Here's my latest St. George story...apologies in advance for M&S being a little in the background -- she kinda demanded this one and it needed to be written to fill in some questions I was having about anyone else knowing who she was... again, questions and comments appreciated...my server is having a few problems so I apologise in advance if I have to write you back for a repost... remember trust no one All Characters copyright of TenThirteen Productions and Chris Carter. No infringement intended on any part...I like being poor, really... The character of Jackie St. George is my property though... The book Jonathan Livingston Seagull is the copyright of Richard Bach, and no infringement intended -- if you only read one book this life, choose this one, IMHO Dragons on The Shore by Sheryl Martin sheryl_martin@daystorm.com "...and I've got season tickets for the Raptors." St. George's voice echoed over the speakerphone into the office. Fox Mulder snorted in disdain. "That's not even a real team! Now the Knicks.." "Jackie, hate to butt in, but how did the hearing go?" Dana Scully smiled, trying to make peace. This arguement had been going on for weeks, with neither side giving ground. "I haven't been able to sit down for a week. I'd rather face twenty T-Rexs than a single inquiry board." She chuckled, remembering the adventure that had landed them in that particular situation. "So what's the real reason for you calling? I was going to drop you a line on Sunday..." Dana started. "Ah...my flight gets in at six tonight and I was wondering if I could crash with you for the weekend..." Jackie almost sounded embarrassed. "No problem at all." Dana began to scribble notes to herself. "What's the occasion?" "I have a meeting tomorrow night at eight. That's all." Fox frowned. "With who? We weren't informed..." A silence fell over the air. "I'm meeting Skinner for dinner." "You have a date? With Walter Skinner?" Mulder got to his feet, grinning ear-to-ear. He walked towards the speaker on Dana's desk. "A date? Aw...that's so cute." "It's to discuss international cooperation between our sections." They could hear her clenched teeth over the static. "I bet." He winked at Scully, who was trying not to giggle. "..." The static increased, and St. George's voice began to fade. Mulder bent down, getting close to the speaker to make out the few words. "Jackie? You still there? Hello?" "MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT YOU'RE ADDICTED TO LOVE!" The megablast of music attacked them both, sending Fox staggering back a few steps. The music faded, and Jackie's voice came back on. "Speak for yourself Mulder. At least I'm not in the alt.sex.binaries each night." She paused. "Each second night, now that's another story." "See you in a bit then. I'll meet you at the airport." Dana cut the connection, shaking her head. ****************************************************** She remembered stepping off the plane; remembered the black suits coming up to her and demanding her I.D...and then only the pain and the darkness... ****************************************************** "Mulder?" He walked around his apartment, the receiver tucked under his chin as he struggled with a bag of chips. "She's not here. Her flight came in three hours ago." He heard the concern in her voice. "I'm getting worried." "Maybe she took a late flight." The excuse sounded lame to his own ears. A beep came over the line. "Hold on, I've got another call. It's probably her, stuck in Toronto still." He tapped the button. "Hello?" "Agent Mulder." Skinner's voice surprised him. "Where is Agent Scully?" "On the other line. She's at the airport to pick up..." "Jackie. I know." Mulder bit back the comment. "Tell her to get to my office right now. You too." "What's happened?" Closing his eyes, he prepared for the worst. "She's been kidnapped." **************************************************** Her eyes focused in on the leader, a tall blond man hiding behind dark sunglasses. What a stereotype, she noted dryly. Tugging at her bound hands, she tried to get to her feet. "Don't bother." His low voice echoed around the concrete cell. He opened a file folder, reading it aloud. "Jaclyn Amanda St. George. Thirty years old, CSIS agent for ten years and extremely lucky in survival situations." He leaned down to grin at her. "And why is that, I wonder?" "Born lucky, I guess." How did he get her file...a chill ran over her as she realised who they must be. Dana had told her about them. "Born different, I say." Knocking twice on the door behind him, he watched as the two men entered to drag her to her feet. "I understand that pain is somehow involved, as is blood. We can be accommodating. And then you will tell us why and how you do whatever you do." ************************************************** "What do you know about St. George?" Skinner demanded, facing Mulder and Scully in his office. They looked at each other, uncertain what to say. "Sir, who do you think is responsible?" Mulder tried to change the subject. Jackie had sworn them both to secrecy about her psi ability to defend herself -- and kill others. He stood up, resting his hands on the desktop. "I know who. And I know why. And if they can break her -- she'll be dead. And if we don't find her in time -- she'll be dead anyway." Dana took a deep breath. "Are..are they the same men who..?" He nodded. "A different department, dedicated totally to investigating apparent cases of psychic ability and retrieving the information through interrogation. Then they go back and work on ungifted subjects. Their research is very thorough." Mulder put his hand on her shoulder, steadying Scully. "How long do we have?" "Twenty four hours. Maybe less. Depends on her." ********************************************* The pain arced through her, ripping a scream from her throat. Gasping for air, she fell forward in the chair, her long black hair covering her face. "What do you do? How do you protect yourself?" The interrogator yelled, pulling her head back by the hair. "We know you've killed people, and you always survive. Just show us and we'll let you go." "Go to hell." The charge leapt through her body. ********************************************* "She's a Canadian citizen; this could cause an international incident." Scully said, her mind spinning with images. "She's a potential source of knowledge. Do you think she could withstand the drugs?" Skinner looked at Mulder sternly. He shrugged. "Given her...ah...I don't know." Fox felt nauseous at the thought of Jackie being forced under sodium pentathol. "She's got a temper." He glanced at Dana. They both remembered how her talent had saved them both. "What can we do?" Skinner rubbed a hand over his thin hair. "I've got the basic location in the state. They take them in ones or twos to deserted houses to interrogate them, document the facts and then destroy the evidence. If you could..." He looked at Fox, asking in silence. Mulder nodded. "Sir." Dana asked softly. "What do you know about her?" "She's a valuable asset to her country and a good agent who has helped both our countries." "All you know or all you'll tell us?" Fox said. Skinner looked at him, his eyes cold and steel. "We don't have much time." **************************************************** Jackie licked her cut bottom lip, tasting the blood. She was so thirsty...And the bare light wasn't making her headache any better. They had taken her pain medication; the only thing she had to hold the power back. Her left eye throbbed from the punches she had taken. But she hadn't said anything under the drugs. She had kept her faith. A picture of Fox and Dana leapt into her mind. They would be next if she spoke, and she would die first -- not a wild idea, at this point. *Oh God, I've lost it.* Jackie took a deep breath, preparing to say goodbye to her sanity. *Wanna bet?* A smile crossed her face, making her wince as the skin on her lip split open again. *Jackie. Who are you?* The sadness in his young voice cut into her soul. St. George fell over to lie on the cold floor, sobbing. ****************************************************** The small hotel room was quiet as the three agents sat, waiting for a phone call. Mulder had sent off the message, then gave the location they would be at. Dana snapped awake in the chair, her sleepy eyes darting around. Skinner lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Mulder." He went over to her, kneeling down beside her chair. "We have to find her. We owe her." "We will." His hand covered hers, squeezing it strongly. "We will. I'm not losing anyone else again, not if I can help it." ***************************************************** *Yep. Not that I feel that secret right now.* *Glad you think I'm a good guy. I wonder sometimes myself.* St. George rubbed her arms, noting the burns from the electrodes. They had stripped her, tossing in a set of surgical greens after the initial session. *Jonathan Livingston Seagull.* *What are they doing to you?* The door swung open. The two men entered the room, followed by the leader. "We thought you'd like to discuss this again." Another man walked in, a scalpel at his side. "Let's talk..." *Please read to me, Jonathan. Read me the whole story.* *********************************************** "Why so little time?" She had to talk to keep from thinking about her own abduction. "That's a mystery. They just get the info, torch the house, dump the ..." Skinner bit back the words. "It probably has to do with the amount of time needed to get the information the most effectively. A sudden shock attack on their senses before they can mount a defence." ********************************************** The pain was so bad in her skull...so bad and she wanted to do it, set it free... They had cut her; thin micro slices over her cheeks and arms, reopening the old scars of her past battles. It was only by running over the many exercises Fox had given her that she kept control, but that wall was getting thin. *Great. They're going back and forth. Hope they drop dead of exhaustion.* She sighed painfully, tucking her legs under her. *No. Not much longer.* Jackie had to be honest. Without the drugs and with the pressure, she was going to crack soon. Her only hope was that she could die cleanly before they took her brain apart. *Why don't you tell them where we are?* She snapped mentally. Jackie sent a picture of Fox and Dana, smiling and joking with her. A tear dripped down her face, mingling with the blood. *Tell them...tell them goodbye.* *********************************************************** Fox jolted upright, reaching for the phone. Dana stood up, spinning around. Skinner sat up on the bed, a puzzled look on his face as he watched them. "Did you hear..." She whispered. The tiny voice echoed in their heads, sounding like it was coming from the bottom of a well. Fox stared at Dana, a sudden look of understanding on his face. Getting to his feet, he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate. *Hello...who are you?* *Yes, I am. Where are you?* The small voice cried. *How is she?* Dana suddenly jumped in. A part of Mulder laughed at the ease she was accepting this mental conversation, no questions asked. Jackie St. George lay on the floor, her bloody arms wrapped around her as she sobbed uncontrollably. The bruises on her face ran down the left side, running down under the scarlet-stained shirt. Taking deep breaths, she tried to open her left eye but couldn't, finding it swollen shut. The electrical burns on her temples and arms stabbed at their eyes. Fox heard a cry, and he knew it was Dana. Blindly he reached out for her, pulling her close. His own tears ran down his face as he spoke. *What did she want you to tell us?* The signal faded as the morning sun began to shine through the thin hotel curtains. Suddenly the phone rang. Mulder lunged for it, wiping his face. ************************************************ *Yes, they are. The best.* Jackie gasped, feeling the pain in her ribs. *I would die for them. And them for me, I think.* *Thanks. I needed to know that.* The door swung open. *Tell me the story again...* ******************************************************* "The farmhouse is twenty miles from here. Four men, max." Mulder checked his clip, slamming it into his pistol and loading one into the chamber. Skinner nodded, passing a spare magazine to Scully as he checked his own gun. "Let's go." **************************************************** *I'm going to have to die soon, 'cause this living is killing me.* Jonathan laughed. *Hey, you should see me on a Friday night down on Yonge Street in the pinball arcades.* She could barely stand, the razor-slices on her feet just starting to close up. *Thank you for sending again. How do you stand it without me sending to you?* *Good idea.* *It helps me keep my skill under control. Mulder taught me.* Jackie smiled in spite of herself. *Not as much as she does.* *Maybe. If you're worthy of it.* ***************************************************** The two-level farmhouse sat in a deserted field, a thin dirt road the only approach. Mulder cut the car engine, letting it roll silently to the side of the road. They made their way towards the building on foot, Skinner ahead of Mulder and Scully. ************************************************* "Prepare the shots." The blond man nodded to the doctor. "Morphine should be sufficient. Then we'll start the fire." "Too bad they won't help. She's kinda cute." He muttered, filling two syringes carefully. Tucking them into his pocket, the doctor made his way down the hall to the first room. ******************************** Skinner swung through the door, aiming high. The guard never had a chance. Before he had stopped moving the trio had crept over him towards the main room. Mulder looked at Scully, wondering why she hadn't stopped to check on the wounded man. Her stony face showed no emotion. ********************************* *I'm coming! Fight it!* She threw back her head, screaming hoarsely. A surge of energy ran through her, amazing for its ferocity. It ran down her arms, feeding on the pain, then launched itself at her soul. She stood up, fists clenched. It was time. And if she was going to die, at least it was for a friend. ************************************* Mulder heard the static, the buzzing in the air that signalled St. George turning the power loose. He felt Scully tense behind him, knowing that she would only be doing this if she were threatened -- or dying. Skinner took another step, seemingly oblivious to the noise. They paused at the doorway, making eye contact. Mulder and Scully took the front, their team work flawless as they burst through the door with Skinner behind them. Jackie St. George turned towards them, her eyes blazing. The blond man struggled at the end of her arm, clutching at his throat. A crack filled the air as she broke it, tossing him to the side effortlessly. The glassy eyed doctor lay in the far corner, the syringe in his chest. "Jackie." Dana softly called, taking a step forward. She took a deep breath, staring at Scully with unfocused eyes. Suddenly her knees gave way, buckling under her. Jumping forward, Fox caught her as she fell, cradling her in his arms on the floor. Forcing her eyes open, she grinned through the blood-crusted lips. "'Bout time you got here." She rested for a second, then pushed herself up, leaning on him heavily. "I have to get to Jonathan. He's in trouble." Limping , the woman led them down the hallway. Throwing the door open, Jackie stared at the bodyguard inside as he reached for his pistol. A shot echoed in the silence. Skinner put a hand on her shoulder, nodding. "Jonathan?" She staggered into the room The thin ten year old lay on the mattress, his broken body not moving. His long blond hair fell to one side over the battered face. His wide blue eyes saw her, and he smiled. "You're Jackie." He said softly. "Gosh, you're pretty for real." Dropping to her knees, she nodded. "We'll get you to a hospital; you'll be fine. Then we'll take you home." Dana saw the empty syringe, and her heart sank. She reached for Fox's hand, gripping it tightly. "No, I'm not going anywhere now." He raised a trembling hand, laying it on her cheek. "I know that. But you're okay. your friends came for you." "You're got to stay -- fight it, come on..." She pleaded. Scully turned away. Skinner stood to one side, his head bowed. Only Mulder kept watching. "Jackie," he said dreamily, "remember what the old gull said?" "No, what?" Her tears fell unchecked on the boy's face. "What?" Jackie whispered. "He said 'keep working on love.'" Jonathan clutched her hand tightly. "Keep working on love, Jaclyn Amanda St. George." His eyes closed. ************************************************** Dana sniffed the roses, enjoying the fragrance. She turned to Jackie, who was lying on the sofa. "Nice bouquet." She shrugged, feeling the pull of her bandages. "Skinner says he owes me dinner still." "You should have stayed in the hospital, you know." She poured two fresh cups of tea. "You folks charge for those rooms. And my Agency insurance isn't going to cover that." Jackie started to twist her long hair around her fingers. A knock came at the door. "How is she?" Fox whispered as he took his coat off. Dana shrugged. "Physically, no problems, Nothing that won't heal in time." She glance back into the living room . "Is Skinner going to turn her in?" "He says he saw nothing. And the bodies have all disappeared. As far as it goes the whole thing never happened." "But it did." Jackie walked towards them, gingerly placing her slippered feet on the floor. "And I never really thanked you for coming for me." "Consider it evening up the score." He smirked. "but if you tell me about your date with Skinner, I'll call it even." "You know, If I play my cards right, I can have you transferred to Alaska." She winked at Dana. "Then we can get ourselves a real tough man to play with." "Hey, I'm fun to play with." Dana rolled her eyes upwards. "Action talks, B.S. walks." Jackie staggered back to the couch. "Besides, I don't give to charity." Collapsing on the cushions, she rubbed at her arms. Fox sat down in the chair, facing the two women, chuckling to himself. Shaking his head, he tried to be serious. "You going to be okay?" "I have to be." Jackie looked out the window. "I've got no choice." "We all have choices." Dana said quietly. "You do. He does. I don't." She clenched and unclenched her right hand, flexing the fingers. "Maybe none of us do. But I appreciate you two being along for the ride." "Anytime, anywhere." Fox smiled. "But I still want to hear about the dinner date." "Dana, where did you put my gun?" *************************************************** The Gossamer Project Author - Title - Date - Spoilers - Crossovers - X-Files - Adventures - Stories - Vignettes Download Other stories by Martin, Sheryl /Please let us know if the site is not working properly. Set story display preferences . Do not archive stories elsewhere without permission from the author(s). 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