EXT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - BACK ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER
Michael leads Maria out the back of the cafe. They are followed by Liz and Max.
Max stops.
LIZ
Max, come on. What are you doing?
MAX
We can’t just run out like this. It’s not right.
MICHAEL
Screw right, Max! We are witnesses to a major crime
in there, and if they start asking questions like how
the hell did the place start shaking like that, we are in
serious trouble!
MAX
That’s not what I mean.
LIZ
Then what do you mean, Max?
Max looks at Liz and Michael knowingly.
MICHAEL
No. Absolutely not! That’s what got us all into this
mess in the first place!
MAX
I just can’t let her...
LIZ
What are you talking about, Max?
(to Michael)
What’s he talking about, Michael?
Maria, puffy eyed and sniffling, looks up from Michael’s chest,
MARIA
When Max saved you, Liz. That’s why he wants to
go back in. To save that woman.
Liz’s eyes go wide and she turns to Max.
LIZ
No! You can’t go back in there!
MAX
Why not? I did it to save you, didn’t I?
LIZ
That’s different, Max. I’m not an FBI agent, and you
weren’t being hunted down like you are. There’s too
much of a risk!
MAX
Liz, there is no difference. That woman is laying in
there dying. She has a bullet in her that shouldn’t be
there.
LIZ
What about what you told me when my Grandmother
died? Maybe this is her time, Max.
MAX
No. It’s not.
LIZ
How do you know that?!
MAX
I saw her aura.
LIZ
Her what?
MARIA
Her aura. Michael told me on the way back from
Marathon, that they can see auras.
LIZ
Wait a minute. You can see auras?
MAX
Yes. Hers is strong... Just like yours, Liz. It’s not her
time.
Max looks at Liz who appears moved.
MICHAEL
Oh, forget this, Max! Let’s go!
MAX
No. Take Maria home, and meet back at my house.
I’m staying.
Michael shakes his head.
MICHAEL
This has gotta be the lamest idea you’ve ever had.
Michael walks off with Maria. Max walks back toward the cafe as Liz stops him.
LIZ
Max. What are you going to do?
MAX
I’ll think of something. It’s gonna be okay.
Max smiles at Liz. Liz smiles back.
LIZ
All right. Let’s do it.
Max walks into the cafe and Liz follows.
INT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - MOMENTS LATER
The overhead sprinklers have stopped. People are wondering around in post-
war shock. Mulder kneels by Scully who lays in a bloody pool of water. Mulder
has a towel pressed over Scully’s wound.
MULDER
Come on, Scully. Stay with me. Help’s on the way.
Scully moans slightly as Liz and Max rush up to Mulder.
LIZ
The paramedics are on their way.
Mulder nods. Liz glances over her shoulder and sees GRAY ALIEN slowly
waking up against the wall. Liz gently taps Mulder on the shoulder.
LIZ
Uh... Excuse me, but...
Mulder turns and sees Gray Alien beginning to sit up.
MULDER
Here, keep pressure on it.
Mulder puts Liz’s hand on the towel. Scully winces a little.
Mulder walks over to Gray Alien, and yanks off Gray Alien’s mask to reveal a
scruffy looking man in his 30s. Mulder slams Gray Alien into the wall with both
hands.
MULDER
You son of a bitch! Are you happy now?! I hope it
was worth it you piece of shit!
As the patrons watch Mulder scream at Gray Alien, Max comes up and kneels
beside Liz.
MAX
Here. Let me.
Max removes the towel and sees blood pouring out of a small entry wound.
Max takes his hand and places it over the wound and closes his eyes.
MONTAGE:
There is a series of quick, lightening fast images:
1) Scully as a child.
2) Scully’s father, dressed in a Naval uniform.
3) Sully meets Mulder for the first time.
4) Scully is abducted by Duane Barry.
5) Scully witnesses Deep Throat being assassinated.
6) Scully and Mulder run out of the FBI building in Dallas, TX (X-Files Movie).
7) Scully and Mulder are about to kiss each other... (X-Files Movie).
INT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - SECONDS LATER
Max tenses up and lets out a sigh as Max removes his hand from Scully’s
stomach. The wound is HEALED, leaving only dried blood in its place.
MAX
(to Liz)
Thanks. I’ll see you soon.
LIZ
You too.
Mulder is forcefully slapping handcuffs on Gray Alien. Mulder then leans in close
to Gray Alien as Max quietly walks past them both, to the back.
MULDER
If she dies, you die.
Mulder walks Gray Alien to the center of the restaurant and slams Gray Alien
down in a chair. Mulder then kneels down beside Scully, who, surprisingly, starts
to sit up.
MULDER
No, no. Stay down, Scully. You’ve been shot.
SCULLY
Shot? What --
Scully removes the towel Liz has pressed against Scully’s stomach and sees
there is no wound. Mulder’s eyes go wide as Liz backs away from Mulder and
Scully.
SCULLY
Shot? Mulder, what’s going on?
Mulder examines Scully’s stomach. There is a palm print outline in the dried
blood.
MULDER
What the...
Scully squints in pain and holds her head.
SCULLY
Whoa...
MULDER
Are you all right?
SCULLY
I guess. All I remember is the guns going off and
then I blacked out. I was shot?
MULDER
Yes! You were shot and laying in a pool of blood!
SCULLY
I’m fine, Mulder.
Mulder looks around frantically and spots Liz.
MULDER
You, give me that towel.
Liz hands Mulder the blood soaked towel and Mulder shows the towel to Scully.
MULDER
You were shot, and I put this towel on the wound to
stop the bleeding.
Scully examines the towel.
SCULLY
You did?
MULDER
Yes! How else do you explain this pool of water
you’re sitting in?
Scully looks at the pool of bloody water she’s sitting in as Liz backs further into
the cafe. Scully then stands up as Mulder helps her.
SCULLY
I don’t know. I’m fine now, Mulder.
Scully looks down at her blood stained blouse and stomach. Mulder looks
around the cafe, sees Liz, and walks right up to her.
MULDER
You. What’s your name?
LIZ
Liz. Liz Parker.
MULDER
Liz, what do you know about this?
Mulder holds up the towel.
LIZ
You told me to put it on her stomach to stop the
bleeding when you went and arrested that guy.
Liz points to Gray Alien. Mulder looks at Liz suspiciously.
SCULLY
Mulder.
Mulder continues to look at Liz.
SCULLY
Mulder, she had nothing to do with it. There was this
guy. A kid. She didn’t know him.
Mulder walks back to Scully. Liz gets a worried look on her face.
MULDER
Kid, what Kid?
SCULLY
I don’t know... He was young, about her age.
Mulder turns to Liz who stands there nervously. Mulder then looks past Liz to
the kitchen doors which sway loosely. Mulder runs toward the back...
SCULLY
Mulder!
Mulder runs past Liz who looks at Scully. Both Liz and Scully share a knowing
glance.
EXT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - BACK ALLEY - SECONDS LATER
Mulder bursts into the alley and looks around. It’s deserted. Mulder then goes
back inside.
INT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - SAME
Liz and Scully look at each other. Scully looks down at her stomach and then at
Liz.
EXT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - LATER THAT DAY
A Jeep Cherokee pulls up in front of the diner where ambulances, fire trucks,
and local law enforcement vehicles have decended. The door opens and
SHERIFF VALENTI steps out. Valenti puts on his cowboy hat and walks toward
the cafe.
DEPUTY OWEN stands on the sidewalk as Paramedics tend to shell-shocked
witnesses.
VALENTI
What have we got here, Owen?
DEPUTY OWEN
Oh, it’s a bad one, Sheriff. Apparently it was a hold up
that went south. Two FBI agents...
VALENTI
Did you say FBI agents?
DEPUTY OWEN
Yeah...
Deputy Owen flips open his note pad.
DEPUTY OWEN
...Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, just happened
to be passing through when it happened.
Valenti and Owen watch a coroner snap photos of a chalk outline on the
sidewalk where Green Alien#2 landed amid a hail of glass. The front window is
completely gone.
DEPUTY OWEN
Apparently, three gunmen entered and demanded
money. Agents Mulder and Scully then revealed
themselves and ordered the suspects to drop their
weapons. They exchanged gun fire, and this is
where one of the bad guys ended up.
VALENTI
What about the other two?
DEPUTY OWEN
One took a round in the chest, and he’s in critical
condition. They airlifted him to Albuquerque, a few
minutes ago. The other one is still inside.
VALENTI
Is that all?
DEPUTY OWEN
Actually, no.
VALENTI
What do you mean, no?
INT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - CONTINUOUS
Mulder sits in a chair, exhausted, as paramedics take his blood pressure. Scully
sits wrapped in a blanket sipping a cup of coffee as Valenti and Deputy Owen
walk in. Mulder immediately stands up as Valenti and Deputy Owen walk over to
him.
MULDER
Sheriff, I have to talk to you right away. There’s
something going on here that I think you need to
know about.
Liz sits off to the side and watches Mulder and Valenti with interest.
VALENTI
Agent, Mulder, is it?
MULDER
Yes. That is my partner, agent Scully. Sheriff,
something very strange is going on here.
VALENTI
And what exactly do you mean by strange, agent
Mulder?
Mulder leads Valenti over to Scully and Mulder and Valenti kneel down before
her.
MULDER
Scully, this is sheriff...Valenti, was it?
Valenti tips his hat to Scully.
VALENTI
Ma’am.
Scully blushes slightly.
MULDER
Scully, if you don’t mind I’d like to show the sheriff
what happened to you.
Scully nods. Mulder lifts up Scully’s blouse to reveal a SILVER HAND PRINT on
her stomach. Valenti’s jaw nearly hits the floor.
MULDER
My partner was shot, but then somehow,
miraculously it just healed up. What do you make of
that hand print?
Valenti and Mulder stand as Valenti searches the diner. Valenti spots Liz and
walks over to her with Deputy Owen and Mulder in tow.
VALENTI
How you doing, Liz?
LIZ
Uh, fine, sheriff. Just fine. Just a shaken up a bit.
VALENTI
Well, that’s understandable. It seems you’re always
in the wrong place at the wrong time, huh?
Liz manages a small smile.
MULDER
Liz did a great job. She did exactly what she was
told and may have even helped save Scully’s life.
Thank you.
LIZ
I just did what I thought I had to do.
Mulder nods as Deputy Owen and Valenti exchange knowing looks.
VALENTI
Liz, was Max Evans, with you today when this all
happened?
LIZ
Max Evans? Uh... No, no. Why would we be here?
VALENTI
I don’t know. You tell me.
MULDER
Sheriff, there were a bunch of her friends with her
befpre this all went down.
Liz gets a worried look on her face.
VALENTI
Oh, and how do you know that, agent Mulder?
MULDER
Before it all started, my partner and I were about to
order when I turned around and noticed our waitress
standing at the back...
Mulder takes a few steps toward the back and turns to face Valenti and Deputy
Owen.
MULDER
...With a group of friends. Two young guys, and Liz.
DEPUTY OWEN
(to Valenti)
Maria De Luca was on duty with Liz.
VALENTI
Where is she now?
DEPUTY OWEN
I don’t know. I think she went home.
VALENTI
We’ll swing by later and get her statement.
Deputy Owen nods.
VALENTI
(to Liz)
So, Max Evans wasn’t here, huh?
LIZ
Well... No. No... He just said a group of friends. He
must have meant Alex and Michael. That’s who it
was. Alex and Michael.
VALENTI
Michael Gerrand?
DEPUTY OWEN
Figures.
VALENTI
(to Mulder)
Thank you agent Mulder, you’ve been a big help. I
think we can take it from here.
MULDER
But...
VALENTI
Deputy Owen will take your statement and then
you’re fee to go.
MULDER
That’s all your gonna do about this? My partner was
shot, and now she’s fine? What about that silver
hand print on her stomatch? Doesn’t that strike you
as a bit odd? Or do things like this usually happen in
Roswell, New Mexico.
Valenti walks straight up to Mulder as looks Mulder directly in the eye.
VALENTI
Agent Mulder, I don’t know where you’re from, or who
you’re used to dealing with, but this is a local matter,
now. Let me handle it. For your own, sake. Good
bye.
Valenti smiles pleasantly and walks away. Deputy Owen follows. Scully, stands
next to Mulder who is visibly frustrated.
SCULLY
Mulder, it’s okay. The important thing is that I’m fine.
Why don’t we just go back to Albuquerque, huh?
Liz watches Mulder and Scully.
MULDER
I can’t believe you, Scully. Even when something like
this happens, you aren’t willing to believe.
SCULLY
That’s not it. Whatever happened to me, happened.
Sometimes you aren’t supposed to understand the
how or why. Maybe I wasn’t really shot. Maybe I was
just grazed or something, and it hit a major blood
vessel and it looked like I was.
Frustrated, Mulder looks at Scully. Scully then glances at Liz as Liz and Scully
share a knowing look. Mulder shakes his head and rubs his tired eyes.
MULDER
Maybe you’re right. But I’m gonna go call Skinner,
and let’em know we’re not gonna make the flight
back to D.C. tonight.
Mulder walks toward the front door...
SCULLY
Why not?
Mulder turns around and faces Scully.
MULDER
Because I’m sticking around and finding out whoever
or whatever is responsible for healing you. Even if
you aren’t.
Mulder walks out the front door as Valenti and Deputy Owen watch. Valenti and
Deputy Owen then resume interviewing a witness.
Scully looks at Liz. Liz mouths the words, “Thank You”. Scully nods. Scully then
walks out the front door. Liz shakes her head and lets out an weary sigh.
JACK PARKER (O.C.)
Oh my God, Liz.
JACK PARKER, Liz’s father, rushes in and hugs Liz.
LIZ
Dad.
LIZ
I’m okay, I’m fine. Everything’s okay.
Jack looks around at what’s left of the Crashdown.
JACK
What the hell happened?
Valenti walks up to Jack and Liz.
VALENTI
Jack. Looks like two times a charm, huh?
JACK
That’s what’s the insurance man said when he called
me. Thank God, Liz is still in one piece.
Valenti and Liz exchange a look.
VALENTI
Yeah, Liz is quite a trooper. Just one adventure after
another. Jack...
Valenti walks away with Jack as Liz watches them.
EXT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Mulder stands by the Taurus talking on a cell phone.
MULDER
Yes. Get me Assistant Director Walter Skinner,
please. This is agent Fox Mulder.
Scully walks over to Mulder.
SCULLY
Mulder, what are you doing?
Mulder holds up a hand to silence her.
MULDER
Sir?
EXT. THE J. EDGAR HOOVER BLDG. - FBI HEADQUARTERS - DAY
The multistory sandstone and smoked glass building.
ON SCREEN CAPTION: FBI Headquarters
Washington, DC
INT. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S OFFICE - SAME
WALTER SKINNER sits at his desk talking on the phone.
SKINNER
Agent Mulder, why do I get the feeling this isn’t a
social call?
MULDER
Something’s happened, here sir.
SKINNER
I know I’m going to regret asking you this, but what?
MULDER
Scully was shot...
Skinner sits up and is alarmed.
SKINNER
Is she okay?
MULDER
Yes, she’s fine. That’s the something I need to talk
to you about.
SKINNER
How did she get shot? Are you still in Albuquerque?
MULDER
No, no. Actually, we’re in Roswell, New Mexico.
SKINNER
Roswell? What are you doing in Roswell?
MULDER
It’s a long story sir, and it only gets longer the more
we talk about it over the phone, but I will say that
Scully and I are now material witnesses in an
attempted robbery, and local law enforcement needs
us to stick around for at least a couple of days to
sort everything out.
SKINNER
So, let me guess. If order you two back to D.C. I’d be
in violation of the major crimes act which prevents
interfering with a local investigation, right?
MULDER
Something like that sir.
Skinner sighs and rubs his eyes.
SKINNER
All right. I’m giving you three days. If it’s not cleared
up by then, I want you two out. Regardless. Is that
understood?
MULDER
Yes, sir.
SKINNER
Good. You might want to check in with the section
Chief down there. His name is...
Skinner flips open a directory and finds a name.
SKINNER
...Agent Stevens.
MULDER
Stevens, huh?
SKINNER
Yeah, he’s running the regional INS and Illegal
Immigration programs down there with the border
partrol.
MULDER
Protecting us from the evil aliens?
SKINNER
Exactly. And agent Mulder?
MULDER
Yes, sir?
SKINNER
Tell agent Scully that I’m glad she’s okay.
MULDER
I’ll do that sir.
Skinner hangs up.
EXT. THE CRASHDOWN CAFE - SAME
Mulder collapses the cell phone.
SCULLY
Mulder, what are you doing?
MULDER
Starting my own investigation on why you’re still
standing there talking to me, Scully.
Mulder walks off as Scully stands there powerless. Scully feels someone
watching her and turns to see Liz standing in the doorway of the cafe. They
exchange looks.
INT. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S OFFICE - SAME
A cigarette is ground into an ashtray full of extinguished butts.
CSM (O.C.)
Roswell, New Mexico, eh?
Skinner looks over and sees CIGARETTE SMOKING MAN (CSM) sitting in a
chair by the door. CSM sits up and clasps his hands together in an intrigued
manner.
CSM
Well, now. I suppose that I should give agent
Stevens a call shouldn’t I?
Skinner just sneers at CSM who reclines in his chair with a devilish grin on his
face.
TO BE CONTINUED
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