Chapter eight - Is It Too Late?
Walter Skinner looked at the hunched over form sipping coffee in the hospital waiting room. He had to pull a lot of strings to get out to Idaho in the middle of the night, but he knew he had to be there.
"Sir"
"Mulder, how's Scully?"
"I don't know. They took her and Krycek into the hospital together and once I got here, they refused to let me near her and they won't tell me why."
"And the other man, Krycek wasn't it?"
"He is surgery but I think he will survive. I can't believe it. Even with all that medication flowing through her body and with all she was going through, she still managed to nail him without really hurting him."
"How so"
"Clean shot right through his right shoulder. She made sure he couldn't hurt me any more without destroying our witness."
Mulder stopped and tried to collect himself. Skinner could see he was besides himself with worry about his partner and friend.
They were about to take a seat when I doctor approached them. "Agent Mulder"
Mulder turned to the doctor and quickly introduced Skinner to him. The doctor nodded his acknowledgement to Skinner and continued.
"Your suspect is out of surgery and in recovery. You should be able to speak with him in an hour or so."
"Is he being guarded adequately?"
"I have asked for two men to be placed on him immediately."
"I want to be there when he wakes up Sir. He may know how to help Scully."
At the mention of Scully's name, the doctor seemed to get a bit nervous. Mulder picked up on "Doctor, what's wrong with Scully."
"I didn't examine her myself, but spoke to the doctors who did down in the ER."
"And?"
"She became so agitated that they had to sedate her. They have placed her in the psych ward for observation."
Mulder made a move to leave. "I need to go see her."
The doctor placed his hand on Mulder's arm, stopping him. "No rush. They pumped her full of sedatives. She will be out for quite a while."
Skinner chimed in. "I think our time would be better spent talking to this Krycek. The more we know about the substance in question, the better."
It was agreed then to concentrate first on Krycek and the answers he could provide and then Scully. It killed Mulder to be away from her, but he knew it was his best chance of helping her.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Skinner and Mulder walked down the ward in search of Krycek's room. Mulder stomach began to sink as they approached the room and saw no guards watching the door.
He charged into the room to find it empty.
Skinner ran down towards the nurses' station and asked about the patient in Room 1013. His heart sank when he heard the response.
"He was transferred to another facility about 20 minutes ago."
Skinner walked over to talk to Mulder who had already come to the conclusion that Krycek was long gone.
"Scully - what if they try to take her too"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The hospital's psych ward tried to maintain a look of cheerfulness with brightly colored walls and furnishing but one couldn't escape the overwhelming sense of gloom that hung over the ward.
Mulder shuttered as he walked towards the nurses' desk. He hated to think of Scully being in a place like this, let alone having to stay here.
He and Skinner flashed their credentials to the nurse on duty. She seemed unimpressed.
Skinner did the talking. "I am Assistant Director, Walter Skinner and I would like to get some information on one of my agents who is currently under your care."
"Are either of you next of kin?"
"No, I am her partner and this is her superior - we need to know her status."
"I am sorry but I can only give out that information to next of kin."
Mulder looked like he was about to jump over the desk and strangle the nurse but Skinner put a restraining hand on him. "May we talk to however is in charge."
"I am the one in charge here and I am afraid I can't help you."
"Is there anyone who can?"
"The doctors are making rounds right now. When they are done, I can have someone talk to you. In the meantime, I would suggest you get a member of her family in here."
Skinner and Mulder removed themselves to the waiting room.
"Mulder, I will call Mrs. Scully"
"No, I should really be the one to do it."
"Fine, tell her to take the next flight out here and that I will meet her at the airport."
Mulder took out his cell phone and dialed Maggie Scully's number. She answered quickly.
"Hello, Mrs. Scully. It's Fox Mulder.."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After securing Maggie Scully the most direct flight possible out to Idaho, Skinner and Mulder waited to talk to Scully's doctor.
It seemed like forever until he finished up his rounds and escorted them into his office.
"Gentlemen, I understand your position but due to the sensitive nature of what we do here, we really cannot give you access to her without her family's consent. But, Agent Mulder, since her identification does list you as emergency contact, I will give you a basic idea of what is going on with Agent Scully."
"Agent Scully is in a very agitated state. At your request, Agent Mulder, we did run a tox screen on her and found several very unusual substances in her blood. We are not entirely sure what these substances are doing to her and whether or not their affects can be reversed."
"At present Agent Scully is not being sedated but is still very upset. She keeps saying 'sorry' over and over again and mentions your name quite a bit - although we cannot tell if she is seeking your help or trying to hide from you. She also keeps saying that she wants it just to end. We have her under suicide watch."
"May I see her, please."
The doctor was going to say no until he saw the look of pure anguish on Mulder's face.
"I imagine you watching her through the monitor couldn't hurt anyone."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some eight hours later, that is where Maggie Scully and Skinner found Mulder - sitting in front of the monitor transfixed by the image of Scully sitting and rocking in the corner of the room. She was obviously saying something but the microphones in the room couldn't pick it up.
Maggie walked over to Fox and touched his shoulder lightly. They hugged briefly.
"Fox, is there somewhere private we can talk. I want to know everything. Will you excuse us Walter."
Skinner nodded and watched them head out looking for an empty room in which they could speak. He turned his attention back to the monitor and shook his head. He wasn't sure if even Mulder could save her now.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maggie and Mulder found an empty room. Mulder perched himself on the bed with Maggie taking the chair next to it.
He took a deep breath and started at the beginning telling Maggie everything - except for the more intimate details of her relationship with Krycek.
Maggie listened intently trying to absorb everything that Mulder told her. She had enough experience with her daughter's working life that she pretty much believed everything Mulder said without question.
"Fox, do you think you can bring her back?"
"I am not sure Mrs. Scully. I still have this" he showed her the vial he had taken from the research facility "But I don't know for sure what it will do to her."
Maggie nodded and rose from her chair. "I think it about time you and I met with her doctor"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scully's doctor listened patiently to everything Mulder had to say and then basically told him that he was crazy.
"So, Agent Mulder, what you are telling me is that you want to inject her with the same stuff that put her in this position to begin with and try to brainwash her again to put her back to normal."
Mulder nodded.
"To be honest with you, it sounds more like something out of a science fiction TV show than a practical solution to our problem."
Skinner chimed in "What do you suggest Doctor?"
"I suggest we monitor her closely and wait and see if she approves on her own. You, yourself said that you have no idea how long the affects of the medication will last."
Mulder was going to start in on the doctor when he was interrupted by the calm voice of Maggie Scully. "Doctor you are willing to leave my daughter like that? To do nothing?"
"Of course we will be doing something Mrs. Scully. We will be monitoring constantly."
"Excuse me Doctor, I don't want to be rude, but I can tell a brush off when I see one." She reached over and picked up Mulder's hand.
"Fox has saved my daughter's life more times than I can count. She trusts him with her life and so do I. If Fox thinks this is what's best, then I think we should try it."
"Mrs. Scully, I think you should reconsider"
"Doctor, my mind is made up"
Mulder smiled once again realizing from where Scully got her stubborn streak.
The doctor sighed resigned to the fact that he wasn't going to win this particular argument.
"Well, it is getting late and this may take a while. How about we meet back here at 9am tomorrow morning? Then we will administer the medication and watch Mulder do his magic."
Everyone agreed and it was decided that Skinner would take Maggie to the hotel to try and get some rest. Mulder, would go over with them, shower and change and then return back to the hospital so he could watch over Scully.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The night passed slowly for all three of them. Skinner did his best to take Maggie's mind off of Scully and the two really enjoyed each other's company.
Mulder was back at the hospital within a hour and resumed his silent watch over his partner.
When Skinner walked Maggie to her room, she gave him a peck on the cheek and thanked him for being there for her and her daughter. Before closing the door she asked him one last question.
"Do you think Mulder can save her?"
"If he can't, no one can"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ end of chapter eight
Walter Skinner looked at the hunched over form sipping coffee in the hospital waiting room. He had to pull a lot of strings to get out to Idaho in the middle of the night, but he knew he had to be there.
"Sir"
"Mulder, how's Scully?"
"I don't know. They took her and Krycek into the hospital together and once I got here, they refused to let me near her and they won't tell me why."
"And the other man, Krycek wasn't it?"
"He is surgery but I think he will survive. I can't believe it. Even with all that medication flowing through her body and with all she was going through, she still managed to nail him without really hurting him."
"How so"
"Clean shot right through his right shoulder. She made sure he couldn't hurt me any more without destroying our witness."
Mulder stopped and tried to collect himself. Skinner could see he was besides himself with worry about his partner and friend.
They were about to take a seat when I doctor approached them. "Agent Mulder"
Mulder turned to the doctor and quickly introduced Skinner to him. The doctor nodded his acknowledgement to Skinner and continued.
"Your suspect is out of surgery and in recovery. You should be able to speak with him in an hour or so."
"Is he being guarded adequately?"
"I have asked for two men to be placed on him immediately."
"I want to be there when he wakes up Sir. He may know how to help Scully."
At the mention of Scully's name, the doctor seemed to get a bit nervous. Mulder picked up on "Doctor, what's wrong with Scully."
"I didn't examine her myself, but spoke to the doctors who did down in the ER."
"And?"
"She became so agitated that they had to sedate her. They have placed her in the psych ward for observation."
Mulder made a move to leave. "I need to go see her."
The doctor placed his hand on Mulder's arm, stopping him. "No rush. They pumped her full of sedatives. She will be out for quite a while."
Skinner chimed in. "I think our time would be better spent talking to this Krycek. The more we know about the substance in question, the better."
It was agreed then to concentrate first on Krycek and the answers he could provide and then Scully. It killed Mulder to be away from her, but he knew it was his best chance of helping her.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Skinner and Mulder walked down the ward in search of Krycek's room. Mulder stomach began to sink as they approached the room and saw no guards watching the door.
He charged into the room to find it empty.
Skinner ran down towards the nurses' station and asked about the patient in Room 1013. His heart sank when he heard the response.
"He was transferred to another facility about 20 minutes ago."
Skinner walked over to talk to Mulder who had already come to the conclusion that Krycek was long gone.
"Scully - what if they try to take her too"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The hospital's psych ward tried to maintain a look of cheerfulness with brightly colored walls and furnishing but one couldn't escape the overwhelming sense of gloom that hung over the ward.
Mulder shuttered as he walked towards the nurses' desk. He hated to think of Scully being in a place like this, let alone having to stay here.
He and Skinner flashed their credentials to the nurse on duty. She seemed unimpressed.
Skinner did the talking. "I am Assistant Director, Walter Skinner and I would like to get some information on one of my agents who is currently under your care."
"Are either of you next of kin?"
"No, I am her partner and this is her superior - we need to know her status."
"I am sorry but I can only give out that information to next of kin."
Mulder looked like he was about to jump over the desk and strangle the nurse but Skinner put a restraining hand on him. "May we talk to however is in charge."
"I am the one in charge here and I am afraid I can't help you."
"Is there anyone who can?"
"The doctors are making rounds right now. When they are done, I can have someone talk to you. In the meantime, I would suggest you get a member of her family in here."
Skinner and Mulder removed themselves to the waiting room.
"Mulder, I will call Mrs. Scully"
"No, I should really be the one to do it."
"Fine, tell her to take the next flight out here and that I will meet her at the airport."
Mulder took out his cell phone and dialed Maggie Scully's number. She answered quickly.
"Hello, Mrs. Scully. It's Fox Mulder.."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After securing Maggie Scully the most direct flight possible out to Idaho, Skinner and Mulder waited to talk to Scully's doctor.
It seemed like forever until he finished up his rounds and escorted them into his office.
"Gentlemen, I understand your position but due to the sensitive nature of what we do here, we really cannot give you access to her without her family's consent. But, Agent Mulder, since her identification does list you as emergency contact, I will give you a basic idea of what is going on with Agent Scully."
"Agent Scully is in a very agitated state. At your request, Agent Mulder, we did run a tox screen on her and found several very unusual substances in her blood. We are not entirely sure what these substances are doing to her and whether or not their affects can be reversed."
"At present Agent Scully is not being sedated but is still very upset. She keeps saying 'sorry' over and over again and mentions your name quite a bit - although we cannot tell if she is seeking your help or trying to hide from you. She also keeps saying that she wants it just to end. We have her under suicide watch."
"May I see her, please."
The doctor was going to say no until he saw the look of pure anguish on Mulder's face.
"I imagine you watching her through the monitor couldn't hurt anyone."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some eight hours later, that is where Maggie Scully and Skinner found Mulder - sitting in front of the monitor transfixed by the image of Scully sitting and rocking in the corner of the room. She was obviously saying something but the microphones in the room couldn't pick it up.
Maggie walked over to Fox and touched his shoulder lightly. They hugged briefly.
"Fox, is there somewhere private we can talk. I want to know everything. Will you excuse us Walter."
Skinner nodded and watched them head out looking for an empty room in which they could speak. He turned his attention back to the monitor and shook his head. He wasn't sure if even Mulder could save her now.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maggie and Mulder found an empty room. Mulder perched himself on the bed with Maggie taking the chair next to it.
He took a deep breath and started at the beginning telling Maggie everything - except for the more intimate details of her relationship with Krycek.
Maggie listened intently trying to absorb everything that Mulder told her. She had enough experience with her daughter's working life that she pretty much believed everything Mulder said without question.
"Fox, do you think you can bring her back?"
"I am not sure Mrs. Scully. I still have this" he showed her the vial he had taken from the research facility "But I don't know for sure what it will do to her."
Maggie nodded and rose from her chair. "I think it about time you and I met with her doctor"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scully's doctor listened patiently to everything Mulder had to say and then basically told him that he was crazy.
"So, Agent Mulder, what you are telling me is that you want to inject her with the same stuff that put her in this position to begin with and try to brainwash her again to put her back to normal."
Mulder nodded.
"To be honest with you, it sounds more like something out of a science fiction TV show than a practical solution to our problem."
Skinner chimed in "What do you suggest Doctor?"
"I suggest we monitor her closely and wait and see if she approves on her own. You, yourself said that you have no idea how long the affects of the medication will last."
Mulder was going to start in on the doctor when he was interrupted by the calm voice of Maggie Scully. "Doctor you are willing to leave my daughter like that? To do nothing?"
"Of course we will be doing something Mrs. Scully. We will be monitoring constantly."
"Excuse me Doctor, I don't want to be rude, but I can tell a brush off when I see one." She reached over and picked up Mulder's hand.
"Fox has saved my daughter's life more times than I can count. She trusts him with her life and so do I. If Fox thinks this is what's best, then I think we should try it."
"Mrs. Scully, I think you should reconsider"
"Doctor, my mind is made up"
Mulder smiled once again realizing from where Scully got her stubborn streak.
The doctor sighed resigned to the fact that he wasn't going to win this particular argument.
"Well, it is getting late and this may take a while. How about we meet back here at 9am tomorrow morning? Then we will administer the medication and watch Mulder do his magic."
Everyone agreed and it was decided that Skinner would take Maggie to the hotel to try and get some rest. Mulder, would go over with them, shower and change and then return back to the hospital so he could watch over Scully.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The night passed slowly for all three of them. Skinner did his best to take Maggie's mind off of Scully and the two really enjoyed each other's company.
Mulder was back at the hospital within a hour and resumed his silent watch over his partner.
When Skinner walked Maggie to her room, she gave him a peck on the cheek and thanked him for being there for her and her daughter. Before closing the door she asked him one last question.
"Do you think Mulder can save her?"
"If he can't, no one can"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ end of chapter eight