TITLE: The Port Charles Files 8/8
by Kelso (kelso28@excite.com)

*********

At a little before nine the day after their strange encounter
with the Quartermaines at General Hospital, Scully made her way
to Mulder's door. "Time to get back to work!" she greeted him.

"I've been working," he insisted. "No luck yet, though.
According to 'The History of Port Charles,' nothing particularly
noteworthy happened in 1963. The cause of the warp remains a
mystery. What about you? Has Skinner replied to the progress
report you e-mailed him?"

"No. Maybe he hasn't read it yet, or maybe he doesn't know quite
what to say."

She led the way down the stairs to the diner, and they took their
seats at the counter. Tammy stood a few feet away, talking to a
gray-haired man who wore a faded plaid shirt and jeans. She
touched him on the shoulder and indicated the new arrivals.

"Mike, here are FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully."

"Scully, huh?" Mike muttered. "No offense, but that's not one of
my favorite names. Excuse me." He turned and strode out the door.

Scully turned to Mulder. "It doesn't make sense. If these people
want to make a big deal about anyone's name, why don't they pick
on 'Fox'?"

Tammy poured them each a cup of coffee. "Honey, you landed in a
town where names like Frisco, Buzz, and Stone are commonplace.
Deal with it. As for Mike, he has good reason for his reaction.
Several years ago, he stepped in front of a bullet meant for his
own son. A bullet fired by a man named Scully."

Scully quickly made the connection. "Mike is Sonny Corinthos'
father? When he was shot, he didn't happen to be temporarily
paralyzed, did he?"

"No. Why would you think that?"

Scully shrugged. "A wild guess."

"Yeah, right. Look, I have to go wait on some customers. I'm
short-handed again. For some reason, Elizabeth Webber has called
in sick two days in a row." Tammy grabbed her order pad and
moved away.

"What was up with that question about the temporary paralysis?"
Mulder asked.

Scully took a sip of her coffee before replying. "Taking into
account everything we've learned, I had roughly a 50-50 chance of
being right."

Tammy hurried back to them. "Hey, I almost forgot. Laura Spencer
left a message for you." She pulled an envelope out of her apron
pocket and handed it to Mulder, then left again.

Mulder ripped open the envelope. "Maybe she sent more information
about Lucky, or about the Cassadine case." He shook out three
items: a note, a letter, and a photo. He skimmed the note first.
"Laura says she's enclosed a photo of Helena Cassadine, taken in
1981 when Laura married Luke. There's also a letter Laura received
from Stefan right after he disappeared." He picked up the photo
and did a double-take. "Wait here, Scully. I have to check on
something." Picture in hand, he circled the counter and jogged up
the stairs.

Typical Mulder behavior. Scully decided to read the letter while
she waited for him to return and share his discovery.

   "My dearest Laura,

   If you're reading this, it will be because I am dead,
   murdered by your husband. Luke's threats against me have
   become increasingly violent. Despite all proof to the
   contrary, he continues to blame me for Lucky's kidnap [sic]
   and imprisonment. Luke has asked me to meet with him tonight,
   and I've agreed."

Scully scanned the next several lines, which consisted of
ramblings about Laura's sons, and skipped ahead.

   "Perhaps my death will mark the end of war between our two
   families, so you and your children may live in peace and
   happiness. I regret the lies and secrecy, everything I did to
   put distance between us. You are, always have been, so
   precious to me. My love for you is still there, even if I am
   not.

   Stefan"

Scully laid aside the page. The wording sounded peculiar, almost
as if the man had planned the events of that fateful evening even
as he penned the words.

Mulder returned, holding two items. "Don't look yet, Scully." He
sat beside her, covering one object with his right palm, the
other with his left. "Here's a photo of Helena Cassadine that was
taken in 1981." He lifted his right hand.

Dutifully, Scully looked to see a dark-haired woman with deep
violet eyes.

"Now look at this picture, taken two weeks ago." Mulder moved his
left hand away from the second photo.

Scully eyed that one as well, then looked more closely. "Mulder,
are you sure that's the same woman? How could she go from
looking like Elizabeth Taylor to looking like *that*?" She stared
in disbelief at the image of the older blonde woman who bore no
more than a passing resemblance to the famous actress.

"Your guess is as good as mine." He scooped up the pictures and
reached for the letter. "Did you read this yet?"

"Yes. Basically, Stefan Cassadine predicted his own death and
pinned the blame on Luke Spencer ahead of time, if you choose to
believe what he wrote."

Tammy walked over to the cash register just in time to hear those
last words. "Luke didn't kill anyone. The police are the only
ones who think he did. Who knows Luke better: His friends and
family, or the cops? You mind if I turn the radio on?" Without
waiting for an answer, she flicked the power switch and tuned in
a station.

After a burst of static, the announcer's voice came on. "This is
News Station WXPC. We have breaking news in the murder of
undercover officer Ted Wilson. Attorney Alexis Davis, who
represents Emily Quartermaine, one of four teenagers charged with
the crime, is about to make a statement at the Port Charles
police station. Sources speculate that she will attempt a legal
ploy to secure the release of her client."

Mulder looked at Scully. "Isn't that a coincidence? Tammy turned
on the radio just in time for us to hear vital information about
a subject we were in the middle of discussing. Or *is* it a
coincidence?"

"We can figure it out later, Mulder," Scully said impatiently.
"Right now, we have to get to the police station."

*********

So many vehicles lined the streets surrounding the station that
Mulder was forced to park the Dodge several blocks away. He and
Scully walked the remainder of the distance along with a sea of
other interested observers, which included many familiar faces.
They pushed into the station on the heels of Roy DiLucca and
Elizabeth Webber, and just in front of Tony Jones.

A few police officers attempted to corral the flood of occupants
into some semblance of order, while other law-enforcement
officials grouped near the head of the room. An efficient-looking
woman holding a briefcase seemed to be the focus of attention.
Mac Scorpio stood beside her, with Ned Ashton right behind. A
phalanx of reporters lined up with cameras and tape recorders at
the ready.

Mulder jumped sideways as a sharp elbow poked into his ribs.
Lesley Webber shoved past him, snapping, "Thanks for arresting my
grandson when I asked you to help him."

Mulder rubbed his side. "Scully, since when did it become a crime
to make an arrest? Oh, wait, I forgot: We're in Port Charles,
where the rules change every day." He spotted a few feet of free
space at the back of the room and edged in that direction.
"We'll be safer over here. More out of the way."

They staked out their position and surveyed their surroundings.
A.J. Quartermaine, Sonny Corinthos, Lieutenant Taggert, Alan
Quartermaine, and many other acquaintances were also present.
Even Lila sat in her wheelchair in a sheltered position. Next to
her, Monica caught Mulder's eye. She stared at him with a frozen
expression until Alan tapped her on the shoulder and gained her
attention.

Mulder leaned down so Scully could hear him above the noise of
the crowd. "It looks like a who's who of nut cases is assembled
here. Is anyone missing?"

"Well, I haven't seen Hannah Scott yet."

Mulder looked over her shoulder. "Speak of the devil..."

Hannah ducked between and around people to reach them just as
Scully turned to face her. "Dana, I'm so glad I finally tracked
you down. I've been dying to congratulate you on your big bust.
I would have done it sooner, but I've been busy with a case of my
own. Do you want to hear about it?"

"No, but I'm sure you'll tell her anyway," Mulder muttered.

"Excuse me?" Hannah looked inquiringly at him.

Scully stepped back a few extra inches. "Hannah, this is Agent
Mulder. Mulder, Hannah Scott."

A wide smile spread across Hannah's face. "So you're Dana's
partner. It's an honor to meet you!"

"Likewise," Mulder said. "By the way, have you seen Lieutenant
Taggert yet? He was asking about you earlier."

"Really?" Hannah scanned the room. "There he is! Thanks for
telling me." She disappeared into the crowd.

Unrepentant, Mulder informed Scully, "It seemed like the easiest
way of getting rid of her."

"Shhh!" she hissed. "I think the meeting's starting."

Gradually, the room quieted. The woman with the briefcase waited
until all eyes were on her. "As most of you know, my name is
Alexis Davis. I am representing Emily Quartermaine in the case
of the murder of Ted Wilson. Here are the facts: On June 30,
Emily, Lucky Spencer, Juan Santiago, and Nikolas Cassadine
attended a rave. At the rave, Emily argued with Juan and left
with a man she had just met. The next morning, she woke up in a
motel room next to the man's dead body. Emily had no memory of
events since the preceding night. She alerted her friends, and
they determined that an unknown person had slipped a drug into
Emily's drink, followed her and her companion, and killed him
while she slept. They also decided that if they went to the
police, Emily would be charged with murder. Therefore, they hid
the body in a freezer at Nikolas' home, Wyndemere, and
investigated the incident themselves. They eventually learned
that the dead man was Ted Wilson, an undercover police officer,
and they believed his killer to be a drug dealer named Zander.
Their original plan was to take Wilson's body out of storage,
place it in the trunk of Zander's car, and call in an anonymous
tip to the police that Zander was dealing drugs. Then the body
would be found, and the entire situation would be straightened
out. However, the arrival of FBI Agents Mulder and Scully
accelerated the kids' plan." She stared at the agents, and every
other pair of eyes in the room followed her gaze.

Alexis continued, "Concerned that the authorities were on to
them, Emily, Juan, Lucky, and Nikolas prepared to move the body
earlier than expected. However, on that night, the afore-
mentioned agents caught them. I was then hired to represent
Emily.

"Some interesting facts have since come to light. For instance,
Elizabeth Webber was also present at the rave and was involved in
the scheme to conceal the body." Startled gasps and murmurs
filled the room. Alexis allowed them to die down before going on.
"No need to worry. I have every confidence that the charges
against each of these innocent young people will soon be dropped.

"Because yesterday, while being transported to the morgue, Ted
Wilson's body disappeared. A smudged fingerprint was found on the
back door of the vehicle. That fingerprint belongs to...Stefan
Cassadine!"

That announcement created such an uproar that the police had to
repeatedly call for quiet. Once silence prevailed, Alexis
proceeded. "The police have been telling us for weeks that
Stefan is dead and that Luke Spencer killed him. Now what are we
to believe? That a dead man stole the body? I say we deserve
answers, and my client, along with her friends, deserves an
immediate release!"

On that note, the room exploded into a frenzy of noise, with most
voices calling for the police commissioner's head. Mac signaled
to the officers to clear the building, and they swung into
action. Slowly, they maneuvered the clamoring mob toward the
doors. Mulder and Scully, already standing at the rear of the
room, were among the first to go outside. The others showed
little willingness to disperse, instead gathering by the station
and discussing the stunning turn of events.

Mulder and Scully headed back to their car, only to find it
hemmed in by a BMW parked just inches from their rear bumper and
a pickup trunk inches from the front bumper. There was no way
they could safely drive it out until at least one of the other
vehicles was moved.

Mulder looked toward the police station. Whoever the drivers
were, they weren't approaching. "Scully, how do you feel about
taking the scenic route back to Kelly's?"

"The docks?"

"Now you're catching on."

They walked in silence for a bit until Scully spoke. "Do you
think Stefan Cassadine is really alive?"

Mulder nodded. "Not much doubt about it. Any day now, he'll show
up, with Luke Spencer soon following. I can think of one more
positive outcome from that little press conference, too. Mark
your calendar, Scully. Alexis Davis seemed pretty sharp. I wasn't
sure one existed, but we may have finally found a sane Port
Charles resident."

Scully shook her head. "Alexis is Sonny's lawyer."

Mulder sighed. "Scratch that observation."

Scully went on, "She's also the sister of the non-deceased
Stefan. I don't think any of these people are familiar with the
concept of 'conflict of interest.'"

"Stop, Scully," Mulder protested. "You've already sufficiently
blackened her name in my book."

"Okay, I'll change the subject. What do you make of her legal
maneuvering? Will it work? Are those kids innocent?"

"I'd say there's, oh, a 99% chance that they are. But I wouldn't
concern myself too much with their fate. Despite the best efforts
of the authorities, the real killer always seems to turn up. Part
of the charm of this place is that no matter how many mistakes
you make, or what evils lie in your past, you can always be
redeemed. I'm slowly but surely figuring out what makes this
place tick, and I'm not going to leave until I know everything."

Scully laid a hand on his arm. "Mulder, you don't really mean
that you want to *stay* here, do you?"

"For as long as it takes," he agreed.

"You've been in so much trouble over the years, not going home
could be the last straw. You could finally be fired. Then what
would you do?"

"No problem. I know where I can find a high-ranking job with
flexible part-time hours, no references needed, no questions
asked. How does 'Commissioner Mulder' sound to you, Scully?"

"Not very good, unless I get to be 'Mayor Scully'," she objected.
"After everything we've been through, there's no way I'm letting
our partnership split up. If you stay here, so do I, and I'm not
exactly looking forward to the prospect. Be honest: Aren't you at
all worried that you would be bored by small-town life?"

"Not really. This place has both a higher and a lower murder
rate per capita than Washington, D.C. does, and it seems to be a
magnet for the paranormal. How many places can you say that
about? I can't resist."

Scully opened her mouth, but was forestalled by the ringing of
her cell phone. She and Mulder stopped walking, and she
answered. "Scully... Yes, that's right... And?... Nothing? Are
you sure?...  All right. Thank you." She ended the call and
turned to Mulder. "I'm sorry, Mulder. The lab did a rush on the
air and water samples I sent them, but they didn't find anything
out of the ordinary."

"Then how do you account for everything we learned in Port
Charles?" he demanded. "Your logical, scientific explanation was
shot down. Where do we go from here?"

She shrugged helplessly. "We chalk it up as one more unsolved
X-File? I don't know. I really thought the labs would turn up
*something*."

Mulder interrupted, pointing ahead and to the left. "Scully,
look. See the sun glinting off that object way over there? Do you
suppose that could be Stefan Cassadine spying on us through
binoculars?"

"Now you're taking things too far," she said. "It's much more
likely that it's a reflection off..." Her voice trailed off; she
tilted her head. "Mulder, what's that noise?"

They listened carefully. Then Mulder heard it. It sounded like
heart-rending sobs coming from a little further along the docks.
He strode that way, with Scully right beside him. Mere yards
ahead, a dark-clothed figure huddled on a faded green bench. Her
arms were folded over the back of the bench, with her head
resting on top of her arms. It was Chloe Morgan. Her shoulders
shook wildly as she continued to wail.

Scully knelt beside her. "Chloe, what's wrong?"

The blonde lifted an unattractively tear-streaked face. "It's...
it's..."

"What?" Scully guessed, "Did your doctor give you a terminal
diagnosis? Did your design company go bankrupt?"

Chloe shook her head. "No... it's Jax. He..." she choked out.

"He lost his fortune in a card game? Was presumed dead when his
plane crashed in the Catskills? Left you to search for his
presumed-dead fiancee, Brenda?"

Chloe's eyes widened. She was so startled, she forgot to keep
crying, so her words emerged clearly. "Yes! How did you know?"

"I was right?" Scully said.

Chloe nodded, staring at her in wonder.

"You're thinking like they do. You know what this means, don't
you, Scully?" Mulder said.

"Yes, I know," she acknowledged. "Maybe we've already been in
Port Charles too long, Mulder."

end 8/8

Yes, this is the end. Not every story thread has been neatly tied
up, but then again, GH and "The X-Files" usually leave some loose
ends themselves. Anyway, I'm satisfied with the point at which I
stopped, and I've left the door open for a possible sequel.

kelso28@excite.com