Title: The Answer Is Out There
Disclaimer: I have just three words for you guys and gals out there: THEY'RE NOT MINE!!!!!!
Ch. 10
Warmth. A sense of security. No one outside of a fetus had ever felt this swimming, floating, warm sense of safety. No one could. This place, the soft pink of her surroundings, was a strangely sinister haven. Not knowing made the protection of this tub feel more like the claustrophobic embrace of a python.
After an indeterminable length of time, Scully decided that she had had enough of this enclosure. Paranoia, a built-in, last-resort mechanism, told her that this was not a safe place to be. As soon as she dared, Scully opened her eyes and kept them open long enough to search for an exit. Through blurred sight, she could see nothing directly above her; the top was an opening into darkness that revealed no obstruction to impede her escape.
Pushing against the plastic covering, Scully felt enfeebled. Her arm muscles screamed of exhaustion and pain after only a few seconds. Thankfully, the sheath gave way before she passed out from exertion. Frost coated her slimy arm as it was exposed to the outside atmosphere. Scully reflexively pulled her arm back into the pink gel to avoid the chill. You have to try, she told herself. Mustering up whatever courage she could, Scully gingerly sat up, her muscles straining at each new altitude.
With slime sliding off her figure, Scully tried to get a grip on her situation. This place was a nightmare. Every movement left her winded, and her eyes ached, but from what, she couldn't say. As soon as her vision refocused the images around her into one clear picture, Scully was forced to grip onto the side of her tub to keep from slipping back down in the ooze.
All the world was wrapped up in these ugly gelatinous pods, each of which contained a man or woman, all resting unperturbed by Scully's sudden consciousness. Her eyes couldn't track all the movements, but one rapidly moving object drew her straying gaze. A strange, bug-like black...thing was approaching. It drew nearer, knowing to home in on her exact position...coming closer...
There was nothing after that vision. Scully knew only that she was moving but not where to or how she was doing so. Cold, to the point of hypothermia, penetrated her body. The cold augmented with a smack against a freezing liquid that enveloped her body. Throughout the entire ride, Scully kept her eyes squeezed as tightly together as her muscles could stand. From the cold liquid came a cold metal, grasping her tightly and dragging her, or rather, just keeping her from drifting along with the current. As buoyancy disappeared, Scully could feel her body being lifted from the liquid, the cold air sucking at her wet skin.
Beyond the sensations and after them, Scully realized she could hear words, coherent, though strange, conversation happening around her. The words were directions, mostly, she guessed, concerning her.
"Is she okay?" A caring voice crossed the barrier that prevented thoughts from connecting to her muscles. Her eyelids willingly fluttered open to seek the speaker. All she was greeted with was a blinding, brilliant light, between the rays of which she could make out oblique lines of inanimate and moving objects alike. One moving figure melted out of the light, taking on shade and character as it entered her limited scope of clear vision. What looked like arms reached out to adjust her position and to lift her, this time very gently, up off the surface on which she had been lying. Scully, on the verge of fainting, leaned all her wait against the warm body that now held her. Sensing her fatigue, the figure spoke in assuring tones to soothe her into a sleep that would help alleviate her exhaustion.
"It's alright, Scully. You're safe, and the answers will be waiting for you when you wake up." Taking the suggestion from both her savior and her tired body, Scully slipped into unconscious, dreamless sleep.
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Maybe it wasn't a dreamless night after all, Scully mused as she revived from her restoring rest. In her mind, images of strange medical procedures, such as she had not even remembered experiencing since her abduction, danced around visions she had of their former case study and his cohorts...only they were different. Gone were the black clothes and airs of superiority, and in their place were pale-faces and ratty sweaters. Scully didn't know how much to believe, but none of what she saw seemed false. How could she be sure?
If you get up and go look for yourself, stupid. With that kick from her stubborn determination, Scully opened her eyes and sat up. Her surroundings were dark, her clothes were, indeed, ratty and torn, but the frosty air didn't hold the same chill. An artificial warmth combined with a dry outfit kept her comfortable. As she sat up and kicked her legs over the edge of the cot she had been placed on, Scully realized that none of the muscle fatigue greeted her swift movements. How had that changed? Why had she been weak in the first place?
And what the fuck is this thing in my arm!?! Scully turned an alarmed gaze to the strange IV stuck into a...metal hole in her arm. Excitedly, she ripped at the tubing attached to a sterile saline bag, painfully but immediately removing the unwanted protruding needle from her arm. Panic subsided momentarily as Scully made sure no other attachments had been made. The echoing of footsteps revived her alarm, especially when the footsteps were approaching her door. This apprehension proved founded when the door creaked open after a jerking turn of the wheel lock.
"Good morning, Scully."
"Neo?" A sly and yet modest smile tickled his lips as he let her appreciate his different appearance. His hair had a different cut to it, but it was about the same length. His dirtied and scruffy appearance made him look thin, even emaciated, and weak; in short, this Neo evoked none of the awe and fear that he had in the place she had left. This man was Neo, for certain, but he was more like a Neo from another world than the Neo she had gotten to know.
"Yeah, I know. It takes some getting used to...wasn't that long ago it was my turn at this." Neo offered her his hand, gripping her by the arm to pull her up to her feet. "How's about we go see about some breakfast?" Scully warmed to Neo's friendly overtures, but the squeezing feeling of uncertainty kept her feet firmly planted and determined not to move.
"Where's Mulder?" The color fell from Neo's face at her question, and he dropped his gaze to his shoes.
"I suppose I should've figured you'd want to see him first. This way then," Neo offered her his arm to support her shaky legs. Taking his help gracefully, Scully walked through the door into more of this unknown world.
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"I don't know why he's taking this so poorly. This dehydration is most unusual..." The snippet of conversation died as they rounded the corner. A tall black man stood on one side of what looked like a hospital bed crossed with a computer. Only after she turned her head was Trinity recognizable. She stood with her back to Neo and Scully and once she ascertained who had arrived, her attention was turned right back to the figure lying sprawled on the table before her.
"She wants to see him." The other man nodded and walked around the table to introduce himself by shaking her hand.
"Good to see you awake, Ms. Scully. My name is Morpheus. I believe you have already met Neo and Trinity. Tank may be along shortly. It is nice to have you with us." The greeting was cordial but still appropriately mysterious to suit the mood of the entire scene. Scully mechanically shook his hand and mumbled a 'hello' of her own. "Your partner is still being worked on, but if you would like, you may sit with him for a while. Perhaps you could even offer us your expert medical opinion on his condition." Scully brightened at that. At least she would be useful in some capacity.
"What is the...trouble...exactly?" Each pause was brought on by each step she took toward Mulder. His pale form was stretched out, and pins protruded from various regions of his body. As she moved to his side, Trinity walked over to join Neo. The pair whispered between themselves before disappearing to leave Scully alone. Morpheus, however, stayed to observe her reactions, in part to reassure himself that this woman was handling her new world as well as she seemed to be handling it.
"Mulder has a history of problems with dehydration. We've been involved in several cases where he has almost died because of it. Pumping more saline into him never permanently helps. You need to supply him with vital hormones to maintain homeostasis. Usually increasing vital digestive and carrier proteins in his blood stream will bring the problem under control." Morpheus nodded and began tapping various monitors all around Mulder's bed. Scully's eye scanned for a readout that would indicate that the proper doses of proteins were being administered.
"Trinity mentioned that you were a medical doctor. I can see that you will be very useful aboard this ship." Scully snapped her head up at his words.
"Ship? We're on board a ship?"
"That is correct. This is my hovercraft, the Nebuchadnezzar. Don't worry about much more than that. All will be explained in due time. Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated. Now, if you would like to eat, the mess hall is down that corridor, third set of steps down, first door on your right. It's there if you want to go find it." Scully followed his gesture and nodded.
"I think I will."
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Scully felt her way along, using the directions that Morpheus had given her as a shining guide to the mess hall. This adventure would be enough for today. Maybe then she could go back to her room and ponder the whole change over. The first door on her right...
"Oh, excuse me." Scully covered her mouth to hide both her slack jaw and a hint of a smile. The door had swung open to reveal Neo and Trinity sitting close to one another. Upon her entrance, they separated slightly. Neo covered his surprise with a smile and an invitational gesture for her to sit.
"Not a problem, Scully. Can I get you something to eat?" Nodding, Scully closed the door and took a seat opposite Trinity. A pink tickle of color crept along Trinity's cheek even as she smiled her greeting to Scully. Neo busied himself in dispensing the slop from its tubes into a small bowl. He grabbed a spoon and plopped the dish in front of Scully. Noticing her aversion to the slimy substance, Neo laughed and dropped in beside Trinity.
"Hey, I know it looks terrible, but look at how much Trin here likes it," Neo demonstrated by taking a spoon full of food and pushing it into Trinity's mouth. Trinity gagged and fought to swallow the food without choking, much to Scully's amusement. Laughter bubbled into Scully's throat and soon the whole table was enjoying the joke, even Trinity.
"I hope that moment of personal embarrassment helps, Scully. If not, I'm gonna hear about it for a week!" Neo rolled his eyes, and Trinity gave him a jab to the shoulder for his comment. Scully covered her grin with a mouthful of food. Satisfied, Neo stood up and gave Scully's shoulder a squeeze as he reached the door. "I gotta go relieve Tank from monitor duty. I'll see you two later." From the edge of her vision, Scully caught Neo's wink, an action directed at Trinity, who bit her lip to keep from grinning. As Neo left, Scully watched Trinity's eyes. They followed Neo's exiting figure, and her teeth kept gnawing on her lower lip.
Looks like Mulder was right about them after all. Trinity noticed Scully staring at her and raised an eyebrow in question.
"What?" Scully donned her most sympathetic and innocent mask. Trinity's smile twisted into a smirk.
"Things aren't always what they seem, Scully. I would've thought you of all people would have understood that." Trinity finished the rest of her bowl, but she didn't stand up until Scully took the hint and did the same. "Better?" Trinity asked as Scully shoved her last bite into her mouth.
"This food can't get any worse, so I'll say yes to that." Trinity laughed and took the empty bowl and spoon from Scully. As she stood up, Scully accidentally allowed her shock to get the better of her. "Jesus!" Trinity spun, alert and ready for trouble, dropping the dishes as she did.
"What? What's wrong?" Immediately, Scully fell into a fit of hysterical, embarrassed laughter. As soon as she could manage, she pointed a shaky finger to Trinity's abdomen. Trinity's own eyes fell to that region of her body. Realizing what Scully had been indicating, Trinity started to chuckle even as that same pink blush crept back onto her pallid visage. They giggled together at Scully's astonishment and Trinity's clumsiness as Trinity bent to retrieve her dishes. After the laughter died out, Scully was able to speak.
"I guess that settles the question."
"What question?"
"Mulder asked me if I thought you and Neo were..." It was Scully's turn to redden under Trinity's gaze. "If I thought you two were...an item." Trinity's composure returned, but her concentration on the current conversation evaporated. With a sigh, Scully couldn't help but feel both happy for and jealous of Trinity. It was clear that the stoic woman's mind had wandered back to the man who had only recently left. Contentedly, Trinity walked over to the sink, one hand full of dishes, the other gently drumming on her mildly swollen abdomen.
"I'm surprised you could even tell."
"I'm a medical doctor, Trinity. I've found that it helps to be observant. I've used it more than once in my work." Trinity stiffened at that and left the dishes to soak and returned to sit across the table from Scully. A look of both fascination and trepidation crossed her serene face.
"Scully, I have seen a lot of things in my time, but I've heard you've seen even more. I wanted to ask you about it before, but there wasn't time. We have time now." Scully nodded then shook her head.
"What do you mean? How much time do we have? And until what?"
"Once you're safe on the outside, you can spend months doing little to nothing. Believe me, I know." Trinity sneered and stood to pour a drink for Scully and some water for herself. Scully slurped at her drink, coughing on its potency. As she wiped her mouth with her hand, a thought that pricked at the back of her neck. Scully had always had an uncanny internal clock. Now it was telling her that a long time had passed since she had previously been awake.
"How long was I out?" Trinity smiled over her cup.
"You are perceptive, I must admit."
"That thing...the table...what you're still doing to Mulder...how long?"
"You haven't missed your hair much, have you? I suppose a woman such as yourself has little care for the trivialities of appearance." Scully's hand drifted to her head. Instead of her usual cap of red, there was only a slight fuzz under her fingertips. "It'll grow back, if that's any consolation." Scully looked up horrified at Trinity. Her panic subsided as she devoured Trinity's features. Trinity's hair was pulled back, she hadn't noticed that before. Pulled back, it looked almost as short as it had when they had met 'inside', wherever that was. Seeing the direction of her gaze, Trinity laughed and pulled out her hair clip, letting her black locks fall onto her shoulders.
"See? That's proof enough, right?" Scully laughed and shook her head.
"You were going to tell me how long?"
"Four months."
"You're bullshitting me." Trinity smiled across the table.
"The process of rebuilding your body takes long arduous hours of work and concentration. You are a medical doctor, so just think about it." Scully closed her eyes and took deep breaths to steady her mind. "Do you remember where you first woke up after you left...after you disappeared from Chicago?" Scully nodded as the pictures returned to her. The pink ooze surrounding her body, the frigid cold that accosted her skin...it was too close to the surface...and it had been four months ago?
"That pod is where you have spent the first thirty some-odd years of your life." A constricting feeling crept into Scully's chest. A sense of claustrophobia condensed around that memory.
"I don't understand. Why was I there?" Scully opened her eyes to banish the image.
"That will be explained in time, I promise. The point is that you were there, immobile for all of your life. You tell me, Dr. Scully, what happened to your muscles after all those years?"
"They would grow weak...die off from lack of use."
"Correct. In your world, or rather, the world as you know it, that atrophy can only be corrected by extensive physical therapy, if at all." Scully nodded again. The logic, the sound method of medical logic still made sense in this place.
"Then those treatments I can barely remember...your brand of physical therapy?"
"Yes, that and much more. We not only work to restore the musculature but to accustom the heart to a life of activity. Routine but necessary." Trinity almost sounded flippant about the commonness of this knowledge. Scully fell back on her training to absorb this information. Trinity mercifully offered no more new information with which to confuse her. While the pieces arranged themselves as best they could with the gaps still existing, Scully watched Trinity return to scrubbing the dishes.
"This is much more confusing than all my years working on the X-Files. God, I never thought I'd say that." Trinity chuckled.
"Tell me, and let me be the judge."
"It's a long story. It starts out kind of trite, though." Trinity laughed again.
"Go on."
"Well, the story begins with a boy and a girl, who are assigned to work together, and well, from there it's pretty formulaic even with all the monsters." Trinity had to stop her chores to keep from dropping the dishes. "Like I said, it's all cliched. Just another made-for-TV-movie. Boy meets girl, etc."
"I take offense at that. That's pretty much how Neo and I met, thank you very much." It was Scully's turn to giggle.
"Well at least your story had a happy ending. Mulder and I have never...well, you know. But never mind about that. I guess I should be glad that someone else has...not been as preoccupied as I." Trinity laughed heartily, clutching her sides as she listened to Scully ramble. Scully embellished, truly enjoying making fun of herself. "No, seriously, I am as pathetic as they come. The last guy I slept with tried to kill me because his tattoo told him to do it." Trinity collapsed onto the bench at the table, her breath existing only in gasps between spasms of laughter.
"Oh, God, I have to hear more of these stories." Scully smiled as a wicked idea was born in her mind. Growing from a desire to be of use, Scully's idea branched out. There could be give and take.
"You will." Scully let the sentence die toward the end, pricking Trinity's interest.
"But? I pride myself on being perceptive, Scully. What's the condition?"
"You're pregnant."
"That's a condition? I meant a condition as it pertains to a bargain." Scully kept her smile.
"I know, that's what I meant. How many months now?" Trinity's cheeks colored.
"Six, six and a half." Checking her surprise, Scully managed to keep her reserve.
"Then here's the deal. You want to hear some more anecdotes and...you need a doctor. A real, licensed, medical doctor." Trinity almost made an argument, but instead, she nodded and extended a hand to Scully. Scully shook it.
"You have a deal, Doctor."
End of Part 10