As Mulder arrived at the basement office Friday morning, he realised that the lights were on, which was strange as he was sure he'd turned them off. Upon trying the door handle the door swung open and for a second he was ready to pull his weapon until he saw his partner with her glasses and laptop clicking away at the keys. It was not yet six o'clock.
"Scully? You're here a little early aren't you?"
"I could say the same for you" she replied, but kept typing.
Mulder sighed, this was strange and definitely unlike his partner.
"I thought I was the one addicted to work" he tried for some light-hearted banter.
"hmmmm" Scully just mumbled not looking at him..
Something was definitely not right here, but Mulder was a miss as to what was going on. He decided that it was best not to pry this early in the morning when his partner did not look as though she welcomed the interrogation. Plus if it were he in a mood he would be just as stubborn, so giving her some time was decided best for the moment.
Mulder continued to watch her throughout the day, she had dark circles under her eyes he noticed, she had tried to cover them with her make-up and she'd be drinking truck loads of coffee all day. Being a trained psychologist Mulder was easily able to add up the symptoms she looked both worn out and dreary she had been trying to stifle her yawns, she most definitely had not been sleeping. Why that was he had no idea, and this worried him. Was she seeing someone, someone who was keeping her up all night, someone who wasn't him? Was the cancer back? No. She would have told him, he's her best friend. It must be something else he decided.
What would she not wish to speak to him about? He knew his partner well, certainly well enough to know that she was a determined and strong person who would see any wish for help as making her seem unequal and weak in mens eyes. Though he knew it to be a falsehood, he respected Scully and the things she has seen would make a grown man cry, there is nothing wrong with...That's it!
Scully's not sleeping; she has seen so many things and has so many things to worry about. She was abducted, she can't have children, and various freaks who have tried to kill or sleep with her. No wonder she can't sleep. It's fear. The fear you get when you close your eyes and wish for a dreamless sleep knowing that if you fall under the spell that all you'll see is terror. How is she to feel safe when she was taken from her own home not two years ago, she never sort counselling, she held her head high and said "I'm fine".
Well I'll have to get to the bottom of this, since it is my fault that she has things to fear in the first place, but there is no way Scully would let me keep her safe, who's to say that being around me makes her feel safe anyway?
At lunch time Mulder decided it was time to take action and coax the answer out of Scully, she was clearly too tired to fight him on the matter by now.
"Come on Scully, let's get something to eat" Mulder suggested softly.
"Okay Mulder" Scully went easily.
When they got to their favourite sandwich shop Mulder stood in line to order and Scully went and sat at a table. He watched her idly play with the ice cubes in her glass of water until it was his turn to be served, he was worried for her.
Whilst waiting for their orders Mulder decided that it was now or never and got straight to the point.
"Scully are you alright? You don't seem yourself, and I know you always say that you're fine, but today just once talk to me, don't shut me out, tell me what's wrong, I only ever want to help you, look after you, like you do for me, please let me look after you Dana" he almost whispered the last part.
Scully was too weak to interrupt his speech and just stared at him for a moment before sighing and looking away. Mulder reached across the table and placed his hand on hers but the food arrived and he was forced to quickly rub his thumb against her wrist and then remove his hands so the food could be delivered.
He sat and looked at her waiting for some sort of reply but she wasn't even looking at him. He reached over and gently lifted her face to meet his as soon as her eyes met his they went teary and she tried to look away.
"Oh Scully, please tell me. What is it that's wrong? Did I do something to upset you? What's happened?" he asked her hurriedly.
"Nothing has happened Mulder, you've done nothing, it's me, I'm tired, and exhausted. Actually I haven't slept properly in days" she gasp trying not to break.
"Days? You've not slept for days and I haven't even noticed. Scully I'm so sorry I should have known something was wrong earlier" he said exasperated.
"It's not your fault Mulder you didn't see it because I didn't let you, and only now that I am too tired to play awake is it obvious" a tear escaped her lids sliding down her cheek.
"Tell me why you can't sleep Scully, what is it?" he coaxed.
Scully looked around feeling embarrassed at her sudden tears, wiping them away hurriedly and not looking at Mulder. Mulder seeing her embarrassment paid the bill and asked for their lunch to go. He was determined to comfort Scully. He took her by the hand and guided her out to his car and drove to his apartment which was closest. Scully didn't protest not once when he rang the AD to let him know that he and Scully would be taking a few personal days, she didn't hear the entire conversation as Mulder left the room but she had a feeling that work was covered for now and decided not to worry.
Mulder returned and gave her a slight smile, she only looked away.
"Let me get you some tea Scully" Mulder whispered as he kneeled in front of her.
"No Mulder I don't want any tea" she sighed.
"What do you want Scully" he said looking up into her eyes which were clouded over, she looked so vulnerable.
She began to tremble from holding back her tears and his body surrounded her engulfing her on his couch at once, lending his body to her support. She cried silently for over half an hour until she was most exhausted and Mulder decided that whatever was bothering her he wasn't going to find out just now and it was best that she get some rest. He carried her to his bedroom and owing to the fact that he never slept there himself deposited her in the soft clean sheets.
She stirred slightly as he placed her down her hold on his shirt not loosening. He decided as not to wake her he would have to stay considering she was so snuggled up to him. The rain outside made it an even colder day and he didn't wish for her to catch cold due to being passed out in his bed. So he remained in the bed now laid down beside the sleeping Scully who was curled into him, her tear stained face a reminder to him that something was very wrong with his partner.
It wasn't long before Mulder's musings were put to rest as he too fell asleep with Scully soundly sleeping in his embrace. His last thought was of how it was the first time he'd ever slept in his bed, and that he was glad it was with Scully.