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Chapter 5

"Agent Mulder."

Mulder opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder at the door. Agent Driscoll was standing in the doorway, motioning for him to step out. He looked back at Scully sleeping in the hospital bed and quickly scanned the monitors above her. When he was satisfied she was ok, he sighed and stood from his chair. As he released her hand, she stirred slightly and shifted her position on the bed.

Mulder stepped from her room and quietly closed the door. He shuffled down the hall in borrowed hospital scrubs and slippers to the waiting area where Agent Driscoll, Nester and an unknown third man were standing.

"Geezus, the Sheriff just told us what happened. Are you ok?" Nester asked with concern in his voice. He nodded towardthebraceMulder wason his right wrist.

Mulder noticed their glances at his arm and flexed his fingers unconsciously. "Minor sprain," he mumbled and rubbed his hand across his brow. "Other than being a litle sore,I'm ok," he replied as he eyeballed the third man suspiciously.

The man appeared to be in his sixties, gray hair, and weathered face. He bore a striking resemblance to the younger Agent Driscoll standing next to him.

Driscoll caught his expression, and shifted the weight on his feet. "Agent Mulder, my apologies, this is my father, Assistant Director Tom Driscoll." Driscoll waved his hand around during the introduction.

Mulder extended his hand, "Fox Mulder, good to meet you Assistant Director."

"I wish it could have been under better circumstances, Agent." AD Driscoll replied and waved off shaking Mulder's hand because of the wrist brace. "My son has great things to say about you and your partner. How is she doing?"

"They are holding her for observation. She has cracked ribs and some frostbite on her face, hands and feet," he replied motioning at his face. "She'll be sore in the morning. The water temperature shut her systems down and probably saved her life," he sighed and rubbed his hand across his brow.

"Well, the Sheriff said you played a vital role in that as well, Agent. I'll be putting you in for accommodation," AD Driscoll commented. Nester and Agent Driscoll nodded in agreement.

"The Sheriff department found the guy that ran you off the road, tested two times the legal limit," Driscoll added sticking his hand in his jean pocket.

Mulder looked up at Agent Nester in disgust. "Welcome to the heartland." he replied sarcastically.

"Certainly not showing our best side of the welcome mat," AD Driscoll replied tartly.

"The Sheriff is going to have a local towing company pull the car tomorrow. The pond is about 50 feet deep; it's going to take a crane to get it out," commented Agent Driscoll.

"I'm sure Kersh will figure out some way to blame the accident on us," Nester said rolling his eyes. "I can almost hear the lecture now, 'destruction of rental car while on assignment' bla bla bla," he added sarcastically.

A.D. Driscoll smirked, "I'll take responsibility for the car. You two, er four are temporarily under my jurisdiction now," he replied then quietly added. "Kersh is a fricken ass, promoted to the point of incompetence."

"Dad, tell us how you really feel," laughed Dris and looked from his father to Nester. He looked over at Mulder. His eyes were red and he looked exhausted.

"Mulder, we're headed back to the hotel, are you staying here?" Dris asked.

"Yeah, I'm ….." Mulder stammered over his words. He was hesitant to say he wanted to stay at the hospital in front of the Assistant Director, even if he was Driscoll's dad and obviously had no love for Kersh. However, the idea leaving Scully wasn't an option tonight.

A.D. Driscoll waved off any further commentary from him. "No explanation necessary. We'll pick you up in the morning. Do you need anything?"

"Since my suitcase is at the bottom of the lake, I'll probably need some clothes," Mulder commented.

A.D. Driscoll eyeballed Mulder's profile and then looked at his son and Agent Nester. "I think we can help out in that department, what about Agent Scully? I assume her belongings took the dive as well?" he asked with a smile on his face.

"Yeah, ahhh, she's a size 6," he replied sheepishly.

"Ok, Agent Mulder, get some rest, we'll be back at 8 a.m." Assistant Director Driscoll turned, leading his son and Agent Nester down the hall.

TBC