X-Files Fic: D’un Nouvel Oeil, Chapter Three
Previous chapters: one | two
ORADOUR-SUR-GLANE, HAUTE-VIENNE, FRANCE
LATE DECEMBER 1943
“Champagne? Are you serious?”
“Come on, Frohike. I’ll pay. How much?”
“It’s not a question of price, my dear.”
“Don’t call me what. What is it a question of, then?” From his perch at her dining room table, Melvin Frohike heaves an exasperated sigh.
“There’s none to be had, Dana,” he says. "What little there was has been confiscated by German officers. If anyone, anywhere has some left, they’re keeping it for themselves.“ He frowns at her inquisitively. "What do you need it to trade for? Maybe we can help.”
“I don’t need it to trade for anything, Frohike,” says Scully. "It’s for personal use. For New Year’s.“
“Ahhhhh, I see,” says Frohike, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. "Entertaining a gentleman caller, are we?“
“It’s none of our business, Frohike,” says John Byers, frowning disapprovingly down at his friend. "We can’t get champagne. That’s all she’s asked for.“ Frohike rolls his eyes, and Byers turns to Scully. "Is there anything else you need? Anything you’re short on?”
“Bandages,” Scully says. "Iodine… and antibiotics. I need a place to get all of those things, other than the pharmacy in the village. The pharmacist is starting to ask questions.“
"We’ll see what we can find,” says Frohike. "Bandages shouldn’t be a problem.“
"Iodine, either,” chimes in Richard Langly, from his lookout at the window. "Antibiotics, though… that’s a tough one.“
"They’re necessary,” counters Scully. "Without them, I’ll only be sending refugees out of here to die before they can get where you’re taking them. They’ll be sicker, more difficult for you to transport. It’ll be much more dangerous.“
"Is there anyone you can send to the pharmacy in your stead?” asks Byers.
“I already send my mother sometimes,” Scully says.
“What about your contact in the German army?” asks Langly, but Scully shakes her head.
“He’s too high-ranking,” she says. She thinks, suddenly, of Mulder. Could she give him money and ask him to buy what she needs at the pharmacy from time to time, as a favor? Claim she’s too busy to get there herself?
No, she’s not comfortable with lying to him outright, with using him like that.
“I’ll think of something,” she says, finally. "In the meantime, see what you can do, all right?“
"And I’ll keep my ear to the ground for your champagne,” promises Frohike, standing, “but I can tell you right now it’s not going to happen.” He looks apologetic. "I wish I could tell you otherwise.“
"I appreciate you trying,” she says, as she rises to escort them back downstairs. "Three o'clock Wednesday morning. All three of you. All right?“
"Got it,” says Frohike. "Any idea what shape the next one’s going to be in?“
"No, and that’s why I need all of you,” says Scully. "My contact only knows he’s hurt. Nothing about the extent of his injuries.“
"So it could be a body we’re carrying out of here by the time we arrive, for all we know,” sighs Langly.
“Which is exactly why I need new ways to get those antibiotics,” says Scully. "Now get moving.“
