*NEW STORY* Like The Phoenix by Sue
Sue
Like The Phoenix by Sue
Classification: VA
Rating: PG-13
Archive: Sure just let me know where, I'm enough of an egotist that I
like to see my paltry offerings in "print"
Disclaimer: I own nothing, absolutely nothing - even my dog has declared
his independence
Feedback: If you feel moved to do see I would be grateful but no
pressure. Send to: curr...@idt.net
Spoilers: The End and a couple of vague references to Seasons 4 and 5.
Here I go with the Skinner thing again, I wish this guy would just stay
out of my head - I didn't even know I liked the character until I
developed insomnia trying to determine his motivation for making *the
deal* for Scully's cure. Oh well, this is another vignette that I had
to get out of my head before it caused me to cease functioning in the
real world. I hope you enjoy, if you don't please let me know what I
did wrong I need some constructive criticism. Thanks!
LIKE THE PHOENIX by Sue
He hadn't wanted to go down to view the remains. It was enough dealing
with *his father's* revelations and probable culpability without having
to see the charred and waterlogged office. Unfortunately, his boss had
other ideas.
XXXXXX
Skinner had already seen him standing in the hallway so there had been
no way to make a surreptitious exit. Other agents quickly scattered from
his path, subdued by both the soot and grime on his clothing and the
predatory expression on his face. There was little doubt who the prey
was and Spender could feel himself shrinking back into the concrete
walls.
He spat out a command, "Agent Spender follow me."
"Sir, I still have to write . . ." He quickly swallowed his words as
Skinner whirled around, fists clenched, jaw impossibly tight.
Capitulation seemed to be the wisest choice. "Yes, sir."
He followed him deeper in and further down until they reached the
basement. Skinner was breathing too rapidly, the sound harsh and grating
in the dead silence of the destroyed office.
Several moments passed and Spender just stood there, terrified. He could
feel the A.D. grasping for control and was loathe to tip the balance
towards feral. Finally, the breathing began to slow and Skinner turned
to him and began to speak. "I am going to talk and you will not
interrupt me. Understood."
Spender only dared to nod his acquiescence.
"Good. Now take a good look around this office. This is only a small
part of the price you pay for playing the game. I know you have a
backer, someone pulling the strings behind you. Past evidence to the
contrary I can even take a stab at who that person is. Right now I'm
going to assume that you are as grossly ignorant as you appear, that you
are one of the hundreds of ostriches in the Bureau that belittle, mock
and slander Agents Mulder and Scully because you refused to look at the
facts. Now, I'm going to be the first to pull your head out of the
fucking sand. Ask yourself this, if the X-Files are such a waste of time
and effort why the arson, why did Agent Scully disappear for three
months, why so much backroom manipulation of personnel and evidence. You
can't be totally unaware of what occurs around here and if you are I
suggest you get the hell out of the Bureau, being that clueless will get
you killed in a hurry. I know your first specious argument -- the
X-Files are a waste of money and manpower therefore the powers that be
trying to close them is merely efficiency at work. Ridiculous, when was
the last time this government was known for either its spendthrift
attitude or its practical ways. Even if efficiency were the issue, and I
can assure you it is not, why would two agents out of tens of thousand
of government employees be targeted. Two agents with a solve rate
exceeding ninety percent. The arguments don't quite ring true when you
use more than one brain cell do they. Others theorize that the X-Files
are an embarrassment to the Bureau and need to be closed. Given the
public fiascos of the past few years that argument is as ridiculous as
the first. After Ruby Ridge, Waco and the accusations of evidence
tampering the idea that two agents, who are unknown to the general
population, pose a credibility risk to the FBI is laughable."
A trembling silence reigned for a few precious seconds before Skinner
began to speak again but this was no longer an Assistant Director that
Spender was facing, this was a Marine. This was a man willing to kill
and die for what he believed was right. In a voice that spoke of a
caressing intimacy with death and danger, he continued "Now on the off
chance that I was mistaken and you are up to your scrawny little neck in
this mess I am going to give you a message to carry to your masters.
Listen well. I have seen Mulder and Scully face down and overcome
everything thrown at them. It may take them a few days to gather their
strength but they will be back. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes
they will return and you will all be made to pay - they will bring you
down and shine a very public light on all the disgusting secrets you
nurture. And Spender, tell them that this time Mulder and Scully will
not be alone, this time I will give up everything, absolutely
everything, to see they are successful. . . . Now get out of my sight."
Bye Bye. All done.
AFBrat001
YES!!!! GO SKINNER!!! Coming down off my high, I would love to see this on
the show. Skinner (read "you") made some very valid and fascinating points.
Excellent job!!!
Jenn
Daydream59
>>Subject: *NEW STORY* Like The Phoenix by Sue
>From: Sue <curr...@idt.net>
YES!!!! Skinner takes a stand! All right!
Very nice work! (And gratuitous Spender bashing as well!)
Daydreamer