All he knew is that his heart was pounding a millions time a second. He didn't want what had just happened between them to be forgotten. He wanted to pull her close and kiss her again. He followed her to the kitchen as she rummaged through her cabinets.
M-Scully, look at me.
She refused to look at him.
S-Mulder, it's forgotten about. Please just leave it at that.
M-But I-
S- I think you should leave.
Just as he was about to comment, her telephone rang. She glanced at the phone listening to the loud shrill as it rang again and again.
M-Aren't you going to answer it?
She slowly turned to him and their gazes locked. Her hesitation was proof enough that she was afraid. She continued to watch Mulder, trying not to show fear from the anticipation in his eyes. He grabbed the phone and didn't say a word. He listened carefully at the sound of heavy breathing on the other end.
B-I've waited so long for you Scully. Soon.
M-Listen you sick bastard-
The man hung up the line and Mulder slammed the phone down when he heard the dial tone.
S-I can handle this.
M- Why won't you let me in? I can help you.
She shook her head and stood there willing the tears away.
M-Scully say something! Stop shutting me out.
He stood there for what seemed like hours and couldn't bear the quiet any more. Never had he felt so rejected in his whole life. He felt his chest tighten as he looked down at the floor. Anger quickly replaced the hurt, not understanding why she refused to have him help her. She watched as he took a step closer to her then decided against it, grabbing his coat instead. She wanted to run after him and shout out a million different reasons for him not to go, but her body wouldn't move. She heard him mutter a few words then slam the door behind him.
S-What have I just done?
She poured her a cup of tea and sighed aloud as the tears fell down her face. Didn't he realize that she had to shut him out? She had to protect him because she loved him. If he got in the way, she knew he would also be a target. She glanced out her window and saw Mulder walking over to the patrol car that sat out front of her apartment building. She watched as he knocked on the window of the car. He knocked again, but the cop didn't roll it down. She dropped her cup of tea as she watched Mulder open the door and the agent's body fall to the ground. Mulder looked up at Scully staring back him through the window, panic all over his face. He ran back towards the building, knowing Scully was in danger. Scully grabbed her phone to call 911 to let them know there was an agent down but there was no dial tone. She looked for her cell phone and found it, but couldn't find her gun. The lights in the apartment went dark, as did the rest of the building. She ran towards the front door knowing Mulder would be here any second. She felt a hand holding a cloth come over her mouth, strong fumes filled her senses as she tried to fight back. She quickly gave in to the darkness that was consuming her.
Mulder ran up the stairs, trying to find his way in the darkness. Moments later he was standing outside her door, kicking it open with his gun drawn.
M-Scully! Scully are you in here?
He quickly searched the rooms and found that she was gone. He ran back downstairs hoping he had missed her in the lobby. He knew that she would have come down after him. He made his way down the stairs, pushing tenants out of the way, wondering what all the commotion was about. He saw a car speeding off down the street and ran over to the patrol car to call for back up. As he reached for the radio, he felt an enormous pain in the back of his head and fell on top of the dead agent.
A couple of hours later Mulder woke up. His head was throbbing. He touched the back of his head and dried blood on his fingers. He looked around the room where he was at trying to remember what had happened. It was a small room filled with boxes. A single light bulb hung over ahead, casting shadows from the stacks of boxes. He walked over to the door to see if there was a way to escape. He began pounding on the door and yelling for someone to acknowledge him. After a few minutes of pounding, he stepped back as the door opened. There stood Bill Mason, with Scully hunched over his left arm, and a gun in the other.
M-What did you do to her?
B-We we're just having a good time. Don't worry though, the real fun will happen soon.
He threw her into Mulder's arms, and locked the door behind him as he left.
Mulder quickly laid Scully to the ground with her head cradled in his lap.
M-Scully, wake up…come on wake up…
He took a close look at her face and could see that she had bruises around her eyes, and that her lip was split. He glanced down and saw her blouse was torn and buttons were missing. He felt anger and rage fill him at the thought of that bastard putting one finger on his Scully. Mulder leaned back against a stack of boxes, pulling Scully to lean against his body. He caressed the soft battered skin of her face, trying to think of a way to get her out of there. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief and licked the corner of it, to clean up the dried blood on her lip. About a half hour later, she started to come too. Strong binds held her in place making her remember that Mason had taken her. Her body trembled and shook violently trying to get out of the arms of her kidnapper. She screamed out loud as a sharp pain soared through her side. Mulder grabbed her closer burying her face in his chest while saying comforting words to calm her down. She opened her eyes at the husky sound of his voice and wrapped her arms around his waist.
S-Mulder…
M-Shhh, it's ok. I've got you.
Her Mulder. She knew that no matter what ever happened to her, he would always come for her. He leaned over and caressed her cheek making her smile. Seeing her smile made his heart pound, and a lopsided grin appear on his face. He wasn't sure if it was because he knew that she was all right, or he had hope for them getting out of there. Maybe it was the thought of knowing that if they were going to die, they were together. With out her, he was nothing. She was his lifeline, his touchstone.
S-You found me…
M-I will always find you, never doubt that again.
Never had his eyes had such a serious look, or the soft rasp of his voice, held so much truth.
S-How did you get here?
M- I don't know, I got hit from behind and woke up here. The important thing is, I still found you, or at least you found me.
She started to laugh, but pain ripped through her right side causing her to moan aloud and take a deep breath.
M-I think you have a cracked rib or two.
She nodded her head agreeing with him.
M-What did he do to you?
S-When I woke up, I was tied up in a chair. He kicked me in the stomach and slapped me a few times. He kept blaming me for the last eight years. He kept asking me about you.
M-What about me? What do I have to do with this?
S-He thinks we're lovers. He wants to torture you, by killing me.
M-Did he…did he touch you?
S-He groped a little, but promised a good show for you later.
M-Sick bastard. I'll never let him get close enough to lay a finger on you.
S-I know.
Mulder pulled her tighter within his embrace, being careful not to hurt her.
M-So he thinks we're lovers huh?
She nodded her head, with a slight blush creeping on her cheeks. She hoped the bruises on her face would conceal her embarrassment. Mulder helped her lean up and she stood up holding her side. Mulder stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned her back up against his chest and thought she imagined it when his lips gently touched the skin on the nape of her neck. He pulled her hair to the side exposing more of her delicate skin to view. He placed several more soft kisses along the side of her neck just below her ear lobe.
S-Mulder…
M-Hmm…
S-I can't…we can't…
She turned around in his arms to face him. Tears filled her eyes. He could see the doubt in her eyes and knew he had to convince her that they deserved a chance. He had to show her that they had passed the bounds of friendship long before this incident took place.
M-Why can't we? Are you telling me that when we kissed earlier, you felt nothing?
S-I…
She was confused, not knowing if taking the chance was worth ruining their friendship. His hand reached up and caressed her cheek. A simple gesture that he had done many times before, but now made her heart race. She leaned into his palm and closed her eyes.
M-Yes or no, that's all I want.
Scully wrapped her arms around his waist as he leaned his head down to the crook of neck. They held each other for what seemed like hours, Mulder waiting anxiously for her answer. Just as she was about to speak the door opened. Mason walked in to the room and watched as Mulder pulled her tighter within his embrace.
B-Well Dana, it looks like you've woken up.
M-What do you want Mason?
B-I want to pay Agent Scully back for all the kindness that she has bestowed upon me. Maybe I want to her to feel rejection from the person that she loves. Just like I did.
M-Well, if you thought that person was me, then you're wrong.
B-No I'm not. I've kept tabs on the two of you for the last eight years. Ever since her transfer to the X-Files, there has been talk about the two of you and your relationship.
M-Well, if you believe I love her, than you should know that it would be pretty damn hard for me to blame her for the shit you do. You're a rapist and a murderer. I highly doubt what ever you say or do to her would change my opinion.
B-Then you're a fool Mulder.
Mulder looked at Scully who was trying hard to stand her ground. He smiled at her as if letting her know that everything would be all right.
M-Well Mason, then it was never true love. It was never meant to last. If you truly loved someone, it wouldn't matter to you that they were raped, abused, scarred, anything that was beyond their control. I think it would only make me love her more.
B-Don't try to psychoanalyze me! I don't give a shit what you say Mulder. That bitch took away the last eight years of my fucking life! She's going to pay!
Mulder started to panic as Mason aimed the gun at Scully, clearly loosing his temper and control.
B-Let's see just how much you love our precious Dana.
M-Think about what you're doing. How long will you be able to hide? The FBI is on to you. They know of your escape, you've got no wear to go.
Scully took a few steps behind Mulder toward one of the tall stacks of boxes.
B-What makes you think I want to keep on living? Do you honestly think I escaped, just to go right back? I had one intention when I got out. I wanted my revenge. That's all I want, nothing more.
Mulder watched as Scully tried to cause a distraction, he just had to keep the lunatic talking.
M-So you're saying that you're going to kill her, and then kill yourself.
B-All will be right in the world and I shall meet my maker.
M-Nothing like a big bang huh?
Mulder ducked to the ground as Scully rammed her shoulder into the stack of boxes to create a diversion. The force of the hit knocked her to the ground as dozens of boxes collapsed on Mason, making him drop his gun. Mulder dove on him and the two rolled around on the floor. He thought he had the upper hand for a moment until Mason landed a strong blow to his jaw. He fell back to the floor dazed for a second. Scully saw Mason heading for his gun, which had landed a few feet from where he was. She looked at Mulder and watched as he slowly leaned up, and forced herself to stand up. She ran towards her partner and watched as Mason picked up the gun and aimed at Mulder. She tried to get to him but felt as if she were running in slow motion.
S-Mulder!
Mulder spinned around to see what she was yelling at. She jumped in front of him just as the trigger was pulled. The shot blasted forward, the sound echoing in the old warehouse. The force of the impact knocked Scully backwards falling into Mulder. They landed roughly on the ground, Scully's limp form sprawled out on top of him. He leaned forward and rolled her over, gasping at the amount of blood she had already lost.
M-Scully! No!
B- Now you know how it feels to lose the one you love. My revenge is complete.
Mulder looked up at Mason and knew what he was talking about. If Scully died, he did exactly what he set out to. He watched as Mason put the gun to his head and closed his eyes as the second shot that night billowed through the air. Mulder returned his attention to Scully, who was barely breathing. He applied pressure to the wound and hoisted her up in his arms.
M-Come on Scully… hold on… just hold on….
He carried her out of the room and made his way outside with her. Upon walking a block and not seeing a person insight, he ran to the payphone that was about fifteen feet away. He called 911 and gave them the information. He knew he couldn't make it to the hospital himself in time. She was losing too much blood.
He laid her down and put more pressure on the wound.
M-Damn it Scully, come on. Stay strong. Help is on the way.
A moment later he could hear sirens in the background. He watched as the EMS team pulled up to where they were. They got her loaded in the truck and hooked up to in IV. Mulder jumped in the ambulance beside her and watched as the heart monitor dropped dramatically. They were losing her. He was losing her.
M-No, damn it Scully don't die on me!
P-Sir, get out of the way, we're doing our best!
Everything became a blur as he watched the two paramedics charge the paddles and inject syringes in to her IV cord. His body jerked every time he saw the paddles shock her body making her small frame bounce on the gurney. They were greeted by a couple of doctors and nurses when they arrived at the ER and immediately took her to surgery. Mulder called Skinner to let him know everything that had happened. He quickly got off the phone and made his way to the hospital.
S-Mulder, how is she?
M-I haven't heard anything.
S-Where's Mason?
M-He's dead. He's at the warehouse on Fifth St. It's my fault.
S-What are you talking about?
M-She got shot because of me. She took my bullet
S-You would have done the same for her.
M-I didn't get to tell her. There's so much I have to say.
S-Mulder, why don't you go home and rest?
M-No, I need to hear how she's doing.
Skinner nodded his head, knowing that Mulder would never leave Scully at a time like this.
M-Agent Taft is dead.
S-How?
M-When I left Scully's apartment tonight, I went over to the car. I just wanted to remind him to stay alert. I knocked on the window and he didn't budge. I opened the door and he fell over. His throat had been split. I went to call for backup, as I reached for the radio I was knocked out. I woke up a couple of hours later in the warehouse.
S-I'm going to make a few phone calls, let me know if you hear anything.
M-Yeah
He watched Skinner walk down the hall dialing numbers on his cell phone. He looked back at the doors of the operating room and prayed that Scully would make it through this. She had to. He knew that he wouldn't be able to live without her. The scene replayed in his mind over and over from when she called his name. He looked at her then he heard the gunshot. He felt her body slump against him as they fell to the ground. Tears filled his eyes. He had promised her that everything would be all right. He fucked up. Now she was in the hospital having surgery, trying to hold on for dear life.
Skinner walked back over to Mulder and handed him a cup of coffee.
S-Have you called Ms. Scully yet?
M-No.
S-I can do it if you want.
M-Don't call her till we here something.
A moment later, a doctor walked out of the OR. Mulder looked up at him, and felt his stomach tighten at the blood that was on his scrubs. Scully's blood.
M-How is she doctor?
Dr-Right now she is in stable condition. She lost a lot of blood, but luckily for her, the bullet only grazed her small intestine. Another inch and it may have been another story. We were able to patch her up.
M-When can I see her?
Dr.-Right now she is under sedation. She probably won't awaken until tomorrow. I would advise no visitors until then. She needs her rest. I suggest that you go home and do the same.
M-I'm not going anywhere.
Dr- Mr. Mulder, there's nothing more you can do for her here. You can visit her tomorrow after 12 o'clock.
M-I'll be out in the lobby, let me know if anything changes.
The doctor smiled at the determined agent and shook hands with both the men. They watched in silence as he retreated back to the OR.
S-Mulder, I know better than to tell you to go home, but promise to get some rest.
M-I will. See you tomorrow Sir.
He patted Mulder on the back and left the hospital. He walked back over to the chair he had been sitting at and said a silent prayer of thanks. Nothing would keep him from telling Scully how he felt tomorrow. He took off his jacket and balled it up into a pillow and lay back on the chairs. He awoke the next morning and quickly looked at his watch. It was only 9:35. He had almost another 2 ½ hours. He walked over to the nurse's station and asked if there had been any updates. The nurse looked at the chart for a moment and looked up at him with a smile.
N-She woke up at about 7:30 this morning. Vitals look good. She's still on pain medication, she'll probably be out for another couple of hours.
M-Did she say anything?
N-I'm not sure, the nurse who checked on her this morning went home about an hour ago.
M-I'm going to be down at the cafeteria, can you call me if she wakes up?
N-No problem.
He walked down to the cafeteria and bought a doughnut and newspaper. He read the paper for about an hour and looked at his watch. It was going on 11:00 and he hoped they could bend the rules a bit so he could see Scully. After much pressuring, then finally begging, they agreed to let him go in and see her. He grabbed a small bouquet of flowers and headed to her room. He stood outside the door for moment, looking at her small battered frame. She was extremely pale. The bruises on her face were turning deep shades of blue and purple. He walked in the room and sat the flowers down on the table. He pulled up a chair next to her bed and sat down.
M-Hey beautiful, I'm here…
He picked up her tiny hand and brought it to his lips then rubbed it against his cheek. It felt so good just to be able to see her and touch her again. He laid his head down on the bed, with her hand tucked beneath him. A short while later, Scully began to wake up. She slowly opened her eyes and felt a smile come to her face when she saw Mulder asleep at her bedside. She ran her fingers through his soft brown hair. He jumped up at the feel of her hand in his hair and joyous tears filled his eyes.
M-You're awake. How do you feel?
S-Like I've been shot.
He chuckled and pulled her hand to his lips.
S-Don't make me laugh, it hurts. Where's Mason?
M-He's dead.
S-I was so afraid this morning. I woke up and the nurse didn't know anything about you. I had her check the registry, but you weren't on it.
M-I'm fine.
His hand gently caressed her cheek and she winced when his fingertips grazed one of the bruises.
S-I must look a wreck.
M-You look beautiful.
She blushed at the comment and looked away.
M-Honestly, purple is definitely your color.
She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes.
S-Mulder…
M-What?
S-Yes I do.
M-You do what?
S-Last night you asked me a question. I never got to give you an answer…I did feel it. I do. I think I always have. I need you.
M-You already had me.
S-I want you.
M-I want you too.
He leaned his forehead against hers and took a deep breath.
M- Last night, I watched as you were dieing in my arms, and I realized what I already new all along. I'm completely, helplessly, madly in love with you.
She framed his face with both of her hands and pulled him close to her.
S-Mulder, I love you so much.
Mulder's face lit up in a big grin as he leaned over to kiss her. She pulled his head closer and parted her lips to his. He couldn't believe it. She loved him. He wrapped his arms around her carefully, so as not to hurt her, and deepened the kiss. One simple kiss had released seven years of pent up emotion. His thumb wiped away a tear that had spilled down her cheek.
M-I'm going to spend the rest of my life making you happy.
S-I already am.
She pulled him close for another kiss, his tongue gently tasting the curves inside her mouth. The desire and heat radiating from her body was enough to send Mulder into overdrive. Mulder pulled away as he heard the heart monitor speed up and the loud beeps coming pretty quick.
M-Maybe we should slow it down a bit. We don't need the nurses coming in here to see what's wrong with you.
She smiled and pulled him closer for another kiss.
S-It took us eight years to get to here, and you want to slow down?
M-There will be plenty of time for that once you are out of here.
He planted soft kisses on her forehead, nose and lips. There was a knock at the door and Skinner walked in the room to see Mulder practically lying on top of Scully kissing her.
Sk-I see someone is doing better.
Scully blushed a bright shade of crimson as Mulder climbed off of her.
S-Hello sir.
Sk-I just stopped by to say that I hope you are feeling better, and that I'm putting you on leave for two weeks.
M-Leave?
Sk-Rest and recuperation. It looks like you both will need it.
All three laughed aloud at Skinner's comment and they knew everything would be all right.


THE END!! PLEASE REVIEW, I MAY DO A SEQUEL!!!