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