The Domino Effect-Part 6
Headers and Disclaimers in Part 1
"Dr. Lamas, I want your honest opinion," Skinner
voiced after they were all seated. "Have you seen
any improvement whatsoever?"
"Mr. Skinner, I can honestly say that I haven't seen
any improvement. In fact, his condition is slightly
worse than 24 hours ago."
"I'll have to admit that Agent Scully and I are very
concerned. Agent Mulder usually bounces right back
from any illness or injury he experiences. He's been
so ill that he hasn't even turned on the TV in his
room. That TV is always on, even when he sleeps.
That just isn't normal for Mulder. I think you can
see why we are so anxious."
"I understand, Mr. Skinner. I'm at the point where
I'll have to see some improvement in the next twenty-
four hours or I will insist that he be hospitalized."
"What can we do in the meantime?" Scully queried.
"You're doing all you can. Continue to encourage him
to drink, and administer Tylenol for the fever. I
think tonight could be the turning point.
Staphylococcus aureus generally lasts from 24 to 48
hours so we should see some improvement by morning.
Please remember that it will take several days for
Mr. Mulder to gain enough strength to even sit for
short periods of time. He must not push it or he
will suffer a relapse."
"Thank you, Dr. Lamas, for all you've done. We'll
continue with what we've been doing and hope for the
best."
"That's all I ask. I've arranged for the nurse to
return tomorrow. Dr. Scully, if you feel up to it
you may start taking short walks or sit outside in a
shaded area."
"I had planned to start moving around a bit more
tomorrow," Scully reported, wishing Mulder could join
her in the sunshine. The fact that he hadn't yet
exhibited his usual stir craziness was testament to
how ill he was.
Dr. Lamas rose from her seat. "Listen to your body,
Dr. Scully. Don't push yourself, either. If your
body feels tired or weak, then by all means rest.
It's fine to help with your partner's care, but
please let Mrs. Waters do most of the work."
"I'll keep that in mind. Sir, if you don't need me
for anything, I'd like to sit with Mulder for a
while."
"Sure, Scully," he smiled.
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"Are you finished discussing my lack of progress?"
Mulder was propped up on several pillows, eying his
bottle of Gatorade with distaste.
"Don't flatter yourself. Who says you were the topic
of the entire conversation?"
Mulder rolled his eyes, sighed, and took another
short sip of the sports drink. "Nasty!"
Scully sat beside him and pulled his hands up so she
could see the bottle. "I see you've managed to get
down some of the Gatorade at least."
"Down being the operative word, as in, will it stay
down?"
Scully pulled him into a hug, and rubbed her hands
over his back. He still felt far too warm. "Have
faith, Mulder."
"As far as my stomach goes, I've lost all faith," he
sighed.
She hugged him tighter. "Come on. Don't get
discouraged."
"Sorry, but I'm just not good at being sick."
"Who is?"
Mulder handed her the bottle of Gatorade. "No more."
"Well, you got almost a third of it down. That
should help."
"Could I go back to water or ginger ale, please?" he
pleaded.
"You can have water or ginger ale for the time being,
but you need to drink some more Gatorade later. You
heard what the doctor said and what she threatened."
"Okay, I'll try." He slid down in the bed while
Scully removed a few pillows. "Why am I so tired?
All I've done for almost 48 hours is lie in bed."
"I know," she said sympathetically. "Dr. Lamas
thinks tonight could be the turning point. The
average case of food poisoning of this type generally
lasts for 24 to 48 hours. If you can fight off that
fever, I think you'll start to see a great
improvement."
"I'm trying." Frustration was evident in his voice.
"Gotta get up."
"Bathroom?"
Mulder nodded.
"I'll get Skinner."
"Can't you help me?"
"Mulder, if you start to fall there's no way I could
hold you up. Besides, do you really want me to stand
by while you do your business?"
"Uh, no, and I don't particularly care for Skinner to
observe either."
"Until you gain some strength back someone will have
to be with you. You don't want to add a concussion
to your list of woes do you?"
"No, I think I'll pass on that."
"Good decision. I'll get Skinner."
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"Agent Mulder, we've got to stop meeting like this,"
Skinner teased as he entered his agent's room.
"Couldn't agree more, sir." Scully helped him swing
his legs over until he was sitting on the side of the
bed.
Skinner reached for Mulder's elbow. "Ready to go?"
"As soon as the room stops spinning." Mulder
blanched as he waited for his equilibrium to return.
Scully's face began to show concern. "Will you be
able to make it? I can find the urinal you brought
home from the hospital."
"Got to go or start swimming, and I may need to sit
for a while, if you get my drift, in which case the
urinal would be useless."
"Agent Scully, why don't you order us something to
eat while I stay with Mulder?"
"Yes, sir. Mulder, would you like anything?"
"No. Just want to use the bathroom and go back to
sleep."
"I'll order some jello and maybe you'll feel like
eating it later."
"Whatever."
"Mulder, you ready?" Skinner reached for his elbow
once again.
"Let's do it."
Skinner helped him stand and everything was fine
until he tried to straighten up. He groaned loudly
and clutched his stomach.
"Those muscles still bothering you?"
"Worse than before."
"Do you need to rest another minute or two?"
Mulder shook his head no. "Unless you want to clean
up a huge mess, we'd better get going now."
Skinner grimaced with empathy and tightened his grip
on Mulder as they quickened their pace.
Scully was gone when they came out of the bathroom.
"Make sure Scully rests." Skinner held on tightly to
Mulder's elbow, as his strength seemed to be
flagging. "Don't want her to have a relapse," he
gasped out.
"I agree. One sick agent is more than enough."
"Tired," he groaned as he collapsed in a heap on the
bed.
Skinner helped him get as comfortable as possible and
arranged the pillows. "Get some rest. I'm sure
Scully will be back later."
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"Dinner should be here soon," Scully announced as
Skinner entered the living room.
"Great. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. Mulder's
tucked safely into bed. I could tell that he was
very tired. He tends to speak in shortened
sentences."
"I've noticed that too. I ordered some jello. Maybe
I can convince him to give it a try when he wakes."
Skinner sat down on the couch propping his feet up on
the coffee table, a favorite position. "What do you
have planned for tomorrow, Agent Scully?
"I haven't really made any plans. I thought I'd play
it by ear. I don't want to go far from Mulder. Do
you need my help, sir?"
"No, I want you to take the day to rest and relax and
get your strength back. If you're up to it, perhaps
you could help a little on the last day of the
conference. We'll see how you feel after you're up
and about tomorrow."
"I'd be glad to help."
"I don't want to hear that you've spent the entire
day taking care of Mulder. Go outside and take a
short walk along the beach, or sit on the balcony and
watch the pleasure boats on the ocean. Mrs. Waters
is being paid to watch over him."
"I would like to spend some time with him. He
relates better to someone he knows."
"I understand, Agent Scully. I just don't want you
wearing yourself out."
Scully raised her right hand as if taking an oath.
"I promise I won't."
Scully and Skinner chatted amiably until their dinner
arrived. Scully found the jello and put it in the
refrigerator, then settled down to eat her own meal.
After dinner, they watched TV and talked about the
conference and the seminar Skinner was conducting. A
full stomach and comfortable surroundings soon
relaxed Scully to the point that she dozed off in her
favorite armchair.
Skinner gently shook her shoulders. "Scully, I think
it's time to call it a night."
"I'm sorry, sir. I must have nodded off."
"That's all right. Do you need any help getting to
your room?
"No, I'm fine." She stretched and yawned. "I guess
I was more tired than I thought."
"Then you definitely need to get to bed." Skinner
offered his hand and she took it.
Just as he pulled her up, they heard a pitiful moan
from Mulder's room, then a very weak, "Scully."
It took the two of them just seconds to reach
Mulder's side, dreading what they might find. He was
curled in a fetal position, shivering. "Freezing.
Hurts all over," he gasped. "Help me . . .please?"
End Part 6
Headers and Disclaimers in Part 1
"Dr. Lamas, I want your honest opinion," Skinner
voiced after they were all seated. "Have you seen
any improvement whatsoever?"
"Mr. Skinner, I can honestly say that I haven't seen
any improvement. In fact, his condition is slightly
worse than 24 hours ago."
"I'll have to admit that Agent Scully and I are very
concerned. Agent Mulder usually bounces right back
from any illness or injury he experiences. He's been
so ill that he hasn't even turned on the TV in his
room. That TV is always on, even when he sleeps.
That just isn't normal for Mulder. I think you can
see why we are so anxious."
"I understand, Mr. Skinner. I'm at the point where
I'll have to see some improvement in the next twenty-
four hours or I will insist that he be hospitalized."
"What can we do in the meantime?" Scully queried.
"You're doing all you can. Continue to encourage him
to drink, and administer Tylenol for the fever. I
think tonight could be the turning point.
Staphylococcus aureus generally lasts from 24 to 48
hours so we should see some improvement by morning.
Please remember that it will take several days for
Mr. Mulder to gain enough strength to even sit for
short periods of time. He must not push it or he
will suffer a relapse."
"Thank you, Dr. Lamas, for all you've done. We'll
continue with what we've been doing and hope for the
best."
"That's all I ask. I've arranged for the nurse to
return tomorrow. Dr. Scully, if you feel up to it
you may start taking short walks or sit outside in a
shaded area."
"I had planned to start moving around a bit more
tomorrow," Scully reported, wishing Mulder could join
her in the sunshine. The fact that he hadn't yet
exhibited his usual stir craziness was testament to
how ill he was.
Dr. Lamas rose from her seat. "Listen to your body,
Dr. Scully. Don't push yourself, either. If your
body feels tired or weak, then by all means rest.
It's fine to help with your partner's care, but
please let Mrs. Waters do most of the work."
"I'll keep that in mind. Sir, if you don't need me
for anything, I'd like to sit with Mulder for a
while."
"Sure, Scully," he smiled.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Are you finished discussing my lack of progress?"
Mulder was propped up on several pillows, eying his
bottle of Gatorade with distaste.
"Don't flatter yourself. Who says you were the topic
of the entire conversation?"
Mulder rolled his eyes, sighed, and took another
short sip of the sports drink. "Nasty!"
Scully sat beside him and pulled his hands up so she
could see the bottle. "I see you've managed to get
down some of the Gatorade at least."
"Down being the operative word, as in, will it stay
down?"
Scully pulled him into a hug, and rubbed her hands
over his back. He still felt far too warm. "Have
faith, Mulder."
"As far as my stomach goes, I've lost all faith," he
sighed.
She hugged him tighter. "Come on. Don't get
discouraged."
"Sorry, but I'm just not good at being sick."
"Who is?"
Mulder handed her the bottle of Gatorade. "No more."
"Well, you got almost a third of it down. That
should help."
"Could I go back to water or ginger ale, please?" he
pleaded.
"You can have water or ginger ale for the time being,
but you need to drink some more Gatorade later. You
heard what the doctor said and what she threatened."
"Okay, I'll try." He slid down in the bed while
Scully removed a few pillows. "Why am I so tired?
All I've done for almost 48 hours is lie in bed."
"I know," she said sympathetically. "Dr. Lamas
thinks tonight could be the turning point. The
average case of food poisoning of this type generally
lasts for 24 to 48 hours. If you can fight off that
fever, I think you'll start to see a great
improvement."
"I'm trying." Frustration was evident in his voice.
"Gotta get up."
"Bathroom?"
Mulder nodded.
"I'll get Skinner."
"Can't you help me?"
"Mulder, if you start to fall there's no way I could
hold you up. Besides, do you really want me to stand
by while you do your business?"
"Uh, no, and I don't particularly care for Skinner to
observe either."
"Until you gain some strength back someone will have
to be with you. You don't want to add a concussion
to your list of woes do you?"
"No, I think I'll pass on that."
"Good decision. I'll get Skinner."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Agent Mulder, we've got to stop meeting like this,"
Skinner teased as he entered his agent's room.
"Couldn't agree more, sir." Scully helped him swing
his legs over until he was sitting on the side of the
bed.
Skinner reached for Mulder's elbow. "Ready to go?"
"As soon as the room stops spinning." Mulder
blanched as he waited for his equilibrium to return.
Scully's face began to show concern. "Will you be
able to make it? I can find the urinal you brought
home from the hospital."
"Got to go or start swimming, and I may need to sit
for a while, if you get my drift, in which case the
urinal would be useless."
"Agent Scully, why don't you order us something to
eat while I stay with Mulder?"
"Yes, sir. Mulder, would you like anything?"
"No. Just want to use the bathroom and go back to
sleep."
"I'll order some jello and maybe you'll feel like
eating it later."
"Whatever."
"Mulder, you ready?" Skinner reached for his elbow
once again.
"Let's do it."
Skinner helped him stand and everything was fine
until he tried to straighten up. He groaned loudly
and clutched his stomach.
"Those muscles still bothering you?"
"Worse than before."
"Do you need to rest another minute or two?"
Mulder shook his head no. "Unless you want to clean
up a huge mess, we'd better get going now."
Skinner grimaced with empathy and tightened his grip
on Mulder as they quickened their pace.
Scully was gone when they came out of the bathroom.
"Make sure Scully rests." Skinner held on tightly to
Mulder's elbow, as his strength seemed to be
flagging. "Don't want her to have a relapse," he
gasped out.
"I agree. One sick agent is more than enough."
"Tired," he groaned as he collapsed in a heap on the
bed.
Skinner helped him get as comfortable as possible and
arranged the pillows. "Get some rest. I'm sure
Scully will be back later."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Dinner should be here soon," Scully announced as
Skinner entered the living room.
"Great. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. Mulder's
tucked safely into bed. I could tell that he was
very tired. He tends to speak in shortened
sentences."
"I've noticed that too. I ordered some jello. Maybe
I can convince him to give it a try when he wakes."
Skinner sat down on the couch propping his feet up on
the coffee table, a favorite position. "What do you
have planned for tomorrow, Agent Scully?
"I haven't really made any plans. I thought I'd play
it by ear. I don't want to go far from Mulder. Do
you need my help, sir?"
"No, I want you to take the day to rest and relax and
get your strength back. If you're up to it, perhaps
you could help a little on the last day of the
conference. We'll see how you feel after you're up
and about tomorrow."
"I'd be glad to help."
"I don't want to hear that you've spent the entire
day taking care of Mulder. Go outside and take a
short walk along the beach, or sit on the balcony and
watch the pleasure boats on the ocean. Mrs. Waters
is being paid to watch over him."
"I would like to spend some time with him. He
relates better to someone he knows."
"I understand, Agent Scully. I just don't want you
wearing yourself out."
Scully raised her right hand as if taking an oath.
"I promise I won't."
Scully and Skinner chatted amiably until their dinner
arrived. Scully found the jello and put it in the
refrigerator, then settled down to eat her own meal.
After dinner, they watched TV and talked about the
conference and the seminar Skinner was conducting. A
full stomach and comfortable surroundings soon
relaxed Scully to the point that she dozed off in her
favorite armchair.
Skinner gently shook her shoulders. "Scully, I think
it's time to call it a night."
"I'm sorry, sir. I must have nodded off."
"That's all right. Do you need any help getting to
your room?
"No, I'm fine." She stretched and yawned. "I guess
I was more tired than I thought."
"Then you definitely need to get to bed." Skinner
offered his hand and she took it.
Just as he pulled her up, they heard a pitiful moan
from Mulder's room, then a very weak, "Scully."
It took the two of them just seconds to reach
Mulder's side, dreading what they might find. He was
curled in a fetal position, shivering. "Freezing.
Hurts all over," he gasped. "Help me . . .please?"
End Part 6