**This story will go one of either two ways…I'm thinking of solving the case and concentrating on the MSR but I'm not sure…should I? Nothing like a bit of fluff on a late rainy evening right? **
As she made her way through the bullpen she spotted agent Watters sitting at the centre table with three other Agents. He beckoned her over and pulled out a seat at the small table.
"How is Agent Mulder doing?" he asked immediately.
"He's awake, but he's sustained considerable trauma to the left side of his head, resulting in amnesia." Her words stunned and silenced the other men.
"How bad is it?"
"He has retained full working knowledge but no specific personal facts. Like I'm sure he'll be able to continue profiling, but he couldn't tell you his address."
"How long will it last?"
"It's difficult to tell. It could be a few days, a week…a year."
She reached up and brushed her hair away from her face, her tiredness showing through. She expected the questions but didn't expect it would be so hard to talk about. Agent Watters noticed her discomfort and began to shuffle the papers in front of him. The others got the silent message and abruptly busied themselves looking for the ever-elusive page. Scully silently sighed, relieved to be away from their scrutiny.
"The match came through about an hour ago," Simpson began. "Michael Carson, Aged 38 resides…or rather resided in Ohio, Columbus Ohio. Student Housing. We have no current address yet."
"How did you get the match?" Scully asked.
"It seems that he gave blood, prints and DNA sampling to a University program. He shouldn't be too hard to track. Any hospital visits or traffic tickets, anything like that, should highlight his location."
"We found something at the scene," Agent Reilly said quickly, eager to share his information. The mixture of wonder and excitement on his face made her think of Mulder but she pushed it away and tried to concentrate. "There was no trace of any rig set up or any protection he might have wore. The friction on the roof or from the windowsill would have been evident had a rig been set up. But we did find this..." He passed around photos of the wall with prints clearly marked from the window to the fire escape. "It's like he walked on all fours to get across the wall."
"How is that possible?" Watters asked.
"I don't know…" they all turned to Scully.
"If Mulder was here he'd make some joke about Spiderman," she said, unaware that she'd said it out loud until she heard the ripple of laughter chorus around the table.
"He was a science Student majoring in Microbiology," Simpson added as if for an explanation.
"Could he have developed…some sort of…" Watters began but his words faded out.
"The two assailants were identified by Agents Burns and Doyle. They are John Markus and Mike Lennon." Agent Salmon stood to hand out the profiles. "Both of them served time on Rikers and we're searching for a connection to Carson. John Markus was arrested for illegal genetic testing and Mike Lennon was in for gun smuggling."
"That doesn't seem to be a great match," Simpson said.
"Depends on what you're planning."
"No weapons have been used in any heist by Carson," Scully said
"None that we know of. Not yet."
"I have a team ready to go tonight on a suspected location of these two." Agent Salmon slapped the pages in front of him and turned to Watters. "All I need is your GO sir."
"You got it. What team did you pick?"
"I got Agent Doyle's team, less Agent Burns."
"How is he doing?"
"Bad shoulder injury, looks like he'll be taking desk duty for a while after he gets out."
A sombre silence fell around them and Scully's thoughts displayed an image of Mulder lying on the hospital bed. She couldn't imagine him filling in a desk position happily but with the state he was in at the moment she couldn't imagine him filling in any position at the FBI. Her thoughts came crashing back to the present as she heard them talking about the raid that would take place that night. Her annoyance at not being asked to participate was dissolved when she felt a dull throb start in her head. Any idea she had about involving herself died. Suddenly the four men stood and began to gather their papers. She slowly fixed the profiles she'd been handed and fit them into her briefcase. As the other men left Agent Watters sat back down.
"Agent Scully," he said softly. "I was speaking to AD Skinner and he asked me to give you some time away from the case. But I thought you'd rather decide that for yourself. The raid is leaving the south garage at 10pm if you want to join them give Agent Salmon a shout."
"Thank you Agent Watters."
"If you want to drop the case at any point, please don't hesitate to talk to me."
"I'll be fine." She smiled at him grateful for the equal treatment he extended to her. She worked so hard for it that when it was handed to her she really did appreciate it. "I'll be working with Agent Simpson on the background search."
***
"Fox Mulder, FBI," he said not for the first time to the ceiling. He'd been lying in the bed all day, alone, save for the few nurses that checked his vitals, more out of curiosity as to who he was rather than necessity. His headache had subsided enough for him to sit up out of the bed and stagger over to the bathroom. Leaning against the sink and staring at his own strange reflection, he pulled at his face as if it were a new suit.
"FBI Freeze," he said to the mirror. With a little laugh he made his way back to the bed, thankful for the private room, as his hospital gown was surely covering nothing.
It had been hours since Dana Scully had breezed in and he still found it hard not to think about her. Maybe it was because he had so few memories he told himself. The image of her standing in front of him when she'd brushed aside his hair was flashing constantly before him and he made no effort to remove it.
The door opened slowly and he watched a tall man enter, a small smile on his face. He approached the bed and placed a bunch of flowers on the table beside it.
"Hello, I'm Walter Skinner."
"Fox Mulder." He stuck out his hand and the stranger looked at it for a minute before shaking it. "Are you from the FBI?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"A guess."
"I'm your boss."
"My boss? Visiting me in hospital? I must have been good at what I did."
"You were…you are." Skinner struggled to speak to him. "How are you feeling?"
"Confused. A little worried but they told me not to think about it. It should all fall back when I least expect it."
"You don't believe them?"
"I'm trying to but you know…it's hard." Skinner watched him for a minute and saw so little of the Mulder he'd worked with for the past four years.
"Well there will be a place for you at the FBI whether you regain your memories or not."
"Will there?" Mulder was more than surprised.
"Of course you'll need to go through requalification tests but from what Agent Scully has said that shouldn't be a problem."
At the mention of her name another flash burned into his eyes and he suppressed the smile his face itched to break into.
"Mr. Mulder?" A nurse walked in pushing an empty wheel chair. Skinner took a step back and allowed her to stop the chair by the bed.
"It's good to see you Mulder, I'll see you soon." Skinner turned and left as the nurse came over to him.
"Now Mr. Mulder…"
"Please call me Fox."
"Well Fox, we have an appointment down in Neurology for a CT Scan." She unfolded the blue blanket from the seat and urged him to sit into it.
"Cant I just walk?"
"No," she said flatly. He managed to step out of the bed and with only one hand found it hard to keep his gown closed. "Come on now, it isn't anything I've not seen before!" With an increasing blush he sat into the chair and took the blanket she laid over his lap.
"So how are you feeling?"
"Still a bit confused."
"Hopefully you'll be right as rain in a few days."
"Yeah…hopefully." He mirrored her words but felt none of her optimism.
***
"Excuse me miss, but visiting hours are over."
Scully had hoped to walk by without being noticed but the night nurse at the station seemed to have little to do.
"I know but I have been working all day and haven't had a chance to get in to see him."
"I understand but the rules are there for the patients benefit. It's half ten."
"Do you mind if I just drop some things in?" she held up a small bag she'd been carrying.
"To who?"
"Mr Mulder in room 219"
"Oh Fox. Of course you can. But you mustn't stay long."
"Thank you."
Scully walked on quickly and wondered briefly at the nurse's use of his first name. As she came to his room she opened the door slowly and noticed how dark it was in side. Giving her eyes a second to adjust she closed the door behind her and the click seemed to resonate loudly around the room. She could see him laying still on the bed his outline clear in the moonlight that shone through the half closed blinds. His breathing was undetectable so she gently laid the bag on the end of the bed and sat down into the chair. Her evening had been spent with Agent Simpson who left with the raid at 10pm. She had gone down to the garage and seen the team off but opted not to join them as her aching limbs screamed for some attention. Resting her elbows on he thighs she let her head fall into her hands, her hair falling around them. She didn't hear the soft rustle of the sheets until a hand reached out and touched the back of her neck. Long strong fingers gently rubbed its base and she revelled in their touch.
"Bad day?" he said softly and she almost let him continue before she sat up causing him to drop his hand onto his lap. He switched the bedside lamp on that showered them in a soft light.
"Yes, a long one." She stood and collected the bag from the end of the bed. "I got you some things from your apartment."
Mulder took the bag and looked in to see some toiletries and a blue pair of pyjamas. He wasn't sure which pleased him more, the sight of comfortable bedclothes or the thought that she had a key to his apartment and obviously knew his sleeping habits enough to know what he'd like to wear.
"Thanks, this gown is killing me." He stood shakily and carried the pyjamas into the bathroom. The warm feeling of relief that washed over her as he walked across the room surprised her. Happy that he was awake, delighted that he was walking.
"So were you busy at work?" he called through the still open door.
"Yeah. A lot of research needs to be done to see if we can locate the guy that…the suspect."
He emerged from the bathroom barefoot wearing only the pyjama bottoms, with one side of them pulled up higher than the other and carrying the top in his good hand.
"It's good to see you walking."
"I got too bored to lie about." He held his free hand up high through the sleeve and tried to drop the top over his shoulders. He struggled for a while leaning back into the bed.
"Here," Scully stepped over to the bed and found herself standing between his legs. "Let me."
He let his arm drop and sat forward suddenly realising how close she was standing to him, she tried to ignore the caress of his breath against her neck as she reached around his back to grab his top. With his left arm still fixed to his chest she gently covered it and started to button it up.
"Thanks," he murmured, his eyes fixed on the spot where her neck met her shoulder. "I had a CT Scan today," he blurted out, eager to relieve the tension that had suddenly risen between them.
"Oh? Any news?"
"Dr Macey says that the swelling has gone down a lot. He said that I should be fit to go home by Monday."
"Monday? So soon?"
"Yeah."
"How does that make you feel?"
"You sound like a psychologist," he joked.
"No, just a friend."
"I guess it makes me feel scared. I don't even know where I live." He reached down and fiddled with the last button on his top.
"I'll take you."
He looked up and saw her concerned look. She was smiling but he could tell she didn't feel like it. She looked tired he thought and wished he could help her relax. But he didn't know anymore what would make her relax, what would stop her thinking about the trying day she'd obviously been through. She noticed his silence and felt his stare.
"Everyone at work sends their wishes." He knew she was trying to change the subject so he didn't push.
"So are you working tomorrow?"
"I have an early morning meeting but after that no."
"Working on a Sunday, this FBI job sounds better and better the more I hear about it."
"It's a case, on a case you work until it's solved. Then you get your rest. After all the reports have been written and approved."
"So what kind of cases have we solved?"
"It's hard to describe…unusual cases. We work on something called the X-files. Any unexplainable phenomena that crops up usually ends up one way or another in our office."
"Unexplained? Like what?"
Despite herself Scully smiled. The conversation was mirroring one she'd had with her father shortly after her assignment to the X-Files. It was hard to explain the hard work they went through case after case to someone who would see it as only chasing little green men.
"Well…" she hesitated, not sure how he would take it. "Anything involving the paranormal like telekinesis, psycho kinesis, telepathy unexplained disappearances, genetic mutation…pretty much anything you can think of. We've probably got a case on it somewhere." Mulder's face froze and his eyes widened as she went through the list.
"Are you kidding?"
"No. No I'm not." Scully watched him closely but saw only shock. Not sure whether she wanted to laugh or cry she tried to keep her emotions at bay. A soft knock at the door made them both turn to see a nurse step in.
"I'm sorry but you had better leave."
"Of course." She stood and stepped away from the bed. Turning to him she found him watching her, a sad smile tugging on his lips. "You okay?"
"Yeah…just...it doesn't matter…"
"What is it Mulder," she reached over and took his hand in a gentle squeeze.
"Thanks for coming by."
"It's no problem. I'll see you tomorrow around lunch time." She paused for a moment and he wondered what thoughts were flying through her mind. Rummaging in her pocket she pulled out a business card and a pen and quickly jotted something down. Holding it out to him he took it and saw two phone numbers. "That's my home and mobile numbers, you can call me anytime you need me. Okay?"
"Thanks."
She took his hand again and gently rubbed her thumb over the middle of his palm send tingling sensations ripple through his arm. With a small smile he lay back in to the pillows watching as the nurse lead her away.
** So if you think I should go for total MSR and drop the Case file let me know… And spare a thought for me living in Ireland surrounded by rain 24/7 (dammit doesn't the weather man know it's summer?)…Remember RAIN + MSR = FLUFF !!!**
