CHAPTER SEVEN

A/N: This fic is actually a sequel to "Gone". In "Gone", Scully meets Hannah. I advise you to read that to learn more about Hannah and her relationship to Scully. And at the same time, you might as well review. ;)

There is another fic in the works that will take place after this one. And thanks to QueegQueeg1. I'm chuffed this story is your favourite!

Scully buttoned her overcoat and looked around for her weapon. She was about to leave to join Mulder on a stakeout. She couldn't get out of this one because Skinner had organised it.

" Are you sure you'll be okay?" Scully asked Hannah for the third time that evening. She was worried about her health-Hannah insisted she was fine, but she seemed to be doing worse since she got out of the hospital. She wasn't sleeping or eating well. Scully knew she couldn't force Hannah to return to the hospital.

" I'll be fine…I might invite Walter over…he won't be at the stakeout will he?"

" No. It'll just be me and Mulder." Scully stuck her cell into her pocket, " Call me if you need anything okay?"

Hannah nodded and Scully left. Dana was sweet to be concerned for her but her constant worrying got on her nerves. She couldn't help but feel glad Dana was working tonight, it gave her some space.

Walter didn't worry as much and he was good company. They talked for hours. She decided to give him a call and invite him over.

" Bring a bottle of red," Hannah suggested when he accepted her invitation, " and I'll have some snacks made."

Walter said he'd be there soon and they hung up. Fifteen minutes later he arrived. Hannah had just gotten dressed-she looked a little better now that she had a shower and actually brushed her hair. She took the bottle from him and poured them each a glass.

Hannah ate the last cracker and reached for the bottle and was surprised to find it empty. " Hmmm…we need to get another one." She said, her words slurring badly. She stood up but Walter told her to sit back down.

" You don't need anymore," he admonished her, " What would Agent Scully say if she saw you like this?"

" She'd have my head…guess I should have a cup o' coffee to sober me up." Hannah decided and headed for the kitchen, stumbling on the way. Walter followed her, a drunk person in the kitchen wasn't always a good idea. He watched as she took a mug from the cupboard.

" Do you want one?" she asked him and he nodded. She reached another mug but she didn't grasp it properly. It slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor. Hannah winced, " Oops…Dana's gonna kill me."

" She has plenty of mugs, she won't miss this one. We'll just clean up the mess." Skinner knelt down and Hannah did the same- and knocked her head against the countertop on the way down.

Pain exploded in her head, " Owww." She moaned, rubbing her throbbing head.

" Are you okay?" Skinner asked.

" I think so," Hannah groaned. The pain lessened and she could feel a small bump forming.

" Maybe you should let me get the coffee." Skinner suggested and cleaned up the broken mug and made the coffee.

Hannah nodded and went back into the living room. Ten minutes later, she was dozing off. Skinner watched for several minutes before deciding he'd better carry her into the spare room before Scully got home and wondered why Hannah had fallen asleep on the couch.

He picked her up and was amazed to discover how light she felt in his arms. He studied her more closely and realised she was very thin. He'd better mention it to Agent Scully.

Hannah snuggled close to his chest as he made his way to the spare bedroom. He deposited her gently on the bed, her arms wrapped around his neck. He grabbed her wrists but she only held on tighter.

" Don't leave me Walter," she pleaded, " If I fall asleep, I'd only dream about them…" her words were so slurred Skinner had to lean in close to understand them.

" Who?" he was so close...

" Them. The ones who took me," Hannah was wide awake now, " Stay with me for a bit."

Skinner sat down on the edge of the bed, " Can you remember what happened to you at all?" he pressed.

" The memories are starting to come back…I remember things here and there but I cant see their faces. I just want to see their faces." She was stroking his arm, unaware she was doing so. Her face was titled up and Skinner decided it was time to act now or he'd never will. He pressed his mouth to hers for a searing kiss.

Despite her body becoming numb from the wine and her mind was hazy, Hannah was completely shocked when Walter's mouth covered hers. Hannah surprised herself when she returned his kiss with equal passion…