Chap 10
"No more." Skinner growled. He ripped off the man's shoelaces and bound him tightly before checking on Mulder. They wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
Holding his bleeding arm, he kneeled over Mulder's shuddering body. He didn't dare touch the blade impaling Mulder's stomach, knowing that removing it would only speed the blood loss. Lightheaded, he felt as if he was watching Mulder's last moments on Earth.
Skinner lowered himself to sit next to Mulder, supporting him with his presence. Mulder didn't open his eyes, but the shivering calmed.
"Mulder." Skinner said gently. Mulder looked up.
"I never did say thank you." Skinner whispered softly. Mulder instantly knew that he was talking about more than these last few days.
"You… said enough, Sir." Mulder whispered as he faded away.
Skinner could only watch as his breaths grew shallower and less frequent.
"No, Mulder, there was one thing I never said. You're my friend, Fox, and you can call me Walter." Skinner laid his right hand on Mulder's cold, blood slicked fingers and squeezed.
The adrenaline that kept him going suddenly wore off, and he felt immensely old. I'm so tired, but I can't leave him. I'll just lie down for a second… Skinner curled up, left arm pressed to his side, right hand still wrapped around Mulder's fingers, as the blood loss caught up with him and took conscious thought away.
END