"Hey you. How are you feeling?"
Mulder sat up slowly and straightened up. He looked down at the bed and remembered he was in the hospital. Scully sat next to his bed.
Mulder attempted to speak but his words came out at barely audible wheezes, "Like someone put my head in a giant ashtray."
Scully smiled, "Seriously Mulder, what happened there? I caught a glimpse of your reports and I must say that I find your findings were…"
"unbelievable? Then you tell me how Cecil survived after receiving 4th and 5th degree burns?"
"Mulder its not entirely impossible."
"They said they expect a full recovery within a month."
Scully threw him her skeptical look and changed the subject, "I just came here to see how you were doing. I hadn't seen you in a couple of weeks. Thought maybe you were seeing another medical doctor for your autopsies."
Mulder smiled back at her, "Never…" His smiled faded and he looked at the window.
"What's wrong Mulder?" She asked knowing something wasn't quite right.
"Nothing." Mulder shook his head and he averted her eyes.
"Your lying. You can tell me what's wrong," Scully moved closer to the bed and wrapped her hand around his, "You can trust me."
Mulder looked up at her and knew he could, "It's just that the only reason I even took this case was because an old colleague of mine asked me too. She left without saying goodbye," Mulder closed his eyes at this thought. He had his heart strings tugged by Phoebe once before and he fell for it once again.
"Colleague, Mulder? Sounds like an old flame to me."
"Something like that.."
"Don't worry Mulder. She obviously doesn't deserve you. Only time will reveal the one who is for you." Mulder smiled and looked up at his friend. God she was always right. She always knew the right words to say. Scully stood up and knelt down. She kissed his forehead before leaving him.
"They've assigned a partner to you? Who?"
"His name is Krycek. Alex Krycek. And I know he was sent to spy on me. To make sure I stay in my place."
"Spy on you? Whatever for?" Scully asked raising her eyebrow at him.
"It's these files, Scully. There something here in them that people in high places don't want me to uncover," Mulder retorted as he paced back and forth in the morgue. Scully worked over her body while she spoke.
"Like what? I thought they were just unexplained phenomenon."
"No, I think there is something more than that. I found my phone being bugged a few weeks ago. They're watching me. I know it sounds crazy but…"
Scully interrupted his ranting, "Mulder, now your making no sense. Heightened paranoia sometimes arouses itself in those who have high stress jobs. Maybe you just need more rest. Have you been sleeping lately?"
Mulder shot her a look before walking out, "I've got to go. See you tomorrow, Scully."
Slumping her shoulders, Scully shook her head in defeat.
"Scully have I got a case for you. A man dies while in the throws of …." Mulder stopped as Scully turned around. Her eyes were rimmed red and she looked tired as hell.
"Scully what's wrong?" She shook her head gently before taking the folder from Mulder and perusing it slowly. He took the folder back and cupped her chin and looked her in the eyes, "Scully?"
"It's nothing. I'm fine, really. Just tired that's all." She turned and walked over to the desk and nervously went about rearranging it. Mulder walked over and placed his hand on the small of her back.
"Hey come on, you can tell me."
Scully spun around fast, tears streaming down her face, "My father died three days ago." She fell into his embrace, sobbing, "I didn't even get to say goodbye."
Mulder held onto her tightly; softly petting her crimson locks.
"I'm so sorry Scully; you shouldn't be working right now, maybe you should take some time off."
"No, I need to work. If I stop, I have to accept it."
He understood this all too much. He tried to dive as much as possible into his work to avoid other emotions, "I'll tell you what, how about we call it a day and I take you to dinner? You know to get your mind off of it?"
She contemplated it for a minute before nodded slowly. He smiled and held onto her for a little while longer.
TBC…..