The Domino Effect-Part 5
Headers and Disclaimers in Part 1
Scully followed Mrs. Waters into Mulder's room. The
nurse put their lunch tray on the nightstand with a
disgruntled clatter.
"Thank you, Mrs. Waters. I think we can manage from
here. Why don't you have your lunch now and I'll let
you know when we're finished."
"I just need to take Mr. Mulder's temperature, then
I'll leave you two alone."
Scully gave Mulder a classic look, one that told him
he'd better cooperate or else. He nodded a reluctant
yes and the nurse moved in, gently putting the
thermometer in Mulder's right ear. "100.9," she
announced.
"Mulder, it's going the wrong way," Scully pointed
out, concern lacing her voice.
He just shrugged as Mrs. Waters left them alone.
"Do you feel like eating?"
"I'll try."
"Don't push yourself," she cautioned, noting how
miserable and unwell he looked.
"I won't."
Mulder managed a few sips of chicken broth and a few
spoonfuls of jello. He put the bowls back on the
tray and concentrated on his ginger ale.
"Maybe you'll feel like eating more at dinner,"
Scully tried to encourage him.
"Maybe."
"Is the pain bad right now?"
"I'm okay. Eat. Don't worry about me," he answered,
taking a sip of his ginger ale.
"I'll have to admit that I'm getting tired of soup,"
Scully sighed.
"At least yours has noodles and vegetables in it and
you even got crackers. Maybe you'll get the go ahead
to return to a regular diet later."
"I probably will. My stomach feels okay now,
although I'm still a little weak."
"Ow!" Mulder put his ginger ale on the nightstand
and lay down suddenly, curling up in a ball and
clutching his stomach.
"Mulder, what's wrong?"
"Another stomach cramp," he gasped.
"This one must be a doozy," she observed, moving
closer to rub his back.
Mulder shook his head and hopped off the bed as fast
as he could, which wasn't very fast in his condition.
"Be right back," he managed to blurt as he stumbled
into the bathroom.
"Can I do anything to help?' Scully asked anxiously
through the door.
"No, I'm okay. Be out in a minute."
When Mulder came out a few minutes later, he was
paler than ever and was perspiring heavily by the
time he made it back to the bed. Just to be on the
safe side she moved the trash can over within his
reach. Not a moment too soon as Mulder proceeded to
lose what little lunch he'd managed to get down. It
was also the exact moment that Mrs. Waters decided to
check on them.
"I see lunch was a rousing success," she commented
wryly.
"Mrs. Waters, could you get us a wet washcloth
please?" Scully asked sweetly.
"Can't get a break," Mulder gasped between heaves.
"If it's not one end, it's the other."
By the time the nurse returned, Mulder was sprawled
out exhausted on the bed. Scully gently wiped his
face and turned to the nurse. She didn't like the
way this was going at all. "I'm going to call Dr.
Lamas. Mulder, I'll be right back."
By the time she returned, Scully noticed that the
wastebasket had been cleaned and placed next to
Mulder whose stomach was in the process of trying to
empty itself again. To her surprise, the nurse was
sitting beside him, rubbing his back in slow circles
and speaking to him softly.
When he was finished, Mulder flipped limply over on
his back, clutching at his stomach. "Scully, if I
ever go near a seafood buffet again, shoot me!"
"Somehow, I don't think that will be necessary. Dr.
Lamas ordered a one-time increase in your pain and
anti-nausea medicine. She doubled it, so it should
make you very sleepy. When you awaken, she wants you
to have some Gatorade."
"No, I hate that stuff!" he exclaimed, his breath
coming in short pants as the pain claimed him once
more.
"She's worried that you'll become dehydrated again
and a sports drink will replace the electrolytes more
readily than plain water," Scully explained. "And
you really need the calories. You're loosing weight
and you don't have it to spare."
Scully handed the nurse the hypodermic syringe and a
couple of alcohol wipes. After she had injected him,
Mrs. Waters produced a thermometer out of her pocket.
"I know you don't like this, but I need to check it
again and then I'll let you get some sleep.
Mulder scowled but nodded yes and she popped the
thermometer in his ear, frowning when she saw the
results.
"What is it?" Scully was instantly by her side,
peering over her shoulder.
"103.2."
"I just can't catch a break can I?" Mulder moaned,
grabbing his ailing stomach. "Damned stomach
cramps!"
"I'll get the Tylenol Dr. Lamas left," Mrs. Waters
said. "I'll be right back."
Scully sat down beside her partner and resumed
rubbing his back until he began to fidget under her
ministrations. "Do you need to get up again?"
"No, it's going away."
"Mulder, all of the medications you are receiving
should make you feel a little better."
Mrs. Waters returned with the Tylenol.
"I'm going to rinse out this washcloth while Mrs.
Waters gives you the Tylenol. I'll be right back."
"What? You don't want to witness my total
humiliation?" Scully ran her fingers through his
hair. He was a miserable sight.
"Mulder, I'm going to ignore that because I know you
aren't feeling well."
By the time Scully returned with the washcloth and a
bowl of cool water, the nurse had mercifully
completed her task and left the room.
"Scully, I'm sorry. I feel like hell and I shouldn't
take it out on you or Mrs. Waters," Mulder
apologized, looking close to tears.
"It's okay, I know. Apology accepted." Scully wrung
the excess water from the washcloth and began to
bathe his face. "You know, Mulder, I think we may
have misjudged Mrs. Waters."
"I know. She was very nice to me while I was trying
to throw up my toenails. I'll say something nice to
her later. Could you pull the blanket up, please?"
"Sorry, but we need to cool you off," she answered as
she ran the washcloth down his arms.
"But I'm freezing."
"Don't worry. As soon as the Tylenol starts to work,
you'll be very warm."
"Promises, promises," he yawned, leaning into her
touch.
"Just relax and let the medications work. You'll
feel a lot better soon."
"Glad you think so. Damn, I'm so cold!"
Scully continued to bathe him until he relaxed enough
to fall asleep. She noticed that Mrs. Waters had
left the thermometer on the nightstand so she grabbed
it and carefully took Mulder's temperature. He
didn't stir. She looked at the readout and was
pleased that it was down to 101.5.
She headed back to the living area, surprised to see
Mrs. Waters talking to Skinner.
"Agent Scully, how are you doing?"
"I'm feeling much better, sir."
"Mrs. Waters tells me that Agent Mulder is still
feeling pretty rough."
"Yes, sir, I think that would be an adequate
description." Scully dropped wearily into the
armchair that had become her favorite. "We suspect
he may be developing a secondary infection."
"And if he is?"
"He may have to go back to the hospital for a course
of IV antibiotics."
Skinner looked at his watch. "Lunch break is almost
over. We should be winding up by 5 PM. I'll try to
get back before Dr. Lamas comes. In the meantime,
get some rest, Scully. I have a feeling we may be in
for a long night."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dr. Lamas arrived promptly at 6:OO. "Dr. Scully,
you're looking much better."
"Thank you. I'm feeling a lot better too. I'm
almost back to full strength." Scully motioned for
her to come inside and shut the door after she
entered.
"No problem with the bland diet?"
"None whatsoever."
"Wonderful! I think it would be safe for you to
return to a regular diet tomorrow. Try to avoid
anything greasy or spicy, though."
Scully smiled as she thought of her normal diet on
the road. It was usually either greasy or spicy,
depending on what Mulder was in the mood for. How
she wished her partner felt like eating something
right now.
"How is Mr. Mulder?"
"His temperature has been up and down all afternoon,"
Mrs. Waters reported.
"Any more vomiting?"
"No, but he has refused to drink even water. It's
all here in my notes." The nurse handed over a very
detailed report of Mulder's ongoing misery.
"Oh, not good. His electrolytes were borderline and
his white cell count was slightly elevated, but that
isn't unusual in light of the staphylocccus aureus."
"So, they've determined the type of food poisoning?"
Scully questioned.
"Yes, they think it was in the eggs used to make the
batter for the crab cakes. Neither the food handlers
nor the crab meat was contaminated."
"I see. Do you think it's possible he might also be
dealing with a secondary infection?"
"I don't know, Dr. Scully. It's quite possible that
Mr. Mulder might still be fighting the primary
infection. He did ingest quite a large portion. In
light of the severity of the initial onset, I'm
sticking with that diagnosis for now. Let's give him
another twenty-four hours. If there's been no
improvement by tomorrow evening, I'll suggest that he
be admitted to the hospital."
"All right," Scully agreed, worry niggling at her.
"That's on the condition that he can get some fluids
to stay down. Otherwise, I'll send him tonight."
Scully allowed herself a small smile. "He hates
hospitals. Maybe the threat of hospitalization will
convince him to drink something."
"Did they deliver the Gatorade?"
"Yes, they brought it about an hour ago," Mrs. Waters
supplied.
"Good. I'm going to examine him now. Dr. Scully,
why don't you stand by with that drink? Mrs. Waters,
you may go now. We'll need you again tomorrow if
that fits in with your schedule," Dr. Lamas hinted.
"Yes, I can do that. Same time?"
Dr. Lamas looked to Scully for confirmation and she
nodded yes.
"We'll see you in the morning then."
Mrs. Waters gathered her things. As she opened the
door, Skinner exited the elevator. She greeted him
and held the door open.
Skinner closed the door behind him. "Sorry I'm late.
There were quite a few questions. Even though the
two of you did an excellent job of preparing
everything, I could have used your help. How is
Agent Mulder? Is he any better?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Scully sighed. "Why don't I
fill you in while Dr. Lamas examines him?"
Skinner pulled his tie off with a flourish and sank
onto the sofa. "Sure."
Dr. Lamas disappeared inside Mulder's room.
"Would you like something to drink, sir?" Scully
opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of
Gatorade.
"No, thanks. I'm good. Why isn't he getting any
better, Scully?"
"We're not sure. Either the primary infection hasn't
run its course, or he's developing a secondary
infection."
"But, you're almost over it," Skinner pointed out.
"Fortunately, I'm almost back to normal, but much
more of the toxin entered Mulder's system."
"I see. Should we be concerned?" Skinner asked,
point-blank.
"At this point, I'm not sure. I'll have to admit
that I've never seen Mulder this ill, other than when
he battled that virus in Alaska. He's getting very
discouraged because he usually bounces right back."
Scully put the sports drink on the counter and joined
Skinner on the couch.
"Has he been cooperating?"
"For the most part, yes. He's refusing to drink
anything right now, though. He's had quite a bit of
abdominal pain and I think he's so afraid he'll start
vomiting again, that he'd rather not even try. Dr.
Lamas is more or less going to threaten him with IV's
and hospitalization. If that doesn't persuade him,
nothing will."
"I see." Skinner propped his feet up on the coffee
table.
Scully sighed, rising from her seat. "I'm going to
take this in to Mulder now. Wish me luck."
"If you need me as an added threat, just give a
shout."
"I'll keep that in mind," she replied as she strode
across the room and knocked on Mulder's door, then
entered. "How's it going?"
"I think I've persuaded Mr. Mulder to at least try
the Gatorade. I've given him another shot of Demerol
along with some Phenergan, so the nausea shouldn't be
as intense."
"Great. Here you go, Mulder. I've seen you drink
fruit punch before," Scully reminded him as she sat
on the side of his bed, handing him the bottle of red
liquid.
"That doesn't mean I liked it."
"Just pretend that you do."
"Why don't you get some of that down while I talk to
Dr. Scully and Mr. Skinner outside? I'll be back to
check on you before I leave," she promised.
Mulder saluted her with the bottle, pulled the top,
drank a sip and made a face.
End Part 5
Headers and Disclaimers in Part 1
Scully followed Mrs. Waters into Mulder's room. The
nurse put their lunch tray on the nightstand with a
disgruntled clatter.
"Thank you, Mrs. Waters. I think we can manage from
here. Why don't you have your lunch now and I'll let
you know when we're finished."
"I just need to take Mr. Mulder's temperature, then
I'll leave you two alone."
Scully gave Mulder a classic look, one that told him
he'd better cooperate or else. He nodded a reluctant
yes and the nurse moved in, gently putting the
thermometer in Mulder's right ear. "100.9," she
announced.
"Mulder, it's going the wrong way," Scully pointed
out, concern lacing her voice.
He just shrugged as Mrs. Waters left them alone.
"Do you feel like eating?"
"I'll try."
"Don't push yourself," she cautioned, noting how
miserable and unwell he looked.
"I won't."
Mulder managed a few sips of chicken broth and a few
spoonfuls of jello. He put the bowls back on the
tray and concentrated on his ginger ale.
"Maybe you'll feel like eating more at dinner,"
Scully tried to encourage him.
"Maybe."
"Is the pain bad right now?"
"I'm okay. Eat. Don't worry about me," he answered,
taking a sip of his ginger ale.
"I'll have to admit that I'm getting tired of soup,"
Scully sighed.
"At least yours has noodles and vegetables in it and
you even got crackers. Maybe you'll get the go ahead
to return to a regular diet later."
"I probably will. My stomach feels okay now,
although I'm still a little weak."
"Ow!" Mulder put his ginger ale on the nightstand
and lay down suddenly, curling up in a ball and
clutching his stomach.
"Mulder, what's wrong?"
"Another stomach cramp," he gasped.
"This one must be a doozy," she observed, moving
closer to rub his back.
Mulder shook his head and hopped off the bed as fast
as he could, which wasn't very fast in his condition.
"Be right back," he managed to blurt as he stumbled
into the bathroom.
"Can I do anything to help?' Scully asked anxiously
through the door.
"No, I'm okay. Be out in a minute."
When Mulder came out a few minutes later, he was
paler than ever and was perspiring heavily by the
time he made it back to the bed. Just to be on the
safe side she moved the trash can over within his
reach. Not a moment too soon as Mulder proceeded to
lose what little lunch he'd managed to get down. It
was also the exact moment that Mrs. Waters decided to
check on them.
"I see lunch was a rousing success," she commented
wryly.
"Mrs. Waters, could you get us a wet washcloth
please?" Scully asked sweetly.
"Can't get a break," Mulder gasped between heaves.
"If it's not one end, it's the other."
By the time the nurse returned, Mulder was sprawled
out exhausted on the bed. Scully gently wiped his
face and turned to the nurse. She didn't like the
way this was going at all. "I'm going to call Dr.
Lamas. Mulder, I'll be right back."
By the time she returned, Scully noticed that the
wastebasket had been cleaned and placed next to
Mulder whose stomach was in the process of trying to
empty itself again. To her surprise, the nurse was
sitting beside him, rubbing his back in slow circles
and speaking to him softly.
When he was finished, Mulder flipped limply over on
his back, clutching at his stomach. "Scully, if I
ever go near a seafood buffet again, shoot me!"
"Somehow, I don't think that will be necessary. Dr.
Lamas ordered a one-time increase in your pain and
anti-nausea medicine. She doubled it, so it should
make you very sleepy. When you awaken, she wants you
to have some Gatorade."
"No, I hate that stuff!" he exclaimed, his breath
coming in short pants as the pain claimed him once
more.
"She's worried that you'll become dehydrated again
and a sports drink will replace the electrolytes more
readily than plain water," Scully explained. "And
you really need the calories. You're loosing weight
and you don't have it to spare."
Scully handed the nurse the hypodermic syringe and a
couple of alcohol wipes. After she had injected him,
Mrs. Waters produced a thermometer out of her pocket.
"I know you don't like this, but I need to check it
again and then I'll let you get some sleep.
Mulder scowled but nodded yes and she popped the
thermometer in his ear, frowning when she saw the
results.
"What is it?" Scully was instantly by her side,
peering over her shoulder.
"103.2."
"I just can't catch a break can I?" Mulder moaned,
grabbing his ailing stomach. "Damned stomach
cramps!"
"I'll get the Tylenol Dr. Lamas left," Mrs. Waters
said. "I'll be right back."
Scully sat down beside her partner and resumed
rubbing his back until he began to fidget under her
ministrations. "Do you need to get up again?"
"No, it's going away."
"Mulder, all of the medications you are receiving
should make you feel a little better."
Mrs. Waters returned with the Tylenol.
"I'm going to rinse out this washcloth while Mrs.
Waters gives you the Tylenol. I'll be right back."
"What? You don't want to witness my total
humiliation?" Scully ran her fingers through his
hair. He was a miserable sight.
"Mulder, I'm going to ignore that because I know you
aren't feeling well."
By the time Scully returned with the washcloth and a
bowl of cool water, the nurse had mercifully
completed her task and left the room.
"Scully, I'm sorry. I feel like hell and I shouldn't
take it out on you or Mrs. Waters," Mulder
apologized, looking close to tears.
"It's okay, I know. Apology accepted." Scully wrung
the excess water from the washcloth and began to
bathe his face. "You know, Mulder, I think we may
have misjudged Mrs. Waters."
"I know. She was very nice to me while I was trying
to throw up my toenails. I'll say something nice to
her later. Could you pull the blanket up, please?"
"Sorry, but we need to cool you off," she answered as
she ran the washcloth down his arms.
"But I'm freezing."
"Don't worry. As soon as the Tylenol starts to work,
you'll be very warm."
"Promises, promises," he yawned, leaning into her
touch.
"Just relax and let the medications work. You'll
feel a lot better soon."
"Glad you think so. Damn, I'm so cold!"
Scully continued to bathe him until he relaxed enough
to fall asleep. She noticed that Mrs. Waters had
left the thermometer on the nightstand so she grabbed
it and carefully took Mulder's temperature. He
didn't stir. She looked at the readout and was
pleased that it was down to 101.5.
She headed back to the living area, surprised to see
Mrs. Waters talking to Skinner.
"Agent Scully, how are you doing?"
"I'm feeling much better, sir."
"Mrs. Waters tells me that Agent Mulder is still
feeling pretty rough."
"Yes, sir, I think that would be an adequate
description." Scully dropped wearily into the
armchair that had become her favorite. "We suspect
he may be developing a secondary infection."
"And if he is?"
"He may have to go back to the hospital for a course
of IV antibiotics."
Skinner looked at his watch. "Lunch break is almost
over. We should be winding up by 5 PM. I'll try to
get back before Dr. Lamas comes. In the meantime,
get some rest, Scully. I have a feeling we may be in
for a long night."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dr. Lamas arrived promptly at 6:OO. "Dr. Scully,
you're looking much better."
"Thank you. I'm feeling a lot better too. I'm
almost back to full strength." Scully motioned for
her to come inside and shut the door after she
entered.
"No problem with the bland diet?"
"None whatsoever."
"Wonderful! I think it would be safe for you to
return to a regular diet tomorrow. Try to avoid
anything greasy or spicy, though."
Scully smiled as she thought of her normal diet on
the road. It was usually either greasy or spicy,
depending on what Mulder was in the mood for. How
she wished her partner felt like eating something
right now.
"How is Mr. Mulder?"
"His temperature has been up and down all afternoon,"
Mrs. Waters reported.
"Any more vomiting?"
"No, but he has refused to drink even water. It's
all here in my notes." The nurse handed over a very
detailed report of Mulder's ongoing misery.
"Oh, not good. His electrolytes were borderline and
his white cell count was slightly elevated, but that
isn't unusual in light of the staphylocccus aureus."
"So, they've determined the type of food poisoning?"
Scully questioned.
"Yes, they think it was in the eggs used to make the
batter for the crab cakes. Neither the food handlers
nor the crab meat was contaminated."
"I see. Do you think it's possible he might also be
dealing with a secondary infection?"
"I don't know, Dr. Scully. It's quite possible that
Mr. Mulder might still be fighting the primary
infection. He did ingest quite a large portion. In
light of the severity of the initial onset, I'm
sticking with that diagnosis for now. Let's give him
another twenty-four hours. If there's been no
improvement by tomorrow evening, I'll suggest that he
be admitted to the hospital."
"All right," Scully agreed, worry niggling at her.
"That's on the condition that he can get some fluids
to stay down. Otherwise, I'll send him tonight."
Scully allowed herself a small smile. "He hates
hospitals. Maybe the threat of hospitalization will
convince him to drink something."
"Did they deliver the Gatorade?"
"Yes, they brought it about an hour ago," Mrs. Waters
supplied.
"Good. I'm going to examine him now. Dr. Scully,
why don't you stand by with that drink? Mrs. Waters,
you may go now. We'll need you again tomorrow if
that fits in with your schedule," Dr. Lamas hinted.
"Yes, I can do that. Same time?"
Dr. Lamas looked to Scully for confirmation and she
nodded yes.
"We'll see you in the morning then."
Mrs. Waters gathered her things. As she opened the
door, Skinner exited the elevator. She greeted him
and held the door open.
Skinner closed the door behind him. "Sorry I'm late.
There were quite a few questions. Even though the
two of you did an excellent job of preparing
everything, I could have used your help. How is
Agent Mulder? Is he any better?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Scully sighed. "Why don't I
fill you in while Dr. Lamas examines him?"
Skinner pulled his tie off with a flourish and sank
onto the sofa. "Sure."
Dr. Lamas disappeared inside Mulder's room.
"Would you like something to drink, sir?" Scully
opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of
Gatorade.
"No, thanks. I'm good. Why isn't he getting any
better, Scully?"
"We're not sure. Either the primary infection hasn't
run its course, or he's developing a secondary
infection."
"But, you're almost over it," Skinner pointed out.
"Fortunately, I'm almost back to normal, but much
more of the toxin entered Mulder's system."
"I see. Should we be concerned?" Skinner asked,
point-blank.
"At this point, I'm not sure. I'll have to admit
that I've never seen Mulder this ill, other than when
he battled that virus in Alaska. He's getting very
discouraged because he usually bounces right back."
Scully put the sports drink on the counter and joined
Skinner on the couch.
"Has he been cooperating?"
"For the most part, yes. He's refusing to drink
anything right now, though. He's had quite a bit of
abdominal pain and I think he's so afraid he'll start
vomiting again, that he'd rather not even try. Dr.
Lamas is more or less going to threaten him with IV's
and hospitalization. If that doesn't persuade him,
nothing will."
"I see." Skinner propped his feet up on the coffee
table.
Scully sighed, rising from her seat. "I'm going to
take this in to Mulder now. Wish me luck."
"If you need me as an added threat, just give a
shout."
"I'll keep that in mind," she replied as she strode
across the room and knocked on Mulder's door, then
entered. "How's it going?"
"I think I've persuaded Mr. Mulder to at least try
the Gatorade. I've given him another shot of Demerol
along with some Phenergan, so the nausea shouldn't be
as intense."
"Great. Here you go, Mulder. I've seen you drink
fruit punch before," Scully reminded him as she sat
on the side of his bed, handing him the bottle of red
liquid.
"That doesn't mean I liked it."
"Just pretend that you do."
"Why don't you get some of that down while I talk to
Dr. Scully and Mr. Skinner outside? I'll be back to
check on you before I leave," she promised.
Mulder saluted her with the bottle, pulled the top,
drank a sip and made a face.
End Part 5