Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, and the associated characters of The X-Files 
are property of Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions, as well as Fox 
Broadcasting Corporation.  They are used without permission because I 
have neither the time nor the money to get permission.  The character of 
Victoria Jensen, however, is mine, mine, MINE! =)  One additional note:  
my first story, "Old Friends", introduces the character of Victoria 
Jensen, and it would probably be best if you read that first... to see 
how she knows Mulder and Scully.

Note:  this is set during the time of episode 'Anasazi' at about the time 
of the cross country car trip from DC to New Mexico for Mulder and 
Scully, therefore they would be out of reach... at least conventionally.

Missing Persons
by Christina Shuy
cshuy@netcom.com

J. Edgar Hoover building
Washington, D.C.

	She had managed to get the first flight availible back to
Washington, D.C., even though she'd only left the area a scant few weeks
earlier after she'd finished her holiday.  It had not been her intention,
originally, to return so soon after, but after some recurring and quite 
strange dreams, she had decided that it would be for the best.
	Approaching the receptionist, she smiled warmly, though her eyes 
were still worried.
	"I would like to see Assistant Director Skinner, please." she 
said, her tone all business.
	The woman behind the desk pointed her in the right direction and 
she headed there, though she 'knew' where his office was anyway.  She had 
called the FBI's Assistant Director before she'd left on the flight to 
arrange an appointment with him.
	As she approached Skinner's office, the secretary looked up.
	"May I help you?"
	"Victoria Jensen.  I have an appointment to see the Assistant 
Director." 
	"Go right in.  He's expecting you."
	She walked over to the door and turned the doorknob.  Immediately 
upon opening it, she caught a faint whiff of cigarette smoke, as well as 
a prevading sense of doom... of some sort.  Just as she walked in, she 
heard the other door to Skinner's office close.
	"Hello, Assistant Director Skinner..." she said, a curious and 
confused expression on her face.
	"DCI Jensen... It is nice to meet you." Skinner looked tense. 
Immediately, Victoria noticed the purplish bruise on his lower jaw. 
Apparently, he'd been in a fist fight or something... and, through a
dream, she had a feeling she knew who had hit him.
	"Is something wrong?" she inquired politely, though with a raised 
eyebrow, and concerned expression.
	"Let me get right to the point... how well do you know Mulder?  
You mentioned that you'd gone to school with him the last time we spoke, 
before I sent them over to help you with a case."  His tone of voice set 
off alarm bells in Victoria's mind.  He was obviously tense, as well as 
more than a touch nervous.
	"I believe I know him better than most.  We talk rather
infrequently, however, especially in the last few years."  The images
almost bombarding her from Skinner were overwhelming, and she got right to
the point.  "You're asking me these questions because you want to know why
Mulder hit you, is that it?"
	Skinner flinched, almost as if being hit again.  Victoria looked 
apologietic, then half-thanked the Lady for her visions being correct, 
while also cursing because that was part of the mystery of Mulder's 
out-of-whack behaviour.  He gave an almost inperceptible nod, however.
	"It would seem that Mulder is behaving quite out of character for 
him lately.  It is not like him to resort to any sort of physical 
violence.  He knows better than that." Much better, she didn't say.
	There was an overwhelming sense of relief in Skinner's attitude, 
almost as though he'd thought the same thing, but needed someone to 
confirm the fact.  Victoria could sense some sort of deeper conflict 
within the FBI's Assistant Director, but knew that now was not the time 
to go after it.  Given enough time, the conflict would either erupt or 
resolve itself... and Victoria had the feeling it would be the latter.
	"Thank you." he said.  "I had wondered..."
	"I have a question for you, Assistant Director-"
	"Call me Walter... you don't work for the Bureau..." his voice 
was just barely audible.
	"Alright, then, Walter, who was that man who was leaving just as 
I arrived?"
	Skinner blinked.  "How did you know someone else was leaving as 
you walked in?" And HOW did she know it was a man?
	"I heard the door close."
	"Is there something you're not telling me, Ms. Jensen?"
	"I pride myself on my observational skills...  not only that, 
there is a faint smell of cigarette smoke... which I thought you didn't 
allow in this office." she took note of the 'Thank you for not smoking' 
sign which was still sitting on Skinner's desk.
	She could almost see his aura flare, as well as feeling the 
tension in the office increase.  At the same time, she got a flash of 
something... a sudden image...

	The sunlight streamed in and she quickly stole a glance at the 
still-unconscious Mulder curled up in the seat next to her, and she 
remembered what she'd had to do.

	The sound of a gunshot in the quiet night and then someone 
screaming to call the police as well as a quiet female voice saying, 
"We've got to get you out of here..."

	<'Well, this is certainly worth missing the meeting with 
Skinner...'> she thought, momentarily.
	Turning her attention forward again, she noted the sign "Welcome 
to New Mexico" on the side of the highway...

	Victoria blinked and looked back at Skinner, who seemed to be 
watching her carefully.
	"What is going on with Mulder and Scully?" she asked, trying to 
sound as neutral as possible, even though she 'knew' exactly where they 
were at the present time.  "Are they in trouble with the Bureau?"
	She watched as Skinner paced for a few silent moments before she 
continued.  By the way he was acting, she knew that there was something 
going on... something she wasn't being told directly.
	"I can only tell you that I haven't heard from Mulder at all 
since he left London after helping me on my case...  After all, overseas 
phone calls are not the cheapest..."
	"How long are you going to stay in the area?"
	"I don't really know.  Probably as long as I feel I am needed.  
My employers understand such things with me... fortunately... though I 
also understand not everyone is as understanding..."
	"Only when we have no other alternative..." Skinner half mumbled 
under his breath.
	Their eyes locked for just a moment and there was some sort of 
understanding between them about what exactly was going on.
	"I will keep my eyes open for any sign of them, Walter... That is 
about all I can do." she stated, diplomatically.  "Now, if you will 
excuse me, I must notify my superiors in London that I have arrived 
safely." 
	Skinner nodded.  "Be careful." he said, his tone of voice 
softening just a touch.
	"I should be the one to say that to you..." Victoria said, moving 
closer to him, her hand extended.
	They shook hands and then she left, though she didn't call 
London.  Instead, she called the airlines and booked the first flight to 
New Mexico.
	<'Be careful, Mulder, and take care of Dana...  I'm on my 
way...'> she thought to them both.

The End... I think...

-- 
"The Truth is Out There.  Trust No One."- from "The X-Files"
"There's something about distance that gets to us all."-Latitudes(Elton John)
"You're not subtle, you're not politic, and sometimes, you're a pain in 
the ass!" Commander Jeffrey Sinclair ("The Gathering" - Babylon 5 season 1)
Pursuing a BS degree in Electrical Engineering-Nova Scotia, Canada anyone?