Out Of This World (X-Files/Twin Peaks AU)

1. The Arrival

Sandra Flynn sat in silence, anxiously awaiting the arrival at Twin Peaks. Her new partner, Agent Fox Mulder, was situated behind the wheel, his eyes fixated on the road ahead of him. She fought off sleep as much as she could, but with the long flight and silent ride, she could not help herself.

Sandra was stood in a barren field, all around stretched out farther than the eye could see. She was clad in a blue silk gown that brushed the grass beneath her bare feet. The grass faded into a black and white zig-zag pattern. As she looked up, she saw two men facing away from her. Both men wore black suits. While attempting to approach them, she felt someone slide their hand into hers. By her left side was a small man. His movements seemed jittery...unearthly. "Fire...walk...with..."

"ME!" Sandra turned to see a scraggly mess of what was supposed to be a man. Mud clung to his denim jacket, his gray hair hung heavy with grease. He lunged at her, shoving her hard into a red curtain that gave way to a hole. All around her was darkness as she began to fall. Above her, the two men held their hands out, reaching for her. She could feel their intention: protect, love...win? Just as she hit the bottom of the dark hole, she jolted awake.

"Jesus, Flynn!" Mulder shouted as he regained control of the vehicle. "Are you okay? That sounded like some dream."

"What do you mean?" Sandra asked groggily.

"You started talking in your sleep. Something about walking through fire?" Sandra stayed silent for a moment. Mulder looked at her with a worried expression. He reached for her knee, squeezed it, and smiled before placing it back on the wheel. "You'll be okay. Look, there's the sign, we're almost there."

Outside, the trees rushed past. They were beautiful, and Sandra found herself wondering the type. The sign they were about to pass read Welcome to Twin Peaks: Population 51201. Someone spray-painted over the number 1 and replaced it with a zero. A little morbid, Sandra thought.

Then Sandra found herself looking at her knee, feeling as if Mulder's hand was still there, squeezing her, comforting her. A smile creeped onto her face despite herself. Mulder looked toward her, Sandra spinning her head to the window to hide her unexpected feelings.

She had only worked with Agent Mulder for a little over a week, and their first assignment had just been a simple stakeout that turned out to be nothing. With all her past experience with the supernatural, Sandra was eager to get a real X File. Most would see this position as punishment, being paired with "Spooky" Mulder, but she was ecstatic to get the position.

"Are you hungry?" Mulder's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"Starving, and I desperately need some coffee." She responded, still exhausted from lack of sleep.

The car pulled into the lot of the Double R Diner. Mulder held the door for Sandra, which she found gentlemanly. She thanked him and went to find them a seat at an open booth.

Mulder sat facing away from the door, Sandra across from him. A pleasant older woman came to take their orders. She introduced herself as Norma, the diner owner. When she went to wait more tables, Sandra found herself scanning the room, something she learned from an old criminal justice professor, as well as facing the door of any establishment. The clientele seemed to be tried and true mountain folk aside from the young teens. They followed the latest fashions and did their hair and makeup.

The door bell dinged as a man entered. Time seemed to slow as he entered the diner. He wore a long trench coat, a recently pressed suit, a red striped tie, and his brown hair was slicked back. He had an air of professionalism and intrigue. Something about him oozed mystery and charm. Immediately, Sandra knew he was out of place. Mulder must have seen her expression change, because his gaze followed hers.