Scully found it familiar to be in the clean and sterile environment of the morgue. Though many people would find it "spooky" to be in here she felt it to be comforting. It was something she had complete control over. She had studied the human body and had no problem coming up with conclusions of death. This one was different. After a typical autopsy Scully would usually have a cause of death. This fifth victim had a tattoo in the same location as the first four victims but she could not conclude an actual reason for expiration. After finishing the autopsy she decided to read through the previous victims autopsies. Each one had a different M.E. and all of them had the same finding. No conclusive determination of death. Damn she hated ending her autopsy the same way but what else could she search for. It was time for her to go to the motel, take a relaxing shower and think on it. She called Mulder to find the location of the motel he had them staying at. He gave her the coordinates.
"When I went to check into the motel, the desk clerk told me that an Agent Mulder only requested one room with a california king. So Mulder this must mean you get the floor." Scully looking exhausted and exhilarated at the same time looked at Mulder laying on the bed going through case files.
"I figured I'd save the Bureau some extra dough. Besides I called the morgue attendant about thirty minuets ago and they said you had just left so I got a bath going for you and I ordered pizza. Don't give me that look I ordered a salad for you." She could tell he has something he wanted to talk about but after six hours of standing on her feet and digging inside a corpse a nice bath and a good meal was too good to pass up.
She lay soaking in the bath salts and bubbles that Mulder had ready for her. He even had candles lit in the bathroom. He knew this case would be a tough one for her but really would any other partner go though so much trouble for her. She knew she was lucky. As she lay there trying to relax she could hear Mulder answering the door. Paying for their diner. She reluctantly decided to get out. After all she was starving.
Scully came out of the bathroom in loose boxer shorts and a tank top, her hair wrapped up with her towel. She looked at Mulder sprawled across the bed on his third slice of pizza. He had her salad prepped on the bed with a fork, knife and a sparkling water waiting for her.
"Looks like the bath did you good. You look well rested Scully. Is there anything I can get for you?"
"No, it looks like you have everything covered. Thank you Mulder but I don't want you to think I need taken care of." Scully looked at him unsure of how to feel or think. She enjoyed the fact that he knew her so well and was determined to make her happy but on the other hand she was a strong woman that could take care of herself not matter the circumstance. She looked down at her feet feeling him staring at her.
"You think I don't know that by now Scully? If I do something nice for you its not because I think you need it. I know you can take care of yourself, I just wanted to be there for you. This case doesn't just bring up bad memories for you Scully. You don't remember what happened to you when you disappeared but I remember every day of you being missing." Mulder looked at the slice of pizza still in his hand and threw it back in the box. "I'm going to take a shower. If you want your own room the company card is on the bureau!" Mulder slammed the bathroom door in obvious frustration. Why was she so bad at this? Mulder tried to so show affection to her and she ruined it. Her hunger had passed. She put her food back on the bureau and located her duffle bag. It may be best for her to have her own room after all. She needed time to think, about this case, her relationship with Mulder, maybe just about herself.
