Hey, everybody! Disclaimer here. As you know, these characters aren't mine, they belong to Chris Carter at 1013 Productions, ok? This story is one of my best, and I hope you like it! If y'all have seen the episode entitled "The Jersey Devil", than this is it's little follow up! I'd like to thank Kelsy @ro.com for proofing my stories, and archiving them for me! I couldn't get them here for you all to read, without her help! Thanx, Kelsy! SOUL REFLECTIONS By the edge of the woods, there is a sign that says, "New Jersey, we're a devil of a state!" A girl and mother are hiking in the woods. suddenly a "beast boy" jumps out and attacks the mother. He bites her arm off and gets some of the girl's fingers before the girl frightens him off with a stick. The girl sits and crys over her mother. Scully walks into their office with a feeling of dread, knowing that yet another X-File has come Mulder's way. She had just talked with Skinner, and by what he told her, this one would be a doosy. "So, Mulder," Scully greets him with a smile, " where are we going, and what's the X-File?" "Gee, Scully, you seem so enthusiastic." "Well, after three years of working with you I can read you like a book." "Oh, really?" He challenges with an enigmatic smile. "Then you won't mind reading this." Mulder hands Scully an X-File marked the "Jersey Baby". "Another one? how can you be sure?" "Two days ago a mother and daughter went hiking in the Jersey Woods. Yesterday the daughter came fumbling out of the woods. She told the local police that a "beast boy" ate her mother's arm off, and her mother died from loss of blood. The girl also had a couple missing fingers. The police found the body this morning missing an arm. " "So I take it we're going to work this case." "You take it right, Scully." LOCATION:JERSEY WOODS Mulder and Scully are hiking through the Jersey Woods with a local sheriff. "To be quite honest,I don't know why you folks are here. It's clear to me that a wild animal of some kind is the killer." "Well, sheriff, my partner and I would like to be sure for ourselves. " Mulder says with a hint of sarcasm. Scully smiled to herself. She liked the way Mulder was quick and to the point. He never beat around the bush. Although, sometimes he was brutal getting there. Mulder sees movement behind a tree a couple yards away. "Did you see that?" "See what?" "The creature moved behind that tree?" "Can't say that I did." Scully replies. "Me neither." The sheriff adds. "He's still hungry, Scully." "Well if he comes after us we're armed." Mulder checks his holster, and swears under his breath. "Correction. you're armed." "What do you mean?!" "I mean I left my gun in D.C. I took it to get cleaned and I guess I forgot about it." "That's not like you Mulder. Whatever happened to that photographic memory of yours?" "You could kinda say my mind was on something else. Don't worry, I'll tell you later." There is another movement and crackeling sound. They all turn to look as a "beast-boy" jumps a few feet in front of them. It growls in hunger. He also growls in revenge. His parents were killed by humans of this kind, but he no longer cares what kind of human. He wants to destroy them all. There is a distant gun shot, that makes Scully jump. Mulder calms her by putting his hands tightly on her shoulders. The "beast-boy" runs in fear. He remembers this because he watched them kill his mother with that sound. He has a flash back to the humans shooting his mother as he looked on from a nearby bush. A man walks toward Mulder, Scully, and the sheriff. "Damnit,I missed!" "On the other hand, you saved our lives." Mulder points out. "I've been tryin to hunt that thing for days, some how it always knows when I'm comin." "Bill, you know hunting is against the law in New Jeresy. This is your second warning." "Well, gee, sheriff, I didn't know that you would rather have me abide the law than save your lives." "Bill, I thank you for saving our lives, but no more hunting unless the animal's hunting you, and it's self defense." "By killing this thing I will be defending everyone who hikes in these woods." "Just watch yourself." The sheriff finished. Right away, Mulder liked this Bill character. Somehow, standing up to people in a higher position than you appealed to Mulder. Although, Mulder didn't want this thing dead, so he didn't speak any words of admiration just yet. Scully, on the other hand hated it when people crossed the line. True,this man saved their lives, but he still had no right to back talk the sheriff. "Sheriff Hulligan, can agent Mulder and I see the girl who came to you from the woods? I have a few questions for her." "Sure can, but I don't think you'll get much out of her. She hasn't said a word since her mother's burial." Scully nods. LOCATION:SHERIFF'S OFFICE "Shannon, did you get a good look at the creature that attacked your mother?" Scully asks gently. Shannon shakes her head no. "Agent Scully and I are sorry about your mother,Shannon. We're going to catch whatever killed her, but we'll need your help," Mulder said. "Will you talk to us, Shannon?" Scully asks. Shannon speaks, "Yes." Scully blows out a sigh of relief. "Agents, Scully and Mulder, you have to catch it soon. This thing has a den, and I saw a female creature with it. She was going to have babies." "Not more of them!" Scully exclaims. Shannon nods. "Shannon, can you take Scully and me to where the den is?" "Yes, but are you sure it's safe?" "Don't worry, agent Scully has a gun." "Okay, then. Although, it's a four mile hike to the den. Can agent Scully and yourself walk that far?" They both nodded, but Scully shot Mulder a glance that said, "I hope so!" Mulder acknowledges this with a look and a nod that says, "Me too!" LOCATION: JERSEY WOODS "Shannon! Wait up!" Mulder yells. Scully walks next to Mulder. "Agggh!" Scully trips over a branch. Mulder takes her hand and pulls her up. "You okay, Scully?" "Yeah. I'm fine, thanks." Mulder nods. "Agent Scully, can I ask you a question?" "Sure Shannon." "You and agent Mulder are very close, aren't you?" Scully pauses a couple seconds to look at Mulder. He returns that look. The look of understanding. "Yes, Shannon. I guess we are." "It's just that I wondered what it would be like to have your partner be your best friend. You guys must love it." Shannon finished a bit dazed. "We do." Scully managed. "Definitly. Scully has helped me through some pretty tough times." They walk about another mile when, "Mulder! Look out!" Scully warns before pushing him out of the way of a falling branch. Mulder lands on his back and Scully falls into his awaiting arms. She lands on his chest. As they lay still, the branch just misses them. Scully quickly straddles Mulder to check for injuries before he can protest. "Scully, I don't know if this is your strange way of coming on to me, but..." "Mulder, your bleeding." "I'm fine, Scully. Thanks for saving my life." "Anytime, partner. Let me take care of your head, and we'll call it even." Mulder grunts as if to say "Oh, alright." Scully cleans Mulder's wound and bandages it. This time Scully helps Mulder up. As soon as he puts pressure on his ankle, "Ow!" "You must have fractured it when we fell. Here. Put your arm around my shoulders and I'll help you walk." "Scully, I don't know what I'd do without you." "Mulder, me neither. Hopefully, we'll never have to find out." Mulder smiles. "There it is!" Shannon yells to them, a couple meters back. "It looks like it was a bear's den before the creature found it." Scully says. Shannon walks to stand next to Scully and Mulder. "It's not in there now, is it?" "I don't know, but there is one way to find out." "No, Mulder. You can't go in there. You have a fractured ankle. I'll go in. I'm the one with the gun remember? Shannon, you stay here with agent Mulder." Scully goes in. A couple minutes later, "Agggh!" Scully exclaims. Then theres a gun shot. "Scully, are you okay?!" "Yeah. I'm fine Mulder, but the mother beast isn't. I guess the male creature is out." Scully comes out of the cave dazed. She walks up to Shannon and Mulder. "Scully," Mulder says as he puts his hand on her cheek, "You're bleeding." "I'm okay," She says as he removes his hand which is stained with blood. LOCATION: MULDER'S HOTEL ROOM Mulder sat thinking about the case. What bothered him most, was how he felt about Scully. He knew he had always had feelings of extreme protectiveness for her, but when she saved his life in the woods today, a Spark snapped inside him. He could have swore he saw a glimmer of emotion in her eyes when he asked her what would he do without her. He stopped these thoughts by telling himself he didn't want to ruin everything between them by telling her how he felt. Still, she meant so much to him. He was very confused with how he felt. So many emotions all at the same time soaring through his soul. Was it love he felt for her? This thought scared him. He knew someone like Dana Scully didn't fall for a guy like him. She would end up with some guy at the head of the bureau. That was what she deserved. Yet, she chose to stay by him. For once in his life, he had no idea what he was feeling. All he knew for sure was that Scully had a main point in it all, and he had extremely strong feelings for her, whatever they may be. If only she knew. Then again maybe she did. Her eyes were a gateway to her soul. They said so much. Everything she was thinking, and everything she was, reflected in her eyes. He wondered if sometimes she could see that much in his eyes too. If she saw that he loved her, and didn't leave him by now, maybe she loved hi too. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door. "Who is it?" He sighed. "Mulder, who else would it be at three A.M.?" Scully. Mulder looked over at the clock, not realizing how late it was. He got up to get the door. He wore a sheepish grin as if she had awakened him. "Mulder," She said gently, "I know I didn't wake you, cause I could hear you pacing from my room. what's up?" She asked with concern. If only he could tell her. So much he just wanted to hold her, and together they could sort out his emotions. Scully walked over to the small pull- out-couch-bed, and sat down.Mulder saw her shiver, and he went to sit by her. Without knowing what he was doing, he instinctively put an arm around her shoulders. Scully looks up at him confused. He sees her questioning eyes, and says, "You looked cold." Mulder gave a silent thank you when Scully excepted his response and laid her head against his chest. "You still haven't told me what is bothering you," She said softly. "I've been thinking about the case. If we go back to the den I don't think we'll find the remaining creature. After finding his mate dead, I don't think he'll go back there." "So what do we do?" She asked, his arm still around her, and her head still laying on his chest. "I hate to say it, but we have to wait for it to strike again." Dana sat up and gave Fox a quizzical glance. "The last attack was near where he lived. If he attacks again, we'll know to look around that area." Scully nods. "Mulder, I think you need to get some sleep." she says while brushing a stray hair out of his beautiful eyes. He smiles at her touch. A jolt shoots through him. He looks into her eyes. Scully gets up to leave, and Mulder stops her by saying, "Dana." She turns around questioningly. "There's something else." "I didn't think you were telling me everything." Fox gets up, and walks over to Dana. He had thought enough about it, and if it wasn't love he felt for this woman, it was something stronger. "I'm still not sure I should be doing this, but if I don't the chance might never come up again. For a long time we've been partners, and even best friends. There were times when you were the only one I could trust. The only one who believed in me, the only one who was there for me, and on my side. Most of all, the only one who didn't think I was crazy." He said with a Mulder smile."I've been thinking about all of the times you saved my life, and were really there for me when no one else was. I don't think you know exactly how much you mean to me, Dana. I guess what I'm trying to say, is....I have feelings so strong for you, Dana, I don't understand them. I feel love, and devotion, and sorrow, and anger,and true happiness all at the same time. I don't know what it all means." He looked away, afraid of the rejection that he was sure would come. She walked over to him and lifted his chin so he had to look at her. "Fox,why now? Why didn't you ever tell me before?" "I was afraid. I thought you'd just laugh." " No, I'd never laugh at something so obviously important to the both of us. Truthfully, I've had these feelings myself. I never understood them. I always told myself they were natural because you were my partner. But sometimes I would feel love so strong, I knew it wasn't because you were just my partner, but the best damn friend anyone could ever ask for." She looked down, unable to finish looking him in the eyes. "And sometimes, I would feel a love stronger than friendship. I knew I shouldn't be feeling that way, but I simply couldn't help it." Tears were filling her eyes. "I was afraid you wouldn't feel the same way, or I would screw up our friendship." He could hear the shakiness in her voice. She was plain scared. She stepped into his arms, and he held her so tight, she thought he had broken a rib. "What does this mean?" "I think it means we should be together, Dana." "I love you so much it hurts. My heart aches for you constantly." "Dana, does your heart ache now?" "No. I'm with you." They kissed passionatly letting three years of emotional explosives set fire in their hearts. They broke apart, breathlessly. "God, I love you so much!" "No matter what happens, Fox, I'll always be by your side. I'm so happy to be your partner and best friend, and now, something more. I want you to know that." "Dana, I knew that the moment you took the time to actually debate one of my theories instead of just dismissing it as impossible. Even if you did just dismiss it, you had my heart long ago." She looked up into his eyes, which so willingly bared his soul. She smiled and kissed him. It was long and sweet. Both of them surprised at how much love exploded when they were together. When they broke away, "Fox, my father once told me your eyes are your soul's reflection. You can see someone's soul when you look into their eyes." "What do you see in my soul, Dana?" "I see love and compassion; and a willingness to find the truth. The same things are in my soul." The smile she saw on his face almost made her laugh. She had never seen him so happy. "We still have to solve this case, you know?" "I know." He whispered in her ear. They embraced for what seemed like an eternity.Dana wraps her arms around Fox's neck and kisses him one last time before she leaves. The next morning Dana wakes up to find a sleeping Mulder beside her. She slides her hand gently over his cheek, and whispers "Fox." He blinks and smiles. "Good morning Dana." "Is everything okay? Why did you come here?" "Last night there were growling noises outside. I used the key you gave me, to keep an eye on you. I was worried. I guess I fell asleep." She smiled and held his hand. "Ah, I can see this might be a problem. You don't have to worry so much." "I can't help it. I always lose those who are important to me during the night. I don't want to lose you. You're all I have Dana." She gave him a reassuring kiss. "I'm not going anywhere without you." He smiles, content with the thought. Disturbing the moment, the phone rang. "Scully." She said into the receiver. "Okay.... we'll be right there." "Who was it?" Fox asked. "The sheriff. He said they went back to the den, and it was deserted, just like you thought. Also, there was another attack." She smiled and kissed him. "Well, we better get down there." She said. Mulder nods. LOCATION: JERSEY WOODS 1/2 MILE FROM FIRST SITE "Agents Mulder and Scully, glad you're here. The damn thing got hungrier this time. Now he decides to eat the victim's leg." Mulder grimaced and turned to Scully. She smiled at him, sensing his uneasiness. He felt a little relief. Dead and mutilated bodies always got to him. Scully, however, didn't seem to be even wiffed at the thought. It was a good thing she was the doctor! Mulder loked to the woods. He saw a movement flash behind a tree. Scully felt a tug on her sleeve. She turned to follow Mulder's gaze, and it moved again. Scully quickly asked the sheriff for his gun. She threw hers to Mulder. She waved Mulder to the right, and motioned that she would take the left. Mulder moved too quick. The "beast-man" knocked Mulder's gun out of his hand. With an impulsive strike, the creature struck Mulder to the ground. Before it could touch him again, Scully shot the beast five times in the back. She ran to Mulder's side. He smiled at her. "Thanks." "Anytime, partner." She smiled. "Are you hurt?" Her tone filled with concern. "No, nothin but my ego." He smiled a lopsided Mulder grin, and she knew he was okay. "I can't lose you Mulder, not now. I love you," She whispered the last sentence. He sat up and whispered, "I love you, Scully." Then, in a more normal tone, "You won't lose me, I promise." With that he put a hand on her cheek, and glided it smoothly through her hair. "Besides," He smirked, " I don't think my spirit could rest at the thought of you having a new partner." Scully smiled, and playfully bonked him on the head. She stood up from her squatting position, and pulled Mulder to his feet. People had started walking towards them. Mulder groaned. "My ankle's still sore." "Here, use me as a brace until we get back to the car." "Yes ma'am." "Agents, are you okay?" "We're fine. Only minor damage." Scully yelled to an inquiring officer a few feet ahead. When they got back to their car the sheriff came over. "Well," Scully says, "He's dead." "The creature or agent Mulder?" The sheriff asks looking at Mulder's ankle. "Both." Mulder answers smugly. The sheriff nods, and walks over to his squad car. "Mulder, I'm going to do his autopsy. I want to know if his intestinal make up differs from ours." "Sure, Scully. I'll meet you back at the motel. I can get a ride from the sheriff. I think I'll get some sleep. " She nods. LOCATION: JERSEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Scully is seen dissecting the so-called beast man. She pulls out many bones from his stomach and intestines. Speaking into her recorder, she notes that DNA tests were to be made to see if the bones matched those of the victims. "The subject appears to look somewhat human. The organs are the same, except he seems to have produced an abnormal amout of bile, letting him digest a series of items without doing damage to his internal tract." She took his body temperature. Even though he just died, his temperautre was way above normal, he did not die of the gun shot wounds, but was burned from the inside out by the bile that exploded when she shot him. "Addendum. Subject did not die of gun shot wounds to the spinal cord, but of third degree burns around the liver His overporduce of bile burned through the skin." Scully drives back to the motel. She walks to Mulder's room. As expected, he's sleeping with the typed report in his hand. Scully walks over, and sits next to him on the bed. She brushes her palm on his cheek, and whispers, "Mulder." His eyes blink open, and a smile forms on his full lips. "Hi." He gasps. "Hi yourself." "So," He says sitting up, "What did you find?" "Well, I found many bones. A femur, a humerous, some metacarpals from Shannon ..." "Scully," He cuts her off, "I'm half asleep. Stop with the medical terms," He smiles. Blushing, she says, "Sorry." He nods sleepily. "I found thigh, arm, and finger bones. Also, I found out that his intestinal make-up differs from ours only by it seems to produce more bile in the liver, which allows it to consume some pretty nasty stuff. And get this, he didn't die of me shooting him, but of being burned by his own bile when I shot him in the liver. His spinal cord wasn't even touched by my bullets." "Interesting, DR. Scully, you mean he was fried?" She nodded. "I was afraid if you continued on with the medical terms, I thought I'd have to get a dictionary." He smiled wryly before she playfully proceeded to jab him in the ribs. "Oooooo," He sighed, as he faked a hurt look. She put her arms around his waist, and kissed him on the cheek. With their foreheads touching, she whispered, "I'm so happy." "Me too." "I was so scared. I couldn't picture living without you. I feel so safe when your around." "Dana your everything to me. I need you. I'll love you always." And with that he leaned in and kissed her. They stayed like that for a long time, and eventually fell asleep in each other's arms. Scully woke up in a warm embrace. She smiled as she noticed Mulder squeezed her like a teddy bear. Protectively, his head nuzzled in her hair. She could tell that if aliens tried to take her again, they'd have to take Fox Mulder with her, cause it would take the jaws of life to get him off! She twisted to face him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him to wake him up. He returned the kiss, still half asleep. She brushed his cheek, and he woke up. He smiled with both his lips, and his eyes. "Good morning," She greeted. "Good morning yourself." He replied. He tightened his grip, and rested his head atop hers. "You realize we have to go back to D.C. today." "I know," came her soft reply. "We'll just have to control our urges to hug and kiss in public. Everyday you can come to my place after work, or I'll go to yours, and then...." "And then, we can do whatever we feel." He finished. He felt her head nod yes under his chin.He gave her a squeeze, and they both got up and dressed for their flight back to Washington. This case was closed. It wasn't like the others, though. In this case they had looked deep into the reflections of each other's souls,and saw that what their souls really reflected was each other. The End Okay, so how'd you like this one? I know, really gushy,though I really tried to watch the amount I put in it this time, but hey, it's not that easy! And probably out of character in some parts, but isn't the whole Mulder/Scully romance thing out of character? Well, not in the eyes of us relationshippers, huh? Ah well, I tried the best I could to get the right amount of that ever wonderful Mulder humor in there, did I do okay? Well, Let me know! send all comments, suggestions, and yes, everywriter's fear, constructive critism! I actually like the stuff, it helps me understand my audience, and what they want, instead of just writing what I want! Anyway, send it all to: DKSCULLY@JUNO.COM I love email, so don't be shy