As they tumbled through the doors of the Liberty Inn Rory looked up and saw them wrapped around each other. Smiling knowingly he leaned out over the counter to watch them as they turned the corner for the elevators. Obviously they had huddled close while rushing through the rain but inside the only reason he could see for hugging like that was desire. Sighing audibly Rory sat back into his chair and returned his attention to the quiz show on TV.
Still holding her hand Mulder pressed the elevator button and waited for the doors to open. He looked over and saw her looking down, her eyes avoiding his and it tore at him to know what she was thinking, what she was feeling. But typically Scully was giving him no clues. They stepped into the empty lift and she reached over to press the third floor button before finally meeting his gaze. Shyly she glanced up to see him watching her intently. He wouldn't let her eyes wander as he turned to her fully and took both of her hands lightly in his.
"Scully…"
She couldn't move beneath the strength of his gaze and wondered if he was going to kiss her again. The uncertainty she felt since the last kiss was discarded abruptly from her head with the delight she felt at the chance of his lips touching hers again.
"I know we should probably talk, but I can't take back what I did. I don't want to," he mumbled, stammering now through his nervousness he found his only defence, the power of his words, leaving him.
"I wouldn't want you too either," she said quietly, but the words gave him the release he needed to let go of the breath he didn't even know he was holding.
They shared a secret smile as they walked out of the elevator and over to their rooms. Standing at their separate doors Mulder put his key in the lock and looked over to her.
"I don't suppose you fancy joining me to watch Sally Ryan's tapes?" he asked anxiously.
"Sure, let me just get changed and I'll be there in a second."
She watched him twist his key and push the door open when suddenly a ball of flame engulfed the hallway knocking her to the ground and slamming Mulder against the opposite wall. Her first thought was how quiet it was when she realised a loud ringing in her ears was blocking out any other sound. The hallways were thick with black smoke and she coughed loudly as she tried to call out for Mulder only to find her throat contracting against the fumes. The lack of noise from her partner scared her more than she thought it could and she fumbled around the ground hoping to find him with her hands as her eyes closed tight against the painful sting.
"Mulder…" she coughed and then her hand brushed against something. Feeling around it she only hoped it was Mulder as her hands fell onto his face, a face she would always know by touch alone.
The heat from the still flickering flames scorched her but she refused to leave him. Feeling the wet skin she presumed it to be blood and quickly examined him with her fingers looking for any further damage. She realised that she could do little for him there and she needed to get him out of the hallway before he choked. Her hands trailed away from his face and felt down to his shoulders where she hooked her hands into his armpits and dragged him as quickly as she could to a corner near the bottom of the hall.
Resting him against the wall she lay as low as she could and still reach the window as she tried desperately to break it but her strength had been drained. Pulling her gun from its holster she smashed the glass with the handle and lay over Mulder as shards of glass showered them both. The hallway cleared of some of the smoke and she became aware of the alarm bells ringing. Slowly she managed to blink some of the grit out of her eyes and she held them open. Looking at Mulder now she could see a deep gash on his cheek and some burning at the top of his forehead. She fumbled her fingers around his neck for a pulse and delighted in the weak but constant beat she felt there. She sat next to him and cradled his head on her lap, afraid to move him anymore but needing to feel him close.
It wasn't long before the hallway rang with the sounds of the sirens outside and soon she saw a dark figure approaching her from the opposite end of the hall. As it came closer she recognised the fireman's uniform and sighed with relief, unable to protest when he picked her up first, leaving Mulder on the ground with a different officer.
She found herself deposited onto a gurney in the street and the fireman disappeared back into the building. An EMT ran up to her and flashed a mini torch in her eyes, making them sting as he held them open. She tried to argue but her voice was raspy and stuck in her throat, sending her into a fit of coughs.
The EMT placed an oxygen mask over her mouth and fastened it at the back of her head and she basked in the cool air against her lips as she took as deep a breath she could before she saw Mulder being lifted out of the building.
"Mulder…" she whispered as she pulled the mask off her face and rushed over to him.
Checking him again for a pulse she helped pull him over to the ambulance and started to shout medical orders at the EMT who followed her instructions without argument. They gave him oxygen and cleaned his wounds checking him for further injuries but he appeared to have been lucky. Little stitches on the back of his head where it connected with the wall and some burn treatment on his forehead should do it. All he really needed was some clear oxygen and some rest, for his body to get over the shock.
"Scully?" he said harshly, his eyes blinking rapidly through the pain.
"Hey Mulder, I'm right here." She took his hand and gently stroked it, smiling down and wiping his head, careful not to touch his wounds.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine Mulder, and so are you. But you have to go to the hospital for some treatment. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Okay," he said starting a round of coughs that shook his chest. "Scully?"
The EMT's stopped pushing him into the back of the ambulance and let him lift his head up to see her as best they could. She climbed in beside him.
"Yes Mulder?"
"Be careful." She dropped a soft kiss onto his cheek, purposely catching the edge of his lips and making him smile.
She watched the ambulance pull away and weave through traffic until she couldn't see it anymore. Turning to the officers at the scene she asked for the detective in charge and was brought over to Det. Jackson. When he saw the small red haired lady approaching him, her face smeared with smoke and dirt and a deep frown worn on engraved between her eyes he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Detective Jackson?" she said sternly.
"Yes?"
"Special Agent Dana Scully, FBI," she said searching for her badge and finally finding it, she pulled it out for him to see.
"FBI? Who called you?" he said all the laughter gone from his voice.
"No-one. My partner and I were staying here. I believe his room to be the origination of the explosion."
"Explosion? What makes you think it was an explosion? All we have is a fire report."
"I was in the hallway Detective, I know an explosion when I feel one throwing me to the ground," she retorted angrily.
"Can your partner corroborate this?"
"He will, when he returns from the hospital."
"What kind of case are you working on up here?" Jackson asked.
"Possible terrorist action," she said evasively, not wanting to get in to an argument over the benefits of pre-cognitive warnings from a ten year old.
"Is there something I should know about?" Jackson asked irritated this time.
"No. The FBI was working on a need to know basis."
"Was?"
"Well with this current threat I'm afraid the investigation will have to be stepped up a bit."
"What do
you mean?"
"Listen Detective," she began, "at this precise moment I'm not interested in
departmental politics. My hotel room
just exploded and I need to find somewhere to stay, so if you don't mind I'd
like to get a copy of your report and anything you find. You can either e-mail it or fax it to these
details."
She handed him a card and stalked off, wishing she had thought to get her car keys before leaving for dinner with Niamh. She managed to hail a cab from the throng of traffic now parked around the street but before she could get into it she heard someone calling her name.
"Ms Scully?"
"Rory?" she said at the sight of the receptionist running towards her.
"I just wanted to apologise for all this," he said coyly, gesturing around to the crowds and fire trucks behind him.
"Forget it Rory, it's not the first room and it wont be the last to explode."
"Well maybe I could make it up to you, take you out for dinner?"
"No, thank you," she stammered, "I have to get to the hospital. I'll be by later to see what's left to salvage."
She quickly climbed into the cab and asked for Mercy hospital. Looking back she could see Rory standing in the middle of the road watching after her and a small smile caressed her lips.
The emergency room in the hospital was brimming with patients suffering from smoke inhalation and minor burns. Thankfully no one had been killed and the only major injuries were caused by the lack of fire escapes available to the guests at the hotel. Stepping through the patients she made her way up to the reception and asked to see Fox Mulder.
"Exam room one, he's just finishing up," the nurse said without looking up. So Scully moved away from the tall desk in search of room one. Eventually after accidentally stepping into a leg getting plastered and some one getting their stomach pumped she found him sitting alone in a small room with bright green painted walls. He sat on the edge of the bed with his shirt off and his jeans open and loose around his waist. She could see the dried trickle of blood that stained his neck and the blue stitching sticking out from under his hair
"Mulder…" she said softly as she pushed further into the room.
He turned to look at her and she saw the dirt and grime that was smeared across his face and imagined hers didn't look much better.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she approached the bed and circled it to stand in front of him.
"Like I've been through a spin cycle."
She pushed his head to the side and reached back to feel his stitching. The lump beneath her fingers felt hard and swollen and he winced under her tender touches.
"Does it hurt much?" she asked trailing her fingers around to the front of his face and letting them rest against his cheek.
"Not really," he replied as he stared into her eyes and turned his head slightly so he could press a light kiss into the palm of her hand.
"You could have been killed," she said quietly and he didn't miss the quiver in her voice.
"Ah Scully it'll take more than a few knocks to get rid of me," he said standing and pulling his jeans up, fastening them before gathering her into a big hug. She held him tightly and with her head pressed against chest she could hear him wheezing.
"Are you staying here tonight?" she asked, pulling away from him enough to look in to his face.
"No, I was just waiting for you."
He twisted around looking for his t-shirt, trying to reach it without loosing her from his grasp but instead she stepped out from the circle of his arms and grabbed his top for him. Blood marked the back of it but he had nothing else to wear so he slipped it on over his head, cringing at the pain the over stretching shot through his lower back.
"Your back still at you?"
"Yeah it's weird, I thought getting thrown across the hallway into a cement wall by an explosion would fix it right up but what do ya know…"
"Funny Mulder, real funny…but I'm not the one who's going to be rolling over trying to get comfortable in a lumpy bed."
The retorts burst into his head all vying for supremacy but he held them back deciding now was not the time for lewd comments about who would be sleeping where. He looked at her solemnly for a moment and smiled a sad smile, looking away before she caught him.
"Where are we going to stay?" he asked her as they walked out of the hospital and they hailed a cab.
"I'm not sure," she answered, her frown deepening with every moment that passed, "but we'll need to swing by the Liberty Inn and see if we can salvage anything."
"Joy," he murmured as he slid across the seat to make room for her then much to his delighted surprise she slid over to him and rested a hand on his thigh. He reached an arm over her shoulder, ignoring the screams of pain from his back and pulled her against him.
It's worth it, he thought as he felt one of her hands resting on his chest and her head found comfort on his shoulder. Covering her hand with his own, he squeezed it tightly and brushed her forehead with a few light kisses as the cab jostled them through the city.
She nestled into him, feeling his body heat and listening to the faint wheeze in his chest, needing to know he was alive and wanting to feel his heartbeat. She wondered briefly if he would welcome her over friendly gesture but when she felt his chapped lips graze her skin she settled in closer.
The fire had finally been put out they noticed as they climbed out of the cab and muscled their way through the crowd.
"Agent Dana Scully, FBI," she said to the guard at the police tape who lifted it up to let them both through.
She scanned the officers who were streaming around the cordoned off area and searched for Detective Jackson as Mulder went to seek out the Chief Fire officer to find out about the damage.
"Sir, I'm special Agent Fox Mulder with the FBI, I was wondering if you could tell me about the extent of the damage?" he asked when he found the right man.
"The origin point seems to be somewhere on the third floor, extensive burning to the point of ash for a lot of the furniture. We gave a seven minute response to this alarm so nothing should have burned that much, leaving me to believe-,"
"That an accelerant was used," Mulder finished for him.
"Exactly. The forensic officer will be here shortly to make an official report but by the speed of the burning I'm thinking nothing short of gasoline could have caused that much damage."
"Could you get him to contact me?" Mulder said fumbling through his jeans for a card.
"You look like you've been through the wars yourself," the fire chief said as he took the card from Mulders burnt and bandaged hand.
"I was on the third floor when the shit hit the fan," Mulder said touching the back of his head gingerly as if testing the pressure he could place on it.
"Well then you are a very lucky man."
"Tell me that in the morning when wake up with a pounding headache."
Mulder left the fire Chief and searched for Scully surprised to find her in a fully heated argument with a man that stood close to six foot four and towered over her smaller frame.
"You have got to be kidding?" she was saying heatedly, stepping closer trying to get into the guys face.
"Listen, whether you like it or not, it's evidence and I cant let it leave the crime scene until properly logged."
"I hardly think my underwear is going to reveal anything right now," she shouted making Mulders eyes widen and his eyebrows disappear under his fringe in shock.
"What ever they do reveal will be recorded," the guy leered and Mulder had to place a hand on Scully's shoulder to calm her down.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"All our stuff is being detained for testing. My clothes and laptop, the car keys."
"What about my stuff?"
"Well…none of it was salvageable," she admitted, afraid of the thoughts the image of his burnt room provoked.
"None of it?"
"It was a high heat fire burning for almost 20 minutes sir, we're lucky the building is still there."
The sudden intensity of the close call he'd had glared in front of him as he looked on to the still smouldering hotel.
"Lets go Scully," he said quietly, holding her elbow as much for his own strength as to lead her away. She was about to argue with Detective Jackson more but the tone in his voice pulled her away and she helped him over to a waiting cab.
"Can you take us to…a hotel?" she said confused.
"Which one?"
"I don't know…a nice one," she replied too anxious about Mulders condition to worry about names and titles. "Hey Mulder, you okay?" she said turning sideways to see him lounging in the seat with his head resting back as far as it would go.
"I'm just a little shocked Scully," he admitted.
"Just relax, I'll have you in bed in no time," she soothed, stroking the side of his head.
"Oh Scully, stop teasing, you know I'm in no fit state…"
She smiled with him glad to know that he wasn't a lost cause and still able to form the ever present innuendoes.
"Hey Lady," the driver called as he pulled up outside a Holiday Inn, "Is this place nice enough for you?"
"It's fine."
She paid him and gently shook Mulder to rouse him from the light sleep he'd fallen into.
"We're here Mulder, come on, get up."
They struggled out of the cab and helped each other into the hotel, his arm draped over her shoulders and her arm holding him tightly around the waist. The receptionist followed their progress from the door and frowned at their dishelved appearance.
"Hi, we'd like two rooms," Scully said smiling as best she could.
"Two rooms? Have you any luggage?"
"Well we were staying at the Liberty Inn but there was a fire, everything got destroyed…" she glanced at Mulder who was shivering and silent beside her.
"We heard about that fire, was anyone hurt?" the receptionist said suddenly sympathetic and helpful.
"Nothing major, but we would like to get cleaned up and possibly a change of clothes."
"I'll have some of our resident gym clothes sent up to your room straight away."
"Our rooms…we need two rooms," she said, her concern for Mulders health over riding any power she had to argue.
"I'm afraid we have had an orthodontist convention in here all week, the only way I have a free room is because of an early departure this morning," the receptionist said sadly.
"Well it will be fine," Scully said.
"It's a double suite so there are two beds in it and we should have a free room for you tomorrow."
"That's fine, here is my credit card. Is there somewhere I can get hold of medical supplies?" Scully asked than at the concerned look she got from the receptionist she continued, "I'm a doctor and my partner needs some muscle cream for a back pain and some fresh bandages."
"There is a pharmacy that delivers. Nolan's. I'll call up to your room with the number."
Scully signed the small verification sheet for her credit card and turned to Mulder who threw a loose arm over her shoulder.
"Room 2113," the receptionist said, handing her the key and pointing her in the right direction for the elevators.
Scully directed Mulder as best she could but the longer he was standing the harder it came to hold him up. Thankfully the room was close to the bank of elevators on the second floor and shortly after Scully opened the door to their room Mulder fell onto the large double bed that sat against the back wall of the room. It didn't take Scully a full crane of her neck to see that there was no other bed in the room but as the phone rang she rushed over to answer it, shaking Mulder so he wouldn't fall asleep.
"Hello, Ms Scully,"
"Yes?"
"I have the pharmacy on the other line would you like me to connect you?"
"Please," she waited for the phone to ring through and turned to see Mulder lying on his stomach his head facing her and a small smile on his lips.
"Nolan's Pharmacy, Rich Speaking how can I help?"
"This is Doctor Dana Scully and I would like a delivery to the Holiday Inn Foremount Ave,"
"What can we get for you Dr Scully?"
"A tube of cortizone cream, some mild gauze with an antiseptic film, a pack of Anadin Max Strength and a Clearway inhaler."
"That all comes to €48.95 Dr Scully and we should have it out to you in about 20 minutes."
"Thank you."
When she hung up the phone she turned back to Mulder and saw that his lids were falling heavily over his eyes and he struggled to keep them open.
"Come on Mulder, get up," she slapped his thigh and pushed him over onto his back.
"Aww five more minutes…" he said with a laugh.
"Come on, you need to take a bath and I need a shower."
"Saving on water Scully?"
"You wish."
She went into the bathroom and set the taps running checking the water until it was hot enough for him before returning to the bedroom to see him still lying on the bed not having moved.
"Mulder, don't make me drag your ass into that bath."
"Now you wish Scully," he grunted as he stood up from the bed and pulled his t-shirt over his head discarding it on the floor as he stepped out of his sneakers. She followed him into the bathroom where he opened his jeans and began to pull them down before he noticed her.
"You know Scully I was just joking earlier but if you're serious I'm sure both of us could fit in there,"
"You just take your time in there Mulder, I'll have a change of clothes ready for you when you get out."
"Oh Boo Hoo," he mocked her as she stepped out of the room closing it over but not shutting it fully.
She pottered around the room flicking through TV channels her thoughts constantly bombarded by the image of Mulder slamming against the wall and the ball of flame that engulfed the hallway. She shook her head to rid herself of the torturous image and went to answer the soft knock at the door.
"Your delivery arrived Dr Scully, and please accept these on the Hotel."
"Thank you very much," Scully said as she took the packages form the bellboy and placed them onto the bed. She rummaged through the pharmacy's delivery and found everything she ordered then moved her attention to the other larger packages. Inside them she found several pairs of sweat pants, some t-shirts, four jumpers, varying in sizes and a mixed collection of men and women's underwear. The third bag held some toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream and a shaver.
"Mulder, how are you dong in there?" she called by the half closed door but when she got no reply her heart jumped at the thought that he had fallen asleep in the water.
"Mulder?" she called again and stepping in this time she saw him lying still beneath the bubbly water. She raced over to him and dunked a hand down to pull him up only to be met with a struggling body writhing under her touch.
"Jesus Scully, what are you doing?" he yelled when his head managed to breach the surface.
"I…I thought you'd fallen asleep," she said smiling at him now her arms wet up to her shoulders and one hand still resting on his chest.
"I was just dunking my head."
"Sorry," she said laughing, a delicious noise that bounced around the room infecting him and making him add his own delectable sound to the mix. "I have a change of clothes for you here," she said dropping them onto the toilet, "and hurry up. I want my turn."
She returned to the bedroom and sorted out the medical supplies, pulling her sneakers and socks off and slipping out of the rest of her clothes. She tugged one of the larger t-shirts on and it skirted just past her hips. Sitting up on the bed she waited for him to emerge. It was all of a sudden that she felt her resolve melting and without the power to stop it she hugged her knees closer and rested her head onto them. She didn't notice the bathroom door swinging open and the only hint she had of Mulder's presence was when he sat behind her and pulled her back to rest against his broad chest. He didn't ask her what the problem was or why she was crying, he just held her close and gently swayed with her from side to side.
She felt his wet skin dampening her t-shirt but she didn't care, the heat he emanated into her with both his arms wrapped tightly around her was worth all the damp t-shirts this hotel had to offer. He rested his head onto her shoulder, showering her soft skin with delicate kisses as he soothed her with gentle words of comfort and she suddenly felt guilty that he was comforting her and not the other way round.
Twisting in his arms she turned into his chest and rested her cheek against the soft bristling hair that lined the top of it. She felt his lungs expanding and contracting shakily and another stab of guilt hit her.
"Mulder…I…"
"Scully just let me hold you. Don't fight it, just let it happen okay?"
She didn't reply, but then she didn't need to. He stretched his legs out fully along the bed and she nestled between them resting her back against his upper body. Both his arms circled her, coming around her from either side of her head and resting together on her torso entwined with her own slender fingers. His chin leaned on the top of her head and they sat there entangled on the bed in silence each taking what support they could from the other.
Scully sighed contentedly and he felt his heart quiver at the sound of her tired satisfaction. He let his arms fall to her sides as she curled into him and he nudged her gently.
"Don't you want to go and take a shower?" he asked.
"Yes."
After a moments silence he nudged her again.
"Go on Scully, take a shower and when you get back I'll let you rub some cream onto my back."
"You really know how to treat a lady," she said through a sigh as she pushed away from his chest and sat on the edge of his bed. As she went to stand up fully he grabbed her arm and made her turn to face him. He let his legs drop over the edge of the bed and pulled her so she stood between them. She stepped closer still and he rested his head against her stomach wrapping his arms around her waist, but it wasn't enough for him so slowly he stood up letting his hands linger lightly on her hips. He stood to his full, barefoot height and looked down to her tear stained face. Gently he pressed a kiss on each cheek before finally settling his lips against hers and tasting her sweet salty tear covered velvety skin.
"Go Scully, go now," he whispered against her lips, needing her to be relaxed before he plunged further. Silently she thanked him for the opportunity to clean up and went to the bathroom, their hands remaining connected until the last possible moment. He relaxed back onto the bed and listened to the comforting sound of her pottering around the bathroom delighted at the way she had left the bathroom door open, showing him how much she trusted him.
***
"They survived?" he shouted loudly, making the other men jump and stare at him as he progressed around the room.
"Yes, the blast wasn't hooked up right and the back draft that threw him was gas, he was out of the line of fire so to say by the time the explosion occurred."
"And Scully?"
"She was at a different door."
"But they left the restaurant together?"
"Well they returned to different rooms. The surveillance cameras in the hotel shows their progression from the reception area."
"Where are they now?"
"They checked into the Holiday Inn on Foremount Ave."
"Well lets see if we cant get this mess sorted out."
**Oh the tension mounts…den den deeeehhhh…**
