Title:
Hide in Plain Sight
Author:
Sara B. 5/2005
Scully
watched Mulder as he slept. Tonight they celebrated their escape and tomorrow
she would have to tell him her plan.
She’d
started formulating the plan immediately after hearing about his so-called trial. She’d
made the calls and been put in touch with the right people and it was all set. Now
all she had to do was convince him. A few years ago she wouldn’t have had
to convince him but that was before his abduction, the birth of William, his exile, William’s adoption and his “conviction.”
Scully
knew what his argument would be. It was too risky. It was true, it was a risk but so was everything regarding them.
She
moved a lock of hair from his forehead. ‘Fox William Mulder you are about
to become famous!’
They
had gotten an early start. Scully had raided one of Mulder’s accounts and
they had identification as Marty and Debra Cahill, including credit cards, professional licenses and accreditations; complete
backgrounds, psychology for him, medical doctor for her. She was hoping they
wouldn’t have to use the aliases for long, just until production started.
They
stopped and got a chicken dinner from the local deli and found a municipal park to hold a picnic. They parked by the lake and enjoyed their dinner. Mulder had
been quiet the entire day, deflecting Scully’s attempts at conversation. She
knew he was worried about her. He was thinking how much he’d messed up
her life. She’d tried for a long time to make him see what terrific things
he’d brought into her life; all the wonderful and wondrous things that were Mulder but he just saw the negative. She was prepared to spend her life making him believe.
“Mulder,
I have something to discuss with you. You have to promise not to say no right
off. To really listen to my idea.”
Mulder
was curious; Scully looked so serious. She continued, “I think I have a
way to ensure our safety. All the plans have been put in place and all you have
to do is agree with it.” She refused to look at him, trying hard to stick
to her resolve.
“You
are well known in certain circles. You’ve written articles and done interviews. Even when you wrote under M. F. Luder they figured out it was you right?” She looked up at him and saw a spark in interest in his eyes.
“Scully,
what are you getting at?”
“Mulder,
when this whole trial thing came down I contacted the people from that show ‘Cops.’ They introduced me to a Mia Tanner who got me in contact with Mike Wingham.
I told him my idea and why and he pulled heaven and earth and got us a deal.”
“What
deal?” He asked hesitantly.
She
began to speak as fast as she could. Words ran together and Mulder needed to really concentrate to understand what she was
saying. “The deal where you and I become famous. So famous our enemies would never dare touch us or our families and friends. The show is tentatively called Busting but we have the right to change it.
Basically we just do what we’ve been doing for years, investigate the paranormal.
The difference is we get paid a lot better, the budget is bigger, they don’t care if we are sleeping together
and we won’t get shut down we’d get cancelled.” She stopped
only because she was out of breath. “It will be on Fox.”
“Well,
that explains it.” Mulder joked.
“You can’t seriously be considering this? You hated all that
publicity that stupid movie brought us and I won’t even mention our ill-fated appearance on ‘Cops.’”
“I
know you find it hard to believe but I really think we can do this.”
“Scully,
maybe you have forgotten I’m a convicted fugitive.”
“That
kangaroo court and conviction would never stand up anywhere. They may be able
to get you on trespassing but then they would have to open up about that facility.”
“They
said I murdered that man.”
“Yes
and you have two FBI agents, Monica and Doggett, who can testify they saw him at the ruins.
How could they discredit two agents in open court without discrediting the entire FBI?
They would also have to explain how those ruins, which were considered national treasures, were destroyed. Even if they did go through with it the media would have a field day about that so called trial. We both know the FBI, hell the whole government, can’t handle another embarrassment.”
Scully
stopped talking and waited. She looked toward the lake as twilight slipped in
and painted the sky with slashes of red, pink, orange and purple. She watched
Mulder out of the corner of her eye. He started to say something several times
then stopped himself.
“Scully,”
he called.
“Hmmm?”
“How
much better do we get paid?” Mulder smiled for the first time since their
life on the run began.
Scully
turned to him and matched his smile. “Does this mean you want to do this?” He nodded. She started to crawl toward
him with a predatory gleam, “we get paid much better, very much better. And
we don’t have to write reports.”
“Not
to mention celebrity is safer than witness protection any day.” Scully
was beginning a serious seduction and Mulder’s blood flow was rapidly heading south.
“Uh, Scully, maybe we need to find a motel, and quick.” Mulder
pulled her into a searing kiss.
“Make
it fast Mulder. Make it very fast.”
Five
months later:
Twelve
year old Christine Hines and Tina Trainor are channel surfing in the Hines’ family room.
Christine’s fourteen year old brother Bob and his best friend Eric Roberds are playing computer games in the
corner.
“Next
on Fox!” The announcer says. “Two
former FBI agents lead you on a search for the truth. Do aliens exist, are there
creatures called the Bigfoot, are ghosts real? Fox Mulder and Dana Scully take
you on a journey into the unknown and try to solve these and many more mysteries.”
A
picture of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully flashes on the screen.
“Oooh,
he’s cute.” Christine chimes.
“She’s
hot!” Yelps Bob.
End
Sara
B.
