It was Friday after lunch that Erin Jordan was having serious doubts in what she had been attempting to do. Other than that previous Monday, there had been no sign whatsoever that Mulder could even hear her, much less acknowledge her presence. Maybe her talking was driving him further into himself. Maybe she made it so that he would never want to return to the world.

As she sat back in the chair next to his bed she looked sorrowfully at him. "Agent Mulder, it's been 3 weeks that I have spent every free moment of my time looking at you from this God forsaken chair. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up." She reached over and took his hand in both of hers. To comfort him or herself, she wasn't sure. "I think after this weekend, I won't be coming by like this. In fact, my boyfriend, if you could call him that, told me I needed to choose between you or him."

She gave him a wry grin. "Honestly speaking, I'd choose you, seeing that he's also crazy in a sort of way…" Taking a deep breath she continued, "But I've got to get on with my life…"

As the unintelligible words flowed through the darkness, Fox Mulder grasped a difference to them. They had taken on a tone that almost stated that they were going to end. How he knew that, he hadn't the faintest idea. Maybe some of the sounds were starting to stand out. Some of the words were familiar to a part of him, but their meaning still made no sense.

It was like listening to a person speaking Spanish when you did not speak a word of it. Oh, you could easily listen and repeat the same words but when it came to understanding what you, or they just said, there was no comprehension.

Wrapped up in himself, he also realized they had an undertone of sadness to them. Perhaps they were sad at the possible ending also.

Mulder sat contemplating, his body trembling. The comforting sounds, they couldn't end. They couldn't just leave him for the darkness to take over. It wasn't fair. He couldn't allow it. It was as if it had become a part of him.

With determination he reached out again, not just with his hands and body, but with his mind…

Jordan sighed, barely keeping her eyes open. She glanced at her watch. It was almost 9:00. "Jesus", she said. "Someone's being exceptionally nice tonight. Visiting hours were over almost an hour ago. Well, Agent Mulder, it's been real…" She stopped when her tired eyes fell back to the patient.

Fox Mulder was looking at her.

She blinked, being caught off guard. There was no doubt about it. He was no longer looking at the ceiling. His head was turned slightly and he was watching her.

Excitement crept up and she had a hard time keeping her seat. "Fox Mulder, Fox? Can you talk to me?"

It took a minute, as the patient contemplated his position and voice. Finally with a bit of hoarseness he whispered, "Don't call me Fox…"

Jordan took no offence as she was too delighted just to hear his voice. "Fine, whatever you say…What would you like me to call you? A miracle maybe?"

Without answering her question, Mulder whispered, "Water."

"Oh, how stupid of me. Give me a minute and I'll get you some." She immediately went to the secretary's desk that was being manned by Nurse Christine Reynolds. She had only met her once before when she had stayed past 9:00 talking with a few of the staff.

"Hello, long time no see," the dark haired woman said with a smile. "You're here a little late."

"I guess it's because nobody came to chase me out."

"Then you're heading out…"

"No, not yet. I need some ice chips and some water in a separate glass if you don't mind."

Without a word, Christine got up to get what was requested. Then Erin added with a grin, "The patient requested it."

The nurse, not realizing the significance of the statement, didn't pause but carried out the request. As she handed the two cups to the agent from inside the lounge, she finally questioned, "Which patient wants the water?"

"Fox Mulder", Jordan stated as a matter of fact. "If you don't mind, I'd like to keep him company a while longer."

The nurse frowned finally catching on. "Surely you're mistaken. He hasn't talked to anyone since he first came here."

"Well he's talking now, and he wants some water." Jordan hurried down the hall with her cups careful not to spill the water leaving Reynolds behind at the door to the lounge.

After a moment of stunned silence, the woman finally brought herself to room 204 and opened the door.

Jordan was on the opposite side of the bed, her hand behind the patient's head holding it up slightly as he attempted to drink from the cup. After a minute she laid him back and sat back in the chair.

The nurse came to the other side of the bed and stared in disbelief.

"Agent Mulder, this is Nurse Reynolds. She's in charge of the night shift."

The patient turned his head to the nurse who gasped a surprise "Hello". He only nodded in affirmation. Clearing her throat she continued, "How are you feeling Mr. Mulder? Are you in any pain or need anything? I can get you something to help you sleep the rest of the night."

He gave the attempt to talk, to try to answer her questions, but quit when his throat refused to oblige. Although the water was helping, it would be awhile before he felt anywhere near normal. Finally he shook his head at her then returned his gaze at Jordan. The request was too obvious as she then gave him some ice to suck on to soothe his unused throat

"I'll be right back", the nurse stated. "There is a note on my desk to call his supervisor, I believe it was, if and when he woke up." She left the room before anyone could say otherwise.