Time passes in moments...
moments which, rushing past,
define the path of a life
just as surely as they lead towards its end.
How rarely do we stop to examine that path,
to see the reasons why all things happen,
to consider whether the path we take in life
is our own making
or simply one into which we drift with eyes closed.
But what if we could stop, pause to take stock
of each precious moment before it passes?
Might we then see the endless forks in the road
that have shaped a life?
And, seeing those choices, choose another path?
I got the lab to rush the results of...
I said, I got the lab to rush the results
of the Szczesny autopsy, if you're interested.
I heard you, Scully.
And Szczesny did indeed drown,
but not as the result of the inhalation of ectoplasm,
as you so vehemently suggested.
Well, what else could she possibly have drowned in?
Margarita mix, upchucked with about 40 ounces
of Corcovado gold tequila, which, as it turns out,
she and her friends rapidly consumed in the woods
while trying to reenact The Blair Witch Project.
Well, I think that demands
a little deeper investigation, don't you?
No, I don't.
Well, it doesn't matter.
We got bigger fish to fry.
Have a seat, Scully. Check this out.
Is that beautiful or what?
Crop circles, Mulder?
Computer-generated crop circles.
It's a fractal image
predicted by a computer program
and using data of every known occurrence
of the phenomena over the past 40 years.
What most people don't realize is that, since 1991,
there's been a dramatic increase
in size and complexity of circle design.
That's when the Mandelbrot set appeared in England.
A series of geometrically perfect rings
appearing almost impossibly overnight
in a field near Cambridge.
But that was merely prelude of what was to come.
Three years later, in 1994,
even more complex formations occurred simultaneously
on opposite ends of the English countryside
with the Mandelbrot set,
where it's still there at its center.
Then, in 1997, even more complex formations occurred...
And I'm not wearing any pants right now.
Hmm?
You're not listening.
I am.
I guess I just don't see the point.
The point is
is that a computer program has shown us
that these are not just random, happenstance,
coincidental occurrences,
and that same program has predicted
that in just 48 hours, even more complex formations
are going to be laid down
in a field near Avebury... 48 hours, Scully...
but I wouldn't mind getting there earlier,
if you don't mind.
Getting where?
England... I got two tickets on a 5:30 flight.
Mulder, I still have to go over to the hospital
and-and finish the final paperwork
on that autopsy you had me do.
And, to be honest, it's Saturday,
and I wouldn't mind... I don't know... taking a bath.
What the hell does that mean?
What it means, Mulder, is that I'm not interested
in tracking down some sneaky farmers
who happened to ace geometry in high school.
And besides, I mean...
what could you possibly get out of this?
Or learn?
I mean, it's not even remotely FBI-related.
I'll just cancel your ticket.
Thanks for lunch.
Mulder...
look, we're always running.
We're always chasing the next big thing.
Why don't you ever just stay still?
I wouldn't know what I'd be missing.
My name is Dana Scully,
and I was told I could pick up
a postmortem folder for a Ms. Szczesny here.
It's, uh, for the FBI.
Let's see.
Oh.
You just sign here, please.
Thank you.
Hi. Um, I was given the wrong test results.
This, uh, X-ray marked "D. Waterston"
was in the envelope marked "Szczesny."
I was expecting autopsy results.
Oh, I'm sorry.
They must've gotten switched.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you.
Is the, um...
is the "D. Waterston" that was on the X-ray,
is that a Dr. Daniel Waterston?
Let's see, Waterston, Waterston.
Yes, it is.
Admitted yesterday, coronary care unit, room 306.
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
I don't know what else to say.
Everything appears to be as it should
under the circumstances, so don't worry.
If you'd like, I can show you the hospital cafeteria.
Uh, I-I...
Yeah, okay.
Are there phones down there, too?
- I need to make some phone calls. - Yes.
Excuse me.
Can I help you with something?
Um, I'm sorry. I'm Dr. Scully.
I-I was just in the hospital and...
Can we step into the hallway?
Yeah.
I'm Dr. Waterston's cardiologist,
Paul Kopeikan.
Did you say your name was Scully?
Uh, yes, Dana Scully.
Dr. Waterston's mentioned you.
I'm sorry, you must be mistaken.
No, you were a student of his, right?
He has a heart condition?
Dr. Waterston came in yesterday
with severe chest pains,
and he ordered us to do an echocardiogram
and a biopsy because he'd had symptoms
of an upper respiratory infection the week before.
Fortunately, it was the right call.
Then it's serious.
But treatable.
I have to wake him up soon, if you'd care to...
No, that's all right.
But, uh, thanks for your time.
He must've been a wonderful teacher.
I've been following his work
on constrictive pericarditis for years now.
Yes.
He's a remarkable man.
Hello?
You came to see him.
I'm sorry, who is this?
Margaret Waterston.
Maggie.
Is everything all right?
Well, that depends, doesn't it?
I'm sorry?
Whatever.
Dr. Kopeikan told my father you were here,
and now he wants to see you.
About what?
Look, he asked me to call, so I'm calling.
I don't know, Maggie.
I-I don't know if I've got time.
Don't know if you have the time.
Maggie, can you hang on a second?
I have another call coming through.
Listen...
it's your choice, but if you come,
it doesn't mean I accept you being in his life.
Hello?
I'll never see you again.
Hello?
You're breaking my heart.
Hey, you're there?
Hey.
Mulder, aren't you supposed to be on a plane?
I got a 5:30 flight, remember?
Right.
Guess I lost track of time.
Listen, uh, the reason I called...
Am I catching you at a bad time?
No, I just walked in. Why?
Uh, there's this group in D.C.
that is researching crop circles.
They've got a totally different set of coordinates
from the one that I got already.
Mulder, I'm not going.
I got to ask you a favor.
One of the researchers lives out near the hospital,
and they've got these sensitive photos
and data and stuff that they won't fax to me,
so I was just wondering if you would just, maybe,
go over there and, you know, and get it
and put it in the Bureau pouch for me...
Speak to me, Scully.
I'm out for the evening, Mulder.
Well, why didn't you just say so in the first place?
Look, um...
why don't you leave that address on my answering machine,
and, uh, I'll try for you.
I'm sorry.
I-I have the wrong room.
It's okay.
Hi.
So I have to lock eyes with the Devil
for you to grace me with your presence?
Surely not the Devil.
How are you feeling, Daniel?
It's a real drag
when the body doesn't want to play anymore.
You're extremely lucky you called that diagnosis.
Luck has nothing to do with it, Dana.
It's what doctors do every day.
You may have forgotten that.
Daniel.
So, how did you happen to be here in Washington?
That's a long story.
How's the FBI?
Is that why you wanted to see me?
To remind me once again what a bad choice I made?
Believe me.
My motivation is far more selfish than that.
You scare me, Daniel.
I know.
I scare you...
because I represent that which is ingrained,
not only in your mind but in your heart...
that which you secretly long for.
You never accepted my reason for leaving.
It wasn't a reason, it was an excuse.
But you understood why.
I can't believe the FBI is a passion.
Not like medicine.
I'm sorry I came.
I just wanted to make sure you were okay.
I know how difficult it must have been for you
just walking through that door.
But you wouldn't have come if you didn't want to.
And that says something, doesn't it?
Scully.
I was just about to leave you a message.
Listen, I got that, uh... that address
that I wanted you to go to for me.
It's a woman you're going to be dealing with.
She's affiliated with
the American Taoist Healing Center.
And she researches crop circles?
Don't roll your eyes, Scully.
Mulder, you want me to...?
Scully?
Scully, you there?
Hi.
I'm...
You were...
- At the hospital today. - Right.
That's strange.
Um, I-I'm Agent Scully.
I'm-I'm here on behalf of my partner.
About my research.
For the FBI, as odd as that may sound.
Right.
I'm Colleen Azar. Would you like to come in?
No, thank you.
Um, I think I need some fresh air.
Are you all right?
Yes, I...
I mean, yes, I-I'm just a little shaken.
I... a near car accident, I think.
It's nothing, really.
A car accident isn't "nothing."
I'm sorry?
In my experience,
they're often the end results
of us not paying attention to something.
Look, I-I don't mean to be rude,
but I really don't have much time.
Sure.
I'll go get my papers.
You think what we do is a little ridiculous, don't you?
Uh, to be honest, I don't know exactly what it is that you do.
But you've already formed a judgment about it.
I really should be going.
There is a greater intelligence in all things.
Accidents... or near accidents...
often remind us that we need to keep our mind open
to the lessons it gives.
You may want
to slow down.
Hello?
Ah, Hurricane Scully
has arrived.
I was summoned.
Would you please tell the doc here
why he should listen to me.
Sir, we've already agreed to doses of digoxin
that are far beyond what I normally recommend.
I guarantee you, Doctor, you're doing it right.
But I can't be responsible for treatment
that might exacerbate your illness.
There hasn't even been a double-blind analysis
of prednisone's effect.
Prednisone?
That won't complicate cardiac arrhythmia.
Not if it's just a short burst.
There.
An informed opinion.
You come off so rational,
but maybe you know less than you think.
She's...
been through some difficult times,
and she's very angry.
How did she even find out?
There are things you don't know...
things I'm not proud of.
What things?
I screwed up, Dana.
Things got bad at home after...
Bad how?
I haven't been completely honest with you.
It was hard for me...
when you walked away.
Shut down from my family.
And needless to say, it was very difficult for Barbara.
You divorced.
Only after
an interminable period of discomfort for us both.
Where did you go?
Here.
Washington.
When?
Almost ten years ago.
Daniel...
...you didn't move here for me?
I didn't mean for it to happen this way, of course.
Oh, God.
You've come at such a strange time.
I know, I know.
You-you have a life.
I don't know what I have.
I mean...
your X-rays were in the wrong envelope.
I never would have even known you were here
if it wasn't for a mix-up.
It's just...
What do you want, Dana?
I want everything I should want at this time of my life.
Maybe I want the life I didn't choose.
Nurse!
We have a code in here!
Nurse!
Code blue, CCU.
He's in V-fib. Get his head.
In!
In.
200 joules.
All clear?
Clear.
No pulse, no resp.
300 joules.
300 charge.
- Clear! - Clear.
No pulse, no resp.
Epinephrine, one milligram, I.V. push.
Now! Who's paying attention?!
Ready.
Clear!
Clear.
We have a pulse.
Okay.
Thank you.
Hi. Can I help you?
Um, I'm looking for Colleen.
You want to come in?
I just need to speak with her, that's all.
I have to go.
Call me if anything interesting happens.
Okay.
Bye.
I'm surprised to see you again.
I'm sorry that I was rude before.
I'm a medical doctor and a scientist,
and, you're right, I don't know what it is that you do.
But there was something that you said
that I wanted to ask you about.
About slowing down?
Would you like to sit down?
Please.
I have a friend who's ill, and, uh...
I had a strange feeling today...
just a short while ago, actually...
that he may be dying from a more serious condition
than anyone realizes.
You sense something?
Holistic practitioners believe, as do many Eastern religions,
that living beings exist beyond
the physical dimensions of time and space,
that we're composed of layers of energy and consciousness.
You've probably heard it referred to as an "aura."
Hmm... yes.
Witness this energy field,
and truths come out that have little to do
with scientific proof
and much to do with faith.
What are you saying that I saw?
Pain.
And where there's pain,
there's a need for healing...
physically, mentally or spiritually.
But he has a heart condition.
When we hold on to shame and guilt and fear,
it creates imbalance,
makes us forget who we are.
This is difficult for you to accept.
Would you like to have some tea?
Have you ever had moments
when everything gets incredibly clear?
When time seems to expand?
Yes.
It's so strange.
You may be more open to things than you think.
It's just a matter of what you do with it.
I used to be a physicist.
I was successful in my field,
working 80-odd hours a week.
I thought I was happy.
Truth is, I was cut off from the world
and from myself.
I was literally dying inside.
I was in a relationship with Carol, who you met,
but I was so afraid of what the world and my family
and my fellow scientists would think that I told no one.
Then, two years ago,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
I'm sorry.
Mm... don't be.
It's the cancer that got my attention.
It stopped me from being
on the self-destructive path I was on,
it made me realize I was in a field
that had little meaning for me,
and it's what's allowed me to be happy
for what feels like the first time in my life.
But how?
I was introduced
to a healer who helped me see the disease
for what it was.
It wasn't until I began releasing shame
and telling the truth that my cancer went into remission.
You still aren't sure.
You came here looking for answers,
and you want something to take back with you.
Everything happens for a reason.
Are you happy?
I'm sorry?
I-I was just going up to see your father.
You can't.
He's in a coma.
Since when?
Since about two minutes
after you supposedly saved his life.
Do you have any idea the hell you created in our lives?
Maggie, to be honest,
I left so that there wouldn't be hell in your lives.
Don't try to be reasonable with me.
I am so sick of being reasonable.
You moved on,
but we've had to live with what you left behind.
What I try to do
is clear the body's energy channels...
what we call chakras... which can become barriers
to a doctor's ability to effectively heal the patient.
When these channels are working improperly...
whether from poor physical or emotional health...
the block serves to create conditions for disease.
If I can unblock the energy early on,
then I can prevent the onset or escalation of an illness
or provide a place...
What's going on here?
Dr. Scully, who do you think you are?
We have nothing but Dr. Waterston's welfare
in mind here.
You're not his doctor.
I understand that.
What's taking place here is an alternative approach.
What's taking place here is a waste of time,
Dr. Scully, and I think that Dr. Waterston
would be the first to agree with me.
Have you considered that?
I just wanted to help him.
It seemed like nothing else was working.
All due respect, that is not for you to assess.
That is for me or Dr. Waterston's family to decide.
Then let him continue.
If it isn't hurting him,
we should at least be open to it.
I'm afraid there's really nothing more
I can do at this time.
This man, quite frankly, is ready to move on.
But something seems to be holding him back.
Unfinished business is binding him to the physical plane...
something he needs to release
before he can let go.
Hello?
It's Maggie.
I need you to come to the hospital right away.
Maggie, what's...?
Daniel?
You think I'd give up so easily?
You were slipping away.
No one thought you'd come out of this.
I'm still in shock.
Imagine my shock when my doctor told me
the voodoo ritual you'd arranged for last night.
I was afraid it didn't work.
Of course it didn't work.
Don't be absurd.
Where do you get this crap?
Daniel, that "crap" may have just saved your life,
whether you're open to it or not.
It doesn't matter.
I don't want to talk about that.
Look at me.
I'm going to get well.
And we need to talk about...
what happens next for us.
I spoke at length to Maggie.
It's time...
that you took responsibility
for the hurt you caused in your family.
It's no accident that you got sick, Daniel.
You've been running from the truth for ten years.
Dana...
it was only to be with you.
You are all I live for.
Maybe the reason you're alive now
is to make up for that.
To make it up to Maggie.
That's Maggie talking, not you.
No.
I'm not the same person, Daniel.
I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't seen you again.
Excuse me!
Hey.
Mulder?
I-I was just looking for you.
But you're supposed to be in England.
I'm back.
What happened?
Nothing. There was no event.
No crop circles.
Big waste of time.
Maybe sometimes nothing happens for a reason, Mulder.
What is that supposed to mean?
Nothing.
Come on, I'm make you some tea.
I just find it hard
to believe.
What part?
The part where I go away for two days
and your whole life changes.
Mm, I didn't say my whole life changed.
You speaking to God in a Buddhist temple.
God speaking back.
Mm, and I didn't say that God spoke back.
I said that I had some kind of a vision.
Well, for you, that's like saying
you're having David Crosby's baby.
What is it?
I once considered spending my whole life with this man.
What I would have missed.
I don't think you can know.
I mean, how many different lives would we be leading
if we made different choices.
We... we don't know.
What if there was only one choice...
...and all the other ones were wrong?
And there were signs along the way
to pay attention to.
Mm. And all the...
choices would then lead to this very moment.
One wrong turn, and...
we wouldn't be sitting here together.
Well, that says a lot.
Says a lot, a lot, a lot.
I mean, that's probably more than we should be getting into
at this late hour.
I made this!