Disclaimer: Nope, these characters aren't mine. Category: VRA Classification: Mulder/Scully UST Rating: PG Spoilers: The Sixth Extinction/The Sixth Extinction: Amor Fati Archive: Gossamer. Spookys. Others ask me. Feedback: Knock yourself out. Summary: Want to know what happened during that week? Well, what are you waiting for? Read on for my version of the events. Thanks to: Paulette for a quick and dirty job. "The Time In Between" (1/1) by Lisa (haven599@msn.com) "You . . . help me, Scully." His voice was so small and weak that all I wanted to do was comfort him. But we had to hurry. There wasn't time for that now. "Mulder, I'm going to try and find something for you to wear." I told him before lowering his head carefully down onto the table. I went to a tall metal cabinet and found some white scrubs that I hoped would fit him. "Mulder, are you able to put these on?" I asked, showing him my discovery. His eyes were half-closed and I wasn't sure if he understood what I was asking of him. "Mulder?" This was wasting too much time. Someone could walk through that door any time. I removed the EKG Leads from his chest and his feet out of their restraints. Mulder was able to sit up with some help from me. I pulled the shirt over his head and pushed his arms through the sleeves. He winced with pain. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry." I was able to get the pants on and over his knees. The sheet was still covering the middle of his body. "Ok, Mulder I'm going to need your help now. On the count of three, ease yourself off the table and stand up so I can pull the pants up all the way." He nodded weakly. I put one of his arms around me for support. "Ready. One, two, three." Mulder slid off the table. He looked dizzy. I quickly pulled the pants over his hips. "Now we're ready." I gave him an encouraging smile, which I don't think he noticed. "I think it's better if we take the stairs. The building was deserted when I arrived, but I don't want to take any chances." I explained. "It's only a couple flights. Are you up to it?" "I . . . I'll try." he murmured. "Good." We slowly staggered to the stairs. It was harder than I thought to try and get him to walk down them. Half way through the first flight, sweat was breaking out on his forehead and his breathing was labored. I tried to be as encouraging as possible, but I was so scared we'd be stopped by someone. They would take Mulder right out of my arms. My heart was beating so fast. I chastised myself for thinking like that, focusing all my energy into lending him my strength. We finally made it to the bottom of the stairs. Mulder looked like he was about to collapse and I still had to get him into the car. It was only fifty feet away, but it felt like an eternity. I was constantly checking to see if anyone was nearby as I helped him into the passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt. I couldn't drive fast enough out of the parking lot. **** I took him to my apartment. A hospital wasn't really necessary. After all I went through to see him at Georgetown, I was afraid to leave him in anyone's care but my own. His skin color looked good, he wasn't running a fever and there were no open wounds that looked infected anywhere on his body. I haven't looked at his head yet, but can apply a clean dressing later. It took all my strength to get him to my bedroom. He told me he was dizzy and he almost fell once, but I managed to get him onto the bed and covered with a light blanket. He was asleep instantly. I walked back to the front door and locked it as well as securing the chain. Switching the lights off, I collapsed onto the couch sobbing. But he was safe now; I shouldn't be crying. But I couldn't make myself stop. **** It was dark. I had fallen asleep. Mulder. I rushed back to the bedroom. "Scully?" "I'm here." I turned on the bedside lamp. "What do you need?" "Something to drink." he whispered. I returned with some crushed ice. "Ice, Scully? How about -" "Mulder, you had surgery. I don't want you to eat or drink anything until tomorrow." I stated. "Isn't that the rules before surgery?" "Mulder, can you lift your head up a little? I have to check the bandage." The incision looked free from infection, but I would definitely need to apply a new dressing tomorrow. I don't understand why a good portion of his hair wasn't shaved off. I'm not clear on what type of procedure was performed on him, either. "I don't know what they did to me, but I don't hear the voices anymore." Mulder told me. "That's good." "Yes, it is Mulder, " I replied. "Very good." "Baseball." he murmured. "The World Series." "What Mulder?" "What day is it?" he asked. "Thursday, Mulder." "Good. It's not on yet." he said. "Mulder, baseball's not important right now. You need to rest. Get your strength back." "Baseball's always important, Scully." "Go back to sleep, Mulder." I kissed him gently on the forehead. I didn't get much sleep that night, between worrying about Mulder and checking on him every couple of hours. Besides, I wasn't used to sleeping on the couch. I don't know how he does it. There was a lot I had to do. I needed to stop by Mulder's apartment and pick up some things for him. Get some food. I looked up and saw him slowly walking in the hallway. "Mulder, you shouldn't be out of bed." I rushed over to him. "I'm hungry." He continued to walk towards the kitchen, ignoring me. "I'll get you something." "You know, Scully, you invite me over and there's hardly anything to eat," he told me, opening up the refrigerator. "I'm going to the store," I replied. "Will you be all right while I run some errands?" "I guess so," he muttered. "I'm not leaving until you get back into bed." I told him. "I'm not getting back into bed until I get something to eat." **** That's how the next of couple days went. I was constantly after him to rest and he continued trying to convince me that he felt fine. He's not good at following orders, so why should this be any different? I guess I thought I had more influence over him. Apparently not. I let him read my journals I kept during the time I was in Africa. I tried to keep them as professional as possible, but they were more like a series of personal letters to Mulder denoting my progress on finding a cure for his illness. He didn't comment on their personal nature. The book I received at the office confirmed my findings from Africa and I mentioned that to Mulder along with giving him the text, since he wasn't there to share the discovery with me. I told him about praying with Albert Hosteen. Mulder was surprised that he was here in my apartment. I felt guilty for not doing more to help him than kneeling in my apartment with an old Indian whose beliefs I didn't share. After all, he was more a friend to Mulder than me. I'm not discounting the work I did in Africa, but I wouldn't have found Mulder if Agent Fowley didn't literally put the tools in my hand. I'm glad she cared for Mulder enough to let me step in and take over. Perhaps that's why I'm taking care of him now. I'm trying to make up for what I didn't do. Mulder's watching the baseball game now. This is the second game and he is happy the Yankees are winning. It seems like a lifetime ago that we played baseball together. I hope we'll get the chance to do it again soon. I suppose he's almost ready to go back to his own place, but I don't want him to leave me so soon. **** "Scully, thank you for letting me stay here and for taking care of me." That's how I was greeted the next morning. I guess my shower had awakened him. He was sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee nearby. I came over to him. "Are you sure you're up to it? It's only been four days since I found you." I was scared he wasn't going to wake up. If he had died it would have been my fault for not finding him in time. "You've been through something traumatic. I think you need-" My voice started to sound tearful. I looked away from him, not wanting Mulder to see me getting upset. I fully intended to head towards the kitchen, but Mulder reached for my wrist, stopping me. "I know how scared you were, Scully." he began. "When you came to tell me what you found in Africa, I could feel your fear. How you were scared I couldn't hold on. I know you left the hospital because you didn't want me to hear you crying." "You knew what I was thinking?" "I could hear your voice inside my head, but only because you were near. I didn't listen to your thoughts. I wouldn't invade your privacy like that, no matter how much your voice comforted me." I wiped at the tears that ran down my face. Suddenly, Mulder pulled me onto his lap, hugging me tightly. I thought he shouldn't be doing this; he might not be strong enough yet, but it felt too good. I rested my head on his shoulder, just breathing. "You can't get rid of me that easily," he murmured against my cheek. I was about ready to slide off his lap, but before I could move, he kissed my eyelids gently, whispering: "I'm going to be fine." "I couldn't ask for more," I sigh, content just to be together. **** END (1/1)