>From the Scriviner:
        I'll admit it. I was working on this when I ought to have been
working on something else... but the concept was so intriguing when James
Cullen posted his challenge of an X-Files/Ranma melding that I couldn't pass
it up. Of course, as usual, I have little idea how I ought to continue this
story... or if I should even stick to the original plot as closely as I'd
orginally intended or come up with something entirely new. Writing a
mysterious comedy is tough... very tough.
        Anyway, this is only the first part of the first episode. You might
say it's the first ten to twenty minutes or so of the pilot. Also, the title
is pretty tentative, but no one responded to my request for information
about a phrase which would approximate either 'X-Files' or 'Unexplained Cases'
        Ah well. C&C is not only welcome but greatly encouraged. If anyone
has any suggestions about the story or with characters I could replace, feel
free to drop a line. 

P.S. Minor side note: That's 1/2 My Goddess Part VI is currently stalled on
account of work... I hope to finish it in another week or so. I hope.

P.P.S. I get the strangest feeling that I got the JSIB from some other
fanfic or from reality... I can't really remember where... but I'm
awknoledging that the idea is probably not mine.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standard Fanfic disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, Ranma 1/2 Characters
belong to Rumiko Takahashi, The X-Files situations belong to some TV guys...
the plot is largely mine, except for the stuff I borrowed.

Truth and Consequences (tentative title)
Ranma 1/2 - X-Files Meld by the Scriviner 
Original Idea by James 'Jaymz' Culle

	Akane Tendo brushed back a stray strand of hair as she stood waiting in
front of the Director's Office. The secretary, a tall efficient brunette
with a gentle smile, motioned for her to take a seat. 
	Akane was slightly worried. Her recent promotion after her performance in
her last few cases wasn't really surprising. Everyone commented that she
would probably beat her own father's record for the youngest person to be
assigned as division chief. But this sudden reassignment disturbed her.
She'd only heard of the Japanese Special Investigations Bureau in rumors.
Everyone she'd spoken to about it regarded being assigned to the JSIB to be
a very high honor indeed. Her father wouldn't stop crying tears of joy when
he heard she was being transferred to it. 
	According to him, the JSIB handled investigations outside the normal scope
or capabilities of the Japanese Police. This was all well and good,
especially when it came down to tracking down international terrorists and
so forth... but it was the other rumors that were bothering her. Rumors of
the JSIB performing investigations of strange and inexplicable cases.
Paranormal investigations. 
	She didn't want to be stuck in a Bureau which got sent chasing after UFO's
and ghosts and stuff. It was nonsense. A waste of time. She quirked her
mouth and crossed her arms, Nothing to do but wait and see, she thought
wryly to herself.
	"The director will see you now, Tendo-san," said the gentle voiced secretary.
	Akane smiled and bowed to the secretary as she walked to the door, "Yes.
Thank you."
	"Oh," said the secretary, suddenly remembering something, "Please try not
to upset the director too much. He's a bit... high strung."
	"Okay. If you say so..." replied Akane, a little mystified... High strung?

	The director watched her enter his office. She was exquisitely beautiful...
Strong, yet delicate features, framed by jet black hair cut short... Her
movements smooth and fluid, yet powerful... The masculine three piece suit
she wore only served to enhance her beauty in his eyes. I must have her! His
thoughts roared.
	He was just about ready to rush over to her and proclaim his eternal love,
when he remembered that he still had those three other sexual harassment
charges pending and he certainly did not need another. He sighed inwardly
and tried to content himself with watching her move. She walked to the front
of his desk and simply stood there, waiting for him to speak.
	"Akane Tendo," he began, "I congratulate you on your recent promotion.
Verily your skill in forsenics investigation already grows legendary among
the ranks of the Tokyo Police."
	Akane bowed and replied, "Thank you, Director Kuno."
	Kuno picked up a folder and nonchalantly looked through it, not even
addressing her directly, "Perhaps you wonder why you are being transferred
to the JSIB, if your work is so exemplary?"
	"Er..." Akane began, flustered.
	"Very well then, I will inform you. You have no doubt heard about the
JSIB's reputation as an investigatory body for the unusual, yes?"
	"Yes," she nodded slowly.
	"Once... this proud institution specialized in the examination of
paranormal cases. Cases involving what the average man would consider
impossible or unthinkable. Cases of UFOs, metahuman abilities, possession,
spirits, ogres and so forth...
	Akane began to get a sinking feeling as she nodded slowly. This was
precisely what she was worried about.
	"In truth, in recent years this is no longer as true as it once was." Kuno
said as he turned to face Akane, "There are far too many real crimes out
there for us to be wasting time on the inexplicable."
	Akane felt relief, she wasn't going to have to go on ghost hunts...
	"In this day and age, it ill behooves us to properly use the taxpayer's
money and our own resources to the utmost in the service and protection of
our fellow citizens. However, despite this attitude... the investigation of
the inexplicable is still an important part of this Bureau's charter..." he
paused for dramatic effect.
	"I don't think I understand, Director Kuno," she asked, somewhat confused
at Kuno's rhetoric, "What are my duties in this Bureau supposed to be?"
	Kuno winced as he felt his chain of thought interrupted, "Very well then, I
choose to be blunt in this matter. You, Special Agent Tendo have been
assigned to be the partner of our one remaining paranormal events investigator."
	"I'm what?" asked Akane, getting that sinking feeling again.
	Kuno continued as though not having heard Akane, "Ranma Saotome is one of
our best operatives... however, despite our consistent attempts to have him
reassigned to other cases, he insists on taking those cases which relate in
one way or another to such unbelievable notions as extra terrestrial life
and evil spirits and suchlike." He laughed derisively, "Under normal
circumstances we would've terminated his employment immediately. However, my
superiors felt that he could continue to be of use to the Bureau if he were
kept amongst our ranks rather than if he were let go."
	"I think I see, Sir," replied Akane.
	"Indeed. But there is another reason why Saotome has been assigned to be
your partner," Kuno continued, "He has a tendency to be overzealous in his
belief regarding these matters and needs a mind firmly grounded in reality
in order to dissuade him from his enthusiastic attempts to make the Bureau
believe in his poppycock. You shall be his anchor to reality, ensuring that
the Bureau will be troubled no more by the fanaticism for his belief system.
You are to watch over him and to ensure that he does not totally lose his
tenuous grip on reality. You are to send reports to this office to
substantiate the reports he submits."
	Akane frowned as the implications sank in, "I'm being assigned to babysit
him? I'm getting a promotion to watch over some loony tunes who watched
Close Encounters of The Third Kind one time too many?!"
	"Perhaps I overstate the problem," replied Kuno, leaning back into his
chair and steepling his fingers before him, "Saotome is indeed one of our
best operatives and seems perfectly sane and rational... except for his
stubborn belief in these things. Curse him not for the weaknesses of his
mind, for his life has been a hard and unpleasant one. You are not to
'babysit' him as you so quaintly put it, merely to offer corroboration for
any reports which he may send to our Bureau."
	Akane sighed, "Okay. I guess."
	"Excellent. Saotome will be here at any moment now--" the rest of Kuno's
statement was cut off by the sudden opening of the door, the latch torn away
from the doorway.
	A tall handsome man burst into the room. His hair was raven black and
pulled back in a short braided. He wore a three piece suit under a black
overcoat which billowed as he stormed into the room. 
	"Kuno!!" he roared. Akane was too stunned to react as the man suddenly
leapt over Kuno's desk and grabbed him by the front of the shirt, lifting
him off the ground. He shook Kuno roughly as he shouted, "What's this
garbage I heard?! I told you already, I work alone!!"
	"Put me down this instant!" Kuno squeaked, having difficulty talking, "This
disgraceful behavior will be forgotten and forgiven provided you release me
at this very moment!"
	Akane pulled her handgun out, cradled it in both hands, her feet
shoulderwidth apart, and aimed the gun at the man, "Put Director Kuno down,
slowly, and back away from him."
	He continued to hold Kuno up as he finally turned to notice the woman with
a gun trained at him. He threw Kuno roughly to the ground.
	"Put your arms up," continued Akane coldly, "Move away from the director.
Do it now." 
	"Lady, put the gun down or you're gonna get hurt," the man replied coolly.
	Kuno groaned unintelligibly from the floor.
	"Arms up, you." She repeated.
	He merely smiled and raised his hands slowly, pausing a moment to idly kick
Kuno in the ribs as he backed off.
	"Stop that!" Akane said as she saw him kick Kuno. Her attention was
temporarily diverted to Kuno. The brief moment of distraction was enough.
The man jumped across the desk with inhuman speed, his right leg moving in a
tight upward arc which struck Akane's wrists. The gun went flying straight
up into the air, seeming to spin lazily as it flew.
	She took a step back out of surprise, but immediately lashed out with an
elbow to the man's chest which he ably dodged. She ducked and followed
through on the movement with a low sweep kick, which he jumped over. He
flipped over her head suddenly, snatching the gun out of the air.
	He landed behind Akane and she felt the cold metal touch the back of her neck.
	Kuno had recovered sufficiently to stagger back to his feet. He leaned
heavily on the desk, and roared, "Saotome, cease this childish and barbaric
display and return your partner's weapon to her, before I have you arrested!"
	Ranma lowered the gun and turned to Kuno, shocked, "SHE'S my partner?!"
	Akane also looked at Kuno, jerking a thumb at Ranma, "This is your top
investigator?!"
	Kuno nodded slowly as he straightened, still wincing from the pain in his ribs.
	"No way, Kuno! I refuse! It's bad enough you keep trying to interfere with
my investigations! Now you're saddling me with a partner I don't need. A
girl no less!" 
	Akane turned to him, livid, "What does my being a woman have to do with
anything you sexist jerk?! I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!"
	"Oh yeah? Well I just kicked your gun out of your hand when you had a
perfect opportunity to shoot me. I was being gentle too! Do you think other
people are going to be so considerate!?"
	Akane burned red with embarrassment at how easily he had disarmed her. For
the first time in a long time she lost her temper. She punched him suddenly
in the stomach. Ranma doubled over as the wind was knocked out of him. 
	Ranma murmured from the floor, clutching his stomach weakly, "Good right...
okay, maybe you can take care of yourself..."
	Akane humphed and snatched back her gun from Ranma, glaring at Kuno, who by
now had made it to his chair, "Director Kuno. Sir. In all due respect, I
don't think this is going to work. I refuse to work with this sexist pig."
	Ranma stood slowly, "... and I already told you, Kuno. I don't need a partner."
	Kuno said imperiously, "The matter is settled. I shall brook no further
discussion. You are partners. Now leave my office." He pivotted his chair
and turned his back to them. All the better to hide the expression on his
face as he felt the pain in his ribs... 
	Akane and Ranma stared daggers at the back of Kuno's chair before they left.

	As they passed the secretary's table Ranma paused momentarily as Akane
stalked off.
	He smiled gently at the woman and said, "Sorry about bursting through the
door like that again, Kasumi."
	Kasumi smiled sweetly at Ranma and asked, "Oh my, no trouble at all, Agent
Saotome. Will Director Kuno be needing stitches this time?"
	Ranma shook his head, "No. But I suggest you call up..." he seemed amused
at a thought, "Dr. Toufuu Ono to have a look at his ribs."
	"Really? Oh my. I'll see to it right away," she said lifting the handset of
her phone.
	Ranma snickered as he walked off. He found Akane standing in the hallway
waiting for him.
	"What was that all about?" she asked crossly.
	He continued to grin, "Just a little gift for Kuno. The doc loves to drop
by his office."
	Akane snorted, "Fine don't tell me. I can see this partnership is off to a
great start."
	"It's not like its my idea!" Ranma shot back, "I don't even want a partner!"
	"I'm not any happier about this myself, okay?!"
	"Yeah, right. You're probably another of their good little soldiers, aren't
you? What do they want you to do? Keep an eye on me? Make sure I don't turn
up anything that's going to become embarrassing to the government?"
	"What are you babbling about?" Akane asked, "They just assigned me to work
with you and to corroborate your reports."
	"Hah!" he exclaimed, as though his point were made.
	Akane sighed and muttered under her breath, "I really don't need this
aggravation, you know."
	Ranma looked a little contrite, "Okay... I'm sorry. It was just sort of a
shock to find out that they'd assigned me another partner." He added
quietly, Especially after what happened to the last one...
	"Could've fooled me, Saotome." Akane said wryly. "Just keep your stupid
sexist macho comments to yourself, Saotome."
	Ranma glanced at Akane's outfit and muttered, "'Macho'? You'd probably know
more about that than I do."
	"What was that, Saotome?" asked Akane glaring at him.
	"Nothing," Ranma lied, before he changed the subject, "I'm going to get a
drink at Ucchan's. You want to come along?"
	"I thought you didn't want me around?"
	"We're going to be working together whether we want to or not, we may as
well get along, okay?" Ranma said sourly, "Look, Tendo... I'll make a deal
with you. I won't say I'm going to trust you or anything like that... but
I'm willing to try to keep my temper in check if you do too."
	"Good enough, I guess," Akane replied as they walked down the hall.

	Ucchan's was a popular local bar. It was clean and it had a good solid
clientele, most of whom were either cops or ex-cops. Akane had visited it
before. Not too often but she was already on a first name basis with the
bartender... although she always felt like the bartender was hitting on her.
She did like the atmosphere of the place. Relatively quiet, but with an
occasional brawl thrown into the mix for variety. The place was hardly
crowded by the time they'd arrived. The early evening crowd only starting to
come in.
	Akane smiled at the bartender, an attractive if somewhat androgynous young
woman in a tuxedo, who was mixing drinks behind the counter.
	Ukyou, the owner smiled back at her, "Hey, Akane. How are you? The usual?"
	"Better make it a double, Ukyou... it's been a long day."
	Ukyou nodded and served her a tall glass of ginger ale within a matter of
seconds, "There you go, sugar."
	"How do you do that so fast?" asked Akane, like she always did.
	"Long practice Akane," Ukyou replied with a wink and a grin, "I heard you
got reassigned to the JSIB today," she added conversationally.
	Akane nodded, "Yeah. I'm going to be a ghostbuster," she chuckled.
	"Could be worse," said Ukyou leaning forward a little.
	"They assigned me this really big jerk to work with," Akane continued,
"He's parking the car... wait, I think that's him now."
	Ranma strode in through the door, a few of the patrons turned and gave him
acknowledging nods which he returned. His face held very little trace of
humor in it as he made his way across the room.
	Ukyou blinked and pointed at Ranma, "He's your partner?" 
	Akane nodded bleakly, "An egotistical, paranoid, delusional, misogynistic
creep if I ever met one."
	Ukyou frowned at her, "That's not really fair, Akane. You just met him
today, right?"
	Tendo took a big drink from her ginger ale, and winced, "Yeah... it's just
that he rubs me the wrong way, that's all."
	"He can really be a very nice guy if you got to know him, Akane. He's very
sweet."
	Akane shot her an incredulous look, before looking over her shoulder at him
again as he stalked forward, "Are we talking about the same guy here?"
	Ukyou nodded, "Really."
	Ranma finally reached the bar and took the empty seat next to Akane. He
gave her the barest of nods before he leaned across the bar and gave Ukyou a
peck on the cheek, which she warmly accepted. He was actually smiling as he
said, "Hello, Ucchan."
	"Hello, Ranchan," replied Ukyou happily, "Double scotch on the rocks, right?"
	He merely nodded.
	Akane looked at him, and echoed, "Ran-chan?"
	"If you must know, Tendo... Ukyou and I have been friends since we were
kids. It's an old childhood nickname. You don't have to include it in your
report to your superiors."
	Akane looked puzzled and angry, "I beg your pardon?"
	"Nothing," said Ranma as he accepted the small glass from Ukyou.
	Ukyou could tell that they weren't getting along too well... not surprising
considering how strong willed they both were. She looked at the two
thoughtfully for a few moments and said, "You know I think I've heard of a
Saotome and a Tendo working together before..."
	"Hmm?" asked Ranma, looking up from his drink.
	"If I remember correctly," said Ukyou, "My dad used to talk about a pair of
good cops named Saotome and Tendo who used to work out of the Nerima
District Police Department. Didn't both of your fathers use to work out of
that precinct?"
	"Yeah, Pop used to be a cop there before he retired," Ranma admitted.
	Akane thought for a moment then asked Ranma, "Your father was Genma Saotome?"
	Ranma nodded and made the connection in names that had been bothering him
since they'd met, "Hey, your dad must've been Soun Tendo then. They were
partners or something weren't they?"
	"Before they retired," conceded Akane.
	Ukyou left them chatting amiably. She wandered off to serve a patron at the
other end of the bar, congratulating herself. At least with something in
common to talk about, they were less likely to tear up the bar fighting...
now if only her luck held and Hibiki didn't show up tonight, she'd be happy.