Title: Life's Constants – Chapter 3

Title: Life's Constants – Chapter 3
Author: M & S Shipper
Email:
mulderandscully@start.com.au
OTHER DETAILS Part 1
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The gravel crunched below her feet, the gradient of the hill steadily inclining with her heartbeat. Her face turned redder from the exertion as she stomped her way to the entrance of the cave.

Damn him, she said to herself over and over. Why did he always have to drag her into these situations? She had placed herself on the line so many times before, without even realising it. That thought infuriated her more than the situation. Mulder had lied to get her here, yet again. He trusted her in many ways but not enough it seemed, otherwise he'd have given her the choice of whether to come along or not, instead of pretending it was a case.

She grunted out loud, her frustration apparent. The once calm, rational mind of Dana Scully, now overflowed with anger, too blinded to see the danger she was putting herself into.

Scully, was already well into the cave before she stopped to consider risk she was taking. She looked back towards the opening. On the other side was Mulder, the man she was inexplicability bound to. The man she cared for in so many ways. The man who lied to her time and time again.

Her jaw was set again, determined, as she turned and continued into the
cold darkness of the cave.
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For the tenth time in as many minutes, Mulders hand reached for the door handle. Should he go after her? Her stare had been icy when she realised he'd lied to her. Even worse when she discovered he'd undressed her. Giving her time had seemed like the best option, but now she may have simmered down a bit, it could be safe to go after her.

He turned the knob, then peered into the hall. It was empty. Ok, good start. She was probably downstairs, and there was no way she'd make a scene in front of everyone. He hoped anyway.

Returning to the room, he dressed slowly, putting off the inevitable. It was a beautiful day outside, he thought to himself. Then when he realised that it was a beautiful day of long ago, he smiled. There was so much to do and see here, not to mention the other possibilities that lay in the far off caverns of the cave. When Scully realised the full impact of this he was sure she'd come around.

If they could go back in time then it was foreseeable they could travel forwards as well. They could bring back cures for diseases that would kill millions by the time a cure was found. They could warn others of up and coming disasters. They could see what their children would look like and their children.

He stopped when he realised his slip. In his imagination, his future was entwined with Scully. It was the only way he saw it, and though it was a future he dreamed of it still shocked him that it came to mind so easily.

His stomach lurched, she'd only been gone an hour or so and he missed her already. He couldn't stand it when things were left badly between them. It never quite disappeared from his thoughts until there was some kind of resolution. Thankfully, they rarely had lasting arguments, otherwise he'd never get anything done. That time she'd spent in Philadelphia was one of the worst in his memory. She'd been so distant and unsettled, it scared him that she hadn't confided her fears in him.

As he made his way into the kitchen, the strange feeling in his stomach increased. She wasn't there. Somehow he knew before he rounded the corner, as her presence was undetectable to him. Now he knew real fear. Without a word to anyone, Mulder strode through the front door like a man possessed, searching the rooms frantically before leaving. Samuel staring at him agape.

The usually lengthy walk up to the cave was halved by Mulders long strides and steady determination. She was going back alone, who knows where she'll end up, or more to the point when she'll end up. That thought scared Mulder more than anything, he could lose her, but he pressed ahead trying to push the fear from his mind.

There was no-one in sight when he reached the entrance, but there were footprints in the gravely sand at the entrance leading inside. He was too late.

Left with no other choice he also entered the cave, trying to keep sight of her footprints.
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Unlike the previous time when Scully exited the cave, she instantly knew it was not home.

The landscape was completely barren in all directions. A virtual wasteland. The sun, so incredibly strong it made her instantly thirsty. When was she? She thought, trying to find something of significance on the horizon.

The heat was intense it must be over 110ºF she mused to herself. Sweat beaded immediately and ran down her back into the top of her skirt. Perhaps it was closer to one hundred and thirty, she amended.

This place was definitely inhospitable to humans, and combined with her recent injury made her feel light headed. She had to go back while she was still able. Turning on her heel, she began to return to the cave. Someone blocked her way though. Before her stood a man in what loosely resembled a space suit.

Scully tried to focus on him but her eyes grew tired. It was so hot. She pulled at her jacket eventually getting it off, uncaring when it dropped into the dust. It was getting hotter by the second, she was certain of that now, the sun was only slightly over the horizon but it had an intensity beyond anything she'd ever felt before.

She willed herself to move but it was as if a heavy blanket was over her, dragging her to the ground. Dimly she realised her skin was burning, but that was her last coherent thought she had as darkness swallowed her and she dropped to the ground.
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Mulder continued towards the light at the end of the cave. He breathed a sigh of relief as he noticed her footprints in the gravel becoming visible again. She'd definitely come this way. He picked up the pace, eager to find her once more, and confirm with his eyes that she was all right.

When he reached the end of the tunnel he noticed it was dark outside. The light he had seen earlier was from the moon, which shone brighter than he could ever remember the moon ever shining. The sight that greeted him though was mind blowing. There was nothing in all directions, no buildings, trees, mountains, lakes, nothing. And it was hot, really hot. More than 90ºF he thought, undoing his top button.
"Scully!" he yelled out into the void. The only sound he heard was that of his own voice echoing in the distance.

He was about to return to the cave when he noticed something in front of him. In a moment he was on his knees sweeping his hands across the dusty ground. His breath caught in his throat, a lump emerging in it's place.

Just below the surface was Scully's jacket. He tried to pick it up but it was scolding hot, instantly disintegrating in his hands. It was almost as though it had been baked in an oven, but how could that be? There was nothing for miles.

"Scully!" he yelled again, unable to hide the panic in his voice. If anything happened to her it would be all his fault, he'd lied abut their assignment, tricked her into coming and then entered the caves knowing full well she'd follow him.

The silence around him was ominous.

He scanned the horizon once more and noticed something he'd missed in his haste the first time. There were a few silhouettes on the horizon. Mulder didn't hesitate he began to run full speed towards the people. The heat made him sweat instantly and by the time he was halfway to his destination he was dripping with sweat.

He came to a sudden stop, something was wrong. His feet were burning, and not just from the impact of running. He lifted his foot off the ground and noticed that the sole was red hot and softening with the heat.

Not pausing to consider the reasons for this he continued to run, his only thought's of Scully and finding her. He was too busy keeping the people on the horizon in his sights that he didn't watch the ground below him. It probably wouldn't have helped him anyway, for the trapdoor was well hidden for a reason.

All the air left his lungs as he plunged for what seemed like minutes down into to the darkness, finally landing heavily on the stone floor. Pain was the last thing to register in his mind before he passed out.

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This damned cell was sending her insane. She had awakened, completely alone and in virtual darkness. From groping blindly around the room she found it was about two metres wide and two metres deep, and though she'd never felt claustrophobic before, there was always a first time for everything. The walls were practically moving in on her.

Her skin burned too. Her arms, legs and face had been exposed to temperatures she'd never experienced before, and she had a feeling that if she'd stayed out there any longer she'd be dead. For that reason Scully was grateful to her captor, but only for that.

Without warning the door to the cell began to open. The lights from the hallway burned her eyes, which had become accustomed to the darkness. All she could make out was the outline of a body being thrown into the room. She was about to protest when she realised the body was Mulders.

"Mulder can you hear me?" she said, unable to hide the emotion in her voice, pulling his head on to her lap and stoking his hair. After her initial panic, years of medical training kicked in.

Scully felt for a pulse first. Strong. Then checked his breathing. Also strong. She hadn't noticed she'd been holding her breath until she began to release it in relief. She was always shocked just how affected she was when Mulder was in danger. She often wondered if it was more than friendship she felt, but stopped those thoughts before they developed to far. Once she began loving Mulder, she doubted it was that easy to turn off again.

"Mulder wake up." she stated with full authority. "Mulder, listen to my voice, can you hear me?"

He began to roll his head a little, groaning slightly. Scully took this as a good sign and continued speaking to him.

"Mulder, I need you to wake up so you can tell me if you're hurt." she said, now fully composed with the detachment of a doctor.

"Scully?" he said faintly with obvious confusion.

"Yes I'm here. Are you hurt anywhere?" she said already prodding his abdomen.

"Ow! That hurts, and when I breathe too."

"You've probably broken some ribs, just lie still. Do you remember what happened?" she asked hopefully.

"Not much, I followed you into the cave and then came out in this place. It was night time, I was running to catch up with some people I saw on the horizon, when I was suddenly falling. I don't understand why we didn't end up back in the right time. John said he did each time he went through the cave."

"I don't know either, maybe it's because we came through together and not separately."

"Maybe." He said trying to sit up, his discomfort was obvious.

"Just lie still ok, once you've got your strength back we'll figure out a way out of here."

The night passed slowly, neither one really able to sleep. Scully wasn't sure when she fell asleep, but she must have, because she awoke in Mulders arms, her legs entwined with is. The room kept it's consistent darkness, so she had no idea how long she's been asleep. She noted that Mulders breathing was steady and sighed with relief. He needed his rest. With as little movement as possible Scully managed to untangle herself from Mulder and sit up.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she realised there was something by the door that she couldn't quite place, but she knew it wasn't there before. It was a small tray with a few items she could barely recognise but finally guessed they were food. Hesitantly she lifted it to her mouth, smelling and touching it to discern it's nature. Almost as if having a voice of it's own her stomach began to growl in reaction to the food. Still unsure as to what it was she popped it in her mouth and was pleasantly surprised by the taste.

Definitely some kind of vegetable, a mixture of potato, carrot and onion, mixed with a salty flavour into a pattie. It was cold, but she imagined it had originally been heated. Regardless of the temperature it was delicious and instantly quieted her overactive stomach.

Mulder awoke to the quiet moaning of his partner. Now that was a sound he could get used to waking up to. In his sleepy state it took him a while to realise she was eating, and obviously it was something quite delicious if her reaction was anything to go by.

"Oh can I get some of that." He said, initially startling her. He leaned across her, momentarily forgetting that his ribs were hurt. In pain he doubled over falling against the door.

Scully was so concerned he'd hurt himself that she initially didn't notice the door had moved slightly under his weight, but now the thin line of light coming through was unmistakable. She got up slowly, and peeped around the corner. The hallway seemed to go on forever in both directions, but surprisingly enough there was no-one in sight.

"What do you see Scully?" His voice scared the wits out of her and she spun around quickly.

"Nothing much, just a corridor." she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Well, lets get going then, before they realise they left the door open."

"No."

"No?" He said unbelieving that she didn't want to make a break form this hellish cell.

"No!" she stated vehemently. "You are in no condition to be attempting an escape."

"I'm fine, and this might be our only chance." As if to further prove his point he struggled finally making it to his feet.

"Mulder!" She yelled.

"If you keep shouting like that someone is going to come, now keep quiet and lets get out of here."

Before she could object he'd already moved out into the hall. It was still empty, thank goodness. Without pausing to decide, Mulder began to go left up the hallway. He then made several turns and turned to go up a flight of stairs.

"Do you know where you're going?" she whispered.

"No, I'm just guessing here. Any objections?"

"No, you just looked like you knew the way. Why are we going up though? Shouldn't we be going down to ground level?"

"I think we're underground Scully, when I first got here there was nothing in sight, and it was really hot, I think in this time, the earth is so hot we've all had to move below ground."

"I felt the heat too, in seconds I began to burn. What do we do though if we get to the top and it's the middle of the day?"

"We wait." she couldn't argue with him, there was no other choice really. She only hoped that no-one would find them until then.

Eight flights of stirs later they came to a large hanger type room with 10 to 20 tank type vehicles. It was completely deserted, just as all the halls had been. More disturbing though, it was also a dead end.

"Scully look over there." He was pointing to the far corner of the room to where a fine crack of sunlight was coming through. "It's daylight outside. I think that's why we haven't seen anyone, they must sleep during the day here, and then at night when it's safe, they go outside."

"I think you might be right Mulder, but how to we get out of here if it's daylight?"

"We can wait til dark. . . " he was about to continue when they heard voices echoing through the vast room.

"Sir we have people out everywhere looking for them, they can't get far, we'll find them." It was a young mans voice.

"You'd better, they could be our only chance of getting off this god forsaken rock." The man in authority scared even Mulder, and he heard Scully's intake of breath.

The older man left leaving the younger one to search the hanger. He was quite thorough, but still failed to look inside the ventilation shaft in the corner of the room.

Mulders face was still grimaced from the pain of having to hoist himself up there. Scully's heart went out to him, and even though they were so tightly pressed together in this confined space, she found herself unconsciously stroking his hair, trying to comfort him.

They both breathed a sigh of relief when they heard him leave the room. Scully moved as though she was about to get up , but Mulder caught her wrist, stopping the action.

"Just give me a second, I'll be ok to move in a second." he said, biting his lip.

It must have been hard for him to admit his pain to her, and she smiled at the level of intimacy they were sharing. Mulder was positioned on his back, while Scully lay on her side facing him, her breasts pushing into his side, arm draped across his stomach, her knee resting over his thigh. Their faces were inches apart, her hair tickling the side of his face, breath warm on his cheek. It was enough to drive a man to distraction, he thought, trying to quell his bodies reaction to her. How was it possible to be in this much pain and be this aroused at the same time?

He looked over to see if she'd noticed his blush. She was looking down at him smiling warmly, he smiled back. Was he imagining it or had her nipples grown hard against him. It was probably from the cold he thought, as another rush of air came up the ventilation shaft. He didn't need to look to see the bulge in his trousers was now prominent.

This was a far more dangerous position than he'd previously thought. He had to get out of this ventilation shaft now!

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End of Chapter 1 Part 2.

One more chapter to go.

Feedback always welcome of all kinds, I mean – how can I ever improve without it.

(You'll note after receiving some negative (but constructive) comments, Scully never used the word bloody again – it must be far more acceptable to say in Australia than in the US.)