Cradle Me
Part 3
by Trycee
Time-Line: Season 7 before All Things
Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Files, this is written for fun not profit.
Scully pulled up to her apartment building and she glanced over to Mulder. He was sleeping but she could see he was again sweating heavily. She got out of the car and came around to the side and opened the door. Her cool hand touched his face and she could feel his brow searing her. "Mulder...we're here...", she said, trying to wake him.
His eyes opened slightly and then he swung his legs to the side and with Scully's help he stood up. She wrapped her arm around his waist and then closed the car door. They walked across the street to her building. After stepping off the elevator, she walked in to her door and leaned him against the wall so she could open her door. With it opened, she walked him in as he clung to her. She headed for the couch but Mulder stopped dead in his tracks, preventing her from moving any further.
"No, Scully...bed," he said.
She squeezed his waist and then continued towards the two bedrooms. She glanced up at Mulder and could see he wanted to head to one place, her bedroom. She continued on and then brought him around to the other side of her bed, the unused part of her bed. She pulled the blanket back and Mulder sunk down on the bed. She felt his head again and whispered that she'd be right back. She returned from the kitchen with more aspirin and water. Mulder gulped the pills down as Scully sat next to him on the bed. "Hungry?"
He nodded but his eyes were closed. "Mulder...I'm gonna warm you up some chicken broth, okay?"
Again he nodded but didn't speak. She turned on the television and placed the remote within his reach and then retreated back into the kitchen. After a few minutes, she had a cup of microwaved broth and brought it back to him. She blew it to cool it down for him and then handed it to him. He took a few sips gulping the liquid down until the cup was empty. She placed it on the nightstand and then she removed the blanket over his feet and then slipped his shoes off. "I want you to rest...Maybe I can convince Skinner to let me do the autopsy tomorrow..."
"If you do the autopsy you'll be gone for hours...", he said with his eyes closed. "I need you to take care of me..."
"I know," she said, holding his hand. "I will..."
She pulled out her cellphone and dialed the number. "Sir, I'm at my apartment...Like I was trying to tell you earlier...Mulder is very sick right now...He's here...I can do the autopsy first thing tomorrow morning...Yes sir. Alright...", she said, hanging up.
"What did he say?"
"He said, he'll be here soon...Somethings up, Mulder...He sound nervous..."
Scully stood up and looked him over. He looked peaceful in her bed but she could see he was still very sick. "I'll bring you a cloth..."
"No, it's wet...", he whined.
She smiled and then kissed his forehead. "Now you're being a pain in the ass..."
He smiled back but his body was then wracked with a series of coughing fits.
"I'll bring you some tea," she said, running her hand over his jawline. She leaned in again and kissed his cheek.
She turned and walked back into the living room. She put some music on and then busied herself in the kitchen washing dishes as she waited for the tea to boil. There was a knock at the door and she immediately grabbed for her gun. She walked to the door and peered through the keyhole and then opened it. Skinner entered looking rattled.
"You okay?", she said, as she watched him wring his hands. "that was fast..."
"I was already on my way here...There's trouble...", he said, looking down at her. "Where's Mulder?", he said, shooting a look over to the couch.
"He's laying down..."
"We all need to talk..."
Scully raised an eyebrow and then snatched up the cup of tea for Mulder off the counter and then lead the way over to her to the hallway. Skinner looked at the open guest room but saw no evidence of Mulder, instead he followed Scully into her bedroom. He glanced at Scully as he took in the sight of Mulder laying in her private bed on the other side as if she expected to sleep next to him.
"Why is he in here?", Skinner asked, his hands on his hips.
Scully's eyes widen and her mouth opened but she was dumbfounded. "I...ah...Mulder...", she stammered.
"Skinner...", Mulder said, opening his eyes. "I feel like shit right now..."
Skinner walked further into her bedroom, taking it all in. Mulder was fully clothed but was sunk down on the bed under covers with a cup beside him on the nightstand. Scully moved over to him and then sat at his side and handed him the cup of tea. "Take a sip," she said, fully aware that Skinner was watching her.
"This could look pretty bad, Agents...", he said, sternly.
"Sir, he's sick...", she said, glancing up to Skinner.
"Exactly...I don't think you realize what I deal with, Agents. I have to answer questions about the both of you and your relationship. I have to answer whether I have ever seen anything out of the ordinary between you too.."
"How is this out of the ordinary?", Mulder asked.
Scully placed the tea to his lips and he sipped again and laid his head back. She placed the tea on the night stand and then stood up facing Skinner.
"Is that why you came here, sir? To check up on us?"
"No! Look...I have an agent that was killed under unusual circumstances..."
"An X-File?", Scully questioned.
"It has all the indications...He was on a stake-out and then he disappeared and was found 20 miles away floating in water and no one knows how he got there.", Skinner sighed. "I'm under pressure to provide answers...I need your help..."
Scully turned to look at Mulder. "I just need to make sure Mulder is feeling better...I can do the autopsy first thing in the morning."
"Why can't he ever go to a hospital!", Skinner said harshly.
Scully stiffened, raising her eyebrow. "Sir, you know why and as his doctor, I need to keep a watch over him...Now if that's the only reason you came..."
Skinner nodded and then turned towards the bedroom door. He stopped and then turned back to face Scully. "First thing in the morning, Scully! I need answers immediately, alright. There are four other Agents that may get charged with his murder unless you prove other-wise so you can appreciate the stress I'm under..."
"I can," she sighed. "I'll be at Quantico by 7 a.m."
"Alright...", he said, glancing over to Mulder. "Take good care of him, because if this Agents death is unexplainable...I need him to come up with an explanation!"
"Yes sir," she said, as Skinner turned and walked out.
She waited until she heard the front door slam and then she turned back to Mulder.
"Sounds like he was abducted...", Mulder sighed.
"Well...we'll see tomorrow...", she said, sinking back down beside him. "Mulder, you need anything else?"
"Yes," he said, gripping her hand.
"What?"
"I need to visit the little boys room," he said, kicking the blankets off and swinging his feet toward the edge of the bed.
He stood up but immediately fell back down. "The room is spinning..."
"I think you have the flu," Scully said, grabbing his arm. "No wonder with all the running around you do, Mulder...You go hours without eating...Your weakening your system..."
"Uh-huh," he said, as she walked him into the bathroom.
"I'll be right out here," she said, turning to close the door.
She could hear Mulder flush and then she heard the water from the sink but when she opened the bathroom door she was surprised to see Mulder had stripped out of his clothes except for his boxers. "I can't sleep comfortably in my clothes..."
"You've done it for years...", she smirked.
"But not in bed...", he said, reaching for her.
She wrapped her arm around his waist and walked him back to the bed. She covered him up with the blankets and then looked at her alarm clock. "I just noticed I haven't eaten anything myself all day..."
"Get yourself something, Scully...I'm just gonna close my eyes..."
She couldn't help but notice his muscles, the small tuff of hair on his chest and the way his body flexed as he breathed. She wanted to touch him but didn't feel it was appropriate, declaration of love or not, she still wasn't comfortable, not yet. She stood up and walked back into her kitchen and quickly made herself a sandwich. After eating it she returned to his side, she was drawn to him, just as she always was when he was sick or hurt. She loved him and he wanted her near him, that was all she needed to know. Scully watched the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, it was hypnotic. After awhile she decided that she needed to sleep and so she grabbed up her clothes and returned to the bathroom where Mulder's clothes were strewn all over the floor. She picked them up and placed them into the hamper and then quickly changed into her silk button-up pajama top and slid on her pajama bottoms. She returned to the bedroom and once again took another look at him before climbing into bed next to him. She switched off the lamp but was suddenly very aware of Mulder in her bed. She could reach out and touch him if she wanted. This wasn't a dream or a fantasy...he was asleep in her bed but she kept her distance and turned her body so she couldn't see him. She needed to sleep and she was positive that if she didn't turn away she would be up all night watching his silhouette as the moon cast a soft glow into her room. She took in a breath and could smell Mulder so strong that she instantly relaxed and fell asleep.
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