien bumps. Krycek pulled his shirt back and did the same.



"OK, I'm in. How can I help?"



Jeremiah's com went off and he answered it as Krycek and Mulder left the room with a wave good bye.



"I know you have a great memory, Mulder, and I have a lot to tell you. Please just follow along for now and I'll get to all the details as soon as we take off. Right now we're headed for my quarters to change. Then we can leave."



Mulder followed silently along up the ramp until he came to a view of the open area below and stood at the railing looking down and all around. "What is this place?" he mumbled in awe.



"Come on," Krycek pulled him by the arm. I'll explain it later. Let's go."



Moments later they were changing into fatigues and battle gear and selecting an assortment of weapons and tools to take with them which they stuffed in their many pocket. They were crossing the room to leave when Mulder stopped. Krycek turned back to hurry him up and saw him staring at the framed photograph of himself with Skinner's arms wrapped tightly around him; the both of them smiling for the camera.



"What's this?" Mulder asked; picking it up.



"Just what it looks like. Let's get under way and I'll answer all your questions."



Mulder sat the photo back on the shelf and followed Krycek out the door and down the hall; walking close to the railing so he could look over into the courtyard below and see everything. He kept his questions to himself for the time being.



They made their way up several levels until they arrived at the shuttle port. Mulder stood looking at the sleek craft for several seconds before he climbed in beside Krycek.



"It will take several hours before we arrive at the space port. I would prefer to answer as many of your questions as possible before we arrive there. It's unwise to discuss one's business around strangers."



There was a woosh of air escaping from the room then the shuttle bay doors opened and Krycek piloted the craft out among the stars. Mulder was struck silent for several seconds before he spoke.



"I know I'm asleep and this is what I get from watching Star Trek re-runs so often."



"You're not asleep, Mulder. Pinch yourself and prove it."



Mulder did as he was told and let out a yelp. "OK, OK; I'm not asleep. Would you care to tell me how all this is possible? And are you working for Smith now? And exactly where are we headed?"



"First take a look behind you." Krycek instructed. Mulder turned around and at first saw nothing but a field of stars then off to the right he saw it; Earth; a beautiful blue-green gem in a black field of stars.



"Oh my God!" He mumbled, "It's true?"



"It's true. OK; I've got this on automatic pilot now so I can answer your questions.

Your first question was how is all this possible. That one is difficult to answer. Apparently, there is a whole neighborhood of moons and large asteroids that support different life forms, different species; some humanoid, some not; just as you have always suspected."



"Are you human? Is Smith?"



"Yes, to both of those questions. That place we just left is my home; it's where I was born as were my parents. They were part of the Resistance as am I."



"What about the Bureau? Smoking man?"



"Part of my assignment was to join the Bureau. They wanted someone on the inside. Then when old Smokey tried to recruit me, I was told to go along."



"By who? The Bureau or the Resistance?"



"Both. I was told to inform the Director, which I did and she told me she wanted me to join Spender to keep an eye on his group."



"And all this time you've been reporting back to Smith? He's in charge of the Resistance?"



"Yes, I have been reporting back to Smith but no, he isn't in charge of them. He's just in charge of the part that I'm connected with at the present time."



"And which part would that be?"



"Rescue and retrieval."



"And Skinner's a part of that group"



"Yes, he is."



"So what mission were you and Skinner on when he was taken and how is it that you made it back and he didn't?"



"One of our group was being held prisoner and scheduled for termination. We were attempting to rescue her. We had no reason to expect that the building was wired. We were going up an outside staircase when the building blew. We had a pre-arranged fail safe signal. If one of us called "Home" we would both immediately transport. After the blast, we landed not all that far apart. I saw him. He was up on his feet and I heard him yell 'Home'. I thought he transported so I yelled 'Home' too."



"Only when you got back, he wasn't there?"



"That's right. I made it to the nearest port and was met by Smith before I passed out. He got me home. When I woke up I was just getting out of the chamber when they told me that Walter hadn't made it back."



"Chamber?"



"Oh, I'm sorry." Krycek apologized and took a swallow from his bottled water. "The chamber is a re-generation chamber. It looks like a large glass coffin. An injured person is placed inside and the thing fills up with some sort of liquid that whirls around the body and re-generates it. I wasn't hurt all that badly but I was in there and out of contact for four days."



"So they've had him five or six days now. Who do you think has him; and what makes you think he's still alive? Just because you saw him standing doesn't mean he wasn't injured."



"I know that. The blast came from in front of us. He was about six or eight feet behind me. He was calling 'Home' or I never would have transported."



"Was he saying it like it was a question; asking you if you were going to transport?"



"I don't know. I've been wondering the same thing. I'm thinking he was waiting to see if I could transport myself."



"Would he have been able to transport you if you had been unable?"



"Yes; as least that's what we practiced. He did it during practice."



"And you were able to transport directly back to … to that place we just came from?"



"No. I was able to transport to the nearest port and from there Smith got me back home."



Mulder mulled the information over for a while then asked. "So how does this transporter thing work?"



"There's a small device inserted into the brain. It's activated by thought."



"And he had one of these devices put into his brain?"



"He did. We trained and worked for months and he had it pretty well perfected."



"What if he made a mistake in the heat of things? Could that have injured him?"



"No. The transport either works or it doesn't. You either transport or you don't."



"So you're thinking someone took him. The same people who had the woman you were trying to rescue?"



"Yeah. That's pretty much it."



"And Jeremiah has no information on these people?"



"Very little."



"Or why they take people?" Mulder asked.



Krycek sighed deeply. "This group takes people because theirs is a dying race. Their population is very small and there have been no natural births for decades. They kidnap human men and women, harvest eggs and sperm and create babies in their labs."



"That doesn't sound too bad."



"Except that after they harvest all they can, they dispose of the victim."



"Hmmmmm." Mulder mused. "That doesn't make much sense. If they kept the human alive they could continue harvesting."



"The victims are given something to massively increase their output and once that's done, it can't be repeated. Then they become 'organ donors'."



There was silence for some time while the both of them ran the thought through their minds that this trip could be for naught; Skinner could already be dead. They both struggled with this grim possibility.



"It's going to be at least another six hours before we reach our destination. I'm going to try and sleep some." Krycek lowered the back of his seat to a reclining position.



"Will you answer one more question first?" Mulder asked.



"Sure; what is it?"



"That photo; can you explain it?"



"I can but you're not going to like it."



"Explain it anyway"



"Walter and I have been living together since he retired."



Mulder stared at him for several seconds before he asked, "There was a woman he left with, I thought …"



"You thought wrong. She's a friend of ours. I was waiting in the limo that day in front of the Hoover. First we sent Evie up to get Walter. Then you and Scully still wouldn't let him go so we sent in Caroline."



"The limo was empty when I got to it … you transported?"



"We did."



There was silence for a bit then Mulder said, "If you had told me all of this in my apartment I wouldn't have believed any of it."



"I know. That's why I had to bring you here."



"Do you really think we can find him?"



"I won't quit until I do." Krycek said before he closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep.