The arrival at the hospital had been expected and both wounded agents had been greeted immediately upon entering. Mulder made sure their attention was on his partner, but Skinner intervened, "Agent Mulder, you need to be seen to, there are plenty of staff here to take care of you both."
His physical exam revealed a minor concussion and he was released with pain medication. Skinner had gone to fetch their luggage and Mulder was able change from his dirty suit to clean jeans and a t-shirt. He walked out of the exam room and sat in the waiting room beside the Assistant Director.
"How's Scully doing?" He asked instantly.
"She has several injuries but should recover completely." He informed Mulder, "I let her know that Elise VanDuran was found in the grave by the shelter." He added, somberly, "Samantha Gayton, however, will make a full recovery."
Mulder sighed and leaned forward but did not answer. He couldn't help but feel both success and failure. Two lives had been saved, even though one was lost.
Scully was dressing after her physical exam, which revealed a few cracked ribs and plenty of bruises, but nothing too serious. She was told to take it easy and get some rest. Scully's head was still tender where Bernard had hit her with the gun, but she wouldn't need stiches. She was luckier than Elise VanDuran, she thought.
Skinner had brought her a change of clothing from her bag. It was no longer evidence after all since she was no longer a murder victim. She ceremoniously folded up the clothing that had once belonged to Diana and place it in a plastic bag. She felt as if she were burying the real Diana, whom she hoped might find some peace now that Bernard Tribbet had been stopped.
Sighing, she finished buttoning her shirt, thankful that she had been allowed to the use of the faculty shower. Bernard's kisses still trailed down her body and her skin crawled at the feeling of his hands. It would take some time for these sensations to cease being so horrifying. It was hard not to think about it, so she attempted to replace it. While showering, she imagined a gentle hand wrapping around her waist and pulling her close. She had closed her eyes and imagined Mulder's familiar face. He would be so tender, caring, and selfless that she would never need to be afraid. Mulder's kisses wouldn't be the tiny little experimental pecks that Bernard had sprinkled on her, his lips dry and fungus-like. Mulder's kiss would be warm, firm and full of passion. Everywhere that Bernard had touched, she replaced with Mulder and ended the shower with a small smile on her face. Bernard Tribbet was gone. For now.
There was no disguising her embarrassment when she came out and saw Mulder. Her self-healing technique of using him to substitute Tribbet may not have been such a good idea after all. Thankfully, neither Skinner nor Mulder seemed to take notice.
"How ya feeling?" Mulder asked her, his hazel eyes tired but happy.
She didn't get the chance to answer because a voice came up behind them, "Dana?" They all turned to see Samantha Gayton walking briskly toward them. Scully smiled at her, "Samantha, I'm glad you're alright." She didn't exactly look alright. Her face was covered in bruises and she sported a limp, but once again, they were both luckier than Elise.
"Been better, but alive." She commented, "Good to see you alive." She gave a sad smile, "I just wanted to thank you for putting yourself in his way when he came down for me. I think he was coming to kill me…like Elise, but…" She began to mumble, but Scully had understood. She knew that after Bernard had hit her with the gun, he may have hit Samantha, but he had changed his plans to kill her.
"I'm just glad you're safe." Scully said, rescuing her from having to relive it. A young man glanced their way from down the hall and then followed Samantha. He smiled at Scully, "You're Dana?"
"Yes, Matt, this is Dana. This is my boyfriend Matt."
Samantha said, taking his hand.
"Agent Mulder, and Assistant Director Skinner." Scully said introducing the men behind her.
"Thank you so much, Dana." Matt began, "We owe you Samantha's life. I can't even describe how devastated I was when I heard the news, but you brought her back to me. I don't know what I would have done if anything happened to her." He said, sincerely, his eyes growing moist.
Mulder listened to Matt, but gazed at Scully the whole time, the boy's words reflecting his own feelings. After the couple had gone, the three FBI personnel headed for the hospital door.