CHAPTER THREE
A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates lately. This sequel has been very difficult to write and it's especially hard if you don't get any reviews to encourage you. However I will pursue this story even though I'm seriously considering chucking it…
The following morning, Scully went to visit Hannah, despite Hannah's coldness towards her. Scully hoped Hannah might be feeling better today.
Hannah was sitting up in bed, eating breakfast. She smiled warmly when her girlfriend entered the room. Scully hesitated, before returning the smile.
" Good morning Dana." Hannah greeted her, " Would you like some soggy toast and runny eggs?"
Scully looked down at Hannah's tray as she sat down next to the bed, " It looks very appetizing, but I think I'll pass." Scully replied wryly, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She took Hannah's hand in hers…it was cold.
Hannah grinned, took one last bite before pushing the table aside. Scully noticed Hannah hardly ate a thing but did not comment.
" How did you sleep?" Scully asked her.
" They gave me sleeping tablets," Hannah said, " so I slept like a log." She frowned, " I still feel drowsy this morning though."
" I won't stay long-I bought you this morning's paper." Scully handed her the newspaper, " Do you want anything else?"
" No…when can I go home?" Hannah asked suddenly.
" Um…they still need to do a few tests and another CAT SCAN. I think you can go home at the end of the week."
" I feel fine…do I really need to stay here that long?"
" Hannah, you've just been through a traumatic experience. They are keeping you here in case you suffer a relapse. Anything is possible at this early stage."
Hannah sighed, " I know…it's just that I hate hospitals." She admitted.
" So do I." Scully said, " Don't worry, I'll be back after work, okay? If you need me for anything, call my cell." She stood up to leave.
" Dana? I'm sorry for being so…rude to you yesterday." Hannah said, " My past is a touchy subject for me…I really don't like talking about it."
" I realise that now. When you do feel ready to talk about it, I'll be here. It might help us learn about your disappearance."
" I doubt it," Hannah looked unconvinced. She sat up and as Scully bent, she put her arms around her neck and pressed her lips against Scully's. The kiss deepened until Scully pulled away, her face flushed.
" I guess I shouldn't get you all worked up before work." Hannah teased her and just for a moment, Hannah had returned back to her normal, mischievous self.
" I'll see you later." Was Scully's parting shot.
Scully arrived at work and before going to the office; she went into the bathroom and checked herself in the mirror. She looked slightly flushed and if Mulder asked, she could always say she thought she was running late.
She headed for the office, and as usual, Mulder sat behind his desk, poring over some case files.
Why don't I have a desk? She asked herself, for about the trillionth time since she's been working here.
" Morning Mulder." She said, hanging up her overcoat.
" Hey Scully." Mulder replied, " How's Hannah?"
Scully didn't' know how to answer that question, because in truth, she didn't know how she was, " She's okay… I suppose."
Mulder raised an eyebrow, " You suppose?"
" She's been up and down ever since she woke up." Scully admitted.
" Well, she's been through a lot." Mulder pointed out helpfully.
" I know that Mulder." Scully turned away. Later that day, Skinner visited his agents and asked Scully how Hannah was. She gave him the same answer she gave Mulder.
" I was thinking of visiting her." Skinner mused.
" She'd like that sir." Scully nodded. Skinner and Hannah were old friends-in fact; they went to the same college together. Skinner had been a senior while Hannah was a sophomore.
" I'll come with you for a ride if you're going to see her after work."
Scully nodded again and he left. Skinner went back into his office, deep in his thoughts. He felt guilty for not being there that day when Trevor Sands confronted the two agents. He always thought he could have done something…
As he walked into the office, a familiar odour whiffed past his nose and he stiffened.
" What are you doing here?" he asked the intruder. The intruder was sitting on the couch, puffing away on his Morley's.
" Don't I get a hello?" the man asked him, sneering.
" I've done what you wanted me to do…so I see no reason for you being here. What's done is done. It's finished."
" Oh no Mr. Skinner." The smoking man headed for the door, " We have just barely begun."
Walter Skinner walked down the hallway of the hospital to Hannah's room. It was the end of another hard day and once again Skinner had found himself at odds with Agent Mulder. When will he ever learn? Skinner loosed his tie as he entered the room. He was surprised to find Hannah's bed was empty.
Was she discharged today? Skinner wondered then figured she must have been moved to anther room. After all, it was far too early for her to be out of hospital.
He headed for the nurse's station. " Hello…I would like to know which room Hannah has been moved into?"
The nurse behind the desk flipped through a log book, " What was her last name?"
" Scout. She was in room 206."
" Ah yes, Ms. Scout. She was discharged today." The nurse told him.
" Discharged? Her doctor wouldn't let her leave so early." Skinner frowned, " May I take a look at that log book?"
The nurse hesitated before handing it over. Skinner found Hannah's name, and her signature. He could not believe it.
Hannah had discharged herself.
" How did you let this happen? Hannah discharged herself! She is in no condition to leave so early!" Skinner growled, waving the book under the nurse's nose.
The nurse snatched the book back and glared, " I wasn't on duty when she discharged herself sir. I will ring her doctor and let him know what has happened."
" Thank you." Skinner took out his cell and tried to reach Hannah, but her cell was off. He then called Scully.
" Scully."
" It's Skinner." Skinner answered, " Scully, we have a problem."