I'm not sure how many people are actually reading this, but I'm committed to finishing. I hope someone out there is appreciating the effort.

Healing (5/7)

Mulder walked quickly up the stairs to Scully's apartment. It had been several weeks since the rape had taken place. Scully was to return to work the next day despite Mulder's protests that it was too soon. She had only been released from the hospital a few days ago. Their plans for the night were for leisure, not work. Mulder had picked up a movie on the way over.

Knocking quietly at her door, Mulder heard her muffled voice and then the sound of the door unlocking. "It's me, Scully," he reassured her and she opened the door to let him in.

The bruises and scratches had faded from her face, but she still bore a livid scar along her left cheek. She hadn't yet made an appointment with the plastic surgeon to have it repaired. Her left arm was still in a sling, her shoulder more injured than originally believed. She had physical therapy sessions scheduled starting next week. Despite Mulder's advice, Scully had refused to speak with a therapist or to attend any type of group therapy. She seemed determined to be strong and to heal herself without help from anyone else.

"Mulder, you're late. The food is already starting to get cold." Her voice and manner were light and he chose to match her mood.

"Scully, you cooked. You shouldn't have." They laughed together as they started opening the containers of Chinese food.

"So, what took you so long?"

"I stopped to get a movie. And I'm not telling you which one. It's a surprise." He quickly moved into the living room, hiding the case and putting the tape into the VCR. Although, at times like this, it felt as if he and Scully were an old married couple, their relationship hadn't progressed any further from that first day when they kissed. He had chosen not to push their relationship, waiting for her to indicate that she was ready.

Scully smiled at Mulder as he worked at hiding his surprise in the living room. At times like this, when she felt normal, she wanted to walk over to him, throw her arms around him and kiss him as she did the last time they kissed. But she was unsure of herself, and of him. Clearly, he was waiting for her to be ready for more intimate contact. But maybe he was afraid too. Maybe he thought she was as soiled as she felt. Maybe he was waiting, as she waited, to see if she suffered from some terrible virus. Her initial test results had come back negative, but it would be another four or five months before she could be certain that there wasn't any infection. Maybe he thought making love to her wasn't worth risking his life.

Unable to answer her questions, Scully returned to piling food onto the two plates. Mulder returned, grabbingdrinks from the fridge and they settled down on the couch. Pressing play on the VCR, he checked to make sure she was feigning as much anticipation and excitement as she could. The title of the movie appeared on the screen.

"Sphere? Mulder, this is about aliens. I'm not supposed to start work until tomorrow."

"Consider it as a warm up. You've been out of the alien business for a while now."

After they had finished eating, Scully curled up closer to Mulder, pulling his arms around her. They sat this way for the rest of the movie. She found that todayhis arms made her feel safe. Some other days, they made her feel trapped, but today was a good day.

The movie ended and the hour was late, so Mulder announced that he should leave. Walking him to the door, so she could both show him out and she could lock herself in, Scully waited while he donned his shoes and coat. At the door, before he left, Scully kissed him chastely on the cheek before saying good-bye. 'Today was a good day,' she agreed with her earlier thoughts and then headed off to sleep.

I guess I'm kinda dating this story with the movie reference. Of course, since my story takes place sometime before... (the X-files movie, the Scully pregnancy, Agent Dodgett... fill in with whatever feels appropriate), the movie reference might not be so out of date. I wrote this a while ago, and decided to keep it pretty much the same. The movie reference stays.

Sorry for the short update, but there's another chapter coming right after this one. Don't forget to review, before you move on:)