Chapter 6:
Scully's ranting was overpowered when Bongani yelled something. She turned on him, unwilling to hear anything anyone had to say, but quickly changed her mind when she saw what he was showing. The collapse of the ledge had resulted in a steep and slippery slope that moved down the mountainside below. Her heart leaped as she realised what this might mean.
Hope immerged as Scully realised what had happened. The ledge had jutted out farther than the piece below it. She could now see this as the ledge had created a slope where it had collapsed onto the outcrop of rock below. Her tears vanished as determination took their place and she moved her way slowly as she could, down the slippery slope. She had to believe he'd survived the fall. The height was a little over eight feet now and it was entirely possible he'd survived it. He may have sustained injuries, but she made herself sure he was still alive.
The snow was deep and Scully had difficulty seeing where Mulder had fallen. She seemed to be on some sort of outcropping, on the side of the steep mountainside. She looked around and yelled out in desperation, "Mulder!" Her lungs seared at the effort. "Mulder!" she screamed again, there was no reply. Her panic began to grow out of control. She couldn't have lost him, she couldn't have. She wouldn't give him up. She would die first. She would have run had the snow not been holding her back with a vengeance that confused her. Could nature hold any kind of vendetta? For it felt as if its only joy was keeping her from him. "Mulder!" she yelled out with growing desperation, tears pricked the backs of her eyes, "Come on, where are you?" He had to have survived. There was no other answer, that was all there was too it. That was all! If she found his cold and lifeless now, she knew she would die from the loss.
"Mulder!" she yelled, once more, her lungs still protesting. Then, she saw him, lying on his back, he had created a depression in the snow and it was difficult to see him from far off. Scully made an attempt to run to him, but the snow was still determined to hold her back.
It seemed a lifetime before she came to his side. Collapsing in the snow beside him, she began to cry again. He didn't seem to be moving. "Come one," she said, her voice cracking again. She felt for a pulse, his skin was cold and clammy. She had felt death before and this was much too close to it for her own liking. She leaned over him, trying to hear any issue of air from his lips. They were cold. She fought back her tears, thinking hard what she should do.
Then, her heart leapt. Had she just felt what she thought she just felt? It was faint, but his chest had just risen. She pulled back from him, pulling his wrist to her and feeling again for a pulse. Faintly, but defiantly, she felt a very slight throbbing in his wrist.
Just then, he spoke. His voice seemed far to secure for one who had just fallen off a mountain ledge. "Scully…" he said gently, opening his eyes and giving her a weak smile. She was overcome with relief and, before she knew what she was doing, leant down and kissed him. The world seemed to cease for a moment as they met. Pulling away, she looked at him, passion burning in her eyes. It was outdone only by sheer joy. "Thank God you're alright," she said, trying to assess his injuries. His neck appeared fine, as did his back, the only injury he seemed to have sustained was a bruised left ankle, which, quite frankly, was a miracle after the fall he had just sustained. They would need to get him back to camp before they could determine if he had sustained any internal injuries, so she began to think how she could contact the others above.
Grabbing her gun, she was about to fire a shot, realising how unstable the snow around might be, she decided against it. Holstering her weapon, she moved back to where Mulder was now sitting up; wincing as other bruised areas of his body moaned. She tried to think how they could get back up to the others.
"Can you walk?" she asked Mulder, thinking to climb back up the slope themselves. It had struck her that this detour would cost them another day of searching for Baschelli. It was already getting later and they had to turn back soon if they wanted to reach the camp before nightfall.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," he said, standing up. He put his arm round her shoulder for support and they slowly moved toward the slope. Taking one step at a time, the climb was snails pace. The newly fallen snow made it almost impossible to navigate without slipping and when they finally reached the top, both collapsed with exhaustion. Anna ran forward, obviously bewildered that they were both alive.
The others helped to lift both to their feet and Bongani and Henry showed them an alternative route back towards the campsite. The search was abandoned in all minds for the moment, as they all thought simply of getting home before dark.
They managed it only by about twenty minutes. None said anything as they all went and found a separate place to collapse. Scully insisted that Mulder lie down, saying she wanted to guarantee his injuries were limited to mere bruises. Greenwood disappeared, not to anyone's surprise. Anna, Bongani and Henry made for the main tent in order to prepare some kind of meal. Food would be essential in keeping the team alive until they could find help.
Mulder collapsed onto Scully's bunk, kicking his boots off. His body ached all over and he felt weak. His ankle was stiff from the cold and he was grateful to be off his feet. Scully lit a lamp as a heavy darkness had descended on the camp. It was almost tangible and had settled like ink. The lamp didn't provide much light, but it was enough to keep the blackness at bay.
Moving to Mulder's side, she pulled up a chair and collapsed into it. She was drained emotionally and sighed to release some of the tension that had built up inside her. Her thoughts turned back to Mulder, she was still concerned about his condition. She turned to look at him. He seemed to be asleep, his eyes closed. She smiled at him, remembering the kiss. The thrill of having her lips pressed to his. She was filled with an uncontrollable affection. She could no longer keep it back in accordance with her common sense. She was hopelessly in love with him and any thought of being parted from him was treason to her soul.
Mulder opened his eyes and looked at Scully, he saw something in her eyes and his heart dared to hope. He saw adoration and sincerely hoped he wasn't dreaming. His shoulder ached as he lifted his hand gently to her face. Stroking the soft skin on her cheek, he spoke, "What happened today?" he asked, so quietly, it was amazing she even heard him.
Covering his hand with her own, Scully spoke back, "I thought I'd lost you," an unmistakable pain flashed across her eyes. She pulled his hand from her face, their fingers intertwined. She kissed his hand softly then continued her concerned gaze.
"I'm fine," he said, reading her thoughts. She raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing across her lips, "Really!" He added, trying to relieve her concern. She gave a small laugh to show his humour hadn't gone to waste, but returned to her sombre mood shortly after. "So, what happens now?" he asked innocently, "We can forget his ever happened and go back to what we had or…" she stopped him.
"Don't talk about it," she said, "It's not a casual decision and talking about it seems to cheapen it a little," not even she understood what she was saying, but Mulder obliged, saying nothing further. At that, both seemed resolute. Leaving her chair, Scully sank down to kneel beside him. She rested her head on his chest and said nothing. This was more than Mulder could bear. He sat up slightly, lying on his side. She lifted her head and looked at him.
"Don't do this, Dana," she was taken aback a little by his use of her name. He'd always called her Scully and this sudden change made the room drain of air. "Don't put me through this," he began again, "we've fought this for so long, don't' make me try and do it again with you so close." She didn't know what to do, she was half-angry that he was seemingly trying to make her feel guilty, but knew it was true and so, she couldn't maintain any anger toward him.
"We shouldn't" she said after a pause, "it's…" she couldn't find the correct ending to the sentence. It was wrong in certain aspects, but so profoundly right in others. She was saved speaking further as Mulder took the situation upon himself and kissed her. The uncertainty she had felt before vanished as they descended into a timeless space once more. All that existed in the world was her sudden need to be with him. Her survival depended on being his and she surrendered to what suddenly seemed inevitable. She smelled the sweetness of him and felt the searing passion flare up inside her. Overcoming the initial shock of what was happening, she put her arms around his neck, pulling him to her in an almost animal desperation to have him, somehow, nearer to her.
Breaking away from her, Mulder was surprised at himself. He did not know what it was that had caused him to take the sudden step, but knew that the moment was perfect. His heart had risen to his throat as she pulled him towards her. He could feel her want and knew that their desires were the same. Summoning some unknown strength within him, he pulled her from the ground, so that she was seated next to him on the bunk. Pushing himself up into a sitting position, he took hold of her again, hungry for her kisses.
Scully had no idea where he'd found his sudden energy, but she was surprised, to say the least, at the strength behind him. She felt suddenly interested in a side of him she had never seen. He had always been so soft and understanding, but now she saw the daring, powerful side of him. He had perfect control of the situation and yet, none at all. She felt undeniably safe with him and, in her willing submission, felt entirely and unmistakably feminine.
He refused to let her be any further from him than allowed her space to breathe. His kisses found their way to her neck and he savored the taste of her soft skin. His body protested this sudden activity with dull aches, but Mulder ignored them. He lay back, pulling her with him. She put her hands on either side of him to support herself, carefully trying not to hurt him. He paused impatiently, helping her remove her jacket, then pulling off his own spencer. She bent forward, settling her own line of kisses down his neck. He turned over, pulling her down onto the bunk beside him, now supporting himself. He stopped. Looking down at her, he took stock of the moment. It was so divinely perfect. Her auburn hair was fanned out across her pillow and she studied him in a similar way. There was a heavy pause. As the air seemed filled with the anticipation that plagued them both, they halted for a moment. Then, Mulder lowering himself to her, they both surrendered themselves to the inevitable and indulged the other in a fantasy that had long been stale in their souls.