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

9. The Study

Sandra sat on the little brown couch next to the roaring fire. The storm had knocked out the power in Twin Peaks completely, and it had only gotten worse. It looked a tornado as the wind whipped around the flag Margaret failed to retrieve in time for the storm. Branches aggressively hit at the windows.

Now, the only light emitted from the fireplace. Sandra always found comfort in the beauty and warmth of a good fire. It began to calm her as she watched the flames dance and embers fly. Dale entered the room, dripping wet, with an oil lantern that Margaret had in the storage shed out back. He handed it to Hawk who used a match to light it up, and he placed it on the table in the living room.

Mulder had not left Sandra's side since she confessed to hearing the log speak. He knew there were strange things in this town, things that weren't just extraterrestrial in nature, but dangerous and ancient. Dale slipped his wet coat off and placed it near the fire to dry. "Gentlemen," Margaret's voice cut through the near silence of the cabin startling them. "And Agent Flynn. It's too dangerous to leave. Why don't you stay the night until the storm passes?" The group nodded in union and thanked her for her hospitality. She disappeared upstairs for a moment, then came back with pillows and blankets for the lot, then retired for the night taking her log with her.

"So," Sandra finally said with a huff. "Who's Bob?" Cooper looked from Harry to Hawk, then back to Sandra. "Oh, that was not a good look." She quipped. Dale took a seat across from her on the coffee table. It was old and creaked under his slim weight.

"Bob killed Laura Palmer." Cooper said. Sandra looked confusedly at Mulder.

"No, Laura was killed by her father. That's what it says in the report."

"Leland Palmer was not himself."

Mulder quickly chimed in. "Are you telling me that Leland Palmer was possessed by a ghost named Bob to assault and kill his own daughter?" Sandra noticed he almost looked proud. Whether that pride was directed at Cooper for his unorthodox conclusion or himself for understanding, she wasn't sure. But his face changed quickly.

"Bob is no ghost." Dale responded.

"He comes from the Black Lodge." Hawk spoke up. He stood behind Sandra and placed a hand on her shoulder. "There are other worlds. Worlds beyond life and death. Worlds beyond scientific reality. My people believe that the White Lodge is a place where the spirits that rule man and nature reside. There is also a legend of a place called the Black Lodge. The shadow self of the White Lodge. Legend says that every spirit must pass through there on the way to perfection. But it is said that if you confront the Black Lodge with imperfect courage, it will utterly annihilate your soul."

"And this Bob comes from a place of complete and total evil?" Mulder asked.

"Oh, that's just wonderful." Sandra let out a half-hearted laugh. "This guy from my dreams is some evil spirit that wants to possess and kill people? Next you're gonna tell me he feeds off of life forces or something!"

"Garmonbozia," said Dale.

"Gesundheit." Mulder smirked.

"Its pain and sorrow, that's what he feeds off of." Sandra went silent. She simply couldn't fathom any of this, it was too much to take in.

"Wait," Mulder stopped. "You're having dreams about this creep?"

"Since we crossed the threshold into Twin Peaks, yes." She sighed and put her head in her hands. "Fire Walk With Me."

"What did you say?" Cooper looked concerned.

"That's what he says in almost every one of them." She replied.