Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000

Title: The Power of the Physical
Author: Susan Frankovich
E-mail: susanf@ticnet.com
Classification: VA, sequel to *Something Real*
Keyword: Mulder angst
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Requiem
Archive: Anywhere, just ask first please.
Disclaimer: This character doesn't belong to me,
but I wish he did so I could bring him back home
to Scully.

Author's Notes: This is the tenth vignette in the
*Color Games* series. Each story builds on the
previous one so you really need to read those first
before reading this one.

It's been nearly a month since the last story in
this series, and for that, I apologize. Hopefully,
my muse won't be so cranky when I start writing
the next one. Thank you to those of you who wrote
to me and told me that you liked my dark side
and that I should keep writing on this series.:)
Your words of encouragement mean more than I can
say...

Other stories in this series are:
All I Have Left Stolen
Drowning in Blue Breaking
Nightmare Into Blackness and Back
The White Room Something Real
Yellow Ribbons

and they can all be found at Ephemeral or my site:
https://members.tripod.com/sfrankovich/index.html

Summary: I will not allow Them to keep me here any
longer. I just won't.
**************************************************************

The Power of the Physical
by Susan Frankovich
~~~~~~~

I have to escape.

Now that I know about our child, I will not allow
Them to keep me here any longer.

I just won't.

When They finally came and got me from the white
room, I fought Them harder than I ever have, kicking
and screaming all the way down the hall. I even bit
one of Them on the arm.

They were not pleased.

When They shoved me back through the door to my room,
Their voices were loud and angry, but as I listened to
Them arguing, I got a strong sense of something else.

Confusion.

I've always tried to fight Their mind games with the
power of my own thoughts, but this is the first time
I've ever used the power of my physical strength.

And They don't understand it.

Is it possible that I could escape by simply landing
a few well-placed blows to Their bodies?

Pressing my ear up against the wall, I try to listen
to some more of what They're saying, but all I hear
is muffled voices speaking in a language I don't
understand.

By the time They're finally done talking, my ribs
are throbbing so much from all my thrashing around
that it hurts even to walk the short distance over
to my bed. I know I should try to lie down and get
some rest, but I can't.

I have too much to think about now.

I have to escape.

Scooting myself up to the head of the bed, I put
the pillow behind me, lean back against it, and
close my eyes.

Thoughts of Scully and our baby immediately flood
my mind and all the tears I cried earlier come
rushing back, streaming down my cheeks and onto
my shirt.

I have to escape.

Scully needs me now more than ever before.

And so does our baby.

Our baby...

Can it really be true? With so many odds against
us, how were we able to create a new life together?

<It's true, Fox.>

Samantha? Is that you?

<Yes, it's me.>

Where have you been? I thought something had
happened to you. Are you alright?

<I'm okay. I've been hiding...and listening.>

What do you mean...listening?

<I know what happened to you in the white room. I
know about Scully and why she needs you so much.>

How?

<I hear things. I hear you. I hear her, and it's
true, Fox. She's going to have a baby...your baby.>

I suddenly find it hard to breathe, and I place my
right hand over my heart, hoping that the pressure
against my chest will somehow help calm me down.

But how can you hear her? You don't even know where
she is.

<I can't explain it, but I can hear her, Fox...and
I can hear you. I know you're trying to think of a
way to escape. Let me help you.>

I can't even see you. How can you help me?

<You already know what to do. You know Their
weakness.>

They don't understand physical aggressiveness?

<They read minds. They study minds, but They don't
know about physical force. They don't know what a
person's body is capable of.>

Are you saying that all I have to do is use my
physical strength against Them?

<Yes. Use all of the strength and determination I
know you have, and you can escape, Fox.>

But how?

<You know how to survive. You'll think of a way. I
hear Them now. They're coming. I have to go, Fox.>

But Samantha, I...

<You *will* find a way. You always do.>

Please...you can't go yet, Samantha.

<I have to, Fox. They can't know I've been here
with you. Go to Scully and your baby. They need
you.>

All of a sudden, I feel a cold tingling sensation
rush through my body, its intensity so powerful
it knocks me off the bed and onto the floor.

And that's when it hits me.

I know what to do now. I know how to escape.

I bend down, reach underneath the bed, and pull out
the two yellow ribbons Samantha left for me before.

I'm coming home, Scully.

And soon.


~end~


~All my poems and stories can be found at:
https://members.tripod.com/sfrankovich/index.html