Mulder had spent every minute of the past few days dealing with Scully. He knew he had to be careful due to the trouble he was already in with the FBI. If they found out that he was seeing Scully, they could find a way to use it against him somehow. Probably say he was trying to kill her or some other crazy stuff. Anyway, he didn't plan on taking that chance. And Skinner had kept him up to date on Scully's condition, which sadly had not changed. Then came the day that he couldn't take it anymore. He had to see her. What if something happened to her and he wasn't able to see her again? No, they had come too far in their partnership for him not to show that respect for her. He would also feel guilt if she died and he didn't see her one last time.

He drove to the hospital wearing a t-shirt, blue jeans and a leather jacket. He had to admit he felt awkward appearing in civilian clothes but it also might allow him to sneak in easier as well. The last thing the FBI would be looking for was a man dressed in regular clothes in a hospital. And he had also put on a ball cap to complete his disguise as well. He walked into the elevator and pushed the button for Scully's floor. He was then surprised by a voice beside him.

"Agent Mulder, what are you doing?"

Mulder turned to see Skinner standing next to him. "Nice to know your investigative techniques are still active, Walter. And in case you forgot it's just Fox Mulder now."

"What do you think you're doing here?"

"I'm here to see, Scully."

"Are you crazy?" Skinner asked leaning toward him. "You can't let them see you here!"

"And what if she dies?" Mulder asked looking back at him. "What if she dies and I can't see her again? I think after all these years of having her as a partner you would understand. I owe her the respect of seeing her. And I don't care if I get caught or not. I just…need to see her."

Skinner sighed. "I'll get the guards away from her door. But you can't take any longer than 15 minutes, understand? After that, I can't be responsible for what may happen."

Mulder smiled. "Thank you. I'd kiss you if it wasn't so awkward."

"Be quick or the only thing you will be kissing is your ass goodbye." Skinner answered before walking off the elevator.

Mulder made his way to the waiting room while he awaited Skinner to take care of the guards. He would have to find a way to repay Skinner for everything he had done. But he knew there was nothing that would ever be able to truly express that. After a few minutes, he received a buzzing on his cell. Looking down he could see the ID was Skinner and he knew that was the signal.

Pulling his hat further down to shield his face he walked up and picked up a phone. "I'm here to see Dana Scully, please. Who?" He paused. "Her brother, Bill Scully." He cringed as he used Bill's name but it was all he could think of at the time. "Yes, thank you." He waited as the door buzzed and then pulled on the handle. He walked down the hallway toward Scully's room. "Ok, now let's just hope that Walter did what he promised or this will be a real short trip." He looked toward her room and found no one standing near it. "Way to go Walter." He muttered before walking up to the door and then carefully sneaking inside.

Walking over to the bed, he saw Scully in the same state he had left her. The only difference was the people that had been around her were replaced by tubes and monitors. He took a seat in the chair beside the bed and picked up her hand. "Hey Scully, it's me. Sounds so funny me saying that instead of you huh?" He gave a chuckle. "Every time you would answer me that way. It almost became your trademark you know? God, what I wouldn't give to hear you say that to me now. We really need to stop doing this, Scully. I think you and I have both been in the hospital enough times to make the FBI have to throw out their employee benefits because their insurance company had to pay so much. I'm uh really trying hard to keep it together here. But I want you to know I'm losing that battle." He paused. "Did I tell you that I used Bill's name to get in here to see you? Bet he would be pissed as hell if he found out huh?" He took a breath. "So, you're using this excuse to get out of going to dinner with me huh? If you didn't really want to go all you had to do was say so. I think I can admit this is the second time I've been really scared in my life. Both times have been because of you is that funny or what? I was afraid because of what Jeremy might do to you and now I'm afraid…" He swallowed. "I'm afraid I might lose you for good. You're the only thing that's kept me going this long, Scully. You've been the one thing that prevented me from taking my gun, putting it to my head and pulling the trigger. Did you know that? No, of course you didn't. Well, you know now, huh? I still have that gun, Scully. And it still has that bullet. And if you die…well then that bullet will be fired." He laid his head on her chest. "Please don't leave me, Scully. Let that gun remain in my drawer." He then heard a coughing noise. "Scully?" He lifted his head and watched in amazement as Scully's eyes slowly opened. "Hey, have a nice nap?"

Scully blinked her eyes. "Mulder? What…what happened?"

"Your body was tired so it went to sleep. You were in a coma for almost a week, Scully."

"I…I was?" She put a hand to her forehead. "Oh my god."

"But it's ok, Scully. You're past that now. You're awake and alive and that's all that matters."

Scully studied his attire. "Why…why are you dressed like a frump?"

"A frump? Why I'm offended, Scully. This is my Fox Mulder special ensemble. Don't you like it?"

"Seriously, Mulder why are you dressed like that?"

Mulder sighed. "Scully, you should get better first. The last thing you need is more stress."

"Mulder, what's going on? Why do you keep taking occasional glances toward the door?"

"They kicked me out, Scully."

"What? Who? What do you mean?"

"While you were in your coma, I was brought before OPR in regards to what happened during the undercover operation up to finding you and Jeremy." He paused. "They said that I went against protocol for the last time and endangered my partner which was cause for dismissal."

Scully sat up. "Mulder, they can't do that."

"It's done, Scully. We both know this is a bullet that has been circulating around my head for years. They were just looking for the right moment. They were going to have a murder charge brought against me because of Jeremy's death. But Skinner's testimony changed their mind for some reason. I'm guessing that Skinner had some people high up who were on his side or something."

"Well then I'll testify."

"No, Scully. They've already hung me; I don't want you to go with me. I need to just let this one go."

"But if you aren't in the Bureau anymore.."

"The X-Files will be shut down. I already know that."

"But I could stay on and…"

Mulder chuckled. "Scully, do you really think they are going to let you stay on? As soon as you have recuperated from your injuries, they will reassign you to wherever they please. You need to just let this go, Scully."

"But if you aren't in the FBI what will you do?"

Mulder shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know, Scully. I do have a college degree in Psychology so I'm not completely helpless. I was even thinking I could still pursue the paranormal somehow. But the first thing I want to do is take care of you."

"Mulder…"

"No buts, Scully. I have all the time in the world now. You are going to need a lot of time to recuperate and I am going to help you."

"What…what exactly are my injuries?"

"You don't know?"

She shook her head. "I only remember bits and pieces."

"Scully, do you remember…did…Jeremy rape you?"

She paused trying to recollect. "I…I don't know. I…"

"It's ok. Don't try to remember it now. It will come back to you later, I'm sure."

She touched the side of her face where she felt a scar. "Mulder, what's wrong with my face?"

"Scully…"

She looked back at him. "What's wrong with it? Tell me."

"Jeremy cut you pretty bad with his knife, Scully. He…cut you across the face, neck, chest and stomach."

"Give me a mirror."

"Scully, please."

"Get me a mirror, I want to see!"

Mulder sighed as he handed her a tiny mirror. "Scully, whatever you think it's not permanent."

Scully held the mirror and gazed into it. Her eyes widened and she gasped as she saw the marks on her once innocent face. She traced the scratches with her fingers. "Oh my…my god. He's…he's marked me."

"Scully…"

"I'm forever scarred because of him!" She screamed as she closed her eyes lowering the mirror. "He…he took away my beautiful face."

Mulder shook his head. "No, Scully that's not true."

"Look at it!" Scully yelled as she picked up the mirror showing her scarred face in it. "I'm….I'm ugly now!"

Mulder reached forward cupping her face in his hands. "No, Scully. You aren't ugly. No matter what happens to your face, you are still beautiful to me."

She lowered the mirror taking in a breath. "I…I am?"

"You always have been to me, Scully. Why do you think I asked you out to dinner? Do you know how long it took me to work up the courage to ask you? Six years, Scully."

"That's a long time to wait."

"But it was worth it. And I still intend to take you out once you get better. If…you still want me to that is?" He traced her scratches delicately with his finger. "And as far as these marks go. They are acts of courage, Scully. What you did…was the bravest thing any Agent could do. In the end, you're the reason we caught him, Scully. It wasn't me. It was you."

"Oh, Mulder." She reached forward hugging him tightly. "I…I was so scared."

He caressed her hair. "Sssssh, don't think about that now. You just think of getting better ok?" He glanced at his watch and sighed.

"What is it, Mulder?"

"I have to go, Scully."

"Go? But you just got here."

"I know but Skinner said I only had a maximum of 15 minutes to be in here. That's how long he could detain the guards. If they come back and find me here…"

"It's ok, I understand. I just…"

"What?"

"Well, I heard you say that I was your strength. But…you're mine, Mulder. If there is one thing I do remember about that terrible ordeal it's your face. The whole time you looked at me assuring me that everything would be all right. If it hadn't been for your face, I would have just given up hope altogether. Jeremy was the gun pointed at my head with that bullet."

"Oh my god you heard me when I talked about the gun?"

"I did. And when you leave here, I want you to go home and take that gun out of your drawer and take the bullet out. If you want to do something for me right now, that is it."

"I promise to do it as soon as I get back." He hugged her again tightly before pulling away. "And I want you to get better so I can take you home ok? Don't worry, I will have Skinner make sure there are no glitches on me doing that."

"I'll have a miraculous recovery." Scully answered holding his hand. "Take…take care of yourself."

"I will. And I promise to check on you every day through Skinner." He lifted her hand kissing it. "Think about where you want to go eat for that dinner while you're getting better ok?"

"I'll think of the most expensive place I can find."

Mulder grinned. "Hey be careful. Remember I'm a civilian now. Don't have a Bureau Gold Card any more." He touched her hair. "Take care, Scully. And remember no matter what he did to you, I'm going to help you. And the more you fight and keep that spirit of yours, the quicker those scars will disappear."

"I'll…I'll remember." Scully answered with a half smile. "Now go."

Mulder nodded before rising from the chair. "Rest well, Scully."

"Oh and Mulder?"

Mulder turned toward her. "Yeah?"

"Don't ever wear that outfit ensemble together again ok?"

Mulder smiled. "You got it." He then walked out of the room.

Scully laid her head back on her pillow and let out a sigh. She had heard every single word that Mulder had spoken to her while he was at her bedside. She could almost sense that there was something else he wanted to confess to her but was afraid of. He had called her beautiful but it was more than just a comment she felt. She didn't tell Mulder but while she was in her coma, she had revisited the place she had been at when she had returned from her abduction four years ago. But this time there was something different about it. Instead of the peacefulness there was some kind of ominous presence looming somewhere. Was it in her imagination or was this a sign of some kind?