Chapter 2

Mulder's apartment.

Next morning Mulder woke late. It was 10am, and he groaned. He had a few hours sleep, dreaming of Fowley.

He glanced at his mobile. One missed call from Scully. Hoping Fowley was still okay, Mulder dialled his voice mail. "Mulder, it's me," Scully's voice came through his phone. "I've called Fowley's brother and he's with her in the hospital now. She's still stable but I'm confident she'll wake up soon, so don't worry. I'll contact you about her condition as soon as the hospital calls me. I'm home now, and I'll be typing up a report on what happened to Gibson if you need me. See you later," she said. Then the call ended.

Mulder sighed with relief when he heard Fowley had family with her and that she was still stable. He decided he would visit Fowley later that day, and catch up with Dean. Scully would still be busy typing her report for Skinner now, so he didn't want to bother her. After the hospital, he decided, he would see if he was allowed back into the charred remains that was left of his office.

Mulder had a two day stubble on his chin, so he shaved quickly before grabbing his jacket and leaving the apartment.

St Katherine's Hospital.

A little while later, Mulder arrived at the hospital and strode towards Fowley's room where he saw Dean standing over her as she lay in bed, still unconscious. He looked up and saw Mulder, before gesturing to Mulder to come in. Dean was a tall man, the same height as Mulder. He had brown hair and a moustache, and looked good for his thirty-eight years.

But to Mulder Dean looked tired. He had a beard growing and eyes that were red from crying. He wore jeans and t-shirt as he stood, holding Fowley's hand protectively.

"Hey," he greeted Mulder as he entered the room. "Hey, Dean," Mulder replied as the two men shook hands. "Thanks for coming," Dean said. "Hey, anything for Diana," Mulder replied. "So what happened?" Dean asked. Briefly, Mulder filled him in on what happened, how Gibson was a child prodigy, and needed FBI protection. How Fowley had protected him and got shot whilst doing so, and how Scully transferred her to this hospital.

Mulder decided to leave out the story of Gibson's special abilities for now; it might only confuse and anger Dean as Mulder knew Dean wasn't a believer like his sister was.

Dean smiled sadly. "That's just like Diana," he said wistfully. "Always protecting someone," he said. Mulder nodded and the two men looked at Fowley for a moment.

"What happened to her shooter?" he asked. "Have you caught him?" Mulder shifted his feet uncomfortably, not knowing what to say. In the end he decided to say that they didn't know. "Unfortunately, we don't know who the shooter was," Mulder said. Dean shook his head. "If I ever find him...," he said, his voice trailing off angrily. Mulder coughed. "Scully said she's stable but weak," Mulder said.
"She's typing a report on what happened to Diana," Mulder told Dean. Dean nodded. Just then, he gasped. "Diana?" he asked, hopefully. Mulder leaned closer. "What is it?" he asked eagerly. "Her hand moved," Dean said excitedly. "She's awake!"