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Undisclosed Location in Connecticut
Quarantine Lab 4
3:00 AM EST Saturday
Mulder slammed down the phone loudly enough to wake Scully and bring her to the door of his room in their current quarantine quarters.
"Mulder, what's going on?" Scully asked concerned.
Mulder ran his hand through the tangled brown strands of hair. "I'm trying to call Davison and keep getting a no longer in service message. She was so sure that she would be a target that I think she's been snatched and I don't know what to do. I hate being in quarantine."
"Phone Skinner then. He's on his way out there and he has all of the contact information for the Cascade PD." Scully suggested.
"OK I hope he doesn't mind being woken up." Mulder said as he dialed Skinner's home number. After the fifth ring Skinner answered.
"Skinner."
"Sir, it's me Mulder. I think Davison has been kidnapped." Mulder explained switching the phone to speaker so Scully could hear.
"Just why do you think that, Agent Mulder?" Skinner asked wondering how fantastic the explanation would be.
"She's missed a fixed check-in, Sir." Mulder took a deep breath since Skinner didn't appear to be informed of Davison's investigation. "She has been assisting in an investigation that has many traits of a serial killer. Her plan was to make herself the next victim."
"What! You knew this Mulder and you neglected to inform me of it?" Skinner bellowed over the phone. Mulder and Scully winced at the volume of Skinner's voice. "Mulder, you'd better hope that my mood improves before you get out of quarantine, because if it doesn't you and Scully will be pulling wire tap duty for a few weeks."
"Sir, you are aware that Agent Davison does have a habit of independent investigations due the lack of a partner in the X-files division? While I'm not condoning her actions. You gave her this assignment, it had few guidelines. She is trying to make it work the best that she can. I have been advising and helping as much as I can from this end. I'd suggest you contact whomever she is working with and find out for sure. I mean it could very well be some problem with the phone lines in that area. I doubt it though." Mulder said.
"Somehow Mulder I agree. Agent Davison has a long term history of finding trouble. If she is actually looking for it." Skinner sighed as he began to get ready to head out to Cascade on the first available flight, "Play nice with the doctors there Mulder I'm off to find a missing agent. Good bye."
"I intend to sir." Mulder said with a leer at Scully that earned him a thwap across the back of the head from Scully.
"Let us know what you find, sir." Scully said concerned about the missing agent.
Skinner sighed as he closed the connection to Mulder and Scully. He knew that this assignment was dangerous for the young agent but Cancerman, as Mulder liked to call him, was right when he said that if Davison stayed in DC she'd become the newest lab rat. Regardless of any information her father hid away. Skinner dialed the number for Captain Banks, Davison's boss at CPD as far as he was concerned. Agent Johnson was making too many waves for Davison to function in the Cascade office. That was the main reason that he was going out to Cascade to discuss Davison's assignment with the SAC let him know that Agent Davison was indeed outside the office mainstream. Skinner reasoned that this would give Davison some freedom to assist Mulder and Scully on some of the west coast cases. Also he wasn't too sure what cases she get involved in. He really wanted her to stay in Major Crimes. Skinner heard about all of the reports of people faking Federal credentials. That didn't sit to well with him. This would hopefully help them too.
"Banks" the gruff and tired voice said.
"Captain Banks, this is AD Skinner again. Sorry to be phoning so late but we may have a situation." Skinner said briefly.
"Not to worry Assistant Director. I was wrapping up some paperwork so I could have the weekend relatively free. What’s the problem?" Banks asked.
"It has just come to my attention that Agent Davison has been involved in an investigation that mirrors a serial killer, and that she'd planned to make herself the next target of that killer. She's missed a fixed check-in time with another agent, who alerted me. How much of this were you aware of?" Skinner asked.
"Most of it except for Agent Davison checking in with another agent. Agent Johnson's been breathing down my neck to push her out of here and put her in the Bureau office. Although if the friction between her and Ellison doesn't stop I may have to. Just to prevent bloodshed. I told them to run with the case and give me updates. I wasn't sure if Agent Davison had been targeted. Ellison was to notify me if that happened and we'd increase surveillance on her. Ellison managed to secure the apartment next door to her."
"Well, the agent that Davison was talking to was her former department head, from here. He is very aware of how she operates and is concerned since only a kidnapping or death would stop her from checking in with him." Skinner told Banks worriedly.
"OK I'll go out to her place and check up on them." Banks reassured Skinner, "You heading out here now?"
"Yes, I'm planning on reprimanding Davison when I get my hands on her. If she is kidnapped I'm ordering you _not_ to notify the local Feds. I'll head it up as far as they are concerned. Until I get out there you are in charge as my representative. I should be there before noon." Skinner instructed Banks before hanging up to get to the airport and the flight out to Cascade.
Simon sighed as he dialed Rafe's number to ask him and Brown to check out Agent Davison's place but to keep it quiet. He quickly finished up what he was doing and went that way as well.
Simon stood in front of Agent Davison's apartment building puzzling over the phone call he had from AD Skinner he seemed very concerned about the agent. From what Jim had told him about the building Davison's apartment was at the end of the hallway of the second floor, the first floor being a large parking garage and entry way to the building. As Simon walked closer to the entry door for Agent Davison's floor he was startled by Brown stumbling out dragging an unconscious Rafe. Brown was trying to hold the front of his shirt over his nose and mouth.
"Don't go in there, sir. Rafe and I only got a few yards down the hallway before noticing something wasn't right. Then Rafe passed out. What ever gas is in there is odorless and colorless." Brown told Simon as he grabbed Rafe's legs to help Brown get him away from the hallway and the gas. They carried Rafe over to Simon's car and placed him in the back seat. Telling Brown to look after Rafe. Simon goes to the trunk of his car and looks through the jumble of equipment for the gas mask he knew he had added.
"You always carry a gas mask in your car, sir?" Brown asked before Simon headed back to the apartment entrance.
"Ever since I realized that _anything_ can happen with Ellison and Sandburg." Simon said as he put the mask and checked the seals on it before entering the building. Walking slowly making sure the mask is protecting him from the gas, ready to turn around at the slightest hint of wooziness. Simon stopped out side apartment number 8, the apartment Jim and Blair were staying at. He tried the door. Locked, taking out the key that Jim had given him Simon entered the spartan apartment and searched everywhere quickly, no sign of Jim or Blair.
Simon exited the guys temporary apartment and crossed the hall to Agent Davison's place. Finding the door locked he reached into his jacket pocket and took out a lockpick gun and manipulated the lock open. As Simon entered the apartment he saw the signs that a fight had taken place. Checking each room Simon's hopes of finding either Davison, Jim or Blair decreased. Simon entered Davison's bedroom when he started to hear some faint rustling from the closet. Carefully Simon walked over to the sliding door. As he opened it he found Sandburg laying down on the floor of the closet. Pulling the young anthropologist up and into a fireman's carry began to take him out of the building. Simon carried Blair to his car and sat him on the ground next to Rafe, who was starting to wake up from his brief exposure to the gas.
"Simon, I called in the paramedics and a Hazmat team, just in case." Brown said still looking a bit dazed from his dose of the knock out gas.
"OK, Brown. Let's keep the fact that Davison is a Fed under our hats for now. There are going to be enough problems when that comes out." Simon said, checking Sandburg out. I appeared that he was just peacefully sleeping.
"OK sir. How do we find them then?" Brown asked checking on Rafe and making sure he was shaking off the effects of the gas.
"Jim said that Davison gave him a frequency for a tracking device that she would have on her at all times. He was going to give it to me but then Davison kept him at the other crime scenes then there was the fifth murder as well." Simon said mentally cursing himself for not making Jim give him that frequency earlier. Truth be told Simon expected not to need it. He fell into the lethal trap of taking Jim's Sentinel abilities for granted. Sure he was uncomfortable with it at times, but it solved crimes.
"Simon," Brown said, "I think Hairboy is trying to say something." Simon leaned closer to listen to the faint mumbling.
"simon….know…frequency…." Blair tried to say before passing out, again. Nothing Simon could do could bring him out enough to give more details or the frequency if he knew it.
Before Simon could do more the paramedics arrived and checked over the four men. Simon needed no care his gas mask was sufficient to protect him from the gas. Brown and Rafe just needed some oxygen for a few minutes. The paramedics wanted Blair under observation at the hospital since they were unsure of the effects of the gas. Simon decided to leave the rest of the apartment building to the Hazmat captain and the paramedic teams and go with Sandburg to wait for him to regain consciousness and tell him the tracker frequency. That plan was shot down in flames as Simon recognized Agent Johnson walking up demanding to know who was in charge and what was going on.
"Brown, you and Rafe go with Sandburg. Don't let anyone but the doctors see him. You up to it?" Simon asked before walking to intercept Agent Johnson.
"Sure, sir." Brown said as he got in the ambulance with Rafe and Sandburg. Watching Simon walk towards Agent Johnson, Brown wondered what could be going on technically the FBI did have jurisdiction over the kidnapping of one of their agents. He didn't like that since it appeared that Jim was abducted as well. Brown did want in on whatever Simon had planned, he had heard some of what Blair had said, it sounded like Blair knew the frequency of whatever tracking device Agent Davison had. Which meant that things were going to get interesting around the Hairboy soon. Brown planned to call in a couple of other men to help out when the Feds figured out that Blair may be the only clue to where Agent Davison and Jim were.
Simon walked up to Agent Johnson who was still demanding to the details of what was going on from the head of the Hazmat team and making general demands that Agent Davison to report to him immediately. "Agent Johnson," Simon interrupted, "Agent Davison and Detective Ellison have both been kidnapped. Apparently Agent Davison was checking in on a regular basis with the DC office. When she missed the last check in I was alerted by AD Skinner who ordered me to remain in charge of the investigation until he arrives in Cascade later this morning. My best case scenario will be to have Agent Davison and Detective Ellison found by then." Simon said privately enjoying turning the tables on him. Now if he could keep the advantage. "My people will move in after the Hazmat team gives us the all clear. The major task right now is to clear the building of civilians." Simon said while watching the first Hazmat teams go into the building.
Luckily it was a new apartment building so only 10 of the 35 units were occupied right now. Two more ambulances were arriving to help ferry anyone who needed it to hospital. The paramedics had received instructions that unless anyone was in extreme distress from the gas that only oxygen needed to be given to the residents of the building. Most people had regained consciousness after a couple of hours. The properties of the gas seemed to be short term. After the gas had cleared out everyone could return to their homes. The process had eaten away hours before the Hazmat and paramedics both had agreed to allow the forensics teams into the building to check out Agent Davison's apartment. Sometime before the all clear was given Agent Johnson had left the scene. Saying to let him know the minute AD Skinner arrived in Cascade. The only evidence the forensics teams found was a search program running on Davison's computer. Only they couldn't find the reason for the search or the parameters of the search. After the apparently negative search that was the trademark of the kidnapper, Simon was ready to believe that there could be more than one person involved as Davison told him.
After about four hours the scene was secure enough that Simon could focus his thoughts on Sandburg. He phoned Brown to check on how Blair was doing.
"Brown."
"Brown, it's Banks. How's Sandburg? Is he awake yet?" Simon said getting into his car and beginning to drive to the hospital.
"No he hasn't, sir. The doctors are saying that he is having some reaction to the gas, and it is taking a longer time to clear out of his system." Brown paused for a second, then continued. "We also appear to be getting a problem. Agent Johnson just walked on the floor." Brown said ominously.
"Damn I wondered where he disappeared to. He must have put enough pieces together to figure out that the kid is vital to finding Agent Davison and Jim. Stall him. I don't care how you do it short of bodily harm. If he gets too obnoxious I may overlook that." Simon said as he ended the call and began to drive faster to the hospital.
5:43 am Saturday
Simon barreled down the hallway to the room where Sandburg was. As soon as he turned the corner he saw Rafe and Brown refusing to allow Agent Johnson and his three fellow agents admittance to Sandburg's room. "Agent Johnson, I thought we had agreed that if you had any problems with this you'd wait and tell AD Skinner?" Simon snapped standing in front of the agent and taking full advantage of being about three inches taller than the FBI agent and looking down at him.
"That, Captain Banks was before we found out that you deliberately withheld the fact that Mr. Sandburg has knowledge of the frequency of a tracking device that Agent Davison had on her person. Which will make your involvement in this case unnecessary once we obtain it from Mr. Sandburg and follow it to where she is held. We'll discuss AD Skinner's orders to you later. This is a Federal matter right now." Agent Johnson smugly informed Simon.
"Well first Agent Johnson he has to wake up. So far he is still unconscious." Simon countered, "and after recent experience with FBI agents who aren't what they say they are, he may be very reluctant to talk to you. I want the orders placing him under federal custody. I plan on contesting those, as well. By the time you had everything in order AD Skinner would be here and the matter would be settled. So why don't you just go to your office can catch up on paperwork." Simon turned around and entered Sandburg's room, Rafe had slipped inside during the argument that Simon was having with Agent Johnson, to stand guard over him so he wouldn't be alone when he woke up.
"Any signs of him coming to?" Simon asked the young detective.
"No, sir. He seems to have just fallen into a normal deep sleep. If you didn't know any better." Rafe said, "any leads on where Jim and Agent Davison are?"
"No, but Agent Johnson is pressing to place Sandburg under federal protective custody." Simon said grabbing one of the chairs in the room and putting it next to Rafe.
"I don't think Blair would like that. As soon as he woke up they'd be pressuring him for that frequency." Rafe said taking a sip of his coffee.
"I think your right Rafe. If he can stay out of it until Agent Davison's boss gets here to officially take over the investigation then we could have a chance. That is if Jim and Agent Davison can hold out until then."
"Sir, that isn't an issue really. I'm sure they both can." Rafe said reassuringly.
"You're right. If the way Agent Davison acted around Jim at times is any thing to go by, it could be even odds on who would win in a fight between those two." Simon joked then he took another look at Sandburg laying on the bed the brown curls spread out on the pillow. For a second Simon thought he saw a crystal necklace around Blair's neck. Simon closed his eyes for a second and when he looked again it wasn't there.
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When Blair woke up he didn't find himself in Megan's living room, the cot that he had been sleeping on in the apartment across from Megan's place or even his room at the loft. What he saw was the same never-ending hallway that he met Lace in. Standing up and looking for the spirit Blair began to walk down the hallway.
--All you had to do was just shout for me.-- Lace's light British accented voice said from behind him.
Blair spun around and there she was, only this time she wasn't in the gown, but dressed in a form fitting dark blue unitard. Her silver hair pinned tightly to her head. *Why the costume change, Lace. I am asleep right?*
--Yes, Blair, you are but the cause of your being asleep is why I am here now. Megan and Detective Ellison have been kidnapped and right now everyone thinks you know the frequency of the tracking signal that Megan is wearing. So you've got Captain Banks and Agent Johnson each waiting for you to wake up. They used a knockout gas, for some reason Detective Ellison was as unaffected by it as Megan was. They were able to hide you in Megan's closet before going to meet the kidnappers, Megan also placed me around your neck.-- Lace told him as she created two armchairs for them to sit on, with a graceful movement of her arm.
*So where am I now and why did Megan give you to me?* Blair asked as he sat down across from Lace.
--Lesson number one:-- Lace said smiling --exploring your surroundings while unconscious. First close your eyes and stretch your awareness out from your body. Can you feel it?--
Blair did as Lace instructed, and for just a second he had succeeded. *Hospital.* He said without thinking. Opening his eyes and looking at Lace with surprise. *How the hell did I do that?*
--Remember me telling you that you're empathic? That was your first lesson. This lesson will help us find Megan and Ellison when you wake up. You must rest so we will be included on the trip. You could wake up now but you would be as weak as a newborn. If we are to convince anyone to let us tag along you must be strong when you awaken. You will be tapping abilities that you never knew possible. Megan asked that I look out for you, so to speak. She doubted that the tracking device would be left close by.-- Lace said conjuring a table, a pot of tea and two cups. --For now we must practice and hone your skills. Is there anyone in the room with you?--
*Lace isn't that just a bit invasive?* Blair said sipping on the tea, when the silliness of the situation hit him. He replaced his cup on the table stood up and began to pace in front of Lace and the width of the hallway *I can't believe this,* he laughed *I'm sitting inside my mind, having a tea party with Megan's imaginary friend, talking about mental ethics. While both Megan and Jim missing. Are you sure I just haven't had a breakdown? I'm sure I'm due for one.*
--Blair, calm down. For now I'll help you as much as possible, but you should be very aware that you have a great destiny ahead of you. One that may require you to use the skills that I'm teaching you.-- Lace said as she matched Blair pace for pace.
Blair halted his pacing and looked at Lace. *Just what are you? You're too different from Megan to be some fragment of her psyche, right?*
--Yes, I'm an independent entity from Megan. I have my own set of mental powers, my own view on things and such. My only limitation is that I'm confined to the crystal on Megan's necklace.-- Lace said guiding Blair back to the recently vacated armchairs.
*How long have you been trapped in that crystal? Why hasn't Megan released you from it?* Blair asked concerned for the spirit. He hated to see anything trapped and to him Lace seemed well and truly trapped.
--No, no Youngster, you have it wrong. I'm not trapped here. I'm in this crystal to help Megan. I was the only one strong enough to even attempt it. If I were to be released from it I would die. My body died over 350 years ago. Megan did offer to release me but we still have much to do, her and I. I can honestly say that since Megan's mother gave me to her my life hasn't been boring.-- Lace said smiling as she remembered some of the good and bad times that she and Megan had.
Blair looked at Lace in wide eyed delight, beginning to bounce and vibrate in his seat, *Oh man you were alive that far back? What did you do? Did you know any historical people? How aware of the world were you from the crystal?* Blair said eagerly asking questions of Lace.
Lace smiled gently, --Calm down, Blair. I can't answer the first three questions, but I was aware of the world from the crystal. The crystal was passed down from first born to first born since it was created. I've seen some amazing things since being in here. Megan is the only person I've been able communicate with in that time frame. So it's been lonely at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The past ten years have made up for the time I've been alone. [(fact check)] One of Megan's ancestors even tagged along and followed the work of Sir Burton.--Lace finished with a wicked smile.
Blair went wide eyed again *Wow, so you were aware of what Burton was like? That is wild! I'm..* Blair closed his mouth abruptly and looked warily at Lace.
--Were you going to say that you were studying some of his work on Sentinels and your goal in your career was to find one?-- Blair nodded. --We already knew that Blair. Your Master's thesis was very interesting. I can understand changing topics if you couldn't for some reason find a modern day sentinel, -- Lace then gave Blair a curious, and speculative look, --or maybe you did find one and for some personal reason you don't want to reveal him yet?-- Lace saw the growing terror on Blair's face as Lace began to put the pieces together. -- It's Detective Ellison isn't it? Don't worry I won't tell Megan. We do have some secrets from each other. Although she may put the pieces together herself while she and Ellison are detained.-- Lace reassured Blair.
*It's Jim's secret to reveal to her, not mine. Although it may help Megan to trust us a bit. Lace, is it that scary for Megan to have a normal life?* Blair asked still confused by how paranoid Megan acted yesterday.
--Yes, possibly even more so than she said. I don't know if you noticed but Megan was watched as she left the airport when she got here. In DC she was under surveillance by the darker forces of your government. You run any conspiracy theory and the reality is generally a lot more serious.-- Lace said taking a sip of her tea before addressing Blair again, --this won't stop the lessons. You seem to have a great store of instinctive knowledge but it will be easier to train you to consciously use it. Instead of waiting and hoping that it will kick in with the right crisis.--
Blair smiled ruefully, *OK what do I have to do?*
--The same as figuring out where you are. Only this time you have to hold on longer. It will be harder. You mustn't tense up, stay relaxed and stretch out slowly.-- Lace said as she knelt down next Blair's chair and looked up at him resting her hands on his knee.
Blair leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes and tried to follow Lace's instructions. It was difficult, and he lost hold of the sensation of the world around his body several times. After failing to reach much further than the edge of his hospital bed, he opened his eyes and leaned forward placing his head in his hands.
*It's too hard, Lace. I don'