The mist swirled in front of her. Growing. Eventually it was as tall as she was. An evil wind whipped at her back, throwing her long black hair in front of her. Stepping back she saw eyes peek out of the mist for a brief second before the mist blew over them, concealing them one again inside. The mist grew dense, becoming a cloud that twisted and turned, almost like a man in a bag trying to break free.

She growled.

It growled.

The cloud moved when she did. Counter acting her moves, circling her with mirroring actions. Suddenly it lashed out, becoming real, becoming a solid object. Jumping to the side she narrowly avoided the sword that lashed out at her. With lightning fast moves she recovered from her dive and jumped at the cloud. Sailing through it, she grunted as she hit the hard red dirt.

The cloud moved and the eyes appeared again. This time they locked with hers. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t transform. All she could do was watch as the cloud swirled up. Razor jaws leapt out at her, she didn’t blink, and she felt the prick. The blood, as it trickled down her neck, growing larger as the razor jaws ripped through her flesh with a soft popping sound. The loss of air tore at her brain and senses. The loss of blood making her weak. Finally the soft popping stopped and there was a loud sound of someone chewing on chicken. Falling, she was falling, backwards and down. Black stands of hair rushing up past her, then a faint sound of wing’s rustling.

The figure, once again the cloud it was, laughing.

Monica woke with a start. Breathing heavily, her hand automatically went to her throat. Glancing around she forgot for a moment where she was. The scream of jet engines and light conversation filled her ears. Mulder sat across the isle from her and Scully beside him, both watching her.

"Mon?" Scully asked after a moment.

"Dream," was the quick reply. Mulder’s eyebrow twitched and Scully nodded, telling Monica that they were curious. "I’m fine. Don’t worry about it, just haven’t gotten much sleep lately."

Mulder nodded and returned to his conversation with Scully. Monica sighed, she was worried. Jennifer had taken the case about a week ago, saying something about having family out there anyway. Monica remembered the e-mail she’d gotten from her. Jen had taken the case while Monica had taken a break from it all, and two nights ago she had received an e-mail asking for help and then Skinner had called the X-Files into it, sending all three of them out there.

Closing her eyes again, Monica smiled. Brian was there, standing sideways and looking back at her, smiling. "I love you Monica." He whispered as the wind clutched his hair and made it dance. Suddenly a cloud past over him, swirling around his body. There was a flash of white beside her and the cloud was blown away, she got a glimpse of the cloud man’s black cape before her eyes shot open again to see the smiling face of a flight attendant. "Were about to land miss. Please sit up and put your seat in the upright position."

"How do we get out to the crime scene again?" Scully asked as they left the police station.

"The only way out there is by horseback. And it’s also a two-day trip out there, which means we have to camp out. And after we pack our bags we have to meet the guy at the stable in two hours." Jennifer said. "And we can’t drive out there because the scene is in the middle of a valley and the only way to get into the valley is by horse or foot. Don’t worry about things like food, shampoo, and toiletries. The guide will bring everything we need."

Taking a deep breath, Monica closed her eyes and turned her face into the light breeze that slipped through the town. Opening her eyes she saw the street. The town was basically build around an old highway, mostly used by trucks going to and from the car and truck manufacture on the edge of town. A school bus roared past and Monica watched the teenagers laughing and goofing off.

"We’re going to need chaps and boots for this. I doubt either of you brought any so first we have to find a saddle shop." Monica said interrupting the small argument between Mulder and Jennifer about the proper range and riding attire. Monica pointed to a shop up ahead of them, it was evidently a saddle shop because a large boot sign was hanging above the door. "Let’s try this one."

When they entered the shop they were greeted by the smell of new and old leather. A woman with kind gray eyes came forward. They explained what they needed and she showed them to the boots and chaps area. Monica help Scully and Jennifer pick out a pair of chaps that fit and a pair of comfortable work/riding boots. Mulder had found a pair of cowboy boots and dark green chaps and he bought them, against Monica’s warning that the boots would be very uncomfortable after a while. Monica had brought her pair of chaps from home and had no need to buy any boots because she always wore her work boots. After the store they went back to the hotel and packed what they would need into knapsacks that their guide had dropped off at the hotel for them.

Monica was the first one finished and went to consult Mulder about her dreams. She helped him pack and explained the dream she’d had on the plane.

"And then I watched as it became solid again, This time I didn’t move as it came after me. I could feel it rip my throat out." Monica paused. Trying to suppress the emotions that bubbled up inside her and gain back the upper hand of her control over her body and feelings, "it had eyes Mulder. Steel gray ones. They held no emotion, I felt like they were reading my soul."

"Well, maybe it’s a warning." Mulder said putting his baseball cap on his head.

"You mean like a premonition?" Monica paused, "Yeah, I don’t think so Mulder. I’ve never dreamt of the future or things like that."

"Most people can’t see into the future. I really doubt anyone can because of the fact that our future is what we make of it. But lots of people have gotten horrible dreams of something bad happening to a family member, friend, and even themselves." He pauses as he picked up his knapsack and she grabbed hers off the floor. "You’ve heard of the Arthur McLeod’s theory right?"

"Ofcourse I have. He propose the idea that twins would feel if the other was hurt or in danger or even dead, the minute or possibly as it happened." Monica said as they walked down the stairs to the car.

"Correct. But there is a current study in the area of the mind. Many of the worst catastrophes, and I mean earthquakes and fires, have been seen by one or two people before they happened."

"But how?" Monica asked climbing in the back seat next to Jennifer.

"They claim to have seen it in their dreams." Mulder said starting the car.

"Do I hear a trace of skepticism, Mulder?" Scully said turning her vision from the road. He glanced at her and a whole hours worth of conversation took place between the too.

"Moi?" he replied turning back to the rode. Shaking her head, Monica smiled, something had happened since she’d left the two of them at the hospital. Needing to get away she’d fled to her home in Oregon and stayed there for three weeks, so afraid of the backlash from the whole Jessica incident.

"Scully, what would make you think that I have ever believed in extraterrestrial?" Mulder said glancing again at Scully as they pulled into the backing lot of the barn. And Jennifer laughed as Scully’s hand shot out to hit Mulder in the chest.

"Don’t even say it Monica, don’t even say it." Mulder said wincing as he walked from his tent to the campfire. Monica smiled and batted her eyes innocently.

"Say what Mulder?" Monica asked and Scully laughed. Mulder took his sleeping bag and threw it at her. Scully smiled and tossed it back at him. "How far are we away from the scene?"

"Were about four hours away." Jennifer said, "No."

"No, what?" Monica asked shifting on her sleeping bag, watching the stars.

"No we can’t go there now. The rest of the trail leads down hill and there is no way you can make it down there in the middle of the night."

"Time to turn in. Long day ahead." The trail guide interrupted. Monica slipped into her sleeping bag while Jennifer and Scully retired to their tent. Mulder look at Monica and then to the stars. The two of them sat there for a long time before either spoke. And when the first word was uttered it was soft and quiet, like a child’s insecure voice.

"Do you think she’s out there?" He didn’t have to explain his question, Monica knew instantly to whom he was referring to.

"Yes."

"What about him?"

"Mulder, I know that he is dead but I believe that he is watching over me, just like Clara is."

"Clara?"

"I never told you or the others about this…not even Rose knows about her."

"Well, you can always tell me."

"I know. Clara was my best friend. She was more than that though. She was like that mother that I never had. She was with me when I went through Harvard and that whole horrible period when I didn’t believe that I was a Dragon. I was in complete denial and so I never told her about my special ability."

"What happened?"

"Some how, these Dragon hunters found out about us, and they found out about me and how I could change. So they abducted Clara because they thought she was me. When they discovered that Clara wasn’t me they held her hostage, in order to get me. I tried to save her but…"

"But?"

"Mulder look, I so very tired. This case is exhausting my senses and brain. I can’t think. Let alone handle my emotions as I tell you this. Can I finish later?"

"Sure. Get some sleep. If you want to talk-"

"You’ll be in your tent. I know. Goodnight Mulder."

"Good night Monica."