Are Your Cases
Always this Eerie?

by Kris

An ATF Magnificent Seven - X-Files Crossover

Disclaimer: These characters belong to MGM and FOX. They are not mine, I do try to remember this. There has been a vote and it was unanimous that the have more fun with me. No animals or aliens were hurt during the writing of this story. (Ezra was only hurt a little, but we have confirmed that Ezra is neither a critter nor an alien)


Denver, Colorado Tuesday
As Ezra Standish walked into a bar, located in a seedy part of town, he couldn't help but wonder if this could be a trap. The last time he'd dealt with Ratchet, he'd been shot. He took a quick perusal about the barroom, the hairs on his neck stayed in place, so he just continued through to the back room. He spied Ratchet in the corner, fidgeting nervously. Ezra closed the door behind him and used a cough to get Ratchet's attention.

Ratchet looked up, fear replacing the nervous look on his place. "Ah Ezra, thanks for coming."

The words had no sooner left his mouth when he felt the air stir beside him and cold steel pressed against his face. Two, in fact. A gun muzzle was pressed into each ear. Ratchet froze.

Chris Larabee was at the end of one gun, Buck Wilmington, the other. Chris leaned his face up close to Ratchet and said with stern menace in his voice, "individuals that get my agents shot don't live long lives."

Fear oozed from every pore, Ratchet figured he was a goner. "I didn't set him up, honest. That's why I called. I've got info, I'm gonna give it to you for free....see, I wanna take care of you. Prove that I didna do nothin."

"Don't know that information will be enough. Our leader here, well he don't forgive easy. And he takes gunshot wounds to his friends real serious." Buck was hard pressed to keep the smile out of his voice.

The sound of cocking guns filled Ratchet's ears, the fear overwhelmed him and he fell to the floor in a dead faint. The sound of Buck's laughter followed his fall. Chris almost smiled himself. The two of them stepped back into the shadows, out of the line of Ratchet's sight.

Ezra stood tapping his foot, waiting for his snitch to come to. Ratchet opened his eyes, surprised that he was still alive. He sat up, his eyes traveling the length of Ezra to his face. His eyes then widen at the annoyed expression displayed across his face.

"Okay, now let's have it, what information could possibly even, your giving me away?" Ezra asked as he thought little, if any, information would prove useful.

"That heist of Army weapons, was partly an inside job. That's the inside word, and the stuff is headed for a job here in the US. Jimmy, the day bartender is driving. I don't think he really wants to, he just needs the money bad."

Ezra tapped his open fingers against each other as he thought about what Ratchet told him. "Is this the heist that included 450 grenades, a grenade launcher, plastic explosives, rifles, 150 magazines for said rifles and approximately 5 Berettas and enough ammo for ten guys?"

Ratchet nodded eagerly, "the buyers are a Russian and a Middle-Easterner. But the really odd part is that they're purchasing it for an American, to be delivered to a Virginia address."

Ezra didn't say anything, which left Ratchet unclear, so he added, "Jimmy really needs the money, but he doesn't want to die. It's rumored that these buyers don't leave witnesses."

Chris stepped into the light and nodded at Ezra. Chris turned and stared at Ratchet, who was squirming weasel-like, similar to the animal he'd been likened to. Chris remained motionless for a couple more seconds before turning to Ezra, "That matches some of the tid-bits we've collected." Again, Chris looked at the snitch with that stern, hard stare that he was noted for. He directed his next words to him, "Will this Jimmy work with us?"

"That's the whole point, this is helping you and him." Ratchet finally stood, fidgeting from foot to foot.

"Ratchet," Ezra said with deadly intent, "if this is some kind of con your running to get into our good graces, and it turns out that you lied or mislead us......any action taken by Mr. Larabee will only be the beginning of what I'll do to you."

Ratchet stood absolutely still and solemnly nodded his head to Ezra.

Ezra changed postures and slapped his hands together as he said, "let's go meet Jimmy!"

Severna Park, Maryland Wednesday, 2:00pm

Abby Jenkins turned away from the grave site of her brothers, not wanting to talk with her parents just yet after the double funeral. They'd ask questions she had no answers for. How would she describe what had happened. Who would believe her.

Abby saw the two agents waiting for her, as she had arranged to talk with them here. She approached them slowly, noticing the calm air about them. She thought that the female had nice red hair, and didn't really look like an FBI agent. The man had unusual eyes, as though they could see what others could not, well she hoped so.

FBI Agents, Dana Scully and Fox Mulder watched as their new assignment walked toward them.

Dana put out her hand, "hello, I'm Dana Scully."

"Abby Jenkins," she said as she accepted Dana's hand

"Fox Mulder." Mulder shook her hand after Scully. "Thank you for meeting with us today."

Abby nodded, looking stricken as she remembered why she was here. Scully noted this and said, "we are sorry for your loss." Abby again nodded.

The was a silence, like each was waiting for the other to begin. Mulder pushed ahead, "will you tell us why we're here?"

Abby looked puzzled, "didn't the original agents pass on the information I gave them?"

"No, they didn't," Mulder divulged.

"We came straight here from the airport. We've had no chance to speak with anyone." Scully added to Mulder's blunt statement. "Why don't we sit over there," making it more of a statement than a question as she pointed at the two benches located to the left of them.

The three of them walked over and sat down on the benches. The gray sky matching Abby's mood.

Mulder leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs, and requested, "as we haven't heard anything, start at the beginning. Include all you remember, sometimes the little details are important."

Abby stared out at all the headstones, not really seeing them, but collecting her thoughts in order. "The three of us work at GovCorp, it's a government sponsored research agency. My brothers actually work..worked in Research. I work in Translations and Linguistics. " She turned and looked at both agents, "I'm not real clear on what they were working on. They weren't allowed to talk about it." Abby hesitated and lowered her voice, "but the last couple of weeks, Jason hinted that something wasn't right. We set up a meeting in the lab. Jason was going to stop the project, he believed that someone had sold them out."

"He never mentioned what type of research project they were working on?" Fox Mulder asked openly, but watched her intently for any indications that she did know what the project was.

Abby shook her head but kept her eyes down as she answered, "I think that Jason was going to explain some part of it, but the door shut......," her voice quivered and tears sprang into her eyes, "and the fire started...it engulfed the lab so quickly....." Her voice broke as she looked up at Mulder, "Eric's last words to me indicated that he had hidden the whole project for me......but he never got to tell me where."

Dana Scully tilted her head, wearing a baffled expression as she asked, "if the fire engulfed the entire lab and killed your brothers, how is it that you survived, and without any injury?"

Abby took a deep breath and held it, covering her lips with her hand. She exhaled slowly, turning her head and focused her eyes directly at Mulder as she quietly answered. "As the fire drew close to us, Eric and Jason clasped hands with me inside the circle. They said..............good bye, then closed their eyes and hummed ever so softly, hardly audible. As the two of them worked on the tone, it was like the heat lessened. Then...then when they matched tones completely, the heat of the fire disappeared and the air was easy to breathe." Abby voice tone changed to reflect her words that followed, "the fire completely engulfed Eric and Jason. Even after they were dead, I never felt the effects of the fire. When the firefighters finally got the door down, and the fire was completely out.....the firefighters couldn't touch me. It was like a clear shell surrounded me. It wasn't until after I said aloud that I had to get out of there, that the shield or force field came down, allowing me to leave."

Dana Scully looked askance at Mulder and Abby caught the look.

"That's the same look the other FBI agents had and then one of them said with laughter in his voice, 'this is a case for Spooky.' "

Scully rolled her eyes in acknowledgment of Mulder's nickname.

Mulder looked thoughtful, "can we get a look at the lab?"

"Yes. I have a copy of the fighter's report and the security video." Abby was hoping they'd take her seriously, she really needed somebody to believe her.

Incredulously, Scully asked, "you have a video that shows what you described?" Scully's tone changed as she added, "why didn't you show the video to the other agents?"

"Edward, the security guard hadn't given it to me yet. He really liked my brothers and wanted me to remember what they had done for me." Tears ran unchecked down her face. Scully took some tissue from her bag and placed it silently into Abby's hands.

Mulder looked around and didn't see any vehicles, "do you need a ride?"

Abby nodded, "my car's at the funeral home."

On the ride Mulder arranged for them to meet her at GovCorp the next morning. "Till tomorrow Ms. Jenkins."

As Mulder was about to roll up his window, she held up one finger, silently asking him to wait. She opened up the trunk of her car and extracted the video. "For your review, I'd just like it back. I haven't watched it yet." She handed the manila envelope to Mulder, then turned and unlocked her car.

Denver, Colorado Wednesday 2:30pm

Ezra Standish and Chris Larabee stood beside Jimmy Grato waiting for the sign from Vin. Vin Tanner stepped out from behind the eighteen-wheeler and nodded to Chris, then disappearing from view just as quickly.

Chris looked over at Jimmy as he asked him, "You're all set, any last minute worries?" Jimmy shook his head.

Ezra took a cell phone from his jacket pocket and handed it to Jimmy. "Keep this phone with you at all times. The number is on the earpiece is for you. At any time, should you feel that your life is in danger, call that number. It will work anywhere in the US." He then pulled a colorful, embossed business card and handed it to Jimmy. "Give this to your contact. Tell him that number will always reach you. Let him know that he'll be able to check in with you at all times. That way, he'll be less likely to worry about you. Keeps you safer. Make sure you give it to him. This is very important."

Jimmy accepted the card like it was fragile. He nodded and placed in his shirt pocket, "you got it, Mr. Standish. Thanks for letting me work with you. I didn't want to go to jail and I don't want to die." Jimmy stepped up into the cab of his truck and left to meet with the contact. The shipment was to leave this morning.

Vin and Buck joined Chris and Ezra after the truck was out of sight. Buck flipped open his cell phone and pressed seven numbers, into the mouthpiece he spoke, "you getting that? 'K, fine, I'll met up with you later." Buck flipped the phone closed and spoke to the others, "the signal is coming loud and clear. Chris nodded.

Vin looked to Ezra, "what's with the business card, Ez?" Vin was curious why Ezra had made such a big deal out of the card.

"Well, gentlemen, It's a new process I'm trying out. The embossing ink contains a strong, but minuscule transmitter. So it should track us to the contact's buyer. Nathan'll be tracking that and JD and Josiah the truck."

"Have you tested it?" Vin asked.

"Yes, indeed I have. I included one with my mother's luggage and I successfully tracked her to New York, then on to Spain. I have high expectations for its capabilities."

"Well, gosh darn, our Ezra's an inventor too," Buck quipped playfully.

Chris smiled, "should prove real useful, good job, Ezra." Chris made direct eye contact as he smiled at Ezra.

"I'll relieve Josiah later, and hit the road with JD." Buck was getting ready to take off, and wanted to finalize plans.

Chris looked over at Buck, "make sure one of you check in every two hours." Buck nodded and waved as he left them.

Vin grinned as he said, "guess it's time to pack our bags and hit the road."

Warehouse District, Virginia 6:30pm

Mulder knocked on the door and looked up into the security lens so he could be seen clearly. The electronic door opened and he walked in. Mulder headed straight for the computer room, knowing this was where he always found them. He threw the tape on the desk as he said, "I need to know if this is real."

Frohicke looked up at Mulder, "what's on it?"

Byers and Langly both paused waiting. Mulder looked at them as he answered, "possibly a secret government project."

Frohicke rubbed his hands together and picked up the tape and inserted it. "Why didn't you just say so."

Langly and Byers flanked Mulder as the image appeared on the screen. They watched as the fire consumed the room, and the girl remained untouched. All couldn't help cringing as the fire burned the two males, but none wanted to close their eyes as it was hard to believe that the girl continued to remain untouched.

Six eyes fixed themselves on Mulder. "GovCorp research. That's all I know right now."

Frohicke ejected the tape but continued to hold it. "This film has not been sliced, but it will several hours to run the other tests."

Mulder said, "fine, I'll come back tomorrow, with Scully and the female in that tape. She lived it, but hasn't seen the footage yet."

Langly smiled.

Denver, Colorado Thursday, 2:40am

Chris Larabee mumbled some uncomplimentary words at the caller that dared to break into his sleep. "Yeah, Larabee here, and this better be good!"

"I'd like to think so," came Ezra's disgustingly chipper voice. The tone changed as he said, "our quarry has just landed at an airport in Virginia."

Chris awoke quickly at this news, "get the tickets, I'll get Vin and meet you at the airport."

"Already done. Nathan's with me. Flight leaves at 3:50am."

Fairfax Virginia Thursday 10:00am

Mulder and Scully got out of their car as Abby Jenkins pulled into the GovCorp parking lot. Abby nodded at them as led them to the electronic entry door.

"Where is the public entrance located?" Mulder asked of her.

"There isn't one." Abby told him as she slide her card through the slot. "We don't deal with the public, this is strictly government. Any visitor must be met by an employee in the parking lot. Then, at the security desk," Abby said as they reached the round security area. More than a hundred video screens displayed corridors, elevators, stairwells, and labs. Abby procured their waiting security passes as she continued explaining the procedures. "A security pass is waiting for you. I called ahead for the passes as your identities had to be confirmed first. This procedure is the same for any visitors to the building. All employees are off till Monday, should make investigating easier. The CEO didn't want the investigators interfered with."

Mulder and Scully showed their I.D.s as they signed in. Mulder commented aloud as they left the security area, "our perpetrator is an employee."

Abby slowly nodded in agreement, "that was my thought also."

"The firemen's report indicated that the line to the automatic sprinklers was blocked. It would have appeared as a malfunction, only, the intense heat of the fire melted the line and that didn't let the blocking agent dissolve." Dana looked up from the report and turned her stare to Abby, "but for the unusual circumstances in the aftermath of the fire, that might of gone unnoticed."

"Does security have sound to all the viewed areas?" Mulder asked, completely off subject.

Abby shook her head as she said, "no."

They stepped into the elevator as Abby pushed the knob for the seventh floor. Mulder didn't need help to see which lab they were headed toward. The yellow caution tape roped off the entire area of the south end. A guard was posted by entrance, Dana and Mulder flashed their I.D.s. The officer carefully examined them before allowing them entrance. Abby had to show identification also.

Mulder walked about the charred lad. It was obvious where Abby had been kneeling, as that was the only unburned area in the entire lab. Scully checked out the computer and the surrounding area. Mulder stepped to and from areas, lost within his own mind workings.

Abby only had taken one step into the lad and had halted. The memories were too overwhelming to wander about. She closed her eyes, hoping they finish soon.

Mulder finally seem to notice that Abby had not really entered, "I'm sorry, this must be very difficult for you."

Abby nodded, not opening her eyes.

"I hate to ask this, but could you indicate where your brothers were located in the room?" Mulder hoped she would remember more, thereby giving them a clue.

Abby opened her eyes and looked at the lab, recalling how she remembered it. "Jason was closer to the window, Eric was standing on the other side of me. As the fire erupted by the computer, Jason had hurried over. Eric whispered something about my computer, then they said goodbye and grasped hands."

As Abby went silent, lost in the sadness, Dana motioned for Fox to come over by her. She pointed to a shinny new listening device. Mulder nodded and motioned for her to take Abby outside as he spoke aloud.

"So Jason walked over this way, and you didn't realize that the fire had broken out yet." Mulder stopped talking as he entered the hall.

Abby let Scully led her away, but she was baffled by their actions. Scully put her finger to her lips to silence any forthcoming questions. As they entered the elevator, Scully asked, "what floor is your office on?"

The eleventh."

Mulder pushed that button, as he explained, "the lab had a newly placed listening device. Someone might already be on the way to your office."

The elevator doors opened and Abby exited first, turning right and walked hurriedly down the corridor. She put out her hand to turn the knob after key carding it, then she hesitated. She looked over to the agents, "the door has been tampered with."

Mulder pushed open the door with his pen, to the casual observer, the office seemed undisturbed. Abby shook her head right away, "someone has been in my desk." She turned on her computer and waited for the opening wallpaper to show, but nothing came up. "It's been wiped, completely."

Scully and tried a few tricks she knew but to no avail. "Who worked on the same project with your brothers?"

Abby responded immediately, as though these names were on her mind. "Dick Howard, Brad Walters and Thelma Sisken. Thelma's been in France for the last month, though, studying some innovative research."

Mulder waved to the ladies, pointing to the telephone mouth piece. There, inside the mouth piece, was an identical bug to the one they'd found in the lab. He motioned them outside. Dana used her cell phone to ask for a team to check for fingerprints on the desk and computer in Abby's office. Mulder spoke quietly into Abby's ear, "let's go to your brothers office."

Abby nodded, and they went back down to the seventh floor. Abby produced the key card, explaining as it clicked, "my brothers made sure I had one."

Mulder went in first and paused just inside the door, "did your brothers go for that messy office look?"

Despite Mulder's weak attempt at humor, it wasn't lost on Scully or Abby that the office had been ransacked. Mulder and Abby waited in the hallway as Dana went down to coordinate the FBI team when they arrived.

Mulder asked Abby, "why do you think their computer wasn't wiped clean?"

"The research they were working wasn't the only important work stored there. Anyone that knew them, knew there was no hard copy of their work until completed."

"So, this someone wants what they were working on. But they didn't want you to know, or get a message from them."

A call from Scully had Mulder and Abby in the lobby to help escort the team to the appropriate areas. Abby went to her office, Scully to the brother's office and Mulder to the lab. An hour later had the team leaving with little information discovered. Mulder and Scully turned in their security passes as they exited the building.

"Why don't we grab something to eat before we view the tape?" surprised eyes met Mulder's word as neither knew of the plans to do so.

Before an answer was rendered, two shots rang out, busting the windshield of the car they stood near. Mulder shoved Abby to the ground as he withdrew his gun and crept around back of the car.
Dana told the girl to roll under the car, as she too, withdrew her gun and crept toward the front of the car. A shot rang out to Scully's right and Mulder answered the shot, surmising where the shot had come from.

Scully was about to inch forward, when a volley of shots ensued, oddly, their area was not included in the gunfire what so ever. Scully looked over to Mulder, who shrugged, looking as bewildered as she.

Continue...

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