The entire ride back to Scully's apartment neither partner said anything to the other. Scully sat in the passenger seat staring out the window with her jacket wrapped around her. And as for Mulder, he just kept his attention on driving them. Even though he said nothing, his mind was teeming with what had happened in her hospital room. She had said nothing since he had left the room and her mother had helped her dress. Margaret and he had decided that it was best not to push the issue. After all, Scully had already been through enough as it was. But what had actually happened in that bathroom? He turned and saw her leaning on the door still staring out the window. The sunlight fell upon her red hair and played upon her delicate face. Mulder had not lied when he had told her she was beautiful. He had felt that way from the very first day she had walked into his office. Her hair was shorter now and her figure slightly thinner but other than that, she looked the same. And she had gone from a straight skeptic to someone who did not so easily dismiss other possibilities. She was truly a remarkable woman to him. And after her recent trauma she had also shown more courage then he had ever seen in anyone. He finally pulled up to her apartment and turned off the car. "Scully? We're here."

"Good." Scully answered still turned toward the window.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. I just want to get inside and have a nice bath."

Mulder smiled. That was indeed a good sign for he knew his partner lived for baths. "I think we can arrange that. Come on, let's get you inside." He took his keys out the ignition and then stepped out going over to Scully's side. "Do you need any help?"

"I'm not a cripple, Mulder." Scully replied. "And remember I also have this." She pulled out a metal cane and placed it on the ground. There was something she still had trouble with when it came to mobility and that was standing up. Her legs had weakened slightly but once she stood up, she was able to walk. She grabbed the handle of the cane and leaned on it as she pulled herself up.

Mulder hated seeing Scully use a cane even if it was for just a small part. Jeremy had left his mark on her physically and mentally but he could tell she was determined not to let it beat her. He followed behind her as she walked slowly up into the complex. As they walked to the elevator, he noticed a couple neighbors turning to look at her. If Scully noticed their stares she didn't show it as she stepped into the elevator. Mulder followed right behind her and pushed the button going to her floor.

The elevator door opened and Scully was the first to step off and head down the hallway to her apartment. She pulled out her keys and was about to unlock the door when Mulder stepped in front of her.

"Wait, wait." Mulder replied as he put his hand on hers preventing her from turning the key.

"Mulder, what is it?"

"I want you to let me open it and close your eyes."

"What?"

"Please, Scully. Do it for me?"

"Well….ok. But if there's a huge stain on my carpet or couch you're in trouble." She answered as she put her hands over her face.

Mulder smiled as he gently took her hand away from the key. As he placed her hand in his he could feel the warmth emanating from it. Her delicate hand felt so natural in his. He used his other hand to finish unlocking the door and it slowly creaked open. He then led her inside and closed the door behind them. He led her into the living room.

"Can I open them now?"

Mulder leaned into her ear. "Ok, open them." He whispered.

Scully looked around at the sparkling room before her. Not a thing was out of place and there were even a few extras she had not had before. She glanced over at the coffee table, which had a tabletop fountain and candles. "Oh, Mulder." She breathed.

"Do you like it?"

"Like it?" She noticed the crystal hanging from the ceiling. "This looks like something you would find in a New Age shop or something."

"Actually, it was from a friend of mine who practices herbal treatments. He said that these things would help give a more peaceful atmosphere and help you with your healing. But if you don't like them I can.."

Scully turned and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Mulder."

Mulder closed his eyes as his senses took in the smell of her hair. He reached his hand up and caressed a few strands with his fingers. "You're welcome." He whispered. "I told you I would help you in any way I can and I will." His lips were very close to her neck but he refrained from kissing it as difficult as it was. He had to remember that she was still recuperating from what had happened with Jeremy. "Listen, how about I run you a bath while you get settled in?"

Scully pulled back from him. "You? Run me a bath?"

Mulder nodded and touched her cheek. "And then afterwards a nice, quiet dinner."

"Wait, now you are going to cook? Who are you and what have you done with Fox Mulder?" She asked in a teasing voice.

"Hey, now. I can cook. I may have burned some things…errrr….scorched them here and there. But I'm getting better."

"Uh-huh and what was the last thing you cooked?"

"The last thing?" Mulder paused. "I think it was pork chops."

"And what happened? I mean…it really isn't that difficult to cook pork chops."

"Well, let's just say that I had some extra cash in my pocket so I ordered me a pizza."

"You're not planning on giving me pizza tonight, are you?"

"What?" Mulder furrowed his brow. "No, no. No way. Pizza isn't good enough for you."

"Really?"

"Yep. Tonight you get something special for your homecoming. So, why don't you get in and take your bath? And then when you get done, you'll have a nice, hot dinner waiting for you."

"Hmmmm….maybe I should have something terrible like this happen to me more often?" She asked as she tilted her head with a smile.

Mulder touched her nose. "Hey, now don't even think that. I've always wanted to do something like this for you but we were always so busy with work. Now, I'm unemployed." He rubbed noses with her. He realized he was beginning to be drawn into her blue eyes and this could quickly turn into something more than just an innocent talk. "Why….why don't you go take your bath?" He whispered. "I'm sure it would make you feel better."

"Oh…ok." She whispered back. "Try not to burn down my kitchen if you can. The fire extinguisher is by the refrigerator." She then kissed his cheek before moving away and heading toward the bathroom.

Mulder stood unable to move from where he was. He had impressed her with what he had done! And they had been so close to one another. He clenched his fist in triumph. "Yes! I have achieved a victory! There is still hope for me yet." He touched his cheek where she had kissed him and smiled before heading to the kitchen. He pulled out a chef hat from the cupboard along with an apron that said Kiss the Cook. "Now, let's get cooking!"

Scully turned on the bath water and let it run while she slowly took off her clothes. She still couldn't believe what Mulder had done to her apartment! She would never have expected anything like that from him! It was like his being fired had turned him into another person or something. Or maybe he secretly had wanted to do something like this for a long time like he said but just didn't have the time? Either way, she was happy with the change. Coming home to an apartment that was even cleaner then when she had done it? Having candles, crystals and a fountain? She was truly grateful that she had met Fox Mulder now. And she was still tingling from how close they were just a few minutes ago. She knew it was her partner but she was having more and more trouble trying to hide those feelings buried deep within her. So, what was stopping her?

"What if he doesn't feel the same way?" She whispered as she looked in the mirror. "What if I pour my heart out to him and he just stomps on it? Still…I don't really think he would hurt me like that." Her thoughts were then interrupted as the mirror made a splitting sound. She watched as a huge crack began to form across the mirror from one end to the other. "What the?" She stepped back just in time as the mirror suddenly completely shattered, sending shards of glass to the floor.

Mulder was in the kitchen, cooking when he heard the crashing noise. An uneasy feeling crept over him and he dashed for the bathroom door. "Scully?" He pounded on the door. "Scully?"

Scully opened the door still dressed in her bra and underwear. She looked at Mulder as she trembled.

"Scully?" Mulder then saw the shattered mirror. "Jesus, what happened?"

"I….I don't know. I was just standing in front of the mirror and it started to crack."

Concern immediately set upon him. "Did you get cut?" He asked as he started to look her over. It didn't even cross his mind that she was standing in front of him in her bra and underwear. He was too worried for her to care.

She shook her head. "No, I'm….I'm fine."

Mulder turned and headed to a closet getting a broom and dustpan. He started to sweep the glass into the dustpan. After finishing, he picked up the dustpan and emptied it into the bathroom trash. "Are you going to be ok?" Mulder asked touching under her chin.

"Really, Mulder I'm ok. It…it was an old mirror anyway. Must have finally given in to the pressure."

Mulder sighed. "Ok. But if you need anything don't hesitate to call me."

"I won't." She pulled on his chef hat. "Now, go back to your cooking, Mr. Chef." She replied with a half smile.

Mulder smiled back. "Remember, don't hesitate." He then walked out closing the door behind him.

"He's really quite a man." Scully whispered as she took off her bra and underwear. She took one last look at the remains of the mirror and then climbed into the bathtub. She sighed as the warm, sudsy water touched her skin. No sponge bath at the hospital could compare to what she was having now. That is…unless the sponge bath was given to her from someone besides a nurse. She closed her eyes as she imagined that particular sponge bath.

She could see herself sitting up in the bathtub with her back to the door. She then heard the door open and close. She then became conscious of a sponge upon her back, slowly moving down her body. As the sponge continued its journey, she then felt lips kissing her neck and a tongue teasing it. She moaned and shifted slightly in the tub as she licked her lips. "Mmmm…Mulder."

Little Red

Scully's eyes then shot open as she realized that was something Mulder would never say. She started to feel something moving up her leg, almost like an invisible hand. She gasped and moved to the back of the tub, pulling her legs up. "Who's….who's here?" She asked as her voice echoed in the bathroom. She then felt her hair being caressed and turned her head to see who it was.

Care to go for a little dip, Red?

The next thing Scully knew she felt a pressure on top of her head and she was pushed under water. She writhed in the tub as she struggled to push herself back up to the surface but found herself held down by some force. She started to kick her feet desperately sending waves through the tub and water to the floor. She managed to get her head up once and a breath. "Mulder!" She was then pushed down again.

Mulder was putting the finishing touches to the main dish for dinner when he heard her voice. He picked up his head. "Scully?"

Scully continued to thrash about in the tub trying desperately to break free of the mysterious force, which had her pinned. Pain shot through her as her legs hit the side of the tub. She could also feel water slowly entering her mouth.

Mulder walked up to the bathroom door and knocked. "Scully?" Receiving no answer, he knocked again as he put his ear to the door. "Scully?" His ears then picked up the sound of splashing. He glanced down and could see water coming from the bottom of the door. "Oh, god!Scully!" He went to open the door but found it mysteriously locked. "What the hell?" He jiggled the handle and pounded on the door. "Scully!"

Scully continued fighting with her invisible tormentor. She could feel her body starting to weaken from her lack of oxygen and her struggles becoming less dramatic. She could feel herself slowing slipping away. In her mind she saw Jeremy at the top of the water laughing at her.

Mulder threw himself against the door as hard as he could. "Hang on, Scully! I'm coming!" His shoulder hurt from the impact of the door but he continued trying until it finally gave way and opened with a splitting crack. He then saw Scully lying underwater in the tub. "Scully!" He ran to the tub and quickly pulled her out and into his arms. He wrapped her in a towel and then laid her on the floor. "Scully?" He checked her neck for a pulse and listened for breathing. "Oh shit!" He immediately started CPR on her. "Dammit, Scully you aren't going to die on me! We've come too far now for that to happen! Fight this, Scully! Dammit, fight!" His pleadings became more frantic as he continued trying to revive her. He looked up at the ceiling. "Please, God! Don't take another person I care about!"

A sputtering could then be heard followed by a body twitching.

Mulder looked back down. "Scully?"

Scully then started to cough up water and began wheezing as she tried to catch her breath.

"Scully!" Mulder cradled her head as she continued to cough and gasp.

"Help me!" Scully called out as she started to struggle in Mulder's arms.

"Scully?" Mulder touched her forehead. "Whoa, whoa, Scully it's ok. Take it easy."

"Don't touch me!"

"Scully, it's me." Mulder answered as he kept his grip. "Open your eyes. It's Mulder."

Scully stopped struggling and slowly opened her eyes. "Mulder?"

"Mr. Chef himself."

"Oh, god!" Scully reached forward and grabbed him tightly as she cried. She buried her head into his shoulder as she trembled.

Mulder patted her back gently. "Sssssh…it's ok. You're safe now." He lifted one hand to caress her hair. "Dana, it's ok." He replied in a calm voice. He kissed the side of her face as he closed his eyes. "I thought I was going to lose you there for a second." The only response he received was more crying from Scully. It broke his heart to see her like this. He continued to caress her hair gently and speak to her until he could gradually feel her shaking lessening. He then pulled back and lifted her chin with his hand. "You want to tell me what happened?"

"It was him again." She whispered.

"Him?"

Scully nodded. "Jeremy. He was here and tried to drown me." And it was at that instant, that everything started to come back to her from the terrible ordeal that night. "I remember." Her eyes went blank for a second before focusing on Mulder again. "I remember what happened that night, Mulder."

"Before you recall anything, let's get you off the floor." He tucked the towel making sure it was tight enough around her and then carefully lifted her from the floor. He carried her to the bedroom and gently set her on the bed. He took a seat beside her. "Now, I want you to tell me everything, Scully. What happened that night, in the hospital bathroom and here in the bathtub. As much as you can."

NOTE: A thousand apologies for me not updating! I had just recently moved and had been doing renovations. Then I also was sick for some time. BUT I am back now and will try and update this once a week! So, for those of you who have been reading, THANK YOU for your patience and continued support!