Title: Halloween Night Horror Author: FBIAgent Rating: PG-13 Classification: MulderTorture, MulderScullyAngst, MSR Spoilers: Redux II, Bad Blood Disclaimer: The characters Mulder, Scully, Skinner, Cancer Man and others mentioned in this story are the property of Chris Carter and Ten-Thirteen Productions. I do not mean any harm, I'm just borrowing them to try and win this challenge! Summary: It's Halloween Night and Mulder convinces Scully to go trick or treating. But neither of them have any idea what they are in for. ~~*~~*~~ Mulder & Scully's Office Fbi Headquarters Washington D.C. "Come on Scully." "No." "Please." "No." "You're no fun." "Mulder, you are a grown man. Why on earth do you want to go trick or treating?" When he didn't respond immediately, Scully looked over at him. He was perched on the edge of his desk, his head had dropped and that familiar wounded puppy-dog face had appeared. She stood and walked over to stand in front of him. "Mulder, what is it?" He looked up at her. She could see the deep sadness buried within in his deep hazel eyes. "I used to take Samantha trick or treating. After she was abducted I couldn't bring myself to go anymore. I don't know why I want to go . I just feel like it's something I have to do. Plus, we get candy." He added a small Mulder-smirk after that last comment. Scully couldn't help smiling back. There was no way she could say no now. "Alright Mulder, you win. I'll come trick or treating with you." "Thank you." "You're welcome. Now I have to leave work early to get myself a costume." "Done." "Excuse me?" "I said 'done'. I already took the liberty of organising our costumes." "So you just assumed you'd be able to talk me into coming." "Naturally." He grinned at her and she slapped him playfully on the arm. He went to the back of the office and recovered a Halloween costume on a hanger. "You've got to be kidding me." "What?" "Mulder. You really expect me to dress up in this?" "I think you'll look cute." The comment and the following smile earnt Mulder another slap on the arm. Scully took the costume from him and her jacket off the coat rack. "Alright Mulder, I'm going home to get ready." "Meet me at my place in an hour." "You're not picking me up? That's not very gentlemanly of you Mulder." "When have you ever known me to be 'very gentlemanly' Scully?" "Good point. See you in an hour." She smiled and walked out of the office. ~~*~~*~~ Scully's Apartment A Half Hour Later Scully stood looking at herself in the full-length mirror. She couldn't believe she agreed to wear this. Although she did have to admit to herself that she didn't look to bad. As far as she could tell she was supposed to be a sexy female vampire, and she only knew that because of the fangs that came with the costume. She grabbed her trench coat and purse, checked herself over once in the mirror, and headed for Mulder's apartment. ~~*~~*~~ Mulder's Apartment The Same Time Mulder stood looking at himself in the full-length mirror. He wasn't sure about wearing this costume, but he did look pretty good. He made a rather dashing Dracula, if he did say so himself. He couldn't wait to see Scully dressed up in the costume he had picked out. Mulder's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Who is it?" "Trick or treat!" Mulder grabbed the bowl of candy from the table and opened the door. The bowl dropped to the floor with a crash, and Mulder was sent reeling backwards as the bullet ripped through his shoulder. ~~*~~*~~ 20 Minutes Later [knock, knock] "Mulder? Are you there? Come on Mulder, open the door." She waited for a few moments but still got no response. She fumbled through her keys until she found the one labeled "MULDER". She slid it into the lock and opened the door. It was dark in the apartment, and as she entered Scully felt something squish under her heel. She flicked on the light. As she took in the scene, her heart leapt into her throat. The floor under her feet was covered in shattered glass and candy. There was a small pool of blood on the carpet, next to which Scully found a note. On closer inspection she saw it was addressed to her. ---------------------- Agent Scully, Sorry to disturb your Halloween plans, but Agent Mulder was required somewhere else this evening. If you want to see your partner alive again I suggest you follow my instructions and do not mention this to anyone. Go to this location, and come alone, or we'll shoot him somewhere much more fatal. You'll need the enclosed card to get in. Club Vlad, 666 McDermott Street, Washington D.C. ---------------------- Scully pulled out her mobile phone and punched in Skinner's cell phone number. "Skinner. Hello?" She hung up. The note said not to tell anyone, and she couldn't risk Mulder's life. She knew that McDermott Street was in downtown Washington, but had no idea what the hell Club Vlad was. She figured she'd find out sooner or later. ~~*~~*~~ Club Vlad 666 Mcdermott Street Washington D.C. Scully pulled up across the street and walked down the dark alley. She saw a neon sign identifying one building as "Club Vlad." A tall man in a suit stood at the doorway. She handed him the card she had found enclosed with the note. He opened the door and ushered her into the building. The inside of the club was smoky and illuminated by a dark red light. Most people were dressed much the same as she was tonight, wearing black tight clothes. But she had a feeling that their appearance had nothing to do with the fact that it was Halloween. Another tall man in a suit approached her, and asked her to follow him. He showed her into a room in the back. She gasped at the scene in front of her. Mulder sat in a chair, his hands tied behind his back, shirt and jacket ripped off his back. He had blood pouring from a wound on the back of his head and from the fresh bullet wound in his shoulder. Two more men in suits stood on either side of him, and four more sat around the table in the centre of the room. An empty chair sat at the opposite end of the table to where Mulder sat. Two men stood behind that chair as well. "Agent Scully. Thank you for joining us. Please have a seat." Scully reluctantly did as she was told. The two men immediately grabbed her and tied her up in the same way as Mulder. That caused him to shout out from the other end of the table. "Leave her alone you bastards!" One of the men landed a sickening blow into Mulder's ribs, causing him to wince in pain. He clenched his teeth and remained up right in his chair. He tried to give Scully a reassuring smile, but it didn't work. But she noticed that he was wearing fake fangs, the same as she was. At least she knew what Mulder had been dressed as. But now she also wanted to know what the hell was going on. "What's going on? Why have you brought us here?" "Agent Scully, my name is Ruthless Hartwell." "Hartwell?" "Yes, I believe you and Agent Mulder here had the pleasure of meeting my brother Lucious. He was working as a Sheriff last I heard. My apologies, but you'll find that he and I live quite different lifestyles." "What are you saying?" "Well I would tell you that I am a vampire Ms Scully, but I have heard that you don't believe in that kind of thing. But you do don't you Mr Mulder." He looked over at Mulder, who was still wincing in pain. He managed to speak though. "I know what you are you freak. What I don't know is what the hell you want." "It's Halloween. I want to have a little fun." "Leave Scully out of this." "Oh I'm afraid I can't do that." Mulder spat at Hartwell, but it missed and only earned him another blow to his ribs. He doubled over in pain again, cursing under his breath. "Leave him alone!" "Why Agent Scully, I didn't know you cared so much. This is going to be more fun than I thought." "What do you mean you sick bastard!! What the hell do you want?" Hartwell stood from his chair and walked around the table, almost like an animal circling it's prey. He was a tall man, with long black hair. He was dressed in a suit like the others, but had a long black cape on as well. And his face, his face was well, "spooky". "There is a reason I have brought you and Agent Mulder here tonight, Agent Scully. And I think it's about time I let you know what that reason is. I have been told by an acquaintance of mine that the two of you are causing him some problems. And he'd like me to make you pay for it." Mulder looked up at the face of the vampire. "So who is this acquaintance of yours?" The vampire looked over in the far corner of the room, Mulder and Scully both followed his eyes. They both saw shadowy figure, then a flash of red, and a trail of stale cigarette smoke .. the Cancer Man. Mulder fought with the restraints. "You black-lunged son of a bitch!" "Agent Mulder, I do not like your tone of voice. I told you before that I liked you, and Agent Scully. I do feel some remorse for this. But it has to be done." Cancer Man dropped his cigarette to the floor, then immediately lit up a fresh one. He turned and walked out the door Scully had entered a short time ago. "So what does that bastard want you to do?" "Agent Mulder, you're about to find out. You see I have it on good authority that the two of you are very good partners and very close friends also. So let's test that strong relationship of yours shall we?" Mulder and Scully's eyes meet across the long black wooden table. Both saw the fear hidden behind the deep blue and hazel. Their eyes moved back to the vampire as he pulled out a gun and cocked it. "Let's start with you Agent Mulder. You have one choice to make. Either you or her." Mulder didn't even hesitate. "Me." "Mulder, no!" "Scully, shut up! Shoot me! Let her go!" "Mulder, no! Shoot me Hartwell! Leave him alone!" Hartwell laughed. "Well, what a predicament. You tell me to shoot you, she tells me to shoot her. What's a vampire to do?" "Shoot me you undead bastard!" Hartwell swung the gun around a fired a shot. Mulder cried in pain as the bullet grazed his other shoulder. "Mulder!" "I'm alright, Scully." "No you're not. Hartwell, stop this please. You don't have to kill either of us." "Who said anything about killing, Ms Scully?" "But I thought.." "You jump to conclusions a bit to quickly. I told Agent Mulder here whom he had to make a choice between him or you. I didn't say what he had to choose between." Mulder managed to drag his gaze back to Hartwell. "So what do I have to choose between?" "Well, Halloween is kind of an important day for our people. It is a common ritual to sacrifice a human at midnight on October 31st." Once again, Mulder did not hesitate. "Me. Let Scully go." "Mulder!" "I've caused you too much pain already, Scully. You once said to me 'if I can save you, let me.' Well, I'm saying those same words back to you right now. Let me save you, Scully." "If I remember correctly Mulder, you wouldn't let me save you." "That's because I am a stubborn, stupid man." "Mulder.." "Please Scully. Don't argue with me." Scully choked back the tears. Hartwell spoke again. "So Mr. Mulder, your choice is made?" "Yes." "Well, it's almost midnight. Agent Scully, we'd like you to join us." "No, let her go." "Now where would the fun be in that?" The men behind Mulder untied him from the chair, he tried to fight them off but only earned himself yet another sickening blow to his rib cage. He fell to the floor and the two men dragged him out of the room. Scully looked at Hartwell. "Please don't do this!" "I'm sorry Agent Scully. I'm under orders from one who is more powerful than I." The two men behind Scully untied her and led her out of the room. She was escorted into another room, which looked more like some kind of a chamber. The walls were painted black, and a cross was hanging on the wall. Scully was led to a chair in the corner, where she reluctantly sat down. They did not tie her up this time. Moments later, a near unconscious Mulder was dragged into the room. He had blood pouring from the two bullet wounds on his shoulders and the cut on his head. His shoes and socks had been taken off and he was clad only in his black dress pants. Several men lifted him and tied him to the cross. Mulder looked over at Scully and winked at her. If that was supposed to reassure her, it didn't work. But she gave him a little smile anyway. She stared into those deep hazel eyes as she had done so many times before. She knew he was up to something, and it scared her to think that it may get them both killed. Hartwell entered the room at that moment. He had taken off his suit jacket and suit and was clad in black pants, much the same as Mulder was. He held a black leather-bound book in one hand and a wooden stake in the other. Scully shuddered when she thought about what he was going to do with it. She checked her watch and saw that it was almost midnight. Hartwell looked at the four other men in the room, and signalled for them to leave. It said in the ancient text that the ritual had to be performed by him and only him, with one witness . Scully. She tried one last time to reason with him. The only hope she had was the truth. "Hartwell, please . you don't need to do this. Please don't kill him. I love him." Hartwell turned to face her, smiling as he did so. Scully looked at Mulder, battered and bloody on the cross. He smiled. "Okay Ms Scully, but if I let him live, then I'm afraid that leaves you." "No!" Mulder yelled out from his position on the cross. He looked over at Scully, using that silent communication that had grown between them over the last four years. (I have a plan .. it'll be okay .. don't make him tie you up .. I'll need your help) (I hope you know what you are doing) (It'll be okay. I love you too, Scully) She nodded and smiled. Mulder turned his attention back to Hartwell. He had placed the stake on the table, and instead picked up a long knife. He walked over to Mulder, who screamed in agony as the blade inched into his upper thigh, and was then slowly, agonizingly removed. Scully couldn't watch it; it was tearing her up inside to seem him hurting like this. "Ah!" Her eyes flew open as she heard another scream of pain. Hartwell had made a small cut near Mulder's ribs. It was only small but it must have hurt like hell. Mulder was in tremendous pain now, she hoped he knew what he was doing. At that moment he looked over at Scully. (The stake .. get the stake) Scully looked at the table. The wooden stake and leather-bound black book lay on top of it. Hartwell would surely see her going for it. She looked back at Mulder. (Distract him .. give me time to get it) Mulder gave her a slight nod and focused on Hartwell, who stood in front of him, bloody knife clutched in his fist. His fangs were now clearly visible in the light of the torches on the wall. "Come on Hartwell. Is that all you're gonna do to me? Come on! I've suffered more pain at the dentist!" Hartwell glared at Mulder and raised the knife again. As he slid it back into Mulder's thigh, Mulder screamed loudly. Scully inched her way over to the table and grabbed the wooden stake. She crept up behind Hartwell. He heard her behind him and turned, slashing her arm with the knife as he did so, but she still managed to ram the stake into his chest, causing the knife to drop to the floor. He fell to the ground clutching at his chest. Scully picked up the knife and cut Mulder loose. She helped him down off the cross, grabbing him into a bear hug. He hugged her back for a moment and then let go. He reached up to grab a torch off the wall. He threw it onto Hartwell, causing him to burst into flames. Soon all that was left of the creature was ashes. "I've had enough tricks for one night Scully, I think I deserve a treat." "First I am going to get you fixed up." "Not the hospital." "Mulder." "Scully." She hated when he did this. For someone who acted as macho as he did sometimes, he was still a wimp, and he hated hospitals. She reluctantly agreed to take him back to her place to fix him up, on the condition he went to the hospital in the morning. ~~*~~*~~ Scully's Apartment One Hour Later "Ouch!" "Stop being such a wimp, Mulder." "Well, stop hurting me so much." "Sorry." Scully was sitting on her couch, and Mulder was seated on the floor in front of her. Considering what he had been through he was pretty lucky. She had patched up the two bullet wounds, which were pretty clean. She had also bandaged his leg. She had also bandaged up the cut on her arm, which luckily wasn't deep. She was now trying to clean up the wound on the back of his head, but he was making it difficult. She eventually managed to do the job. "Scully?" "Yes Mulder?" He stood up slowly and sat down on the couch next to her. "Did you mean what you said tonight?" "You mean..." "Yes." Scully looked at Mulder. He was wearing a pair of old tracksuit pants that he had luckily left here on another visit. His chest was still bare. Scully took in his appearance and decided that scruffy was undoubtedly sexy. How could she not love this man? "Yes I meant it. I love you, Mulder." He smiled. "What about you?" "I love me too." She slapped him on the arm, then realized what she had done and apologized as he winced in pain. He then smiled. "And I love you too, Scully." Mulder leaned over and slid a hand around the back of her neck. He pulled her to him and their lips met in a passionate kiss. After a few moments they each pulled back breathless. Scully smiled. "It's time for your treat, Mulder." THE END THE CHURCH OF X MONTHLY FANFIC CHALLENGE Challenge #2: It's halloween night. Mulder and Scully encounter some real goblins (ghosts, vampires, wherewolves, mummies, or whatever you like). Make it scary, with a little bit (or lots) of MulderTorture, and angst. Shippers, add MSR (not sappy, please. Steaminess factor is up to you.) NoRoMos can leave out the MSR part.