This Mortal Coil
By Piper Sargasso
(Disclaimers, etc. in chapter one.)
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Chapter Five
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Scully regained consciousness sometime before noon the next day.
I wasn't there to witness this firsthand, of course. I was able to keep track of her condition through a steady mind connection with an unknowing Skinner.
I rose from my new room in Claudius's home and pulled the heavy draperies back. Night had just fallen, the sky tinged with streaks of purple and orange. How different this room was from the one where I was held prisoner before. Whereas Julian's cell for me had been an intricate gathering of antique rugs and lavish furnishings, Claudius's offering was an eclectic mix of both modern styles and traditional. Tasteful. The floor was carpeted and fine art prints decorated the walls. It was cozy rather than overbearing. The only thing even remotely ostentatious about it was the heavily canopied, antique king-size bed.
Scully would like it here. More importantly, she would be safe here. It was crazy, but I put my complete trust in Claudius. I knew he would take care of things, a security I never felt with Julian. That trust was the deciding factor as to where Scully should go once she recovered.
Not that the decision was an easy one. I was torn between sending her back to D.C. and keeping her here by my side. In the end, I realized she would be safest with Claudius and me. It seemed to be the only way.
~*~
Eight o' clock found me standing before the hospital, contemplating my course of action. It would do me little good to be seen walking up like anyone else could, given the current circumstances. Even if that were an option, I still wouldn't get away with lifting Scully off the bed and simply walking out.
No, this operation was going to require more stealth than that. My only option was to climb the wall of the building and enter through the window. Luckily, the private room Scully was transferred to had a normal window that opened. This was a welcome relief from the impossible-to-pass-through slit of a window in her ICU room; I may be a vampire, but I am in no way possessed of Toomsian abilities.
With a litheness I still hadn't gotten accustomed to, I made my way up the brick wall, finding finger holds useless to mortals. My ascension was steady and sure. Once I reached Scully's window, I peeked inside to make sure no one else occupied the room. The last thing I needed was to send some poor nurse into hysterics. Satisfied that the coast was clear, I opened the middle panel and climbed inside.
She looked better, though that wasn't exactly saying much. Her collection of machines had diminished to less imposing monitors keeping tabs on her vitals. She was still attached to an IV, but the bag feeding into the tube held some clear solution rather than blood. I took this as a good sign. Still, it was hard to ignore the dark circles under her eyes and her sallow skin. It could've been my imagination, but it seemed she'd gotten even smaller. A pang stabbed at my heart, but I forced myself into action. Who knew when Julian or one of his lackeys would find their way here? The sooner I got her out the better.
I pulled the IV out of her wrist as carefully as possible, but paused before unhooking her from the monitors. I knew from firsthand experience that once those implements were disengaged, no fewer than three members of the hospital staff would be rushing in to see what was wrong with their patient. There would be little time to get out without being seen.
"Mulder?" her voice croaked out.
I looked down at her, trying to smile despite the seriousness of the situation. "It's okay. We have to go now."
She nodded weakly and licked her parched lips. Jesus, her eyes were so dark and sunken. She didn't look much like my Scully at all. Fighting back the bitter guilt coiling in the pit of my stomach, I smiled again. It felt feeble even to me.
"I'm just going to unhook you, okay?"
She nodded again and left me to my task. I made quick work of freeing her, dismayed by the sudden sound of an alarm going off in short bursts even though I expected just that. Leaning down, I swept her up into my arms and tucked the blanket around her. In no time, the place would be swarming with nurses. We had to move fast.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" a man shouted.
I turned around. Skinner.
"There's no time for this," I hissed with more venom than was probably necessary. I could hear the approaching footsteps barreling closer and closer by the second.
But Skinner wouldn't be dismissed. Gun pointed squarely at my head, he bit out a reply. "Put Agent Scully down now, Agent Mulder. That is not a request."
I looked over my former superior's shoulder, calculating how much time it would take me to bolt over to the door and barricade it somehow. The handle itself bore no locks and the chairs in the room would just glide over the polished tile floor. As it was, the door was standing half-open, as if in invitation. Desperation sent a cold shockwave to my brain, bringing my split attention back to the gun.
Scully snuggled against my chest and shivered in spite of the blanket tucked around her. Did he think he was a good enough shot to miss her altogether? No doubt he would be, under normal conditions. However, he had no idea how fast I'd become. I could pivot to head for the window at the exact time he squeezed off a shot. All it would take was a slight miscalculation on either of our parts and the results could be tragic. I wasn't willing to take the chance.
All I knew was that I needed to block the door off at any cost. Skinner inched closer, blinking as he loosened and tightened his grip on the gun. Everything about his stance was keyed-up, uncertain. He glanced down at Scully and a flicker of obvious fear tightened his features. She turned bleary eyes on him, too weak to offer any reassurances.
"I can't let you do this, Mulder."
A flash of blue outside the door -- the standard hospital uniform. The desperate desire to shut them out intensified, a physical swelling in the pit of my stomach, and a physical push emanated from my gut. The door slammed shut, eliciting a masculine yelp of pain from the other side. Frantic voices babbled through the thick barrier and the handle rattled and clicked. They were trying to get in but couldn't. They couldn't get in. The thought was irrelevant, but held me in shocked satisfaction. They couldn't get in because I willed it so.
Whereas I reveled in my newfound talent (and confirmed my earlier suspicions regarding Scully's window in the Convenire), Skinner just looked terrified. All the color had drained from his face along with his desire to point his gun at me. It was held limply at his side, forgotten.
"Wh- what the hell was that?"
I grinned. I couldn't help myself. "A lucky side effect."
His eyes narrowed. "Side effect? Side effect to what, Mulder? It felt like someone was shoving right though me." The voices outside receded. A loud bump announcing some orderly's determination to get inside shook me from my temporary good humor.
"I have to get her out of here," I said.
His armed hand rose, returning us to our former standoff. "You're not taking her anywhere until I get some answers."
"There's no time," I growled. Skinner flinched and looked at me like he'd never set eyes on me before. I could only imagine what he was seeing in me at that moment. No doubt I was unrecognizable to him. Not like the Agent Mulder he knew; more like a caged and dangerous animal. Inhuman. Unearthly.
He lowered his gun. My God. What has he become?
I jumped at the sound of his voice in my head. His thoughts in my head, to be more specific. It took me by surprise; I wasn't searching his mind, nor was I interested in divining his thoughts at the moment. Using this to my advantage, I answered his unspoken question. "Some might say a monster." I laughed bitterly at that. "They wouldn't be too far from the truth."
The blood drained from his face again. I tried not to focus on the primal rush of hunger that surged through my veins at the sight. Instead, I pushed into his mind in search of something useful, something I could say to convince him to let us go in peace. I was unprepared for the torrent of suppressed emotion that pummeled my senses.
He was frightened of me. Pride and survival instinct forbade him to show it, though. The past weeks had taken an enormous toll on him. He was scared and worried for me during the days I was missing. He was still scared and worried for me. He wondered what I had gotten myself into.
But if he was scared for me and for my fate, he was nearly petrified with fear for Scully's. When she'd gone missing, it took more than barking commands to soothe his nerves. It had taken a bottle of Stoli a night just to get to sleep. He was unraveling. It wasn't unlike grieving; the fear of losing her was so strong.
Startled, I pulled back. I had no desire to delve any deeper into the man's feelings towards Scully.
Skinner found his voice. "Just tell me what's going on, Mulder."
"I've already said it twice -- there isn't time. I've wasted too much of it here as it is."
"Look," he continued, "I want to trust you here, but you're not making it any easier. And I won't even comment on the Jedi mind trick you just pulled on that door." He shook his head. "I think you owe me something though, Mulder. I can't let you just walk out of here without some idea what's going on."
I sighed in irritation. "Okay, listen. I expect the person –" I spat the word. No way was I getting into a discussion about Liliana's lack of humanity here. "-- Who did this to her to come back and finish the job." My eyes narrowed. "You saw the injuries on her neck. The lack of blood."
He nodded.
"Then you must have some idea what we're dealing with here."
He nodded again, swallowing like he was pushing bile back down his throat. "Are you –?"
"Yes."
"My God."
Four or five years ago, I never would've dreamt of such ready acceptance from my boss. Time and proof had changed his perception of reality, it seemed. I found no joy in the prospect.
"I'm taking her to a place that's safe. That's all I can say." I pulled Scully closer to me and narrowed my eyes. "There's no need for the gun, Skinner. I can assure you it will do you no good."
His eyes flickered to the molded steel in his hand, then back to my face. I didn't have to read his mind to know he couldn't imagine a situation where his weapon and a steady hand couldn't help him. Something like vague panic flickered in his eyes. He holstered his gun.
"Where are we going to meet to discuss this, Agent?" he demanded gruffly.
The pounding outside was now spaced further apart, but the shouting was louder than before. Still, I managed a grim smile at his audacious attempt to get on top of a situation he had no inkling how to deal with. Of course, he was entitled to an explanation, but not any time soon. When the danger had passed, then he would know. If the danger ever passed.
"Not tonight," I answered, then turned swiftly to slip out the window with Scully held to me like a cherished, life-sized doll. We hit the ground in a landing so smooth it even impressed me, leaving Skinner to explain his charge's sudden disappearance to the medical staff.
And to wonder how we managed to escape through the window of a fourth floor hospital room without him seeing anything more than a blur.
~*~
There was never a more welcome sight than the lighted circular drive and façade of Claudius's home. Our host met me at the door and ushered us into the great hall. I comforted myself by thinking, again, that there was nowhere safer or more inviting than where we were at that moment.
Claudius regarded the woman in my arms, asleep and drained from the journey. "I've had her rooms prepared. Follow me."
It was decided earlier that evening that Scully and I should sleep in separate rooms until she was operating with her full mental capacity and used to our unique situation. It would be tragic for her to wake one morning, disoriented from her sickness, throw the drapes back like anyone else would do and fry my fledgling ass to a crisp. Although I did appreciate the irony.
We climbed the curved grand staircase, and turned right. I followed him down the corridor until he stopped before a carved door.
"I trust you'll want to settle in privately. I've taken the liberty of procuring some basic toiletries for her. There is some clothing in the armoire, dressing gowns and such. You should find them appropriate until she makes a full recovery." He smiled reassuringly. It struck me once more that Claudius's smiles couldn't be more different from Julian's cocky, half-leers.
"Thank you, Claudius. For everything."
He replied with a slight nod, and then he was gone.
I opened the door. A small smile tugged at my lips as I surveyed our surroundings, sure that Scully would love it. In the middle of the sitting room was a large, cherry wood table with an equally large floral arrangement situated on the glossy top. It was flanked by beige and cream striped silk chairs and chaise lounges. The walls were papered with a subtle textured print and decorated with Ruebenesque paintings. A fire blazed in the small, cherry wood fireplace beyond the centerpiece table. I smiled wider upon noticing a large, gilded mirror above the mantle, tilted to look down on the room -- a testament to Claudius's humor concerning one of the oldest vampire misconceptions.
I carried her through the open archway to the left, into her bedroom. It was decorated much the same as the sitting room, elegant and classy, yet comfortable. A fire had been lit in the large fireplace and it cast a golden glow over the room. I made my way over to the four-poster. One corner of the bed's covers was pulled back, making it easier for me to slip Scully underneath. She murmured something incoherent upon touching the cool sheets, but settled into the mattress without another sound.
I looked down at her quiescent form, swearing under my breath as I noted that her pallid face and hands stood out even against the cream and gold of the duvet. Little comfort came from the knowledge that as long as she was within these walls, she was safe. It struck me with the force of a paralyzing blow, and not for the first time, that she would never have been dragged into this situation if it weren't for me. At that moment, I despised my curiosity, despised the part of me that needed answers so badly it didn't give a second thought to whose lives may be destroyed in the process. It was, as always, all-consuming, destroying anyone in its path.
"Mulder?" Scully rasped out, not even bothering to open her eyes.
I sat down next to her on the bed, taking a cold hand in mine. "I'm here."
She let out a soft sigh. "So weak."
Anger passed through me. But she didn't need my anger right now. I reached out and pushed a stray wisp of hair away from her face, startled by the coldness of her cheek despite the warmth of the fire. How long would it be before she recovered? She was stable, but still fragile. I was at a terrible loss; this would be the perfect time for Doctor Scully to make a reassuring appearance. With another stab of fury mingled with guilt, I recognized she wouldn't be around for a while.
She pulled a bit of the duvet back from the other side of the bed and motioned for me to join her. The slight action seemed to take the last of her energy, and I didn't question it. I pulled my shoes off and climbed in, satisfied to feel her nuzzle against me. Within minutes, she was asleep again. I took the opportunity to relax against her and just enjoy the sensation of her heart beating against my chest and the warm puffs of breath against my neck. She was warming. She was alive. I tightened my arms around her to punctuate my utter happiness for that fact.
It wasn't long, though, before those very essences of her life became an overwhelming assault on my senses. Driven to dangerous distraction, I pulled myself away from her warm body and, giving her one more glance and a quiet promise of my return, I left her rooms. I raced down the stairs and out the front door and in seconds, I was standing next to one of the hedges surrounding the circular drive.
One thought burned its way beyond my concern for Scully and through the hunger: will I survive long enough to surpass this nightly need for blood?
I had neither the inclination nor the willpower to ponder this further. Not when the woods looked so inviting...
~ * ~
Tracking my prey was easier and faster than I expected, which was excellent for me. This time it was a big buck, full of spirit and vigor. I left feeling gluttonous, and the deer walked away little more than dazed.
Satisfied that I was no longer a threat to Scully's safety, I returned to her rooms. I must have sat there watching her sleep for an hour at least, witnessing her expressions pass from relaxed stillness to frowning irritation and back to stillness again. In the end, she had seemed troubled and shifted restlessly from her side to her back.
I moved from the chair to the side opposite her on the bed and grabbed hold of her hand. Her eyes fluttered open. "What is it?" I asked quietly.
"Your hands are warm," she noted.
I smiled. "Yeah. I fed a little bit ago."
She nodded. "I'm cold."
It was an invitation I was happy to accept. Crawling under the covers next to her, I gave silent thanks to whatever deity out there had seen fit to make sure she'd survive Liliana's attack. I didn't want to think about what could've been. Rather than get morose about it, I contented myself with the feel of Scully's small body curled into mine, the tickle of her hair brushing my chin and the exquisite rightness of it all.
My life may have taken an awful and incredible turn. Julian, Liliana and the rest of the Convenire may still be a threat. My whole damn world may be in upheaval. But Scully was right here, right now, murmuring about needing just a little more sleep and drawing heat from my well-fed body. And she was going to be okay.
For now, that was enough for me.
~ End Chapter Five~