I Want to Believe in Us

Chapter 10: Don't leave me

Cabell Huntington Hospital

West Virginia

4:28 am

Scully has been by Mulder's bedside for more than two hours. As well as the victims, he was given Acepromazine which caused him to lose a lot of fluids and also the conscience, after an hour in chaos they finally managed to stabilize him. Skinner was with her for two hours but had to return to DC, since then she has been at his side waiting for him to wake up.

Although she is exhausted she doesn't want to leave him alone, he needs her right now. Suddenly Mulder moves the hand she is holding and she looks up to see him, he licks his dry lips and moves his eyelids with great effort, she reaches out her other hand and caresses his cheek - Mulder? - he manages to open his eyes and she is the first thing he sees, she smiles at him with sad eyes and he squeezes her hand and smiles - How do you feel? - she asks him anguished, he makes a great effort to talk

- I feel as if a truck had passed over me - she laughs closing her eyes, he reaches out his other arm to touch her chin, she then looks into his eyes and feels tears threaten to roll down her cheeks - I'm sorry Scully, I crashed your car - she sighs smiling caressing his hair - It doesn't matter Mulder, you are alive, that's all that matter now - he takes her hand to his lips and kiss it.

They remain silent for a few minutes, she is looking at the floor and still holds Mulder's hand, suddenly she starts to sob and Mulder turns to look at her worried - Scully, what's wrong? - she shakes her head and remains silent while tears fall down her cheeks - Scully, talk to me - she looks up at him and swallows trying to speak

- I'm so sorry Mulder, I shouldn't had leave, I didn't want to, but I think I needed it to realize how much I would miss you - he caresses her cheek and smiles bitterly - if I hadn't left, none of this would have happened - she says with a choked voice looking at the floor again

He looks at her with tenderness - that's not true, and you know it, whether you are there or not by my side, it has nothing to do with me being stubborn when it comes to seeking for the truth, this would have happened anyway, and we both said hurtful things and made bad decisions, so don't blame yourself, that's what I do and it hasn't got me anywhere - she smiles a little hearing his words - So, am I right? - he says touching her chin, she looks up and nods cleaning her tears - You are… Just… just don't do this to me again, please!... - He nods squeezing her hand

- So that means you're coming home again, right? - she blushes a little looking through the window - Only if you want me to - he laughs, she has to be drunk or something, how can she even say that? - Are you kidding me Scully? I'm not crazy to let you go - he says with love and a smile, she laughs and stands leaning down a little to kiss him, he holds her by her neck kissing her slowly - Oh Scully, I love you - he says on her lips with a sexy voice, she smiles and pulls back - I love you too Mulder, now rest - she says caressing his hair and kissing his forehead.

- I'm not the one who needs rest Scully, you look exhausted, how long have you been awake? - he says holding her hand, she closes her eyes and sighs - I can't remember, but I won't leave you alone - she says sitting again next to his bed, he looks around and through the window towards the corridor

- There's no one around Scully, come here, sleep with me - he says palming the bed, she denies with her head smiling - I can't do that Mulder, they would kick me out and I don't want that - she says stretching her neck and back, he presses the communication button that is right next to the bed and a nurse enters - Is there anything I can do for you? - she asks with a kind smile, Scully looks at Mulder frowning

- The truth is that I want you to make an exception and let my wife lie next to me in this bed - the nurse looks at him smiling and looks at Scully who is totally red with embarrassment - The truth is that I can not authorize that - she says kindly

- Please - he says pouting - I feel very lonely and we both need to rest, If you could make an exception and not tell anyone - Scully looks at the floor embarrassed and the nurse realizes that it's a patient's whim - Okay, but I'll come to wake you up before the doctor in the first round - Mulder smiles gratefully and the nurse retires, Scully hits his arm hard for making her look ridiculous

- Ouch! Come on honey, you can sleep now next to me - she stands and then lies next to him, Mulder stays on his back and she lies on her side crossing one of her legs over his and putting her arm on his chest, she sighs and looks at him tenderly - thank you Mulder, for love me back - he smiles and kisses her forehead for long seconds, then both close their eyes and fatigue overcomes them in a hurry.

Three hours later

The nurse come into the room and look at them, both are sleeping peacefully holding each other, she smiles and feels guilty for having to wake them up, as he was the one who asked for the favor, she touches his arm carefully to wake him up, he frowns and opens his eyes slowly, the nurse smiles at him - The doctor will come shortly, I'm sure you'll be able to go home after that - He thanks her and she retires

Scully is still sound asleep and he takes the opportunity to look at her for a moment, she is so beautiful, her light pink lips are slightly open and a tuft of hair covers one of her eyes, he puts it behind her ear and then touches her mouth with his thumb, she seems not to feel it, then he caresses one of her eyebrows slowly, she begins to move slowly and opens her eyes focusing on him - Hello sleeping beauty, were you able to rest? - He says stroking her cheek, she nods and caresses his chest

- What about you? how you feel? - he smiles and kisses her - Very good thanks to you - he says with love, she smiles sighing and kisses him again

- Okay, the doctor should be here by now, we better prepare because I want to go home - he says in a hurry, she gets off the bed and stretches herself standing next to Mulder, he grabs her by the waist and pulls her towards him to kiss her again, at that moment voices are heard outside and she turns away from him sitting in the chair quickly.

The door opens and Dr. Thompson walks in smiling - Hello again, how is my patient doing? - he asks animated, they both greet him and he proceeds to check Mulder - Everything seems to be very good, I'm going to sign the papers so you can leave within the next couple of hours, all the tests came great, you were very lucky she found you in time, guess that's a relief -

After another three hours they can go home, Mulder stands up and stretches his back, with the help of Scully puts on again the clothes he came in, the shirt a bit bloody - When we get home we get rid of those clothes, I'll burn them if necessary - she says looking at the stain frowning, he caresses her cheek smiling - you can wash and that's it - she interrupts him suddenly - no, I do not want to see those clothes again - he raises his hands in surrender - is well, we can put it to give as a gift, maybe someone needs it - she breathes hard to calm down and looks at him with a half smile - you're right, I'm sorry - he hugs her and kisses her on the forehead - let's go home Scully - she nods her head on her chest and pulls back to retrieve the suitcase, then they leave the room to the parking lot holding hands

Unremarkable House

Two hours later

- Scully, come back to be - he says holding her hand, she sits in the edge of the bed and look at him smiling - Mulder don't be a child, it's just a minute, the tea is ready - she says tenderly, he kiss her hand and she close her eyes exhausted - We need to get rest - he says in a scratchy voice

She nods - I know, but I need that tea, now let me go or I will never get back - He let go of her hand and she goes down to the first floor for two cups of tea, she is so tired that she almost throws them on, while she goes back into the room she yawns and walks the steps that are missing until she reaches the bed with her eyes closed - I think I spill tea down the stairs, but I'll clean it later, I can't stand on my feet any longer - she says as she hands Mulder a cup, he gently strokes her hair - finish that tea quickly and come here, let's spoon together and sleep the rest of the day -

She laughs turning to look at him - all day? As if that were possible, I can not sleep more than six hours straight - he nods finishing the tea and putting it on the night table next to the bed - maybe today we can, come here - he take her by the waist and drags her towards the center of the bed, she puts the cup on the table quickly and let him embrace her, they get under the covers and close their eyes - I love you Scully - she smiles hearing him and caresses his arm - I love you too Mulder - and they fall asleep hugged