Intuition, part 1Authors: Rorie (rorie.brianne(at)nospamcomcast.net) and Lisa (SarahRabb7@aol.com) Classification: C (JAG/XF), R (H/Mac, M/S) Author's notes: We've taken some liberties with the characters... you'll see what we mean. Key: ** denotes H/Mac communication; ~~ denotes Mu/S communication; ~* denotes M/S-->H/M communication; *~ denotes H/M-->M/S communication. You'll see what we mean, hopefully. Special agents Fox William Mulder and Dana Katherine Scully had just received a truly interesting case. It involved two of the officers from the Judge Advocate General's office. In fact, the Admiral's best team, as far as he was concerned. Lt. Commander Harmon David Rabb, Jr. and Lt. Colonel Sarah Catherine MacKenzie had suddenly come down with something beyond unusual, not even remotely diagnosable or believable, unless you witnessed it. They both now possessed all the knowledge belonging to both partners. At least that's what they theorized, they hadn't bothered checking everything out. How could they? It had all begun two days earlier when, during a routine court case, both officers suddenly experienced momentary severe head pain. Nothing was noticed amiss, until..... "I can't believe that you handled the case so well considering that man reminded you so much of John Hendricks." Harm stated. "Who?" Mac asked, astonished. "John Hendricks. The guy that always used to hit on your girlfriends and then treat them awfully, a user." Harm informed her. "Yeah, he just had that attitude." Mac said, as another thought hit her. "I haven't though of him in years until today. There's no way I told you about him. How did you..." "I just... knew." Harm replied, as confused as she was. The next day the pair had planned on taking a trip in Harm's Stearman, 'Sarah.' As they were taking off, and during the flight, Mac had been telling Harm everything to do, and she was right. "Mac... you don't fly planes." Harm said. "I know... I don't." Mac replied, puzzled beyond belief. "And you were using correct terminology..." Harm added. They landed abruptly and cut their day short to go back to headquarters and discuss these new events with the Admiral. JAG
HEADQUARTERS "Mac, could you get me the..." Harm broke off as the file he had been about to request was laid on the desk, courtesy of his partner. **This is so strange.** Mac thought. "I know it is." Harm replied. "What?" Mac said, looking at Harm incredulously. "You said this is strange and... I was agreeing with you." "I didn't say it... I thought it, but I didn't say it." Mac replied slowly. "But I heard you." Harm reasoned. "You couldn't have!" Mac exclaimed, and then her face lost it's color and their eyes met and locked. "You're not crazy, and, no, your lips didn't move." EARLIER THAT
DAY Dana Scully was staring intently at her computer monitor. As usual, her partner Fox Mulder, had left her with the paperwork, while he was reading a report on UFO sightings (or some such nonsense) out in Idaho. Suddenly, the jarring ring of the telephone pulled her away from her work. "Scully." she said, answering it. "Yes, Sir... Right away, Sir." She hung up the phone. "Mulder... Mulder... MULDER!" "Wha...Scully?" Mulder looked up from his papers to where his partner was sitting. "Skinner wants to see us in his office right away. He has a new case for us." The two agents exited their office and headed for the elevator. "So Scully, did he give you any idea what this is about?" "No, he just said to get to his office ASAP." Exiting the elevator, Mulder settled his hand in its usual place at the small of his petite partner's back. She smiled at the familiarity of it. "Agents, he's waiting for you, go right in." Skinner's secretary said. Entering the office of AD Walter Skinner, they were motioned to take a seat. "Agents, I got a request from an old friend, Admiral AJ Chegwidden. He's now the JAG for the Navy." Scully's eyes lit up at the mention of Chegwidden's name. "It seems that two of his lawyers, his best team, in fact, have been exhibiting unusual symptoms." He paused to look at his agents. "The kind that are right up your alley." Skinner handed the case file to Mulder, who perused it quickly before handing it to Scully. "Telepathy, huh?" Scully said. "How long have these symptoms been going on, Sir?" Mulder asked. "A couple of days from what the pair tells AJ." Skinner replied. After being dismissed from their superior's office, Mulder and Scully headed back to their office. "Scully, what was that reaction to the Admiral's name for?" Mulder asked, curiously. "Uncle AJ... at least that's what we called him when we were younger. He and my father were very good friends... they served together." After a brief stop in their office, they headed to their car for the drive to Falls Church. Scully automatically got in the passenger's side of the car. JAG
HEADQUARTERS After signing in the log book, Agents Mulder and Scully headed for Admiral Chegwidden's office. Petty Officer Tiner announced them. "You can go in, Agents." "Thank you, Petty Officer." Scully replied, feeling right at home in the military atmosphere. Mulder, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable, as if he expected someone to take a potshot at him at any time. Scully knocked on the Admiral's door. "Enter." Scully smiled and pushed open the door. The two agents walked in and stood before AJ's desk. AJ turned around and saw who was there. He stood up and walked around and engulfed the petite redhead in a hug. "Dana! Walter didn't say he be sending you." "Well, Uncle AJ... I mean, Admiral, it seems your case is unusual enough to warrant being investigated by the X-Files division." AJ looked at her quizzically, "Dana, it's still Uncle AJ." he said with a smile. He then turned to Mulder, with a question in his eyes. "Oh, where are my manners?" Scully said quickly. "My partner, Fox Mulder. Mulder, Adm. AJ Chegwidden." The two men shook hands. "I suppose you'd like to speak with Harm and Mac now." AJ said. "Yes, Sir." Scully answered. AJ pushed a button, "Tiner, send in Cmdr. Rabb and Col. MacKenzie." There was a knock on Mac's door. "Yes, Harriet." Mac called. Harriet entered, perplexed, "How did you... <ahem> The Admiral wants to see you and Cmdr. Rabb." "We'll be there." Mac said. "Thanks, Harriet." She rose and met Harm in the bullpen. "Yes, of course." she replied, "Well, why wouldn't I?" "Because maybe it would be a little less alarming to those around us if we could try to act normal." "And you having those thoughts about the uses for paper clips when you should have been working this morning, was normal?" Mac questioned. "Sure was." Harm replied, with a grin. "Ow!" he said, putting his hand to his shoulder before she hit him. Mac laughed, she had only thought about it. "Gotcha!" They were all seriousness when they reached and entered the Admiral's office. "Sir." they said in unison as they snapped to attention in front of his desk. They traded one of their all too familiar knowing glances, however, this time they knew exactly what the other one was thinking. "At ease." AJ said. "Cmdr. Rabb, Col. MacKenzie, these are Special Agents Mulder and Scully." he said, introducing the two pairs. They shook hands. "They're here to talk to you about your unusual experiences over the last couple of days." He looked at his watch, "I've got a meeting at the Pentagon, you can use my office while I'm gone." The two officers snapped to attention as their CO left, while Mulder and Scully stood by looking amused. "And Commander, Colonel, you two are on leave until this thing is straightened out." "Aye-aye, Sir." they chorused. As he walked past her, AJ whispered to Scully, "Call me, don't be a stranger, Starbuck." Scully smiled, other than her father, Uncle AJ was the only one who was allowed to call her that. "I will, Sir." she answered. The two officers watched the exchange with wonder, rarely did they see their CO in that light, usually only with Francesca or little AJ. "Well, shall we get down to business?" Mulder asked, breaking into everyone's reverie. "Cmdr. Rabb..." "Harm." Harm corrected. "Okay, Harm, why don't you start." Harm smiled and sat down. "Well, which of my new languages would you like it in... Russian, Farsi..." he said, trying to make light of the conversation. "English." Mac said, seriously. Harm glanced at her, and then taking a less casual attitude, "It appears that not only do I have all of the Lt. Colonel here's memories up to the time this occurred, but I also have her abilities as well, such as her gift for languages." "Add to this the apparent telepathy that we have," Mac interjected, "And you can understand why this is a little unnerving." Harm glanced over at her with an amused look, Mac scowled at him momentarily. **But you were just thinking about how nice looking Agent Mulder was.** **Well, I didn't bother you when you were looking Agent Scully over.** "What was that, Mac?" Harm said, not realizing he's spoken out loud. Mac wasn't going to repeat it. If he hadn't fully noted her pain at his desiring Scully then she certainly wasn't going to repeat it a second time. Scully watched the interplay between the two officers, then she glanced over at Mulder, ~~This is so freaky.~~ ~~Why? We do it all the time.~~ ~~Is this what it looks like to everyone else?~~ "I guess so, Scully." Mulder replied out loud to her thought. Turning back to the other couple, who were now watching them strangely, Scully said, "Colonel, how about you?" "Well, if you count suddenly knowing how to fly a Tomcat and a Stearman as well as having a pretty good idea as to who was responsible for quite a few pranks in the dorms as being normal, I suppose I'm fine. But it's amazing to know that you suddenly have the entirety of another person's life inside your head." Mac said. **Harm, do you get the feelings that they're...** **Conversing inside their heads...** **You mean telepathy?** **Well, just because we didn't believe it, didn't mean it's not possible.** **Well, you're right, and they are being awfully quiet.** The two JAG officers turned and smiled at each other. "It's just very difficult to get used to." Mac finished. Scully smiled knowingly, it certainly was difficult at first. But now, she couldn't imagine not having that special connection with her partner. She was a skeptic about many things, but not about the bond she shared with Mulder. "Okay, Scully, I will." Mulder said, obviously in response to something his partner 'said' to him. "What you two are describing sounds like classic telepathy...thought-sharing, but on a sort-of closed circuit. I am assuming from what you've said, you only share the connection with each other, and can't sense anyone else's thoughts." The officers nodded. ~~Mulder, get to a point, please.~~ Scully shot at her partner. ~~I'm trying, Scully, but your thoughts are getting in the way.~~ ~~Right, G-man, and you weren't just wondering what the Colonel looks like under that uniform, were you?~~ ~~Scullleee!!!~~ ~~Got you!~~ "What do you say we take this meeting somewhere a little less formal?" Scully suddenly said out loud. She did realize that is was sort of rude to have the entire conversation inside their minds, but it was also comforting to know that they couldn't be overheard. "No, too quiet." Mac said. "Too noisy." "Too busy." "Too far." "How about the Round Dime?" both officers said at the same time. Then they turned and looked mildly flustered. "Sorry." they both spoke in unison again. They all rose and exited the Admiral's office. Harm stopped and told Tiner that they were going out. Tiner nodded. Once inside the elevator, Mac went on the attack, "You two know exactly what we're experiencing, don't you?" **Easy, Marine.** **Well, we shouldn't have to feel uneasy if they're doing the same thing. And I for one, would feel a whole lot better knowing that they weren't just this silent all the time.** Arriving in the parking lot, Mac spoke again, "How about I go with Agent Scully and you take Agent Mulder with you, Harm. We won't have to worry about losing them on the interchange." **Right, Marine, you just want a chance to corner Agent Scully with your theory.** Harm nodded. Mac and Scully got into the Agent's car, and Harm and Mulder got into Harm's SUV. EN ROUTE TO THE
RESTAURANT "You two do have telepathic abilities, don't you? How long have you been working together? You seem really close..." Mac fired questions at the agent who was driving. Scully glanced over at Mac, "Col. MacKenzie..." "Mac." "Okay, Mac. Mulder and I have been partners for more than six years. In that time, we've seen things that I can't even begin to describe... I guess our experiences would make anyone close. Most of the time, we can only count on each other." Scully said. Mac nodded, that's how she and Harm were. "As for telepathy," Scully continued, "I... I can't believe I'm going to say this, but, yes, I guess you could say Mulder and I have a telepathic connection. Only ours didn't occur suddenly like yours did. It sort of grew out of our close working relationship. We had always been able to communicate with a look or a touch, but after I became infected with a virus and Mulder risked his life to bring me the vaccine, we were able to see each other's thoughts. At first, I thought it was just a side effect of the virus, but the connection only grew, got stronger. Now, we can communicate with each other over a distance, as well. It's really strange, and it does take some getting used to, but I can't imagine not having it." Mac thought about what Scully had said, "Well, I've been thinking of all the advantages of having this telepathy with Harm. You don't know how hard it's been recently to not search through his memories to see what he thinks of me and what not. Up until today, we had been trying not to use our abilities, but the more we do, the more I'm beginning to like it. It's like having a part of him with me always." Mac began to laugh, at a look from Scully she explained, "Those men, I swear! Harm was talking about something, and when he noticed that I was paying attention, I started getting song lyrics and flying maneuvers. Whatever they are talking about up there must be pretty important." EN ROUTE TO THE
RESTAURANT "Agent Mulder, I'm am not as oblivious as my partner may think I am, and I noticed that you and Agent Scully seem very close. I'm willing to bet that she and you are as close as Mac and I. And though Mac apparently doesn't know this yet, I love her, and I don't intend on allowing anyone else that privilege. Unless, of course, you'd like me to pass this information along to the dear Agent Scully, who, by the way, looks very nice today." Harm said, using his best lawyer bluff. Though the part about Mac was the cold, honest truth, not many people got that where their relationship was concerned, even Mac wasn't getting it at the moment. He was pretty sure that Harriet saw it, but not much escaped that one. Harm smiled and thought even harder about the theme song to 'Top Gun.' Harm's words had put a mental picture into Mulder's mind, one of his partner.... ~~Mulder, I should slap you for that!~~ Mulder blushed, sometimes their connection made for some very awkward moments. They had learned to filter each other's thoughts and only focus in on the ones they were supposed to see, but every once in a while.... "Mac, you definitely don't want to know what they were talking about... if the picture I just got from Mulder is accurate." Scully said with a laugh. "Actually, now I really do want to know. It would be better than getting a full rerun of 'Top Gun.' I knew he had it memorized, but not THIS memorized!" Mac said, shaking her head and tuning Harm out. She knew she wasn't going to get anything from him anyway. "I'm surprised that this telepathy thing hasn't resulted in you and Mulder having a closer relationship... or is it that you just don't want one?" Mac asked, fidgeting with her hands and thinking about how much she wanted one with Harm. She wondered what would happen if he looked in the copy of her mind that he now held and realized that her love for him was right there. She wondered if she should look to see what his feelings for her were. She didn't dare look. "What if he didn't love me..." she said softly, not realizing that she had spoken out loud. Scully didn't know what to say to the Marine next to her. She knew what she thought about a relationship with Mulder, but the regulations kept getting in the way. "Mac, sometimes you just have to take a chance. If he's the one, you have to find out, no matter what." She stopped and thought for a moment. "Mulder and I are partners...best friends, sometimes I wish we could be more. Unfortunately, the regulations keep getting in the way. Then there's the nature of our work. We are always rushing into danger... he's been shot more times than I care to remember, I've been abducted twice, gotten and beaten cancer, and that virus. Our work just isn't conducive to a more personal relationship." Mac watched Scully while she spoke, she wondered who she was trying to convince her or herself. "Harm, Scully and I are just partners, best friends, nothing more. We can't afford to be... the Bureau frowns on partners getting into a romantic relationship... and the danger we are in on a daily basis isn't good for a relationship that's more intense than friendship. Sure, I think about what it would be like to be with Scully in every way, but, right now, it won't happen... it can't happen." Mulder said. Harm rubbed his head, "You don't know how many times I've told myself the same thing, Mulder. That it can't be, but then I don't even know what her feelings are for me. There are times I'm almost certain she feels the same way, that I can see it in her eyes, but I just don't know. As for regulations, trust me, we are in the same boat. I'm beginning to think, though, that there's a time that comes when you just jump...you don't think, you don't look, you just jump and that's when you find happiness." Harm paused and looked over at Mulder, "I mean, haven't you ever broken the rules? Trust me, that's one Marine I'd be willing to break the rules for." "Harm and I have exactly the same problems, Dana. You don't think that investigations in JAG are any less dangerous, I hope?" Scully smiled, 'If she only knew.' Mac continued, "I know there have been times when, deep in my heart, I thought he was going to die, and I knew, the first time that it happened that he was the one, at least for me. Even if he does love me, though, that still puts us up against some strict regulations. But we have some friends in high places that can do some rather remarkable things. But there are some times when I'm tempted to just close my eyes and..." **Trust me that's one Marine I'd be willing to break the rules for.** "What was that?!" Mac said, looking shocked. "This telepathy is getting stronger... I wonder if it's going to be permanent or only temporary. I wonder some times if I shouldn't look while I still have the chance. I'm sorry, I'm rambling. I'm sure you didn't want to know all this about me. Just the facts, hmmm?" Scully smiled, she had had some of those same thoughts when she and Mulder first developed their ability. She changed the subject slightly, "I've learned to ignore half of what dwells in my partner's mind. After a while, you also learn to shield certain things from him...if I couldn't, he'd know how I feel about him. I can't risk it...." She glanced over and saw the look on Mac's face. "I know, Mac, take my own advice. It's just not the same. He feels responsible for all of the bad things in my life. I can't put more guilt on him by making him worry about my heart as well." THE ROUND DIME
RESTAURANT Finally pulling into a parking space at the restaurant, the two couples exited their cars and headed for the door. They naturally gravitated towards their 'other halves,' Mulder fell into step with Scully, putting his hand at the small of her back. She turned and looked at him, "I know, Mulder." Harm and Mac walked in and sat next to each other in one of the old-fashioned booths. The place was modeled to make you feel that you'd stepped back into the fifties. Ordinarily, they would have sat opposite each other, but today that could cause all kinds of problems. The waitress came and Harm ordered, "We'll have two turkey burgers and a plate of fries, and two diet sodas. Mulder? Scully?" **What's with your order?** **Thought I'd be different.** Harm smiled. **Different can be good sometimes.** **So, what do you make of those two?** **I'd say that's privileged information, Counselor.** Mac thought, turning her attention back to Mulder as he ordered. "I'll have a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake." Mulder said. "And I'll have the chef's salad, fat-free Italian on the side, and a root beer." Scully said. ~~Root beer, Scully?~~ ~~Well, I could've ordered iced tea.~~ ~~Then it would be love, right, Scully?~~ Scully started laughing, "Right, Mulder, it would be love." Mac's eyes perked up at the last reply, and the confusion on her face was visible. She clearly couldn't figure out what was going on, and that it was driving her crazy was evident. **Easy, Mac.** Harm projected calmly, laying a hand on her shoulder and looking at her a moment with concern. **I can't for the life of me see what has you so upset.** **I'm just worried about... oh, never mind.** **Oh, Mulder and Scully?** **You've got to be kidding! Then...** "Yes, they're in the same boat. But all of these half-telepathic conversations are driving me crazy!" "Never was one that could put something down, now were you, Marine?" Harm asked teasingly. Finally, the food came and Mac dove into her burger to avoid having to answer Harm. "Wow, you're right, Harm. This is great!" **Isn't it, though? Maybe you'll become a health nut yet. There's always hope.** "In your dreams, Stickboy." She took another couple of bites of her burger. "Since when did you starting eating from the four food groups?" Scully paused in her eating and looked at Mac quizzically. "Starch, grease, dead animal, and ketchup." Mac supplied. A shudder crossed Scully's face, ~~That's gross!~~ ~~Sounds good to me, Scully.~~ ~~It would.~~ Scully took a bite of her salad. **Mac, are they...** "Harm! The telepathy thing..." Mac sighed, this could very well be a long day. Scully realized that they were doing it again. "I'm sorry, you two, sometimes we forget. You should see AD Skinner's face when we do that in his office. Just imagine Uncle AJ's reaction and you'll have some idea." She took another bite of her salad. "So, now that you know our little secret, can you think of anything that would have precipitated your gaining the telepathy?" Mulder asked. ~~Mulder, English please!~~ ~~Scully, it was English...~~ ~~Albeit convoluted English, Mulder. Ask the question so that someone, other than me, would actually understand it.~~ "You're right, Scully. Sorry, let me rephrase the question. Did anything happen that you think may have caused the telepathy?" The two JAG officers looked at each other, "No." "Although, there is no 'ordinary' in our work, nothing notably unusual has happened." Mac stated and Harm nodded his agreement. "So, what exactly are we all going to do?" Harm asked, "We're on leave while this investigation is underway..." "Or, at least, until we can stop confusing the office." Mac added with a smile. "So, what exactly are you two here to do?" Harm asked. He was beginning to feel just a bit uneasy. He was starting to really like this connection with Mac, maybe they could learn to use this. "Well, to tell you the truth, I have no idea. Uncle AJ called the AD and asked for our assistance. I thinks he just wants to know how this thing between you happened." Scully said. "Not a clue. We were both in court when suddenly I had this terrible head pain. It was excruciating. Apparently, we both had it at exactly the same time and it wasn't until we were leaving court that, well, all of the strange things started to happen." Harm stated. "That's our story and we're sticking to it." "Harm, this isn't court." Mac said, smiling lightly. "Mac, I will start explaining to them why the Lieutenant was in the tree in his underwear." Harm said just loud enough for the table to hear. He was rewarded with a 'Don't you dare!' look that would have had most people quivering. Harm just smiled. "And I didn't need telepathy for that one!" Mac announced, still glaring at him. The tension could've been cut with a knife and sewn back together. The more the two officers wanted each other, the further they pushed. Scully looked at Mulder and he shrugged, ~~Don't ask me.~~ "Mulder, out loud, please." Scully ordered. "Sorry. So, Mac, why was the Lt. in the tree in his underwear?" Mulder asked, only to be rewarded with the same look that Mac had given Harm. "Seriously, you said you both experienced pain at the same time?" The officers nodded. ~~What do you think, Scully?~~ ~~A MRI or a CT should be done.~~ ~~I agree...~~ "Really, that's a first, Mulder. Harm, Mac, we think you should both have a MRI to rule out any pathological changes in the brain." "Now, who's not speaking English, Dr. Scully?" Scully glared at Mulder, he held his hands up in mock surrender, "Okay, I give." "Okay." Harm said, nodding. "We're at your disposal, Dana." Mac replied. "Oh, so we're all on a first name basis now?" Harm quipped. "Only those of us that can be friendly." Mac said, smiling as she slapped his arm playfully. The group finished their lunch then headed to the cars for the drive to Bethesda Naval Hospital for the MRIs. BETHESDA NAVAL
HOSPITAL At the hospital, Scully talked to a technician and got Harm and Mac in for the MRIs. The tests took 20 minutes each. When they were through, Scully looked at the computer screens for a few minutes. "Come on, Scully, you can make a print out of the pictures and take them with us. You know how I hate hospitals." Mulder whined. Scully smiled at her partner. He had a look on his face that could charm anyone into doing what he wanted, especially her. She would do anything for Mulder when he smiled, or gave her the "puppy dog eyes." Of course, if confronted with that knowledge, she'd deny it under oath. "All right, Mulder, you win." She conferred with the tech and he left to make printouts of the films. Ten minutes later, armed with her films, Scully met Mulder and the two JAG officers in the lobby. The group agreed to meet at Harm's apartment after the two agents ran home and changed into something a little more comfortable than the professional suits they were wearing. Mac said she'd change at Harm's. She'd left some sweats there, she figured they would come in handy when working late on a case. LCDR HARMON
RABB JR's APT. Mac answered the door when the agents arrived. Mulder had changed into a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt. She eyed him appreciatively. Scully had also changed into a pair of blue jeans, but she was wearing a soft green angora-like short-sleeved sweater. "So what does everyone want for dinner?" Harm asked as he came into the living room to greet his guests. **You are NOT serving them meatless meatloaf!** Mac warned her partner. **Okay, okay.** Harm put his hands up in defense. He watched Mulder and Scully closely, they were standing so close to each other that he doubted anything would fit between their bodies. **Do you get the feeling that those two are...** "How very observant, Commander." Mac countered, then sighed as she headed towards the kitchen to help with dinner. Harm followed with a glance over his shoulder at the two agents who had made their way to the sofa. Mulder and Scully were lost to the outside world. Scully was reading the results of the MRIs, with Mulder looking over her arm. They were sitting very close on the sofa, their heads just about touching. ~~Scully, what's this?~~ Mulder pointed at a place on Mac's picture. ~~I don't know.~~ Scully looked at it closer, then compared it to Harm's. ~~It's on his as well.~~ ~~Could it be the cause of their telepathy?~~ ~~Could be, Mulder. But until I know what it is, I can't even speculate.~~ ~~Tumors could cause telepathy, couldn't they?~~ ~~It's possible, Mulder, remember Modell? But what are the odds that they both have the same tumor in exactly the same spot?~~ Mulder looked puzzled, "Not very likely." ~~Right.~~ Scully thought for a moment. "Mulder, we have to face the fact that we might never find the cause of this condition. I mean, we still don't know what caused ours." ~~Scully, ours is the result of the alien virus that we were exposed to... you from the bee sting, me in Russia.~~ ~~Mulder, we don't know that for sure.~~ "Scully, what other explanation do you have?" "This isn't about us, Mulder!" she said, standing up and heading for the kitchen. "Is there anything I can help you with?" "No." Harm and Mac looked as if they had been cooking together for years. They weren't even looking at each other while passing things back and forth. **This telepathy is amazing! What are you doing now?** **I didn't use telepathy, Harm. I searched your memories. You do this like everything else, as a routine.** **Well, maybe I should get out of the routine?** **It could be good for you every once in a while.** Mac advised with a smile. He moved, she couldn't counter. They collided, Mac lost her balance. Harm caught her and kissed her. She was on her own feet a moment later. Blink. Blink. Long stares. They went back to doing exactly what they had been before the accident. "Have you had any luck yet, Dana?" Mac asked. "Not really... no." Scully answered. "Hey, Mac, what's with your mind?" Harm asked confused. "It would be called blocking. It's more civil than getting 'Top Gun' verbatim, Counselor." Mac replied. She looked at Scully, who was watching the pair closely. She wondered if the agent knew what was going on, if she suspected just how close Mac had come to exposing herself. Scully smiled at the exchange, Mac was learning. The art of blocking was a pretty useful skill. When dinner was ready, Scully called Mulder, "Get in here for dinner." "Coming, Scully." They all sat at the table, not one talked, but everyone got what they wanted. They just had to 'ask' their partner for it. It was an eerie sight, anyone who didn't know the situation would really be confused. Scully started laughing, everyone looked at her, "Doesn't this remind you of something out of Star Trek?" ~~Star Trek, you, Scully?~~ ~~My brothers, Bill and Charlie, watched it all the time.~~ "The episode where the Doctor..." Harm began. "... and the Captain were telepathic!" Mac added. "And they admitted they had feelings for each other." Harm summed up. "That was so romantic!" Mac commented. "Yes, and it was about time, too." Harm said. Scully laughed, "I wouldn't know... I hardly ever watched it... my brothers did, so I caught a few episodes when they had the television on at my mother's." "I think it's really rather fun! Imagine all the people that we could drive crazy... the four of us sitting here like this." Mac said, feeling a little silly. "Just a shame it doesn't work four ways." Harm finished. Mulder thought for a moment, "How do we know it doesn't work four ways. We haven't tried it. I know none of us can pick up images or thoughts from non-telepaths, but have we tried to pick up from someone other than our partner?" "Mulder, what are you saying?" "Well, Scully, I just want to know how far our powers reach... maybe if we try with other telepaths, they'll get the picture." Mulder shot his partner an exasperated look. "So are you game?" "Okay, but I'm not even sure how I do it. With Harm, I mean, I just think about it and..." "Logically, that's all you should have to do with us." Mulder replied. "So?" "All right, Mulder, I'll go along with this... in the pursuit of scientific discovery." Scully said, half-sarcastically. In reality, she was just as curious as he was as to the range of their abilities. Mac stared across the table at the two agents, *~Dana? Mulder? Okay, I feel really foolish doing this!~* She flushed and exhibited her normal embarrassed behavior. Harm reached out and squeezed her hand comfortingly. Scully's eyes got wide, ~*MAC!!*~ "Mulder, are you getting this?" "Getting what, Scully?" "I can hear Mac in my mind." ~*Mac, I can hear you, can you hear me?*~ Scully watched the other woman to see if there was any reaction. *~Yes! Yes! I hear you!~* "I hear you!" Mac said, simultaneous with her thought. She was as giddy as a schoolgirl. *~Mulder, can you believe this?~* Harm sent as a shot in the dark. "I can hear you, Scully." Harm said, "Or at least I could." "It must depend on who we're trying to send to, we can control it at will. Amazing!" Mac enthused. She was really getting into this. "What?" Mulder asked, he was totally in the dark here. "Are you saying that you three can all talk to each other in your heads?" "It looks that way, Mulder. Why? Didn't you get anything from either of them?" Scully asked, a frown forming on her beautiful face. "No, not a thing, just you." Mulder replied. "Interesting." Scully said, putting a hand on Mulder's arm. "Well, I guess we answered your question... sort of. We, or at least, Mac, Harm, and I can communicate telepathically with each other." *~Oh, what a pity that Mulder can't join us.~* Mac said, blocking Harm out. *~Think of all that we can discuss now!~* *~Hello? Excuse me! I have a feeling there's something going on in here. We don't just have dead air, do we?~* Harm shot out, feeling left out of the loop. "Don't worry, Mulder. I think Harm is feeling just as left out." Mac teased. Scully laughed, "Mac, you are so bad!" she said. "This does have some interesting possibilities, though." "What does?" Mulder interjected. "Nothing." Mac and Scully said at the same time. "This isn't fair." Mulder pouted. "I thought I was the one who believed in all of this stuff, and you were the skeptic, Scully." "Mulder, when it comes to your UFOs and alien hybrids, you're the believer. I said I believe in what I can see or experience. Well, obviously, I'm experiencing this, so I believe." "Scully, how can you deny the presence of EBEs on this planet? You've seen the ship... remember what they did to you in Antarctica?" Harm and Mac watched this exchange with wonder. ~~Mulder, we'll discuss this later.~~ *~Okay, so is everyone getting this in one form or another?~* Mac projected, trying to change the subject and lighten the mood again. **Yeah, I can everyone loud and clear when they're not blocking.** Harm shot back. **Well, maybe if you can behave we won't have to.** Mac retorted. "It's nice that our thoughts come out just like our voices." she said with a smile. "That's probably because your mind is interpreting the signals into the familiar patterns of the other person's voice." Mulder said, "Since thoughts really don't have a sound attached to them." Scully shot Mulder another exasperated look. *~Mulder, are you with us?~* Harm and Mac thought in unison, then gave each other a 'this is so weird' look and laughed. ~*I don't think so.*~ Scully answered. ~~Mulder?~~ ~~Yeah, Scully?~~ ~~Are you getting anything from them?~~ ~~No...~~ "He's not with us... yet... it's just us." Scully said out loud for the benefit of her partner. ~~Scully, how come you three can communicate with each other, and I can only hear and transmit to you?~~ "I don't know, Mulder. Maybe you and I should have MRIs done as well. Tomorrow, let's all meet at 9:30 am at Bethesda. A friend of mine's on shift then." They all agreed. Scully stood up and stretched. "I don't think we can get very much more done tonight... I need to have Mulder's and my test results to compare to your two. Maybe then we can come up with a working theory. ~~Scully, I doubt they were exposed to any extraterrestrial viruses lately.~~ ~~If that's what caused ours, Mulder...~~ ~~Scully...~~ "Come on, Mulder. Let's go home." Scully said. She saw Mac's face perk up at that statement. She smiled, "It's a figure of speech, Colonel. We both have our own apartments." *~You just wish you didn't.~* Mac shot at Scully, keeping a poker face. "Mac, you shouldn't go all the way back to your place this late." Harm cautioned. "You're more than welcome to stay here... I'll take the couch. We can drive to the hospital together. Besides, your car is still at JAG." "You see, Dana, that's the way with pilots, they've got the gold wings and they think they can have whatever they want." Mac teased, already taking off her shoes. *~He can have whatever he wants if he just smiles.~* she directed privately to Scully. "Let's see how far away we can stay in touch." Mac ventured. "Yeah, this could be a rather interesting and useful tool." Harm added. *~It could be a very interesting night, Dana.~* Mac sent privately. Scully laughed, "I don't know how far a range you two have, but Mulder and I have a great range. Let's see I was in Quantico, you were in San Diego, wasn't it?" "No, Scully, San Jose." "That's right. Anyway, I was in Virginia, he was in California. He didn't know I could reach him there, let's just say it was an interesting experience." ~~SCULLLEEE!!!~~ ~~Embarrassed, Mulder? I didn't give any details.~~ "Mulder, Scully, it's been fun." Harm said, opening the door for the agents. "See you in the morning." Mac said with a smile. "Goodnight." Scully said, heading for the elevator, Mulder falling into step with his hand at the small of her back. Harm wrapped his arm around Mac's waist as they watched the two agents enter the elevator and they shut the door. ~~This was an enlightening evening, wouldn't you say, Mulder?~~ ~~For you, maybe, I'm out of the loop.~~ Mulder pouted. Scully smiled and stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek right before they exited the elevator on the way to their car, which was amazingly still where they had left it, and completely intact, hubcaps and all. |
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