The Hunter

Mulder's return, as predicted by me!

Originally posted early in Season 8

When the spoilers for Mulder's return came out in Season 8, myself and several of my Phile friends started making up stories about how Mulder and Scully's reunion should go. This was my version.

I don't read spoilers anymore.

Savannah, Georgia

The sun was sitting low over the Georgia treetops and slowly sinking when the Hunter finally arrived at his destination. His final destination, he hoped. He had been following his

prey for days now, and he finally felt that this was the night he was to achieve his goal. He could die then, if the powers that be determined it, but not until he found his quarry.

It shouldn't have been this difficult. The Prey usually wasn't moving about so much. For that past week, however, the Prey had been hunting as well, and the trail had finally stopped here, in Savannah. A beautiful town, if one cared about those things. But the Hunter was single minded. He only wanted one thing. And tonight, he was about to get it.

************************************************************

Sunset.

Scully had watched it from the passenger side window. It had been beautiful: orange and red, then purple and blue. Then the first stars had appeared. She had sighed then, and

turned to look at Doggett, who drove the rental car she was riding in. He was looking at her, a slight crease in his forehead. A definite sign of worry, she thought. She gave him a weary smile, then faced the front. They had been in the Savannah area for two days now and had had no luck in their search; a search Doggett hadn't really wanted to take part of in the first place.

Scully smiled to herself again as she recalled how Skinner's eyes had darkened when Doggett had refused vehemently to take her on this trip to the unknown. He had slowly and carefully asked Scully to leave the office, and when Doggett had come out ten minutes later, he had been none too happy. But he had agreed to go with her. Scully had hated the idea of a baby-sitter, but she knew she couldn't go alone. With less than 8 weeks left until the birth of her miracle child, she was not about to take any unnecessary risks. She had

already taken too many in the past. In fact, she had resigned herself to just taking it easy until the birth only a couple of weeks ago. That had been before Theresa Hoese's return. And Mulder's rumored return, as well.

Theresa was still in the hospital, recovering from whatever tortures had been done to her, but she was well enough to tell Scully that Mulder had been returned, too. He had been in better condition, for the testing done on him had long since finished and he had had a chance to recover.

"Where is he?" Scully had demanded.

Theresa had just shaken her head. "He wasn't supposed to be let go. They weren't done with him, yet." The young woman closed her eyes and shuddered. "My guess is he's hiding."

So began Scully's hunt, with the skeptic Doggett by her side. He had been amazed by Theresa's story, and fascinated by her injuries, but he still wasn't convinced aliens had

anything to do with either. He did want to find Mulder. He just wasn't convinced Mulder was out there waiting to be found.

Three days ago, the agents had received a call from the Atlanta Field office about a man fitting Mulder's description who had been arrested at a local night club for disturbing the peace. The man had managed to slip away from the arresting officers before he could be taken 'downtown' and booked. When Scully had asked what he had done to warrant an arrest, the agent had told her the man had been involved in a barroom brawl with several others, resulting in three seriously injured people. Scully couldn't quite see Mulder involved in a barroom brawl, but she decided they better head to Georgia anyway. Once there, another report had come in; Mulder had been spotted at another nightclub, this time in Savannah.

They hadn't found him, but Scully wasn't ready to leave the area. He was here, she was sure of it. Doggett didn't verbally question her knowledge, but he did give her several odd, worried looks now and then; like the one he had just given her. They had spent the day moving from club to club and from bar to bar, showing Mulder's picture around and asking questions. They had gotten enough positive responses that even Doggett had to start believing Mulder really was somewhere nearby.

Dusk had always been Scully's favorite time of day, even in the winter. And when the winter was as mild as it was down here in the American tropics, dusk was still warm. The day hadn't been hot, but the sun had shown brightly on the Georgia coast, and the ground still held its warmth. When Doggett finally pulled to a stop in front of yet another coastal club, Scully jumped out of the car and took a deep breath, enjoying the humid, salty air. Doggett stepped out and closed his door, then turned to look at her over the hood of the car.

"If he ain't here, we're calling it a night."

Scully glared at him. "It's not even 6 o'clock, Agent Doggett. Not even close to my bedtime."

"You're exhausted, Dana." Doggett wasn't giving up yet. "The baby's exhausted. You both need your rest. We've been out and about for days now. Take it easy, will ya?"

Scully sighed. She knew he was right. She was exhausted. This pregnancy had not been easy. She had had more than her fair share of close calls and hospital stays during the past few months. But she felt fine. In fact, she felt great. Just tired. She headed toward the building, already hearing the pounding of the music inside. "Come on, John," she said. She rarely used his first name, but she knew he responded to her better when she called him by it. "Let's check this place out, then find a motel for the night."

He gave her a sharp nod, then followed her into the club.

************************************************************

The Hunter knew the Prey was near; he could feel it. Though he knew it wasn't possible, he almost believed he could smell it. Quickly, on near silent feet, he moved through the crowd, ignoring the press of people, both drunk and sober, that surrounded him. The music was loud, but he didn't hear it. He pushed forward. Then he saw it.

His prey. And someone else. Someone who was bound to cause trouble. The Hunter felt his breath catch in his throat. He was too far away to stop what was about to happen now. But

he could prevent it from getting worse. He moved closer.

************************************************************

The club was packed. The music was so loud that Scully began to fear for the baby's hearing, but she plugged forward, her arms low, around her belly, holding it protectively. Keeping the dancers and party-goers away as best she could. Doggett was close behind her.

He stopped suddenly, grasping her shoulders lightly. "Hey!" he shouted above the music. "Look!"

She looked in the direction Doggett was pointing. A tall, dark-haired man stood there, his back to them. Scully moved in closer, Doggett glued to her. The man was standing with a group of women. They were all laughing and joking with him, flirting outrageously. Scully slowly moved around so she could see his face, though she already recognized his backside. The profile was heartbreakingly familiar as well, and she felt her body tense. Then the baby kicked her. Hard. She winced and glanced down at her belly. When she looked up, Mulder was looking right at her.

He was smiling. But the smile didn't reach his eyes. In fact, nothing reached his eyes. Their hazel depths were empty, bare. Scully stopped breathing. He was looking right at her, but there was no recognition on his face. With sudden clarity, Scully knew what was going on. She reached for her gun, which was hidden under her jacket. Doggett, realizing what she was doing, backed away a bit. "Scully?" She ignored him, for the man she was watching had stopped smiling.

'Mulder' had recognized her. His eyes widened. Then he moved. As quick as a jungle cat, he spun away from Scully and ran through the crowd. Scully finished drawing her gun and followed. "Get him!" she shouted at Doggett.

"What the fuck?!?" Doggett's confused yell echoed behind her, but she knew he too would give chase. And she had no time to explain. She passed the women 'Mulder' had been flirting with, who were now screaming at the sight of Scully's gun, and pushed her way through the dance floor. The beat of the music pounded in her head, making it hurt. She wished it would stop!

'Mulder' was in the back of the building now, and she watched as he rushed through a door marked 'employees only.' Without hesitation, she followed. Blessed quiet followed her through the door. She could still hear the heavy bass of the music, but it wasn't loud. She jogged down the hall, catching glimpses of the man she was chasing now and then. The music behind her got louder for a moment, and she knew Doggett had followed them into the back. Then everything became quiet again.

She rounded a corner and slowed to a walk. Cautious now, she held her weapon at the ready and inched forward. She heard Doggett come up behind her.

"What the hell is going on?" he whispered.

"That wasn't Mulder," she replied just as quietly.

"Then who was it?"

She turned to look at him, a grim smile on her face. "You really want to know?"

Doggett sighed, then shook his head. "No."

Scully faced forward again, then stopped as a loud screeching noise reached her ears.

"Back door!" Doggett exclaimed, and he rushed forward towards the sound. Scully began to follow, then stopped as she felt a tickle run up her back. She turned and looked behind her, but there was no one. With a mental shrug, she set off after Doggett.

************************************************************

The tall man they had been chasing watched Scully follow Doggett away from his hiding place behind the building's furnace. With an evil smile, he inched forward. Now the plan was working. With her here, Mulder would surely come. Then they would have him back.

They had begun their plan just a few days ago. In an attempt to get their most valuable testing subject out of hiding, they had pretended to be him. They knew Mulder would never contact Scully in Washington, but maybe while she was out on assignment, with only her partner keeping her company, he would make an attempt. Getting her out of D.C. hadn't been easy with her baby on the way.

Ah, the baby. Another part of the plan that had worked. But that could wait until its birth. It was fine in its mother's womb for now. Now, they needed its father.

A noise from behind him caught his attention, and he turned sharply. His eyes widened in shock and his body froze. The man behind him smiled, a frighteningly wicked smile, then rose his right arm high. The stiletto he held glinted in the dim light coming from the hallway as it shot downward, straight into the back of 'Mulder's' neck.

************************************************************

The Hunter watched as the alien disintegrated before his eyes. With a nod of approval, he stepped over the green goo that remained and headed for the door that led outside. His prey awaited him on the other side.

************************************************************

Doggett stood in the dark back lot of the club, slowly spinning in a small circle. He stopped, and his eyes met Scully's. "Where the hell did he go?" He sounded absolutely perplexed.

Scully groaned softly, letting her arms drop to her side, and closed her eyes. She let her head fall back and opened her eyes again to look at the stars above her. "Damn," she whispered, frustrated. She looked back over at Doggett and opened her mouth to say something when she felt that tingle on her back again.

Doggett noticed her stiffen and was about to comment when his gaze was drawn to something behind her. The tingle turned into a full-blown shiver and the baby kicked hard

once again. Slowly, holding her breath, she turned.

A man stood in the doorway of the night-club. He was ragged in appearance, wearing a pair of jeans and an old flannel shirt a couple of sizes too large. He was skinny, too skinny, and he needed a shave. In his right hand, he carried an object that looked like an ice pick. It was dripping green fluid.

The baby kicked hard enough to make her wince, and she brought up a hand to try and soothe it. The man's eyes darted down, following the movement of her hand. Then, his eyes rose to meet hers. The fire burning in their hazel depths brought a gasp to Scully's throat. With a soft cry, she dropped the gun and walked toward him, her feet barely feeling the ground below. She was halfway there when he dropped his own weapon. It fell in the dust at his feet, but neither of them paid any attention to it.

He opened his arms and she walked into them, the tears flowing freely now. They weren't the first tears she had shed in the last few months, but they were the first that had arisen from pure joy rather than sorrow or fear. She buried her head in his chest and felt his arms wrap tightly around her. She barely fit against him with her enlarged belly, but she managed. He brought a hand up to stroke her hair, then kissed the top of head.

"Mulder," she whispered. "Oh, Mulder." She could find no other words. But the ones she spoke were enough.

************************************************************

The Hunter had found his prey. He held her in his arms, right where she belonged. He breathed in her scent. He kissed her hair, loving the feel of the strands beneath his lips. He felt the baby...their baby...move, and wondered fleetingly if it hurt her. He had thought for the last several months that once he reached this point he would be content to die. He knew that wasn't true anymore.

Scully needed him. Maybe she would never say it. Maybe she would never admit to needing anyone, but he knew it was true. She, and the baby, needed him. He couldn't go back to the ship. Hell, he never should have gone in the first place. And he couldn't let himself die. He had far too much to live for. It wouldn't be easy, but he knew that there were people who could help him. One was standing near right now, watching them with a confused and worried look on his face. This Doggett could be trusted...to a point. And Skinner would help as much as he could. And the Gunmen. Danny. Even Burkes. He wasn't alone.

As long as he had Scully, he would never be alone.

He leaned back slightly, looking down at the woman in his arms. He had known she was pregnant. 'They' had told him. It had added to his torture, knowing he couldn't be there to see the baby grow inside its mother's womb. But it had also given him hope; hope that through Scully's miracle, other miracles could follow.

She looked up at him. In her eyes, he saw thousands of questions, and they would be answered. But not now. Not yet.

He lowered his head, his lips centimeters away from hers. "I missed you, Scully," he whispered. He felt her smile and watched as another tear slid slowly down her cheek. He lowered his head that final bit and kissed her. Softly, at first. Chastely. Like he had on New Year's. But then he let his tongue slide out and touch her lower lip slightly. She breathed in sharply, and let her mouth open under his. He opened his own mouth, bringing his tongue into full contact with hers, seducing her with his mouth. He brought his hands

down to sweep them along her belly. She sighed and gripped his shoulders tighter. Her tongue continued its duel with his for a while, then she pulled back, smiling up at him.

"Welcome home, Mulder."

He smiled back at her, then lowered his head to kiss her again. She met him halfway.

************************************************************

Special Agent John Doggett stood in the back lot of a Savannah, Georgia nightclub and watched while his pregnant partner kissed the missing Agent Mulder...passionately. He should have known that was the way it was between those two, but he had never really been able to picture the cool Ice Queen Scully and Spooky Mulder intimate. Well, he could picture it now. In fact, he WAS picturing it now! He should be embarrassed, but he really wasn't. If anything, he was relieved. Scully deserved to be happy, and he had always known that finding Mulder would make her happy. Not that he didn't have a hell of a lot of questions; he did. But they could wait.

Ever since Doggett had started working on the X-files, life had been very interesting. Now that Mulder was back, he had a feeling it was going to be even more so.

Let the adventure begin.

THE END

How do you define normal?