Mulder pushed down his anger and walked through the door towards Scully's hospital bed. He smiled and reached to wordlessly take her hand, sliding their palms together and then linking their fingers at the end. "Coroner's report came back on Fellig. Says he died of a single gunshot wound. That's all it said." He sat on the edge of the bed, "Well, I,...I talked to your doctor and he says you're doing great. You're making the fastest recovery he's ever seen."
Scully looked down a little sadly, "Yeah, Mulder, I don't even know how I entertained the thought," she looked towards the light of her window, "People don't live forever."
"No, no, I-I... I think he would have." Mulder insisted and Scully looked back at him, somehow unsurprised. He continued, "I just think that…that death only looks for you...once you seek its opposite."
Scully held his gaze, her eyebrows coming together slightly as they looked at each other and silently tried to work through what Mulder had said.
After a few seconds, Scully sighed and looked back towards the window.
"So, I have some news…" Mulder smiled and Scully looked back at him with a blank expression.
"News?" She asked flatly.
"I'm springing you from the joint!" Mulder announced with a smile.
"You're…?" Scully shook her head in confusion. "I spoke to the doctor this morning, I know I'm making a fast recovery, but she said I'd be in for at least another week."
"Well, I spoke to her just now, and we're out of here…regular check-ups every few days, but it will be worth it to get you some fresh air, we've been stuck in here for days," Mulder insisted.
"I'm stuck in here, Mulder, you can leave whenever you want," Scully said with irritation painted over her face.
"I've rented an apartment on the Upper West Side, it's a short-term lease and I've taken it for a month. That should give you plenty of time to recuperate. Not that I'm rushing you back to work…but I think by then we can head back to DC," Mulder added quickly.
Scully was speechless, "You've rented a place…for us? You have your work…I…"
"The doctor agreed to an early release as long as you had your very own live-in slave, but she wasn't happy about travel. I think you need to get out of this place, Scully, you're not yourself…" Mulder said with concern and brushed his thumb over the back of her hand.
"I can't ask you to do this, Mulder, your work…" Scully reasoned.
"My work is a waste of time and you know it, I've already called Kersh and told him not to expect me until you're back on form and back in DC. They owe me weeks of leave...and come on, we both know he'll be happy to see the back of me…" Mulder teased with a smile.
Scully sighed, "It's ridiculous, Mulder. I can't expect you to dump everything and stay in New York, you're not…I mean, it's not…."
Mulder shook his head, "You almost died last week, Scully. That trip up from DC was the longest of my life. It's time I got my priorities in order. Well, I guess in my case, you are my only priority."
"Mulder…" Scully protested weakly, surprised and a little embarrassed to find tears welling in her eyes.
"Please let me do this, Scully. You need some rest, some fresh air…and I need to get you out of this room. Let me look after you for once?" Mulder implored and then bit his lip waiting for her response.
"You want to play house?" Scully teased. She was secretly a little excited at the prospect of spending some personal time with her friend, even if she hated being a burden.
Mulder smiled widely, "Is that a yes?"
Scully sighed, "I guess…I mean, I would like to get out of here, if you're sure? An apartment in Manhattan, that can't be cheap."
"I've already rented it, so either you come home with me…or I stay there on my lonesome and trek here every day..." he looked around the room, "...and then both of us can continue sitting in this sad little hole," Mulder shrugged.
Scully smiled, "My knight in shining armour," she said, only half joking.
Mulder laughed and stood, then he surprised Scully by lifting her hand and brushing his lips gently over her knuckles. "Anything to be of service, M'lady…" he bowed a little and then turned to the door.
Scully was a little speechless but smiled at Mulder's joke as she forced herself not to touch the back of her hand.
"Give me half an hour to talk to the doctor about your release, and then I'll find a nurse to help get you changed…we can get a cab outside…" Mulder said from the door, almost looking excited.
"You're sure about this, Mulder? A nurse can help me here but when we leave…if we leave…I would need a lot of help…personal help," Scully explained awkwardly.
Mulder stopped in the doorway and looked back at her, "My priority is getting you out of here, Scully. I'll help you with anything…everything…I'm just grateful that you're still…"
His words faulted and for the first time since she woke Scully could clearly see the stress and strain the shooting had placed on her partner.
"I'm not going anywhere, Mulder," Scully said firmly.
Mulder nodded, "I know that…now…" He smiled a little sadly and then before Scully could say anything else he disappeared out of the door.
A couple of hours later they pulled up outside a tall brownstone on West 89th Street. Scully looked up at the building and smiled. "I love these old places…"
Mulder nodded, "I thought you'd like it, and it's not far from a park, so when you're feeling a little better we could go for a walk…the doctor said that would do you good."
Scully nodded as Mulder grabbed her bags and jumped out into the road before running around to open her door. She pulled up carefully on Mulder's arms and took a deep breath. "It feels so good to be outside."
"There's a small balcony out the back, it's a warm day…maybe you could sit out there a while?" Mulder suggested as Scully leaned on the cab while he paid. "Wait for a second while she finds her feet…?" Mulder asked and then he quickly walked back and held out his arm. The driver watched to make sure Scully had stood away from his vehicle and then slowly drove off.
"The place is furnished…?" Scully said, looking cautiously at the steps leading up to the main door.
Mulder nodded, "I think it's basically a vacation let, there's a lot in the area." He looked down and saw Scully's apprehension. "Wait here a second…"
Making sure that she was stable Mulder ran up to the main door with the bags, opened the door and threw them inside. Then he came back for Scully and held out his arm. "Put all your weight on me, Scully. I'd offer to carry you…but I think you could beat me for that, even now…"
Scully laughed and wrapped her arm around Mulder; she walked carefully to the door and slowly climbed the first three steps. As promised she put all her weight on her partner but the pain was still excruciating.
After taking a few seconds Mulder looked down to see the obvious pain on her face and let out a long breath, "You're going to have to kill me, Scully, because I'm not letting you struggle like this…" With that Mulder bent and carefully lifted Scully into his arms, keeping her as straight as possible to avoid causing her further pain.
"Mulder!" Scully protested but she didn't fight him - she knew that could damage her stitches, and she didn't have the energy anyway.
Mulder smiled, "I'm sorry, I should have thought of the steps. Besides, you weight nothing…you're lighter than the bags."
Scully smirked and relaxed into his arms as Mulder carefully walked inside and passed the bags.
"Mulder…" Scully protested as he walked by them and up to another flight of stairs. "The bags! And there's an elevator over there!"
Mulder laughed, "I'm going to get the most precious cargo upstairs and settled first, the bags can wait. Besides, we're on the first floor, it won't take long…by the time we wait for the elevator I could have you upstairs."
Scully sighed but with no fight left she dropped her head to his shoulder.
"You okay?" Mulder asked as he carefully manoeuvred her to get out the keys and then walked into the apartment.
She nodded, "Little tired…"
"Bed?" Mulder asked, still holding her carefully.
Scully opened her eyes and glanced around, "Couch looks comfy…just for a while…"
Mulder smiled and nodded, then carefully walked to place Scully on the couch. He looked down at her, moved a cushion under her head and then instinctively reached to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Do you need anything? Water? Food?"
"The bags, Mul'er…" Scully said sleepily.
He smiled patiently, "I'll go get the bags, Scully…you'll be okay?"
Without even answering Scully slipped peacefully off to sleep.
A few hours later Scully woke in unfamiliar surroundings to the delicious aroma of cooking food. She looked around and then remembered where she was. Sitting up a little she saw Mulder with his back to her stirring something on the hob. He was clearly being careful to remain quiet and Scully smiled at his thoughtfulness before moving her legs over the side to sit up.
Mulder sensed her movement and turned with a smile. "Hey, sleepyhead, how are you feeling?"
Scully was silent for a second and then nodded, "A little better, I'm sorry…I guess that short trip wiped me out."
Mulder shook his head, he turned down the gas and then walk to sit next to Scully on the couch. "You've been in the hospital for a week, you almost died. It's great that you're making a fast recovery, but you shouldn't expect to run before you can walk."
Scully smiled, "No running for me for a while…"
"You feel okay though? Glad you came out?" Mulder checked with concern.
"I feel much better, just being out of hospital has cheered me up…I'm so grateful, Mulder," she smiled warmly.
Mulder shook his head, "You're my partner, it comes with the job."
Scully laughed, "I think this is above and beyond, Mulder. We might even be stretching the rules a little."
Mulder reached to squeeze her hand and then stood and walked back to the food. "Okay, how about – you're my best friend, it comes with the job…?" He suggested with a smile.
"You're a good friend, Mulder," she replied, clearly touched by what he had said.
"I'm a full-service friend, Scully. I cook. I clean. I even take the couch so you can sleep on the big soft bed. I did sleep on their last night though, I hope you don't mind," Mulder admitted.
"I can't kick you out of the bed, you've paid for the place," Scully protested.
"And you've been shot. I win." Mulder replied succinctly.
"You win the couch?" Scully laughed.
"I win peace of mind knowing that you're comfortable and sleeping well," Mulder explained.
Scully's eyes welled a little and she quickly swiped a tear away before her friend noticed. She knew Mulder better than anyone, but he still had the ability to take her by surprise.
"So you're cooking?" Scully asked.
Mulder turned and smirked, "What gave it away?"
Scully rolled her eyes - some things never change. "I mean, what are you cooking?"
Mulder smiled, "I bought some garlic bread from an Italian deli 'round the corner, and some homemade tortellini…I've just made the sauce."
"Smells amazing…" Scully said honestly. "Garlic bread - you can't be planning to meet any women in New York," She teased.
Mulder smiled tightly and turned to stir his sauce, "About 15mins until food…" He warned Scully. She was just about to ask if he was okay when he added, "Why don't you ring your mom? She's been back in DC for a few days, but she had no idea I was planning on getting you discharged. You don't want her to ring the hospital and get worried."
Scully nodded cautiously, grateful that Mulder had thought to remind her…but still concerned about his sudden subdued mood.
"Thanks…" Scully smiled and reached for her phone. She looked through a bright glass door in front of her. "The balcony?" She asked and nodded at the exit.
Mulder's mood seemed to have rebound a little when he turned to her and smiled warmly. He picked up a glass, filled it with apple juice out of the refrigerator, then walked over to her and held out his arm. "M'lady…"
Scully smiled and leaned on him, "I might be okay…"
"No point taking any chances, I'm here…" Mulder insisted.
Scully nodded and walked along with him.
Once outside she sat on a chair in the sun and placed her phone on a small table nearby. Mulder put the glass of juice next to it and smiled down at her, "Do you need anything?"
Scully shook her head appreciatively, "You're a perfect nurse."
"Don't be telling me I've missed my calling," Mulder rolled his eyes and turned to walk back inside. "No one else would be getting the five-star treatment!"
Once he was back inside Scully watched him cook for a few seconds and then took a sip of her apple juice. She looked up at the blue sky and smiled, "That's what makes you so special," she whispered quietly.