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Title: Amore, Philadelphia Style
Author: Pattie
Rated: PG-13.
Category: MT, SA, MA, X-File, vain attempt at H.
Spoilers: Memento Mori, Season 4
Summary: It's a couple of weeks until Valentine's Day, and amid the candy, flowers, and perfume, sometimes the nose doesn't know what it knows.
Feedback: Please, let me know how I'm doing at: patfiler@hotmail.com
Archive: Gossamer. Any others please ask. This story will be available at Pattie's Pocketful of X shortly.
Disclaimer: Chris Carter, Ten Thirteen Productions and Fox Studios own the names and the title, but not the essence of the characters. My reward is simple pleasure not money. I do not intend copyright infringement. BTW, they can't take the other characters away from me. They know better. (I mean they're more creative).
Author's Note: Although this was written for Mulder's Refuge February Challenge, Valentine's Day Gone Awry, the contest was not held.
J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC
OFFICE OF THE X-FILES
FEBRUARY 3
8:19 AMScully remembers a day about a year ago, when Mulder arrived at the hospital bearing a bouquet of flowers, joking that he had stolen them from a man with a broken leg. He then asked what was on the scan she'd endured, and wondered how she could separate herself from the terminology she used to describe her own illness:
"It's what's called nasopharengeal mass. It's a small growth between the superior conchea and the sinoidal sinus." Her voice was so professional, so much like that of an impersonal oncology instructor before a handful of students.
Mulder remembers that day, and the weeks and months that followed. He remembers wondering when she was going to show signs that her time to face the music would arrive. It stuck in the back of his mind like an old song that drives a person up the wall when they're tired.
They both remember the time when Scully had no choice but to sign into the hospital and undergo the nauseating radiation and chemotherapy that would render her weak, tired, grey. They both remember the price Mulder payed to get her unorthodox treatment--the miracle that her family had been praying for.
It was about a year after that, today. Scully walked proudly into the office and smiled, watching Mulder grab a file from his desk and open it. "Isn't it a beautiful day, Mulder?"
"Hmm. Yeah, I guess it is. I guess we won't have to shoot the groundhog." Mulder wasn't even looking up from his work.
Scully's smile faded. "I guess not. I can think of another rodent... Never mind. Look at me, Mulder! Look at the calendar, and then look at me."
Mulder didn't appear to understand what was on Scully's mind, but he stared at the calendar. "Okay, now what do you want me to do?"
"Remember a year ago today, when I was released from the hospital... "
Mulder's hands went up in front of him instinctively. "Okay! I remember!" His scared expression turned into a warm smile. Of course I remember. Happy anniversary, Scully. One year cancer free." He went around the desk and hugged his partner. "I knew, but I just wasn't sure you wanted to be reminded of that."
Scully slowly pulled away from the hug and glanced up, smiling. "I owe you my life, Mulder. You did what it took to get me back my life."
"Yeah, the chip. The gift that just keeps giving." He spun his coffee cup around. "Doesn't it bother you, Scully? This whole thing could start over again when we get closer to their agenda, unless someone comes up with a way to prevent that."
"We don't know that, Mulder. So, some day I will be able to remove it without developing cancer, and until then, there's still a lot of work to be done."
Mulder sat in resignation. He wasn't going to get them the day off to celebrate life as he had planned, but there was a pressing case that did need their attention. He grabbed pictures from a folder and passed them to Scully after she sat in the chair in front of his desk.
"Valentine's Day Cards, Mulder?"
"Very good, Scully."
"Don't get smart, Mulder. What is the significance of these cards?" She tried very hard to remain serious.
"These just aren't any Valentine's Day Cards, Scully. These are 'Ardent Admirer' Brand cards. Wall Street predicts they'll overtake Hallmark at the rate they've been selling for the past three years, and this year is no different except for one thing... "
"Except there's something about them that is eerie, hypnotic, evil, voyeuristic or supernatural? Is that what you're going to tell me?" Scully closed the folder and took a deep breath. "Well?"
Mulder braced himself for whatever Scully's reaction would be. "What if I told you there was a threat sent to 'Ardent Admirer' that this year's batch of cards in the Philadelphia area would be laced with a chemical, and that there is no indication what that chemical was going to be?"
"Then I'd take the threat seriously, and have the Philly P.D. investigate it with their forensic experts and leave it at that. Skinner would laugh if we took this to him and asked that we go investigate it."
"Skinner ordered the investigation, Scully." Mulder smirked. "For the first time in six weeks, this isn't one of my spooky ideas, it is an official assignment." He waited for Scully to break her stunned silence. She wasn't going to apologize, he figured. Not exactly, anyway.
"Then, off we go to the City of Brotherly Love."
"After you, partner."
ARDENT ADMIRER GREETING CARD COMPANY
1652 DELTA BLVD.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
5:15 PMSam Larson, president of Ardent Admirer, welcomed the agents into his office later that day. "I have to admit this was a shock to me. I can't understand how anyone would tamper with greeting cards."
Scully had some questions. "This threat was called in last Wednesday, Mr. Larson, and I understand you took the call yourself. Exactly how did this person say he would tamper with your cards?"
"Well, he said it wouldn't be noticeable, and that it was going to be a spectacular scientific experiment. He sounded crazy, to tell you the truth. I can't understand what kind of 'experiment' anyone would be doing with greeting cards, and especially Valentine's Day Cards, but he said it would change people's perceptions about love on a very special day in the Philadelphia area."
"It was a local call?" Mulder wondered.
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"Would you mind if we saw some of your cards?" Mulder asked.
"No, not at all. We're about to shut the line down this evening as this is our last day for these cards. Our St. Patrick's Day template will be ready to go tomorrow. I'll take you down personally, and you can take some samples."
"Mr. Larson, did this man say where the cards were going to be affected? At this plant? In the stores?"
"He wasn't clear on that, Agent Scully. Frankly, if it's going to be in this city, I think it would be somewhere between here and the local stores. I can give you a list of the stores that carry our cards here."
"Well, that would be helpful," Mulder said, as he stood. "We may as well get started."
HOSPITALITY MOTEL
PHILADELPHIA, PA
8:31 PMMulder and Scully went through a box of randomly selected cards over pizza and coffee in Mulder's room. There hadn't been any signs of hidden puncture devices, pills, or even perfume. The cards were... cards.
"Mulder, I think if I flip open another card that says 'Someone loves you, and guess just who, 'cuz you're a sweetie through and through' I'll need some insulin. I'm exhausted!"
Mulder closed one of the hundreds of cards he'd been through, and grabbed a piece of pizza. "It would help if we knew what we were looking for. Nothing's exploded or sprayed us. Maybe it was a prank call."
"Still, it is a threat, and we have to take it seriously," Scully reminded him. "Tomorrow, we're off to the stores, and this is one time I'm not looking forward to browsing the shops and malls all over the damn city."
"Well, we are splitting the list in half, so you're not alone. I'll be suffering with you."
Just then, Mulder's cell phone rang. "Mulder. Mr. Larson. No, no, you didn't wake me. What is it? I see. Okay. Don't worry. My partner's a medical doctor. Are you sure that's what he said? Yeah... Okay. Thank you. Don't worry about it. Yes, we will. Bye."
Scully finished off her soda. "I gather Sam Larson's been contacted again."
"I'm afraid so, and he couldn't get a trace on the call. I suggest we wear rubber gloves tomorrow. Larson's cancelling a few local deliveries for tomorrow. I left my email address at his office, so he'll be forwarding the revised list to me in about an hour. That cuts down on our search somewhat. Only twenty-four stores. Aren't you glad it isn't the original ninety?"
"Did you say rubber gloves, Mulder? What are we dealing with?" Scully tossed a pizza crust into the trash basket beside Mulder's bed. "An environmental hazard? Poison? Narcotics?"
Mulder finished his piece of pizza and wiped his hands with a paper towel. "I don't know, but maybe we'd better find the cards and bring them back here. We'll need masks from the drug store. Are you up on the latest reports regarding pheromones, Scully?"
"Well, we've known for years that female butterflies are able to attract mates kilometers away because they give off pheromones that signal they're ready for fertilization to take place. Cats, dogs, horses all seem to secrete pheromones, and these are picked up by an organ known as the Jacobson's Gland, situated in the nose. Researchers have been testing men and women for changes in their brainwaves that indicate arousal when subjects are exposed to samples of axillary perspiration from the opposite sex. The Jacobson's gland does exist in humans, but whether people are actually sexually aroused by these secretions has yet to be proven. In other words, we supposedly give off an aphrodisiac to attract a mate, and this is theoretically why people fall in lust."
Mulder was amazed Scully was so well-versed in this area, and wondered if they were receiving messages from people, often without knowing it. "So, the birds and the bees, dogs, cats, and humans. Okay. Has there ever been any synthesised form of human pheromones in the testing stages?"
"No."
"But it is possible, right?"
"Possible, but I don't know if it would turn everyone on, Mulder. In theory, some people are attracted while others aren't affected. The experiments are just not conclusive, and before you ask me if there's some "lure all" chemical, I really doubt it. Besides, human beings are complex. We are attracted to men and women by several factors."
"All right, then. When we get that list, we'll divide it and I'll drive you to get a car in the morning. There is something I noticed about most of the cards: that little flip up heart with the cute sayings underneath."
Scully picked one of the cards our of a box. "They do seem to be the most common ones. If I wanted to hide a chemical I might place it underneath the heart, bouquet, box of chocolates that one pulls up, and it would have to have a plastic backing of some sort. You don't suppose..."
"Yes, I do. This could be the method of distribution. Think about it, Scully: Most of the population aroused at the same time, but this is only a testing ground. As I was saying, if most of the general populace were aroused at the same time, nothing much could get done. It could be released in anything from these cards to aerosols, bug sprays, weed killer, even hair spray."
"This sounds like something out of a Batman episode," Scully whispered. "Perhaps you should watch reality TV."
"Scully, you said it yourself: Theoretically, we produce pheromones. Why can't we synthesise them? And why wouldn't someone use them unscrupulously to control security, government, the population of a state, or, ultimately an entire country?"
"Say this is a testing ground, Mulder. Wouldn't the scientist want to be somewhere around here to monitor his subjects? Frankly, if Larson couldn't get a trace on the last call, we should get one through the phone company."
"I'm going to Sam Larson's place to get started on that. You keep going through the cards, try to put yourself in the scientist's place."
"I've had enough sweet talk cards to last me a lifetime, but time is running out. If you're not back by ten, I'll be asleep in my room."
His partner never was one for the late nights. Mulder couldn't figure out how she fell asleep so easily when they were driving let alone in strange motels. "Well, if you can't sleep, you can watch a movie. I think 'Kalifornia' is on." Mulder grabbed his trench coat. "Leave me a slice, okay?"
"Right. 'Kalifornia'. Suddenly I feel like going through the cards again."
"Well, maybe you'll be lucky and some little guy with a bow and arrow... "
Scully threw a card at him. "Mulder, Mr. Larson awaits."
SCULLY'S ROOM
11:18 PMScully was sound asleep before Mulder had traced Sam Larson's last caller. She groggily picked up the phone. "Scully."
"Scully, we traced the number to a small private lab on Main Street, workplace of a Doctor Fredreich Hedwig. No home address on record. I'm at the lab now, and it seems to have been cleaned out and I mean not a test tube or beaker in sight."
"Nothing? Mulder, it's ten days to Valentine's Day, and even after we go through the stores there's no guarantee we can prevent this 'experiment' from being carried out as planned. We don't even have a picture of him."
"No, we don't. Sam Larson says he's never met the man. This guy isn't even listed in the city directory." There was a long silence. "Scully?"
"Yeah, Mulder. Give me some time. I know a few people to call who may know this scientist. When you get back, maybe I'll have some news."
"I hope so, Scully. Even the law enforcement agencies led to a dead end. See you when I get back." Mulder left the building and as he was about to open his car door, two men jumped him. One of them sprayed what appeared to be water onto his face, and they raced off, leaving him to hobble into the car. He felt dizzy for a moment, chalked it up to the tackling he'd just been through, and then headed for the motel.
HOSPITALITY MOTEL
PHILADELPHIA, PA
11:59 PMScully opened her motel room door to one very strangely cheery Mulder. He was wide awake and laughing himself silly. "Ahh... there you are! How's my Scully?" There was something in his eyes that seemed unfamiliar yet erotic. She had to dismiss his obvious attempts at seduction if there was going to be any further progress in this assignment of theirs.
"Mulder, I finally found someone who knows... will you... what are you doing?" She couldn't believe her eyes. Mulder had switched the radio on and was gyrating his hips as he cast off his jacket, waving it in circles over his head, licking his lips and leering at her neckline. She clutched her robe tighter, but still felt almost naked. "What happened out there?" She silenced the radio.
"Hey, you know, I've been thinking about this motel room business, and how we work together so much, and I think I could really use some Scully comfort about now." His voice was relaxed, and he seemed down right forward in his leering and gestures. The tone of his voice was sultry, but Scully knew she had to dismiss his actions as those of someone obviously affected by something other than alcohol or her appearance.
"Mulder, keep your shirt on!" She grabbed his wrists and he smiled, trying to place his lips on hers.
"Know what I'd really like right now, Scully?" Now Mulder was unzipping his jeans. "Can you help me here, Scully?"
"Yeah, a cold shower, Mulder. You're not thinking straight, right now. Stop this craziness..."
"Sure I'm thinking straight, woman. I'm thinking I'd like to get straight into..."
Scully gave Mulder a good, hard shove against the wall, then dragged him by the arm into her bathroom, ran the shower on cold, and pushed him into the tub. "Cool off, and get a grip! Where'd you get those abrasions, Mulder!? Were you attacked?"
"Two guys knocked me down after I left the lab, but as I was about to say, care to join me? I'm still ready... "
After she slammed the bathroom door shut, she called one of the experts she'd managed to contact. "Dr. Walters, it's Dana Scully again. How quickly can you get to Philadelphia?" Then she called another contact. "Dr. Lilydale, I'd like you to get here as soon as possible, I think I have the first victim of Hedwig's drug. I need your help. Yeah, he is. You'd better believe he is. Who? My partner. No! Not THAT kind of partner. Mulder. My colleague."
After Scully had made her calls, she took her handcuffs from her coat pocket. "Mulder, this is going to hurt me nore than it'll hurt you, but it's for your own good." She went into the bathroom, chained his hand to a pipe running along the wall, and partially dressed him, fending off caresses and attempted kisses. "You'll thank me in the morning, so don't bother saying anything. Help is on it's way, Mulder."
"Oh, I don't need help, Scully. What I need is your ... "
<<<AUTHOR'S INTERRUPTION: MULDER'S WORDS CANNOT BE DISPLAYED HERE>>>
The worst part for Scully was having to endure Mulder's rendition of "Do You Think I'm Sexy?" until Dr. Lilydale arrived and sedated Special Agent Fox Mulder. When they had placed him on Scully's bed, Lilydale left, and Scully pulled the covers over her partner, thankful that Mulder's arousal would be out of his system within a few hours. She fell asleep in an armchair with no further disturbances at 1:30 a.m.
HOSPITALITY MOTEL
PHILADELPHIA, PA
FEBRUARY 4
7:32 AMScully awoke with a crick in her neck and a knock at her door. She worked the pain out of her shoulders as she tightened her robe and greeted Dr. Walters. "Henry, I'm glad you could get here on such short notice. You said you knew what Dr. Hedwig was up to."
"Yes. Is that your partner?"
"I'm afraid so. Now, I don't normally have him sleep in my bed let alone have him chained to my bed, but I had to have him sedated and restrained last night. How much of Dr. Hedwig's work are you familiar with?"
"Well, I do know he was always joking that if Love Potion Number 9 wasn't good enough, maybe someone should invent Number 10. That was fifteen years ago, and he finally came up with a synthesised form of pheromone that actually consists of a blend from both sexes."
"So, you know where we can find him?" Scully asked impatiently. "I know he's your colleague, but he's gone way overboard. If what I told you last night is true, we have to stop him as soon as possible, and Ardent Admirer Cards will have to pull all Valentine's cards off of the shelves in the city today!"
"I suggest you do that, Agent Scully, because you don't even want this to start. The drug lasts twelve hours, and time is the only antidote as far as we can tell. You have to call the company and get those cards out of the stores immediately. As for Dr. Hedwig, you'll find him at 353 Moore Lane. He lives in his mother's basement." Walters glanced over at Mulder. "I guess he'll be out of commission for a few hours."
"Unfortunately. Listen, I have a call to make, and I need to get dressed, so, thanks for coming. I hate to rush you, but... "
"I understand. Hedwig is an embarassment to the scientific community, especially where his work in sexuality is concerned." Walters opened the door, then turned to Scully. "Believe me, no self-respecting scientist would release this type of thing to any government."
"Wait! IS that what you believe Hedwig plans to do?"
"I don't know, but I've heard about some of the things you've unearthed in your work. Not all of us are dishonest."
"Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me... "
"Of course."
As soon as Walters closed the door, Scully called Sam Larson and urged him to recall all Valentine's card deliveries, and after explaining the various difficulties, he managed to agree. The cards were recalled and burned.
J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC
OFFICE OF THE X-FILES
FEBRUARY 5
9:15 AMMulder and Scully were safely back in their office writing their reports. Scully wondered why Mulder hadn't spoken much since the flight home, and chalked it up to fatigue. She looked up from her findings from a blood sample she had taken from Mulder. "Well, apparently the only drug found in your bloodstream was phenobarbitol, and that was what we gave you to settle you down."
"Then how can we explain this to Skinner? What about my actions, which I don't recall, and any residues you swabbed from my respiratory system?"
"Well, the swabs didn't turn up anything but lint and a few germs. As for your actions, you were under the influence of an unknown substance. You gave quite the performance, Mulder!" Scully's eyes lit up, and while she WAS blushing, she was remembering the gyrations and leering, and dug her heel into her instep.
"Performance? Oh, no." Mulder's head was in his hands, elbows on the desk. "I didn't. Tell me I didn't."
"Whatever." Scully poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Did I?"
"Did you what, Mulder?" She could play this for all it was worth. It made up for some of his most recent teasing.
"Did I... perform, Scully. Did I do anything in that room?"
"Well, let's just say you did some dirty dancing, but nothing a little cold water and some phenobarbitol couldn't handle. Nothing happened between us, Mulder. Relax."
"Thank God, Scully. I'd hate to think all those rumors I've been spreading are true."
"Well, the one's I've been spreading have always been false." Scully replied without facing Mulder.
They both finished their reports, but Mulder was left to wonder what had transpired. As for Scully, she most certainly wasn't going to say another word.
END
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