TITLE: Justify: Mulder
AUTHOR: stellar_dust
EMAIL: stellar_dust_x@yahoo.com
WEBSITE: http://katycat.net/xfiles/
ARCHIVE/FEEDBACK: Just let me know/Of course.
SPOILERS: none; post-col
RATING: PG
PAIRINGS: M/S, D/R
CHALLENGE: U2 ("Pride (In the Name of Love)")
WORD COUNT: 235
DISCLAIMER: Not mine.
DATE: 11/27/2004
INSPIRATION: "One man come in the name of love, One 
man come and go: One man come, he to justify: One man 
to overthrow.."


Doggett clatters to a halt under the makeshift 
awning, wild-eyed and waving a piece of paper around.

"They found her," he pants. "Must've got a group o' 
prisoners out just before the virus. Tiny compound - 
North Carolina."

"Monica?" My chair clatters to the ground behind me. 
"Well, we've gotta get down there, we'll have to put 
a team together, we can take some people off patrols 
and - "

"No, Mulder." It's Skinner's gruff voice behind me. 
"We can't spare the men. Not right now."

"But - " Doggett glances back and forth between us, 
shaking. "It's *Monica*!"

I set the chair back up and shrug into my jacket. 
"Guess it's just you and me then, John. We can leave 
as soon as you're ready."

"No."

I spin in frustration. "Sir - "

Skinner's hands are raised. "Mulder, you're needed 
here." He nods outside, where Will and Scully are 
playing catch. I shake my head. Of course I don't 
want to leave them, but -

"That's why I'm going." Skinner steps blithely around 
the table and propels John out into the sunlight.

Astonished, I can only stare. "Sir?"

He nods at me once. I shut up and let them go.

I can hear Will's laughter on the breeze, mingled 
with Scully's teasing scolds. I don't ever want to 
think of losing either of them, again.

Skinner's ratty old pick-up starts with a sputter. 
"Bring her back safe," I whisper to the air.