What's worst than not seeing your attacker? Not being able to scream. Mad Visions "Are you coming over tonight Mulder?" Mulder looked up at his partner and smiled. His eyes floating to the sparkling diamond engagement ring he gave her 2 weeks ago, His lover, his fiancee. They set the date for next week Friday, one more week and she'd be his. He'd been moving his stuff in all this week, one more box of it in his car and it would be official. "Yeah I got one more Box to move in, Where you going?" "Skinner's office to drop off this report. Meet you at the car." Scully said kissing him lightly on the lips. "Love you" "Love you too Scully". Mulder watched her leave, one of his favorite past times, then closed his briefcase. He walked to his car smiling to himself, imaging all the things he was going to do to Scully when they got home. He put the key in the lock and twisted, then a sharp pain ripped through his shoulder. It ripped down his back and pulled out. Mulder turned and looked into a Hockey mask. This is a joke a Really Bad joke, he thought till he saw the long blade dripping with his own blood. "Now that I have your attention" the deep strangely appealing British voice said as its owner kicked Mulder in the groin. Mulder doubled over in pain and shock. " Help! Help! Scully Help!!" " She can't hear you and I 'm going to make sure of that right now, Fox." Mulder watched the blade come to his throat and he grabbed at his attackers arm. This infuriated the man and he backhanded Mulder with unparalleled strength. He proceeded to throttle Mulder into submission with a black club he pulled out of his belt. He stopped for a moment tired by the expenditure of strength, and Mulder limply tried to get away, he screamed for help, for Scully. " Mulder" was the response and the fast foot falls of Scully in heels. " Now you've done it. Take one good last look Fox. You will never see her again." His attacker gripped his hair and pulled his head up. Scully was running towards him, desperate and beautiful, her Sig drawn, trying to get within shooting range. Then the attacker dug the blade into Mulder's throat slashing it from ear to ear. Mulder's eyes bucked wide from the pain and shock, just in time to get an eye full of some fluid the attacker had on the ground. It burned like fire and Mulder tried to scream but no sound came out, making him even more frantic. " Enjoy your wedding present" the attacker said getting a last kick in before running off. Scully shot twice in his direction and was getting ready to put a burst of speed on to over take him, when she saw Mulder writhing on the ground in a pool of his own blood. She went into doctor mode, whipping out her cellphone and calling an ambulance and then calling Skinner. Scully knelt down to survey the damage, probably just a badly broken nose or something, she thought. She gasped when she saw his throat gaping wide, the inner workings exposed for all to see. Unconsciously she thought, so that's what it looks like before checking out the wound. The blood wasn't spurting out which was a good sign, he didn't hit a major artery. Mulder was gasping for air and trying to speak and constantly pawing at his eyes in obvious pain. She looked at his eyes, an oily substance was in them and it was fizzing, like some sort of acid. She laid Mulder on his back and opened her purse, thank god she didn't drink her water today, she thought as she squeezed it in Mulder's eyes flushing the chemical out of them. She reached her free hand into her bag and pulled out a straw and stuck it down his exposed trachea. This eased Mulder's breathing somewhat. Two minutes later, Skinner and the paramedics came around the corner, and Scully took control "His name is Special Agent Fox Mulder. He was beaten and has had an oily Chemical thrown in his eyes. His trachea was cut but no major arteries were hit. He's been in shock for about 5 minutes. What hospital are you taking him to?" " Georgetown Medical Center, Thank you ma'am" Scully still a little shaky grabbed the keys out of the door and started Mulder's car. "Agent Scully . . ." "I'm fine Sir, meet me at the hospital and call my mother." Scully said following the ambulance. Scully paced the floor, they hadn't come out with a report in over 3 hrs. She was about to bust in there and see for herself what was going on. She knew something was wrong. Skinner worried asked, "Agent Scully, please sit down." " Sorry sir I can't. I need to do something I need to stay under control till I know what's going on." Scully stopped pacing when she saw the operating room door open. The doctor looked flustered, haggard, defeated. " Ms. Scully. We've tried everything to repair the damage. I must say, if you hadn't administered the aid you did at the scene, it would have been a lot worse. That was very impressive the straw thing. Where did you learn that?" " Watching a movie. Get to the point, what's wrong? I know it's something." The doctor liked Scully, and not because she was a fellow doctor. She admired her courage and strength, her control, her straightforwardness. Any other woman wouldn't have thought to dig in her purse and stuff a straw down a person with Agent Mulder's injuries to help him breath. Not to mention the fact that she was an extraordinarily beautiful woman. Even covered in her partner's blood, she was beautiful. " What I'm trying to say is, Agent Mulder will not have his full eye sight or speech ability back. The Chemical completely destroyed his eye. The chemical corroded his cornea, retina, lens, pupil, the ciliary body, though strangely the Iris was not damaged. The knife wound to the neck completely severed his larynx in two he reattached it as good as possible but I doubt Agent Mulder will ever be able to speak again and if he does, and that's a strong if, it will only be in a whisper. We're moving him to ICU you will be able to see him there. Your listed as his next of kin and durable power of attorney so, I'm having a recliner moved in for you to sleep on, and some fresh scrubs for you to change into." Scully looked down at her clothing. She was so concerned about Mulder, she had forgotten she was covered in his blood. " Thank you Doctor. Thank you for being honest with me." The Doctor nodded and led her to the women's locker room. In the shower, Scully rolled over the events of the day. Seeing the attacker running, Mulder on the ground, the gash in his neck, his scared eyes burning. The last words the attacker said to him " Enjoy your wedding present." They'd have to postpone the wedding, she needed to get the stuff out of his trunk into her place. Would she have been attacked if she was with Mulder or was he just after Mulder? she thought as she exited the shower. A fresh pair of Scrubs and underwear were on the bench waiting for her. The locker room door opened and a soft familiar voice came around the corner. " Dana? Dana honey? Are you still in here sweetie?" " Mom?" Why does my voice sound so weak? You need to be strong now. It's hard but you need to suck it up. Mulder needs you to be strong. The tears began to fall and Scully angrily brushed them away. Cry baby, pull it together. Her mother come and hugged her and Scully lost all control sobbing uncontrollably in her mothers' arms. Next day 3 p.m. Mulder opened his eyes and saw only darkness. " Scully, turn on the light" he said, well he thought he said it, he definitely didn't hear it. Where is she? He felt for her beside him. He tried louder, still nothing. What's going on? Is this a dream? Mulder groped blindly for Scully. Scully heard something clatter to the floor and woke up. She watched Mulder flail helplessly, then went to him, petting his hair and softly saying " Mulder, Hey. How you feel?" " Horrible, I can't see and I can't hear myself speak." Mulder thought he said. Scully watched Mulder trying to speak futilely. She hadn't wanted to tell him this soon, but he needed to know, he must be confused. " Mulder I have to tell you something. Please don't react until I'm finished. When the attacker slashed your throat, he severed your larynx and trachea. They were able to repair the damage, but you may never be able to speak again and if you do, it may only be in a whisper. It's dark to you because you have a bandage over your eyes. Your attacker splashed sulfuric acid in your eyes. I was able to flush most of it out at the scene but the damage was already done. Most of the structures in your eyes were destroyed. They have referred me to an eye surgeon who could help after your eyes have healed. But even then the most they think you will see are forms and shadows." Mulder slammed his fist into the mattress and his face contorted in pain. He turned his head towards her. I'll never see you again, he was right about that. Mulder could only imagine what she looked liked now, her fiery hair disheveled from sleep, her blue eyes looking at him with concern. Those lips pursed or would they be smiling, hopeful. He reached his hand towards the direction her voice came from. Scully grabbed it in hers, "What Mulder? What do you want?" I want to see you, just one more time, he thought as he moved his hand to her face, then bringing his other up to her face he felt her hair, the shape of her face, the broad forehead and perfect almond shaped eyes with the long lashes, her fine nose and imagined the freckles tracing it, then ending with the lips curled into a closed lipped smile. So full and ready for a kiss. He pulled her towards his mouth and caressed her lips with his. I love you Scully, and I'll never see you again. I'll never see the look in your eye when I call your name, or kiss you, touch you, the rare smiles, and look of absolute pleasure and enjoyment when we make love. Mulder released her from his embrace with a heavy sigh. He wasn't a complete man anymore, he never deserved a woman like Scully in the first place and now even less so. I should set her free but I can't live without her. As the weeks passed, the bruises on Mulder's body went away and his wounds healed. He adjusted to not being able to see and found that his other senses compensated admirably. He could tell the doctors were amazed but his greatest compliment was Scully saying she was proud of him. He had mastered braille in a few hours and Scully had bought him a number of books to read. He practiced with the speech therapist everyday and the day finally came that a whisper issued from his mouth. It was better than nothing he thought, and as Scully put it " At least I get to hear that sexy whisper all the time." Scully made sure he was given a sleeping pill every night, so he could sleep. She knew it was only a matter of time before the nightmares started, and she preferred him to have them at home instead of the hospital. She knew they would just sedate him or worse restrain him and put him in the psyche ward. He went to physical therapy every day in order to get used to walking with a cane and adjust his other reflexes; and occupational therapy in order to learn to do other fine motor skills. After 6 weeks in the hospital, the bandages on his eyes were coming off, Scully was apprehensive about it to say the least. How would he react when it finally donned on him that he was truly blind? The nurse on the physical therapy floor waved at her as she came in, Pearl or Pam was her name, Scully tried to remember. She looked at the woman's name tag, Pam. She was grinning ear to ear, oh boy what has wonder boy done now, she thought. " For some one so adverse to the idea, he has adapted so well to his blindness. You would never know he was blind unless you asked. You must be so proud of him. You should see him, he's playing catch with the therapist." Catch? This I gotta see Scully thought following the eager nurse. The therapist waved at Scully then threw the ball to Mulder at a slight curve. Mulder thrust out his arm catching the ball quickly, then threw it back to the therapist. Then he caught her scent, popcorn and cotton candy, and turned in her direction. The therapist threw the ball again, not noticing Mulder wasn't looking. Mulder's hand flew up and caught it midair, inches from his face and held it in his hand rolling it between his fingers. Scully wondered if the irises of his devastatingly handsome greenish hazel eyes were bleached out by the acid. He smiled and threw the ball to her. " I told you not to use the Force recklessly, Mulder" Mulder snorted and said " Sorry could resist. You're here early Scully. Am I all signed out and ready to go?" " Looks like it. They just need to take the bandages off. I got all your stuff in the car." Scully said ruffling his hair playfully and handing the ball back to the stunned therapist. "Come on lets get out of here. The quicker we get that thing off, the quicker we can go get some real food." " Oh yeah, lets go. There having that Chicken ala king gruel again today." then to the therapist " Later doc, and work on that curve ball some more, you hook it a little too much when you release it." The Therapist just stood there and watched her greatest therapy achievement pass through the door. " Alright Agent Mulder, here we go." It seemed like an eternity for the bandage to be unwound and the pads to be removed. Mulder blinked a couple of times and opened his eyes wide. Nothing just as dark as it was before. " Mulder, Mulder look at me. What do you see?" " Ahh it's a miracle!!" Mulder whispered sarcastically, which was greeted by a playful slap in the chest. Scully smiled, he's taking it well. It's amazing that his eye color stayed in tack while everything else was burned away. " Seriously I do see a little movement." " How about now? What do you see?" The doctor asked waving his hand back and forth in front of his face. " I see something moving left to right." the doctor nodded and then said " He seems to see motion but nothing clearly. Agent Mulder, if you would like, I could get you on the waiting list for a seeing eye dog." Seeing eye dog? I'm officially blind when they offer the dog, he thought. " Sure Doc, can I go now or what?" " Yes you may go. Do you have a place to stay." " No, I live in my office." Sarcasm dripping from that comment. The doctor closed his eyes and smiled. Goodbye Agent Mulder. Mulder waited by the door to be let in, and realized he didn't know her apartment as well as his. He hoped she had nothing fragile around or there would be problems. " Excuse me Mulder," Scully said her arms full of various bags and groceries. " Here open the door for me my hands are full." She put the key to the door in his hand, Mulder felt for the door knob, after two tries he got the key in and opened the door. He stepped inside and waved his cane around searching for a place to sit down and out of the way. Once every thing was in the house, Scully shut the door and grabbed Mulder's hand. " Come on, you can help put the groceries away." Mulder dropped his cane and followed Scully. She opened the fridge and handed Mulder the milk. " Top shelf" she said and watched him figure it out. She knew if she tried to guide his hand he'd get upset. He maybe blind but he's not helpless, he'd say. He crouched down touching each shelf getting familiar with the layout of the fridge, then he put the milk away. She thought of ways to make it easier for him to know what was what in the cabinets, and in the fridge, while they put away groceries. It feels so strange, he's just the same but then he's not. She realized that every time she saw the horrible scar from ear to ear on his throat. He's lucky just to be alive, to be here putting groceries away in our apartment. When everything was put away, Scully left him to get familiar with the kitchen while she put his things away in their room. Their Room, she said to herself again. She'd have to get used to using they. After dinner we need to talk about the wedding, she thought, he may want to delay it. " Ah dang it!!" she heard Mulder hiss in the kitchen, which was the equivalent of a yell for him. Scully rushed out to see what happened. Mulder had cut himself on a knife and was running cold water on the wound. " Here let me see." Scully said softly, not a bad cut she thought, Band-aid should do it. As she put it on Mulder said " Maybe you could label stuff for me till I get accustomed to where things are." Scully smiled at him, he seemed so calm about this. Did they switch his personality too? Give him a dose of self confidence in the OR?? "Sure, I got a brailles label maker, you want to make them while I finish putting things away?" Mulder nodded and smiled " You think of everything Scully. Scully?" The last one had an uncomfortable edge to it that unnerved Scully. 'What Mulder?" " I still love you Scully, you know that right? I still want to marry you if you'll have me." Scully gave him a bear hug and said " I know Mulder, well talk about that later ok?" Mulder nodded and sat at the kitchen table typing up labels, while Scully finished moving stuff around, hiding fragile items and securing sharp things. 6pm Mulder had finished typing up the labels and was waiting ever so patiently for them to print out. Why am I so calm, patient, at ease with this situation? I guess this experience humbled me in a way I've never been before. I guess I'm actually starting to appreciate my life, and trying to live it to the fullest extent possible. He caught her cotton candy scent before he heard her. She sat down heavily, must be tiring to have to do everything, Mulder thought, she probably hasn't been sleeping well either, hunting for the man who did this to me. Her own personal quest. "Mulder what do you feel like eating?" " Chinese, pizza, KFC anything!" Mulder whispered enthusiastically. Then his mood changed suddenly. " Can we talk now?" Scully took a double take, and looked into his unseeing eyes that were focused just past her. She reached across the table and held his hand. " Sure Mulder we can talk now. If your comfortable with it, we could get married anytime you want." " Really?? How about Tomorrow?" Scully giggled, then said " Uh not tomorrow, I got an all day meeting with Skinner. How about Friday?" "One day? I have to wait one whole day?" Scully beamed at him, yep her Mulder was definitely back. " Good. I've already made the arrangement. You haven''t lost or gained a lot of weight so your tux should fit just fine." " Well thank you for letting me know about the wedding Friday. " Then changing subjects quickly " When can I go back to work?" Scully's smile faded, oh boy, here we go. " Skinner wanted to talk to you about that." "Why?' " He thinks, umm, maybe since you . . " " He wants to bench me doesn't he? Scully . ." " I told him not to, that you could still help me, he's considering it." " So that's what you meeting tomorrow about?" "yeah, Don't worry Mulder I won't let him bench you with out a fight." Scully leaned in and kissed him softly. Mulder broke the kiss and moved over next to Scully and embraced her with his lips again. His hands traveled down to her waist and she threw her arms around his neck. Mulder broke the kiss again and placed his head on her chest. " I want to see you Scully, I want to see you so bad." Mulder said. Scully cupped his face in her hands and brought it up to hers. Tears brimmed in his sightless eyes and Scully brushed them away. " I think we need Chinese and a movie. Attack of the 50 foot woman or the Wasp Woman?" Mulder smiled " The Wasp woman, just don't bring any carbonic acid with you" Scully laughed as she picked up the phone to order. After the movie 12:30 am Scully turned of the TV and wondered how she was going to get a comatose Mulder off her lap and into bed. She hated to wake him though so she lifted his head carefully, then placing a pillow under it quickly. She examined her handy work for a second then padded off to bed. 3am The knife rips through his throat and down his chest gutting him like a pig while is attacker howled with pleasure his blue eyes gleaming " Scully! Scully help!" Mulder hissed as he woke up heart racing from his nightmare. Where is she? Where am I? Couch, he though as he got up and stumbled into her bedroom he hoped. Mulder caught her scent, daisies and dandelions and knew he had made the right choice. He found the bed and felt lightly for the unoccupied side and climbed in, the added warmth and the noisy entrance making Scully. She turned to see post nightmare Mulder as she called the look, face red and sweaty, erratic breathing, thumb planted securely in mouth. " What happened?" Mulder shook his head no and opened his arms, she rolled into them and held him tightly. ' I love you Mulder" she said kissing his chest through his shirt. Mulder petted her hair playing with it till he felt her slow even breaths denoting she was asleep. " I love you too Scully, I'm sorry I'm not the man I used to be, but I'm trying." Mulder whispered and settled in for the night. Recovery-what if the only way you could see was through the eyes of your attacker? Next day-Afternoon Mulder woke up on the couch from his nap. Scully had installed some software on the computer last night so he could use it a little better. He had to look even though she told him not to till she got back. He was tried of TV, plus his soaps had gone off. He wandered over to the office and turned it on. " Hello is this Mulder or Scully" the computer said. " Mulder" nice voice activated " Hello Mulder, where do you want to go today?" Mulder laughed at the blatant Microsoft rip off and responded. ' Check my email" the computer started clicking to bring it up ' You've got mail from Agent Scully, it says I told you not to turn the computer on until I get back, but since you never listen to me anyway I'm not surprised. Skinner said ok, but you are not to carry a weapon. You can keep your investigative powers and everything else but no more raids, drug bust, or chasing down vampires in dark woods. Now on a lighter note, Skinner said he'd be your best man and I have reserved a cottage on the beach at Honolulu. Yes the one in Hawaii. You look so pale, you need a tan. So pack for hot weather, the red Speedo especially. I love you" Hawaii nice choice I wonder how long, I wonder how Scully go Skinner to agree to it. He smirked, oh please Scully could convince Skinner to lay eggs if she wanted to. I think he has a crush on her strange but . . The phone rang jarring Mulder's train of thought as he followed the rings to it. ' Mulder" " Hey it's me your going to need a nice suit." "Why" "We got to go to a dinner tonight." " Why" "Well Skinner asked me to go in his place in exchange for . . " ' Me coming back to work, he's really that easy?" " Hey what can I say I'm good." ' You sure are, I'll be ready where ever you come and get me" " oh Mulder" lets put wonder boy to the test" Could you pullout my green silk dress and the matching shoes?" " Sure what material are the shoes?" " Satin" " Alright later" 6 p.m. Scully walked in the door, Mulder was dressed in a nice gray suit, light blue shirt and reddish tie combo. One thing she like about his blindness and his inability to successfully argue back was that she got to pick out all his clothes. She weeded out all those garish ties and replaced them with some subdued colors. She matched up suits and ties and hung them up so all he had to do was pick one and put it on. " Hey did you get the dress out for me?" " Yeah on your closet door." Mulder said engrossed in the news. Scully walked into the bedroom and froze, WOW he got it right! "I know what silk and satin feel like" Mulder said hearing no movement. " yeah but the color?" " I guessed, hurry up the quicker we get there the quicker we can leave." " Not tonight. Skinner was the host which means . ." ' That we have to be there all night." " Exactly. Sorry Babe. I'll bring a book for you in my purse if you want." " Or you'll just have to dance with me all night." " Now that sounds good G-Man" 7pm the ball room Scully stepped out of the car and Mulder reached for her hand as the stepped into the ball room She hoped no one would have the bad taste to make fun of him. People stopped to stare at Mulder when they came in. Most of them hadn't seen him since the attack though the news spread like wildfire about what happened. Blind Spooky. Scully turned to look at Mulder who still had his sunglasses on. " Mulder were inside now." " Oh forgot." Mulder said taking them off and tucking them in his inner jacket pocket. Agent after Agent came up to Mulder to get a look and say hi then Agent Tom Colton came " Dana and Spooky didn't know you'd be here." " Knew you were here could smell you from across the room" Mulder said shocking Colton. " I thought he couldn't speak." " Nope just blind." Mulder said turning slightly to indicate he was done talking. Colton grabbed Scully's shoulder and turned her " So would you like to dance later since Spooks here . ." Mulder grabbed Colton's arm and pushed it off Scully " Look but don't touch." The Testosterone flaring, Scully decided to break them up quickly " Come on Mulder I need to get ready." " Ready for what?" Colton pried Scully said sharply " While you were busy climbing peoples backs to the top. I was dong my work like a good little gent and got to be host tonight instead of Skinner. Excuse me Colton." Colton's jaw dropped as they walked away. 11:30 p.m. After 2 hours of being bored to death Scully took up Mulder's offer and danced with him most of the night. As they left Scully allowed herself the liberty of thinking, that was a great evening and it's one of the first that Mulder didn't get in a fist fight with anyone. At that moment a drunken Colton, came and grabbed Scully gruffly by the waist. "Hey how about a dance with a man who can see you in his arms." Mulder stopped when he felt Scully jerked from his grasp, momentarily out of sorts. Scully was infuriated by the lack of respect " Let go of me Colton right now." " Or what you'll sic the Spookster on me??" Mulder's hand thrust out and pushed Colton off her ' She said let go" Colton surprised by the precise movement, but tickled at Mulder's whisper said "What Mulder? I couldn't hear you. Speak up." A few chuckles came out of the forming crowd and Scully saw Mulder go ridged. Please no Mulder, Please don't. Mulder took a deep breath and hissed " You heard me Colton I said leave her alone.' " No actually I didn't. What's wrong can't speak? Cat got your tongue? Looks like he had a field day with your neck." Before Scully could stop him, Mulder had stepped forward and pushed Colton hard. Colton fell to the side, Mulder kept looking in front of him. Colton was surprised by the attack but amused that Mulder wasn't looking at him. " Hey spooky, over here what's wrong blind too?' Mulder honed in on his position and grabbed his jacket and had his fist headed towards his face when Scully caught his arm. " Come on Mulder lets go." Mulder dropped Colton heavily and grabbed scully's hand. Peels of laughter spilled from those gathered as Scully said " Gee for a blind guy you were going to really whip his tail Mulder." Mulder was silent the entire trip home, Inside he plopped down on the bed and buried his head in a pillow. " I'm sorry Scully" " What for, If you hadn't reacted I would have. And it would have been much worse I'm armed." Mulder smiled weakly and said " I let you down. I embarrassed you. It was your night, everything was going so well for you and I ruined it by losing my temper." " Mulder it wasn't your fault." He fell back on the bed tears rolling down his cheeks and she knew this wasn't about the fight. It was about his blindness and his limited speaking ability, his inability to fix his problems. His feeling of inadequacy . No amount of words would correct it either. Saturday Hawaii Mulder walked out on the beach and let the wind thrash him. He took a deep breath of the sea and basked in the remaining sunlight. Scully watched him from the porch of the cottage till she was interrupted by her cell phone. " Scully" " Agent Scully sorry to interrupt but I had some good news about Mulder's attacker." " Really tell me" "We traced the sulfuric acid to a steel producing plant we were checking for any one familiar, anyone who didn't report to work , but then we had another lead come up. " A former profiler named John wolf about 50 or so now. Great profiler like Mulder but he went a little crazy, started imitating the criminals he profiled had to put him away. He was paroled about 5 months ago were checking to see if he worked in the steel plant." " Let me guess Mulder did the profile that caught him" " His first big case. Set him up as one of the premier profilers. If he was truly the attacker, he probably didn't mean to let him live. The throat slash was his signature and usually the cause of death. " Then why would he blind him if he wasn't gong to be around to ID him?" " Sadistic? I don't know just thought you'd like to know. Have fun and see you in two weeks." " Thank you sir." She hung up and jumped when she turned and saw Mulder behind her. " Hey what did Skinner want?" " Uh to tell me that they have a possible lead on the guy who attacked you." " Cool come on I want to show you something." " Mulder you heard what I said right?" " Yeah, but this is our honeymoon, no work, no revenge just you and me. Now come on." He pulled her back to the beach. " What am I looking at Mulder?" Mulder pointed at what appeared to be a volcano eruption. " What's that? Is it fireworks? I see a lot of Movement." Mulder wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck "No, its looks like a volcano eruption." " I always wanted to see one live. In person. Describe it like Hemingway." Trying to sound like Nicolas Cage in City of Angels. She sighed and described it the colors, the heat the movement the sounds. Mulder imagined it as she spoke " How's that?' " Perfect." Mulder said turning Scully and kissing her hungrily. Back in their bedroom, Mulder touched every part of Scully's naked body, drawing a picture in his mind of how she looked with his fingers. He bent to kiss her, his lips tracing where his fingers had just been then he saw a flash of red. What was that? He wasn't curious enough to stop and see. As they made love, Mulder felt like he was watching from across the room but not actually participating. As the post coital bliss engulfed him and he laid there with Scully in his arms he knew something was wrong. He was still watching fro. across the room, Watching which was something wrong all in its' self. They were spooned together against the satin sheets nuzzling and shifting into comfortable positions for the night. Where were these images coming from? Not that he didn't mind seeing Scully again, he rather enjoyed it, but how where these images getting transmitted to him so clearly as if he were watching them first hand? John Wolf stood in there bedroom totally undetected by them. Do you see what I see Little Fox? Enjoying it? You've always wanted to be in my head, now I've given you the chance. To see the world through my eyes, can you handle it Fox, are you man enough? 3 weeks later Hoover building 11am " Ok Mulder, tell us your theory then" Said the exasperated agent Jackson " From the way his writes this guy is either a literature professor or a literary enthusiast he believes he is invincible, he believes he's clever. He's stealing some of the best murders from the best novels. Your looking for an ordinary looking man with one distinguishing feature, he has a long deep scar running down his face." Loud, shocked, and disbelieving breaths and murmurs came from the ten assembled agents. " What?? How do you know that?" " He wrote that he like Ahab was struck by the devils fire. Ahab had a long deep scar across his face. So does this man. Now go get him." Mulder said standing and whipping out his cane, narrowly missing Agent Jackson's head who had stooped to tie his shoe. "Sorry Jackson, guess I should watch where I'm going" Mulder said smiling as he walked out of the VCS conference room leaving ten confused murmuring agents. I'm good Mulder thought he had dazzlingly profiled 6 new cases. This consulting stuff wasn't half bad especially when you really are seeing the murderers. Boy how would that sound. I had a dream and it revealed the Murderer's face to me, only it wasn't a dream and it happened while I was wide awake. Spooky, plus a few expletives and a call to the psychiatric hospital would be his answer. As he walked down the crowded hall , images of people passing him, smiling at him, nodding at him " Mulder" he caught her scent as she came jogging towards him the black power suit with the 3/4 length jacket and Black turtle neck, his personal favorite, then everything was gone. Mulder stopped suddenly to regain his bearings and balance. Scully touched his arm lightly " Hey Mulder come on got something to show you." Mulder followed slowly still out of sorts " Something wrong Mulder? Not feeling well?" She held his hand lightly as the walked to the basement. Something smelled different a sweet smell over a more animal-like one. " What's in here?" " Kaja, your new German Shepard seeing eye dog. Delivered direct to work." "Who else is here?" Scully smiled sharp little bastard aren't we? "The trainer, you need to train with him for a week then take a test and then Kaja is yours." Mulder kneeled down and Kaja came to him sniffed him tentatively then gave him a long lick on the cheek. Well at least she likes me. " She's taking to you well. Last guy she bit, Names Kit lane. I'll be helping you train." The man said in a deep voice with a slight British accent. The voice was familiar to Mulder but he couldn't place it. John Wolf smiled when he saw the confusion on Mulder's face. He knows my voice, it sounds familiar, the look on his face when he remembers who I am will be priceless. When I finally get his trust and get him alone, I can finish what I started. One week later Tuesday 7:30 a.m. Kaja nudged Mulder's hand and he shued her away. She was persistent and finally smacked him in the face with one of her big paws. Mulder got up with a start. ' I'm up I'm up. Geez, your worse than Scully." Scully turned opened one eye glared at him then turned back over. He felt her move and the cold of her icy stare, oops bad mood Scully, not his favorite side of her. She came in at 5 this morning. They had tracked down John Wolf, only to find out he was gone. She spent all last night and this morning trying to track his movements. He was still in the city and they had plenty of men canvassing the city for him. They were searching the FBI database for his picture they'd call when they found it. He wanted to wake her and talk the nervousness out of him. It was the final test for him and Kaja, then she'd be his. Then he'd be rid of Kit, nice guy, but he gives me the creeps. It's his voice, there was something too familiar about it, he'd been trying to place it all week but couldn't. Scully liked him and trusted him and Scully's a great judge of character. She wouldn't leave me with someone she didn't have the strictest confidence in. So protective, like its her fault, like she has to make it right by making me safe. Mulder showered and changed and was eating breakfast when Kit came in. " Hey, don't lock your doors anymore?" " Hey, no Scully had a late night didn't want you to wake her up. Ready??" " Whenever you are. Were going to walk into the city then take a cab back ok? Well be gone most of the day." " Ok I'll leave Scully a note and we can go." Kit smiled, god this is too easy. Mulder finished the note and taped it to the fridge when he saw himself turn then it went black. Oh man not this, not now. Mulder thought as he grabbed Kaja's harness and headed out the door. 11:00 am Scully shifted a little when the phone rang. She growled into the phone "Scully" " Agent Scully, this is Skinner we think we have a picture, come up here quickly so we can decide out next course of action." " Ok I'll be right there." She sat up and looked over at Mulder's side of the bed. Where is he?? Oh yeah final test day today. She showered and changed and went to make some coffee and grabbed Mulder's hand written note off the fridge. Scully Wish me luck. Hopefully I come back in one piece tonight. We are walking downtown and taking a cab back will call you on the way back. Love you and I have my cellphone if you need me. Love Mulder She smiled and checked her watch then forgot about the coffee and got in her car. She had to see what this Wolf guy looked like so she could figure out where to put the bullet. 12:00 am. We'll make a left up here Fox" " Okay" Mulder tried to turn left and Kaja stopped him. " What Kaja ? Left" He tried again and she stopped him he flipped out his cane to see what the problem was "Oh a ditch good job Kaja." Mulder said petting the dog appreciatively. They continued on and Mulder saw a BMW flash by he stopped suddenly. Kit stopped, acting confused by the action, he asked " you okay Fox?" " Yeah fine BMW Z3, Pearl white, tan top my favorite." Kit snorted and continued walking. Mulder started walking again then he saw Scully scared, running towards him, himself in a pool of blood. His accident, what is triggering this? " Turn right at the corner." Kit's voice sounded strange. Mulder stiffened it was so . . . Oh God. Mulder's feet hit gravel as he realized who Kit really was. " This is not the side walk. Where are we going?" " On a little off road excursion. What's wrong Fox? Scared to go?"" The images of himself back in VCS flashed in his mind an older profiler saying those same words. John Wolf. Oh my G . . Where's Scully.?" Mulder took a few steps and stopped, he saw an abandoned airplane hangar. "Why are we here?" " I thought you were open to extreme possibilities, say have you liked what you've seen or do you want to see more?" Mulder whipped around, he's sending these visions to me, he thought then he felt a blow to the back of his head and he fell unconscious. Same time across town FBI Head quarters " Ok Punch me up" " Here he is John Wolf one of the best Pro . . ." " Oh my god it's Kit!!!" " Who?" " Kit! Mulder's seeing eye dog trainer. I left him with Mulder!!" Scully took a deep breath, mentally kicking herself for trusting him so quickly and completely. " They're walking to the city and supposedly taking a cab back. Dang I don't believe I left him with the man who did this to him. We have to find him now!" " How?" " His cell phone. Mulder has his cellphone with him. Simmons!!!!" " Yes ma'am" Simmons said jolted awake by her scream. " Can you pinpoint Agent Mulder's exact location if I gave you his cellphone number, without calling the phone?" Simmons nodded and started clicking away on his computer. " I just hope I'm not too late, again. " Scully said under her breath. It seemed like an eternity till Simmons cackled with joy " Got it, they're at the A9 airplane hangar, west Georgetown." Simmons said handing Scully a print out of the location as she ran out the door. Mulder regained consciousness and felt a trickle of blood rundown his face and a cold burst of air hit his chest and legs. He tried to move and he felt rough ropes tear into his skin. Great! Tied up and half naked with a madman. What happened to trust no one Mulder? Did that go out the window after your eyesight?? " Now to pick up where we left off." John whipped around his homemade cat 'o nine tails testing it on the dirt floor. Mulder flinched with each whip and lash he heard. Oh Help!! The first lash bit into the soft skin of his belly and Mulder gasped. His silent scream tickled John who lashed faster and harder working himself up into a frenzy. Mulder knew it was futile for him to scream and only irritated what little voice he had, but he couldn't stop. He felt blood pooling in his mouth, and his flesh being torn and he knew he was going to die. " Scully help!" he whispered " She can't save you now, like she couldn't save you then. Now for the finishing touch. I want you to see this Mulder." Mulder saw himself, a bloody mess. His arms tied around a pole, flesh ribboned and his hair matted from his sprayed blood, some of the wounds on his legs already looked infected. The knife, the knife from his dreams, gleamed in his eyes reflecting John's image came towards him throat. He smiled devilishly and put the knife at Mulder's throat quickly and watched the blade dig into his healed slash wound. Mulder whispered what he thought were his last words " I love you Scully" then he picked up her scent before he heard her, sunflowers and daffodils. " I love you too Mulder" Johns turned quickly and face an angry Scully and her cocked Sig Sauer P250. John smiled and put more pressure on the knife. Mulder's air supply was cutoff and he gasped. Scully pulled the trigger leaving a 2 centimeter hole between John Wolf's eyes. He feel heavily to the ground, the knife released from his grip. " Yeah, that was a good spot." Scully said before checking on Mulder. His throat was cut but not like before, he could still breath and whisper. " Scully, Scully?" Mulder gasped between frightened breaths " Yes Mulder don't worry we'll get you to the hospital." the to the other agents, " get a stretcher over here now!" Mulder touched her arm and she turned back to him "What Mulder?" " Scully, Did I pass?" Epilogue-6 months later " Mulder what's it going to be tonight, ultimate relaxation or vibrance." Mulder really enjoyed his "therapeutic" baths. Ever since the Cat o' nine tails/John Wolf incident, his physical therapist suggested a therapeutic bath every night. About 40% of his muscles were severely torn and it helped with the pain . Scully seemed to enjoy this more than him if that was even possible. Any excuse to buy extra bath oils and aroma therapy items was okay with her. As Mulder eased into the hot bath with Scully, he smiled ultimate relaxation good choice. " So what's on the docket for tonight, Mulder?" " I was thinking of some MST3K and then a fun-filled night with you." Mulder croaked. Scully smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips snagging his bottom lip, then pulling away a little and saying, " How about we just skip to the fun part??" Mulder smiled and captured her mouth with his. He opened his eyes forgetting he didn't really need to close them and saw the two of them, the bubbles sliding down her breasts, her hands exploring under the water. Mulder blinked his eyes a little focusing, seeing the top of a black nose as Kaja scratched her ear and laid her head on the edge of the tub. Oh no, This is bad, he thought as he closed his eyes again, Why me? As he watched his hands explore the nether regions of Scully, he thought well, it could be worse.