Skinner sat at his desk.  Sunday morning work had turned into Sunday lunchtime.  A small radio on his desk softly read the football scores into the otherwise silent room.  His glasses rested on the table between his elbows, his head hung in his hands.  Rubbing his eyes with the heals of his hands he sat back into his chair blinking rapidly until the room focused again. 

            Slipping on his glasses he picked up his pen and tapped it rhythmically on the edge of the table.  A soft and surprising knock made him look up to the opening door in time to see Agent Watters stick his head around.

"Sir?"

"Agent Watters, you're still here?"

"Yeah, my wife is going to kill me."

"What can I do for you?"

"Well sir I wanted to talk to you about the Carson case."

"Go on."  Skinner nodded towards the chair and Watters quickly passed through the room barely sitting on the edge of it.  Skinner noticed how he was ready to bolt for the door and a sheen of sweat covered his brow.

"I don't think I can continue with point…"

"Why not?"

"Sir I worked very closely with Agent Mulder when he was devising his profile.  I arranged the surveillance of the gallery…"

"If you're trying to convince me that you're not capable then you're going the wrong way about it."

"No sir, It's just that the fall…"

"Have you spoken to the counsellor?"

"Yes sir."

"Agent Watters," Skinner stood up from his chair and walked around the table.  Leaning against it he let his arms cross his chest. "I understand you are going through some problems and in a perfect world we could let you go, take some time off.  We are already three men down because of this dammed case and I'm not about to loose another one.  You said it yourself, you worked closely with Mulder for this profile so you know you're the best man to take over."

"Agent Scully-."

"Agent Scully is working on research and will still be available but having just…lost her partner I think we can afford to give her some room."

"I spoke to her this morning," he said softly.  "She seems some what determined to be fully involved."

            Skinner smiled.  Having worked with her for over five years he knew she would.  He tried to get Watters to give her less work but he knew she wouldn't hear of it.  She was always obstinate when it came to her work and now with Mulders injuries she became even more so.

"Agent Watters, go home.  Spend the day with your family and come back ready for the meeting in the bullpen tomorrow morning."

"Yes sir."  He stood and walked out of the room.  A young officer already in a position of power.  Skinner wondered if he made the right decision and returned to his desk and the files waiting patiently for his attention.

            Scully gently folded the omelette over in the pan and shook it tenderly making sure it wasn't fused to the pan.  They had driven to her apartment, in silence, a little over an hour ago.  He immediately started to look around, a strange smile on his lips.  She wandered into the kitchen to make some lunch, letting him explore by himself.  He walked slowly around her front room and let his fingers gently brush the spines of the books on her shelves as he read the titles, trying desperately to decipher any information he could about her.  Mostly they were medical publications with a few magazines, but one title caught his eye and he pulled it off the shelf.

"The Thief of Always by Clive Barker," he said to no one. 

            Leafing through the small book he paused at each of the illustrations and thought how strange it was for her to have this book stacked with her research files.  On the inside of the cover he found an inscription.  Looking up he saw her still in the kitchen reaching into a high cupboard for plates.  The cuff of her top rising above the rim of her jeans gave him a glimpse of her skin that yelled to be touched.  He focused back on the book and read the inscription.

"Scully, Fears we face are fears we control, Love Mulder."

            For a long moment he stared at the words, allowing his fingers to brush over the lettering.

"You gave me that about two months ago."

            Her voice so close startled him.  She stood beside him looking down at the book in his hands a sad smile tugging on her lips.  Without realising it he was matching her expression.

"What does it mean?" he asked showing her the inscription.

"It's a long story."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"I'll tell you about it over lunch, which by the way is ready."

            They sat at her kitchen table eating in silence for a while.

"So tell me," he urged.

"We were on a case out in Maine," she began.  "We had followed a suspect out to his home and settled in for a long stay.  The stakeout started at around eleven and I guess I fell asleep at maybe two AM." 

            She paused long enough to take a bite of her omelette and a sip of water.  He had cleared his plate and refused another.  Contentedly he sat and watched her eat, listening avidly to her story.  She remembered the night well and thought of it often.

A miserable rain fell against the window she rested her head on and lulled her into a restless sleep. For a while Mulder had continued to speak not realising she had fallen asleep.  Turning down the radio he leaned back into his chair and watched the dark windows for and sign of movement.  She'd been asleep for almost an hour before she started talking.  At first he thought she was snoring and he couldn't help but chuckle.  But then he heard her words.

"No…I'm not afraid."

          Leaning in closer he could see a soft sheen on her cheek from tears that had managed to break free from her thick lashes.  He reached out to her hands and found them cold and trembling.  The car heating was on enough to fog the windows so he pulled his trench coat from the back seat and draped it over her small body.  She turned into his heat and one cold hand reached out to gripped his suit jacket.

"No…don't leave…I am afraid," she murmured.

"Scully?" he called her name.  He knuckles were white from the tight grip he had on him. But suddenly she dropped it.

"Scully?" he called again.

          Her eyes fluttered open and she frowned at the sight of him leaning so close over her.

"I think you were dreaming." He sat back into his own chair.

"Was I?" she sat up and rubbed her face with her hands, surprised to find her cheek dampened from what few tears had fallen.

"You were talking in your sleep."

          Her hands stopped and she let them fall onto her lap.  Facing him she saw nothing but concern in his eyes and tried to smile for him.

"If it was a bad dream I cant remember it."

          He didn't believe her but he let it slide deciding not to push.

"Well you're in the right place for nightmares."

"What? In a cold car? On a rainy night? With you?" she said pleased that he changed the subject.

"In Maine.  Stephan King country."

"King didn't scare me."

"No? Who then? Who kept you awake at night one hand on the torch the other on your heart?"  His voice had lost all its tension and he pushed his words out in a whisper a faint impression of Vincent Price clinging to them.  She smiled letting his good mood embrace her.

"Clive Barker.  One of his books I read when I was young."

"Aww Scully, you're still young!"

"Thanks Mulder."

"Which book?"
"I'm not sure of the title, but it was about bored children that were lured away to this house where they could do what they liked, but it was basically a prison.  For some reason it chilled me to the bone.  The thought of it still does."

"The Thief of Always.  Barker did the illustrations as well."

"Have you read it?"

"Yeah.  Scared the hell outta me too!"

          They shared a smile.  It was one of his favourites.  She looked at him from under her lashes, her eyebrows arched slightly in the middle and her lips curved invitingly at their edges.  She snuggled deeper under his coat and tried not to enjoy being wrapped in his smell too much.

"Shortly after we got back from Maine you gave me that book."

            He didn't say anything and he watched her squirm under his scrutiny.   She stood and took his plate.  Dropping them into the sink.  He helped her clear everything away and stood next to her drying the dishes in companionable silence.

"I get the feeling that I don't usually call you Dana," he said suddenly.

"What do you mean?"

"Well every time I say it you get this look in your eyes."

"What look?"

"Kind of confused…a little sad."

            She busied herself scrubbing the pan, avoiding the gaze that she could feel on her face.

"So what do I usually call you?"

"Scully. You always called me Scully."

"Would you prefer I called you Scully now?"

"I preferred you called me whatever you felt comfortable with." She dropped the pan onto the draining board and turned to face him fully, her fingers covered in suds. 

"Well…if you'd like me to call you Scully I will."

"No really Mulder, what ever you want."

"And you call me Mulder?"

"Yeah."

"I suppose I insisted on that one."

"Yes you made it very clear."

"With a name like Fox can you blame me?  My parents must have been insane."

            She smiled a little wiping her hands on a towel she stood in the kitchen for a moment looking down at her feet.  Unsure of what to do now she just waited.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?" she asked.

"Yes.  But you go in and sit down, I'll make it."

            He ushered her out of the room and she sat into the soft couch.  Picking up the book he'd left on the table she read the inscription.  He made a lot of noise in the kitchen opening and closing cupboards as he searched for what he needed.

"Do you need a hand?"

"No, stay there."

            She curled her feet up under her and listened with a smile as he stirred the coffee.  Carrying the two cups in he placed them both on the table.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of sunflower seeds.

"I was looking for biscuits…but this was all I could find," he said as he opened the bag and placed them between the two cups.  She watched him sit back and examine a few seeds in his hands before tentatively popping one in his mouth.  His eyebrows shot up in surprise and he smiled.

"You like them?"

"Yeah.  Strange taste, but from what I can gather…that's me all over."  He noticed she wasn't eating any.  "Don't you like them?"

"No.  I really can't stand them."  Her words were serious but they came out wrapped in laughter. 

"Why do you buy them if you don't like them?"

"I didn't.  You left them here last weekend."  Her laughter was gone and he missed it already.

            He munched away on the seeds leaving a small pile beside his coffee.  She rested her head back against the couch and was surprised to find herself nodding off.

"Are you tired?" he whispered.

"I guess.  I'll be fine."  She forced herself up a bit and sipped her coffee. 

"Why don't you take a nap?  I can leave…"

"No, don't go."

"To be honest with you I'd rather not go.  I feel like my apartment is waiting there ready to mock me."

"Here," she passed him the TV remote.  "Let TV mock you for a while."  He smiled at her smirk and switched it on knowing she'd be asleep in minutes.

            The day passed quietly.  She had fallen asleep soon after she finished her coffee.  After a valiant effort made to try to stay awake her weariness won and she gave in.  He watched a Washington Wizards game and realised that he didn't just collect Knicks t-shirts but he really enjoyed the game.  He refilled his coffee cup twice now and still he was looking at it empty.  The TV was boring him now but he felt like he couldn't move, needing to stay close to her.

Switching it down low he turned to her.  Her feet had stretched out a bit and were closer to him.  She had been inching across the couch taking up more room, every time he left to get more coffee.  Watching her now her features still, her face relaxed, he couldn't help but like her.  From the moment she walked into the hospital room and took his hand he knew he'd like her.  She was strong, intelligent, independent and so beautiful.  He couldn't imagine working with her all day and not touching her.  Even during the past two days he would reach out to touch her arm, or her back without need save for his own wanting.

            The day's light had disappeared and he found them sitting in the dark, the room lit only by the eerie glow from the telly.  He stood to switch on a lamp and as he did her feet stretched to their full length taking up his space.  Her arms reached above her head and she emitted a soft moan that curled in her throat.  Standing by the floor lamp his finger hovering over the switch not wanting to break the spell and wake her fully.  But then her eyes blinked slowly and he watched her search the room.  They stopped on him and her face changed slightly.

Was she blushing? He thought.

"Mulder…"

            He let his fingers press the switch and the room was bathed in a soft light.  She pulled herself up on the couch and rubbed her fingers through her hair.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Two and a half hours."

"Oh god…I'm sorry."

            She stood and brushed her front down.  He resumed his seat on the couch and opened his mouth to speak when the phone rang.  She gave him a small smile and reached to pick up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Dana. Hi."
"Mum, hi. How are you?"

"Good.  Any news on Fox?"

"Yes, he was released today.  He's doing much better," she glanced at him and found him still watching her.

"Any sign of his memory returning?"

"No, but it's only been a day."

"Is he there?"

"Yes.  We came over for lunch."

"Can I speak to him?"

"Mum I-," she hesitated

"Dana, let me speak to him," her mothers voice was stern and she knew there was no escape.  She covered the mouthpiece with one hand and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear with the other.

"It's my mother.  She wants to speak to you."

            Without hesitation Mulder stood and walked over to her.  He took the receiver and cautiously said hello into it.

"Fox, How are you feeling?"

"Not too bad…eh Mrs Scully."

"Good.  You had me worried for a while.  I just wanted to let you know I was praying for you and I will continue to do so until you get back to 100%."

"Thank you Mrs Scully."

"Now don't let Dana boss you around, you just relax and concentrate on healing."

"I will Mrs Scully."

"Tell Dana goodbye from me and you two have a nice evening."

"Okay I'll tell her. Goodbye."

            He replaced the phone and turned to her unable to hide his smile.  The thought that her mother was on friendly terms with him brought a warm feeling over him and he basked in its glow. 

"What did she say?"

"Just that she was glad I was out of the hospital and I wasn't to let you boss me around," he said with a playful smile.

"Okay I'll do my best."

            He was quiet for a moment as he stood next to her.  She had taken her shoes off when the first sat down and he was only now realising how small she was.  Her head was inline with his chest and he thought how easy it would be to pull her into a hug.  But before he could move his arms she stepped away as if guessing his intention and resumed her seat on the couch.

"How's your head?"

"Not too bad," he dropped down beside her heavily letting out a deep sigh.

"Knowing you it's probably pounding.  Would you like me to get you something for it?"

"Please."

            She returned from the kitchen with a glass of water and a small pill that he took quickly.  Grimacing he rested his head back against the couch and closed his eyes.

"Tired?"

"Frustrated."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what? I don't remember anything."  His voice was harsh but he couldn't help it.

"So what do you remember?"

"That the cheetah is the fastest land mammal.  That I once broke my leg jumping off a cliff into a lake a quarry.  That Capricorn One is one of my favourite movies."

"Well it's a start."

"It's nothing.  I don't even know that movie.  It's like I've never seen it."

"Look Mulder, You have to relax-,"

"If I relax any more I'm going to keel over dead.  I need to do something.  I need to be busy."

"You have to take it easy.  Your shoulder is still raw, your head can't take it."

"I don't care but this sitting around waiting for stuff to happen…I cant do it."

"You never could."

"Come on Dana, you have no idea how frustrating it is…I have this vacuum in my brain, it's void of all my thoughts, my memories."

"I do know how it feels."

            He shifted his head on the couch so he could see her and looked at her oddly.  She was fiddling with a bit of fluff on her jeans, avoiding his gaze at all costs.

"What do you mean?"

"A couple of years ago I was abducted…I was missing for three months.  I have no recollection of what happened.  I doubt I ever will."  Her voice was low and as she spoke he sat up to look at her fully.  His body turned towards her and one of his arms rested along the back of the couch.  His finger brushed against her shoulder and she looked up to him.  He was surprised to see a cluttering of tears collecting in her eyes and she blinked quickly to get rid of them but the fell regardless.

"Dana…I'm sorry…" He rested his hand fully on her shoulder and reached over to dry her tears with his thumb.  She brushed his hand away and rubbed her face with both of her hands.  But he moved closer on the couch and placed his arm around her shoulders fully, pulling her against him.

"We're some pair," he said squeezing her closer still.  She couldn't help but laugh with him.  Letting her go, she sat back into the couch, lifting her feet onto the table.  He copied her movements and the shared a quick smile.

"I don't know about you but I could do with a drink," he said.

"You probably shouldn't until the medication washes from your system."

"Surely with my Dr Scully right here beside me there'd be no problem? Beside I get the feeling that I'm the type of guy who enjoyed playing doctors and nurses!"

"I suppose one glass of wine wouldn't do any harm."  She retrieved a small bottle of white wine from the kitchen and two glasses.

"So tell me about our lives…" he said as he poured the wine.

"Yeah…that should be easy."  She took the glass and sat back again.

"Come on surely you have some good stories for me."

"One or two."

**I know I didn't really take them anywhere with this one I was just developing a mood and deepening the characters…the next one should be a whopper…**