THE CURSE OF DARK SHADOWS Round 2, Part 1

Soaking wet, Mulder stood in the center of the large bedroom. He shivered involuntarily, chilled to the bone. Across the room, Krycek knelt beside the ornately carved fireplace trying to create a spark.

Lightning crashed outside the stained glass windows. For a split second Mulder thought he could see the owl viciously beating its wings. As thunder rumbled and shook the ancient foundations of the great house, he returned his attention to the man he once called "enemy," the man he longed to touch.

Water dripping from his hair, Alex tried to strike a match without his hand shaking. It proved to be a challenge. Finding Mulder under attack outside had sent a surge of adrenalin through his body; seeing his one desire in mortal danger.

In that instant, the fireplace roared into life. Alex stood up and asserted his normal cool calm. It wasn't easy with Fox Mulder standing in the same room. Alex grabbed the chair he'd fallen asleep in earlier and pulled it close to the fire.

"Come on and warm up," he called over to Mulder.

Near the door Mulder nodded and strode across toward him, limping a little along the way. Almost immediately Alex reached out a helping hand. Mulder hesitantly took it. He was still shaken up by the events outside and torn by the overwhelming feelings for Alex Krycek.

Alex gently sat Mulder down in the chair. He grimaced from the pain in his foot. "Thanks," he said through gritted teeth.

He watched as Alex turned and quickly hefted a quilt from the bed. With surprising ease, he wrapped the warm covering over Mulder's shoulders.

"You'd better let me take a look at that," Alex suggested.

For an instant, Mulder half hoped he meant something entirely different. Kneeling down, Alex slowly lifted Mulder's leg. Mulder started to protest but the soft touch he received from Alex stopped him. He held onto the arms of the chair while Alex expertly removed his sodden hiking boot and sock. Mulder steadied his increased breathing. Was he being that obvious? No-one had ever stirred up the kind of emotions he was experiencing.

Alex held Mulder's foot in his hand. Tracing his fingers delicately up the ankle, he discovered that touching Mulder's flesh had dispersed the chill from his body. A thousand questions flashed through his mind. What was Fox Mulder doing here? How had he tracked me down? What was the connection between Jamison Du Prés and Mulder? How did he know the owl meant Mulder harm? What was Fox Mulder doing here?

Mulder couldn't tear his eyes away from Alex. How many times had he imagined finding Krycek again? On several occasions he'd wanted to see him lying dead at his feet. More often than not, he fantasized about taking the Russian into his arms. The conflicting feelings had waged a war within him for so long.

His thoughts were distracted by the tingling sensation running up his leg, creating a warm fire in his groin. His eyes fell on Alex's body. The rain had plastered the T shirt he wore to his skin. Mulder could make out every muscular detail, right down to the hard nipples. His mouth watered and he swallowed.

"What's the verdict, doc?" he finally asked.

Alex didn't want to let go of Mulder. Heart pounding against his chest, he felt his crotch begin to bulge. He finally had Mulder within his grasp, but those old memories cruelly shattered the illusion.

"The muscles are just strained," Alex answered. He gently set Mulder's naked foot back down. "Should be alright."

"Is first aid a hidden talent of yours?" Mulder wondered.

Staring up into those eyes, glittering by the light of the flames, Alex could almost believe that all the animosity he'd caused had faded away. 'You have no idea of the talents I'd love to show you,' he thought. "You need some dry clothes," he told Mulder, diverting his thoughts.

Mulder eased back into the soft chair. "My bags are down in the car," he replied.

Alex stood up and moved toward the bed. Beside it on the floor sat his duffle bag. He took out an extra T shirt and a pair of sweat pants. Bringing them over to Mulder, he grinned.

"Here, you can wear these. That is if you don't mind wearing my clothes."

Mulder gingerly accepted the clothing. Alex pulled the wet shirt over his head. Laying it over the screen to dry, he turned back to Mulder and was taken aback by the look on his face.

"Mulder, are you okay?"

"What? Yes, I'm just..." He looked up at the ceiling, tearing his eyes away from Krycek's glistening chest.

"Just what?" Alex pressed.

"Just wondering why that spirit familiar attacked me," he half-lied. "The way you spoke to it... The first thing we need to do is find out why it happened."

Alex didn't know how to answer him. He still didn't understand what had drawn him to Collinwood in the first place, nor the strange familiarity that invaded his senses.

"The supernatural is your expertise," he replied. Alex drew closer to inspect the bloody gashes Mulder sustained during the attack.

"Not too deep," he observed. "You're lucky."

Mulder squirmed a little, unable to resist pressing closer into him. It was then that Mulder's eyes fell on the strange skull sitting on the fireplace mantle.

"Woah, now that's what I call Gothic decor!"

Alex looked up and snorted. "Mulder I'd like for you to meet Old Lucy, a servant who loved this place so much that she wanted her head to stay in it."

Mulder's eyes sparkled. "Really?"

"Supposedly the skull screams if it's taken out of the house," he continued. "I immediately thought of you."

"I still can't believe it's really Collinwood," Mulder said in awe of his surroundings.

"You used to come up here a lot?" Alex prompted, sitting back down.

Mulder gave him a playful grin. "How do you know that?"

Alex tapped his wet nose three times and smiled. "I have my ways."

"This is the first time I've actually made it to the estate," Mulder began to explain. "I tried several times, but something always held me back."

Alex looked up at him, almost speaking from a distance. "I don't know why, but I almost feel like I've come home."

"What do you mean?"

"A funny thing about this place... I keep imagining things."

Mulder stood up, testing his weight on his ankle. Alex was by his side in an instant.

"What are you doing?" Alex questioned, full of concern.

"I think we both need a hot bath and a good night's sleep before we catch pneumonia," he replied. "Is there an extra room?"

Alex felt his heart sink. For a moment he thought Mulder was suggesting... Then he realized his motivation for trying to run from the man he loved was justified.

"There's a room across the hall," Alex told him. "Ginny said it used to belong to a governess."

Mulder nodded. "Tomorrow, I'll see what's wrong with the car then book a room at the inn."

"No!" Alex said forcefully. Mulder looked at him, surprised. "I mean you've waited so long to come here. There's plenty of room. Besides," suddenly his voice affected a perfect New England accent, "they don't like strangers in these parts."

Mulder couldn't help but laugh, despite the pain in his shoulder and foot. "Is Virginia still here?"

Alex nodded as he helped Mulder toward the door. "Yeah, she's been very nice. Just watch out for her nephew though."

"Nephew?" Mulder's curiosity sparked. "I never knew she had a nephew."

Out in the darkened hallway, Alex lead him across to a similar oak door. Opening it they found a room decorated in shades of blue and white. A large canopy bed took up most of the area while an exquisite dressing table and a wardrobe stood in the corners. Long silk curtains framed the stained glass windows as the wind moaned outside.

Alex helped Mulder to sit on the comfy bed. Turning to the bedside table, he lit a candle.

"There should be a bathroom through there," he said, indicating another door. "The tubs are enormous. Big enough for two."

Mulder whipped his head up at this. Was his imagination working overtime or was it the sight of Alex shirtless?

Shuffling his tired feet, Alex quickly covered. "When you pull out the plug, don't let the vortex drag you down."

"From what I've heard about Collinwood, anything's possible in this house."

Suddenly, the sound of a dog howling pierced the storm outside. Mulder let the quilt fall from his shoulders. Limping toward the window he pulled back the curtains to stare at the woods surrounding the estate. Through the rain a gentle fog rolled its way down the hills.

"Legend says that when the moon is full and the wolfbane blooms, strange creatures walk the night."

Alex watched Mulder in fascination. It never ceased to amaze him how the call of the supernatural affected him. A sudden lightning flash illuminated the forest several stories below. Mulder's eyes widened in surprise.

"Someone's standing out there!"

Alex hurried over to stand close to him. Peering out of the window he searched the trees. If Mulder tracked him down, could a Consortium assassin have followed? He sighed with relief.

"Nothing's there. I think this place is already getting to you."

Mulder shrugged, sitting on the cushioned window seat. "Maybe, but I know the stories about Collinwood all too well to take anything lightly."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I've heard a few just on the way up here."

"I was just sure I saw someone."

"Mulder come on, you need rest."

"You're right."

"Do you need any help?"

"I'm fine... no need to fuss."

"Stubborn as always." Alex shook his head and headed for the door.

"Hey Alex," called Mulder.

Alex turned in the doorway. Instead of the malice he'd grown to expect, there was genuine happiness in Mulder's eyes.

"Thanks," he finished.

~oo0oo~

Back in his bedroom, Alex stripped out of his pants and hung them over the fireplace next to his already drying shirt. He was too exhausted to slip into the bathtub. Pulling down the covers on his bed he felt his heart racing. Fox Mulder was here... in the very next room. Sliding beneath the warm sheets something told him that this time things would be different.

~oo0oo~

Across the hallway, Mulder lit another candle and carried it inside the spacious bathroom. His eyes fell on the centerpiece of the room. Alex had been right, the tubs were huge. He mentally kicked himself for not allowing the Russian to help him... The conflicting feelings he'd dealt with didn't seem terrible now that he'd found Alex Krycek again.

Turning on the taps, Mulder watched the the tub begin to fill with water. Carefully easing out of his torn shirt he winced as the wet fabric rubbed against his fresh wounds. Removing his sticky slacks and underwear, Mulder clicked over the strange events. Somehow Alex had known he was in danger, he'd known the spirit familiar was after him. Sucking on his bottom lip, he decided to add this to the score of mysteries he hoped to solve. At the moment, they were only vague shadows in his mind.

Easing himself into the water, he breathed deeply and let the steam wash over him.

~oo0oo~

Hunger. The familiar aching sensation that haunted his every thought awakened him. Red eyes sheared through the black void. He sensed that the two men were now apart. There were no words to describe the need he felt to taste the life-force of the luscious bodies residing within those walls.

Even after all this time, he could still hear her words after he'd been turned.

"I have lost him, but I WILL have him again. Cristoff McTeer, you will help me. You will know when the time is right."

Centuries had passed and he could still remember the first time he'd tasted human blood. The ectasy of taking someone so totally. But never had he desired anyone as much as the two new arrivals at Collinwood. He imagined how sweet they must be.

Angélique desired the brooding Russian, certain that it was he. But the other stranger also exhibited a world of delights. Somehow he would have them both. The coffin's lid creaked open revealing a pale hand. As if in response to the need within, a dog howled in the distance.

~oo0oo~

Swatting away another pinch Rose Harridge turned angrily on the drunken sailor.

"We'll have no more of that Jon Harker!"

The man just laughed and returned to his waiting beer. Rose sighed, she ought to be used to it but she would be so glad when this night was over. Placing her empty tray on the bar, she smiled up at Bob.

"Remind me again why I work here?"

Bob chuckled. "Don't let 'em bother 'ya, Rose."

"Could be worse, Rosie," Charlie Blair said from his regular corner stool. "You could be working at Collinwood."

"No thanks," she replied. The mention of the old Collins estate set her curiosity in motion. "Bob, is it true there's a new caretaker?"

The bartender leaned in close. "It's true. A young buck swaggered in here looking for a job."

"I heard tell that a car was seen heading up the hill before the storm," Charlie added.

Rose shook her head in disbelief. "Strangers in Collinwood? There's one born every minute."

~oo0oo~

Sweat glistened on Alex's forehead as his naked body thrashed wildly against the sheets. Taking in deep lungfuls of air, his eyes danced in a maelstrom of fury behind their lids. From somewhere in the distance, he heard a woman's voice echo, "Come to me."

Alex became very still. In his mind's eye an image began to form...

*****

Frosty air covered the cemetery. There in the first rays of the morning sun she stood waiting for him. Her white gown billowing in the chilly breeze, arms outstreched. He was unable to resist the lure as she enveloped him.

Far in the distance, a man watched the events. His sadness radiating through the windows of Collinwood.

*****

In a flash the scene changed. Alex saw himself and Mulder walking together through the great estate's forest. A full moon and a million twinkling stars illuminated their path. Mulder smiled a smile that sent electric tentacles racing through his body. A childlike laugh escaped his lips and he began to run across the sparkling grass.

Alex stood still, unable to move. A cold fear slapped into him. He watched helplessly while his love ran further away.

"No." His whispered word was carried away in the approaching storm.

"NO! Fox, don't go there!" He shouted desperately. Alex found himself racing after Mulder... No, not Mulder. The figure before him was crying, wearing eighteenth-century clothing. Although it seemed as if he was running in slow motion, Alex could not catch him.

"Stop! No!" Alex cried.

The figure's movements continued like a film that had been slowed down. A violent wind nearly toppled him over as he turned back tearfully.

"No, Spencer! No!"

"Please, Jamison! Stop!" Alex ran faster. But the man who resembled Fox William Mulder did not stop. He carried on frantically running through the trees.

Then, there was nowhere else to run. A despairing wail glided through the storm lashed wind. In a single movement Jamison leapt from the edge of the cliff.

"NO!" Alex screamed. Standing at the edge, he could only watch as the mournful waves crashed against the jagged rocks below Widows' Hill.

From far away he could hear his own voice, full of rage, "You killed him! You killed Jamison!"

Then a pistol fired.

*****

"Fox!" Alex cried, sitting up in his sweat soaked bed. His eyes frantically searched the darkened room, only finding the dying embers of the fireplace. His heart hammering against his chest, Alex threw off the sheets and dashed from the room.

~oo0oo~

A dark shadow passed silently through the bedroom. Exhausted from the night's events, Mulder slept peacefully. A cursed soul stood towering over him beside the bed. Hungry eyes latched onto the pulsing vein in Mulder's exposed neck.

An explosion of noise distracted Cristoff from his intended prey. Shocked awake, Mulder's blurred senses failed to recognize the angry hiss as Cristoff retreated. He blinked several times trying to remember where he was. Lightning flashed outside, but the shadow that had infiltrated the room was gone. The bedroom door burst inwards revealing a breathlessly terrified Alex Krycek.

"Alex? What is it? What's happened?" asked Mulder hoarsely.

Without a word, Alex rushed over to the bed and his arms were around Mulder's shoulders.

"I tried to save you!" he exclaimed, still mesmerized by the dream.

Mulder felt Alex's body tremble against his own. He'd never known that anything could frighten the sly rat. Mulder wrapped his arms around him, holding his strong body in a tight embrace.

"It's alright, Alex. I'm fine," he reassured him. The dim light of the bedside candle revealed Alex in all of his naked beauty. Mulder gasped, he was absolutely breathtaking.

Alex sat back and held Mulder's arms. He stared deep into his eyes. "Fox, do you know how much I need you?"

Mulder listened in amazement. All of his fantasies had never prepared him for this moment. Alex pulled him closer, his lips on Mulder's soft brown hair. Mulder raised his head and nestled it against his neck, his hands lightly stroking his face.

"I'm here," Mulder said tenderly. "I'm right here."

He squeezed the handsome Russian's body against his own. Alex's lips traced down from his hair to his eyes then to his cheeks, and as the fear changed into an erotic need, he kissed Mulder's neck, forgetting the risk of being rebuffed. Slowly, he kissed him, massaging Mulder's neck with his lips. The taste of his skin was unlike anything Alex could have imagined.

Mulder moaned to himself in pleasure while Alex's tongue glided across the front of his neck. He did not want this moment to ever end. Mulder slid closer to him, whispering Alex's name huskily. In response his lips moved up from the Adam's Apple to Mulder's face and then, finally, to his mouth.

A wave of ectasy washed over them as they kissed deeply. Mulder pressed his mouth onto his, embracing him warmly. Holding Alex felt better than anything had in a very long time. Consumed with sexual energy, he pulled Alex down on top of him and held his face in his hands.

Alex ran his fingers sensually down Mulder's chest, taking great care to avoid his wounded shoulder. Soon he replaced his hand with his wet mouth, using the tip of his tongue to explore Mulder's delectable body. He slowly kissed his way down Mulder's chest, one hand firmly rubbing the hard bulge straining for release.

Mulder writhed below him, kicking off the sheets. Alex pulled at his waistband, quickly discarding the sweat pants. In the candlelight he gasped at the sight of Mulder's beautiful, perfectly formed manhood. Unable to resist, he ran his tongue up the length of Mulder's hard shaft. Opening his lips, he slowly, inch by inch, took it fully inside of his mouth.

Alex wrapped his tongue around it as his lips slid up and down. Fox exhaled deeply, holding Alex's head as he pumped deeper into his mouth. Fingers playfully found their way up Mulder's chest. He groaned, throwing his head back on the pillow, his mouth opening as his breathing increased.

Shifting his weight, Alex manouvered himself to where his own hardness was directly over Mulder's face. Instantly, he greedily enveloped the throbbing meat between his full lips. Now it was Krycek's turn to moan. The feel of Mulder's mouth sent fireworks exploding in Alex's mind. Mulder held onto his hips and pulled him in deeper.

Running his hands beneath his sweet Fox, Alex pulled his legs up and ran his hands across the firm flesh of his cheeks. Caressing them open, his tongue found its way inside the inviting space within.

Reluctantly, he released himself from Mulder's mouth. Mulder sat up, not wanting to let go. Alex pushed him back onto the bed, hoisting his legs over his powerful shoulders. Alex looked down directly into his eyes. Mulder smiled, twining his arms around his neck, and pushing himself up under him. Slowly, Alex worked his way inside, relishing the exquisite warmth. Mulder closed his eyes and let the sensations sweep over him. Alex began to grind his hips, slowly at first, then with increasing force.

Mulder leaned forward and planted his mouth over Alex's, his tongue sliding in as he was penetrated below. Drops of sweat trickle down Alex's face and onto Mulder's heaving chest. In unison, Alex's breath became gasps. He slid his hand between Mulder's legs and began to stroke; soon they are moaning together, louder and louder. Mulder held tightly to his shoulders as Alex pounded further, rubbing against his prostate, sending him to the point of no return.

Finally Mulder cried out as Alex's hand brought him to the best orgasm of his life. Alex felt it too, the tight hold grabbing at his cock, squeezing it to orgasm. He thrust hard against him, pinning Mulder to the bed. His body shuddered, and he leaned down to kiss him as a new warmth spread through Mulder's body. Alex collapsed on top of him, waves of euphoria taking hold. Feeling their heartbeats matching rhythmically, they kissed deeply again.

Alex held him close, sliding his tongue into Fox's mouth in a passionate kiss full of promises.

~oo0oo~

Turning the lock on The Blue Whale, Rose Harridge headed away from the bar. Luckily the typical Maine storm had been carried back out to sea. She was grateful as she had not fancied a wet walk to her cherry red VW. There was a distinct chill in the air and Rose tightened the grip on her coat.

Moving down the dock she could just make out the distant homes. She felt a bit envious that Collinsport had been asleep for hours and here she was just getting off work. Her aching feet protesting, Rose stepped from the dock and walked on down the sidewalk.

She paused. A chill passed through her like a knife. Staring backwards she couldn't see a thing, but there was definitely something. Quickening her pace, the car was a mere few feet ahead.

Rose's heart jumped. Someone was following her! Bolting past a white picket fence she hurled the driver's door opened. Slamming down the lock, she turned to the passenger side. The door wrenched open and a hand grasped her around the neck.

"NO!" Rose screamed in terror.

~oo0oo~

Everything was prepared. Virginia surveyed the lavish breakfast she had prepared. She gripped the serving tray so hard that her knuckles were stark white. The kitchen door opened and she turned to watch Cristoff stagger through.

"I know what you did last night," she told him angrily.

Cristoff shrugged, a smirk flooding his face. "I wouldn't have had to if..."

"You must be patient."

"Patient?" He repeated, almost spitting out the word.

"Yes," she nodded. "You must be careful." Behind him she could see the first rays of morning peeking through the forest. "You'd better go."

He grunted and turned to leave. Virginia stared past him, a smile spreading across her features. "Angélique loves us. She always has and always will."

~oo0oo~

Alex and Fox had spent most of the morning together in bed. Strangely enough, Virginia had not been the least surprised to find them in the room once occupied by Victoria Winters. Nor was she surprised by Mulder's arrival. In fact, he puzzled over her aloof manner toward him. Sure, it had been ten years since he last saw her, but he'd never given her any reason to act... dare he say the word? ...hostile. These thoughts were quickly diminished when Alex wrapped his arms around him once more.

Now it was nearing lunchtime and the new-found lovers were strolling across the grounds of Collinwood. Although his shoulder still stinged, Mulder found that his ankle was much better. Alex was being particularly mischievious about a surprise. No matter how hard he tried, Mulder could not pry it out of him. His body still tingled from his passionate night of lovemaking with Alex.

All around them lay the damage from the storm; large limbs and water standing. It was as if nature had mirrored the hurricane of passion between the two men. Alex commented that after his surprise, he'd have to check the outside of the mansion. This would give Fox all the time he needed to delve into the mysteries he sought to unravle.

Pressing on through the trees, Mulder gasped in surprise at the sight before him. Overgrown and eroded by the passage of time, the building stood majestically in the middle of the forest.

"It's the Old House," he breathed.

"I found it yesterday afternoon, just before the storm," Alex explained.

Mulder was well aware of the Old House. The legends of Collinsport all began here, at the family's first house.

Unseen, a lone figure watched their progress in the shadows of the trees. Everything remained still around the young girl. She clutched her hands together worriedly as the two men walked past the ivy covered stone columns and inside the house.

~oo0oo~

"Alex, this is amazing," Mulder gushed.

Although no-one had live here in ages, the grandness of the house was unmistakable. A spider skittered up the dusty chandelier as Mulder looked up. Standing at the bottom of a rickety staircase, Alex held out his hand. "There's something you have to see."

Making their way carefully up to the third floor, Alex paused outside of a door. "You're going to be very surprised when you see this. I know I was."

Opening the door, he ushered Mulder inside. The room beyond could have been frozen in time. The eighteenth-century furnishings were perfectly preserved. Nothing had disturbed the bedroom in centuries, even the dust had not soiled its beauty.

"You found it like this?" whispered Mulder.

"Yes," Alex replied. He watched Fox move deeper inside. Suddenly he stopped and stared in amazement at a portrait hanging above the dormant fireplace. The image looking back at him was simply unbelievable.

"It's incredible," he breathed.

Alex slowly moved up behind him. "You do see the resemblance, don't you?"

Mulder nodded, unable to speak. The man in the portrait looked exactly like him. His hair was longer and he was dressed in period clothing, but to all intents and purposes he was staring up at a portrait of himself.

"His name was Jamison Du Prés," Alex explained, breaking the silence.

"Jamison?" Mulder wondered aloud.

"Do you know the story?"

"He and his father travelled here from the West Indies in the 1700s."

"And he died on Widows' Hill. It broke my..." The deep sadness radiating from Alex's voice trailed off. "I haven't been able to get Jamison out of mind since coming here," he continued.

Mulder shivered. After all the things he'd seen and done in his life, seeing his face immortalized in a painting sent chills down his spine.

"I think we should be getting back," he suggested.

"Fox, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay," Mulder smiled. "I'm glad you brought me here."

Alex lead him out of the room, closing the shrine to Jamison Du Prés.

~oo0oo~

The drawing room of Collinwood seemed to be the best place to read, or so Mulder thought. He'd discovered the Collins family history book on a nearby podium and had dived straight in. Unfortunately, the illustrious family had chosen to omit or write a different version of history from the infamous legends.

His mind wandered back to the painting of Jamison. There was no mention of him in the family history, but he had obivously been very important to someone. The room had been built with such love. From what he understood, the Old House belonged to Spencer and Angélique Collins for a short time. It only confirmed what he'd always suspected.

A distant hammering brought him out of is reverie. Standing, he walked toward the window and saw Alex atop the stable roof placing in a few loose boards. Mulder had offered to help, but Alex wouldn't hear of it. He ran a hand through his hair thinking how fast his life had changed in the space of one night.

Alex was being mysteriously tight-lipped about the spirit familiar. There were many questions that Mulder needed answers to. Abandoning the drawing room, Mulder headed upstairs. Unseen by a living soul, the eyes of Angélique's portrait blazed with fury.

~oo0oo~

Striking home the last nail, Alex wiped his sweaty brow and shimmied down from the stable roof. Within he heard two of the horses whinnying. Now that the weather damage had been repaired, maybe he and Fox could take a ride across the estate's 200 acres? He felt guilty for showing him the portrait in the Old House. Yesterday he thought it was all a mirage during his discovery. He chalked his nightmare up to that and the attack on Mulder. He would have to keep a close eye on him tonight.

Hefting the tool box he strode back toward the house. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a figure in white walking out of the derelict gazebo.

"Hey!" he called.

~oo0oo~

Mulder emerged onto the landing and turned several times to get his bearings; it would be easy to lose yourself within Collinwood's labyrinthine hallways. A sound from nearby drew his attention. Moving toward the first door, he could distinctly make out an argument.

He jumped back as the door opened. Virginia caught her breath in surprise, shutting off the room firmly behind her. "Oh, you frightened me," she frowned.

"Was there someone in there with you?" Mulder asked.

"No," she laughed. "You'll have to forgive me. I'm used to talking to myself."

Mulder didn't believe her for a second. He was postive that two female voices were talking in that room.

"I've done everything I can to make your room comfortable," Virginia said. "How long will you be staying with us?"

"I'm not sure," Mulder replied.

Virginia nodded curtly and started to leave. "Just a minute," he called. "What's up there?"

She turned and looked at the stairway at the end of the hall. "Nothing you would be interested in."

"Is that the tower I saw from last night?"

"Yes, but the west wing hasn't been used in years," she countered. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

Mulder watched her go, still baffled by her strange behavior. As soon as she turned the corner he opened the bedroom door. He was disappointed to find it completely empty. Leaning against the doorframe, he felt a familiar exhilaration. The search for the unexplained.

All of a sudden his flesh began to tingle. He felt a presence close by. Slowly turning on his heel, he found a figure standing at the end of the hall. The light from a window shone straight through the apparition. Mulder took a few steps closer and found that it was a ghost of a woman, a woman who looked almost exactly like his partner Dana Scully!

"Scully?" he whispered.

In slow motion she gestured for him to follow, then she disappeared up the stairs. Catching his breath, Mulder ran after her. The staircase lead him to yet another hallway. He searched frantically for his guide and found her standing before another door waiting for him. Amazingly, she turned and faded away.

Without hesitation, Mulder ran down the length of the hall. His hand grasped the door handle and twisted, only to find it locked. He turned in frustration, not knowing how to proceed. Maybe he could find a key downstairs? The sound of tumblers turning caused him to whirl back around. Trying the door again, it opened with ease.

The door pulled open, stretching a thick coating of cobwebs along with it. Mulder tore his hands through and headed up a twisting staircase. From somewhere up ahead he could see light. The stone walls finally opened out into a large circular room filled with shelf upon shelf of books. But what took Mulder's breath away was a sight in the center of the room.

At an old mahogany desk, reading a book, sat the young woman who'd led him here. Instead of the translucent form he'd first seen, she seemed to be just as solid and real as him. Except for the long red hair, yellow dress and flowing velvet cape, she was the exact image of Scully.

He apporoached her with tentative steps, afraid she might vanish. "Hello?" he called. "Who are you?"

The woman looked up at last. "Danielle. I'm not supposed to be here." Her voice had a scared, sing-song quality.

Danielle? He'd just read about a Danielle in the family history book. Then, the pieces clicked together. "Danielle Collins? Spencer Collins' sister?"

A look of sadness passed over her pale face. With both hands she lifted up the small book to Mulder. "This is for you," she told him.

He gently took the ragged little book. It was so old that it nearly fell apart in his hands. Opening to the first page, Mulder's eyes widened in shock.

THE JOURNAL OF SPENCER COLLINS 1797

He looked back up, but Danielle was gone.

StarWindDancer is next!

=====
Mulder, I want you to close your eyes and say to yourself, "there's no place like home."