Why do this to you, Mulder?

They're testing me, too. Haley's paranoid … and spooked. I was sure he was going to kill me.

Scully took a deep breath as she looked at the bruising on Mulder's hand and pinky. She shook her head as he drew in a sharp breath when she moved the ice.

"Sorry," she whispered and he exhaled deeply.

"You know, I've been stabbed, punched, kicked… I've been shot for god's sake, but this… Jesus Christ," he said through gritted teeth and then he moaned as she nodded, understanding what he meant.

"I'd like to tell you it's going to feel better in a few minutes, but…" she said softly and he nodded with his eyes closed. She watched him, seeing the exhaustion on his face.

"I wanted to tell you, Scully," he said in a tired voice. "I hated not telling you, but…"

"I understand." He opened his eyes and stared at her. "Well…" She looked back at his finger, angry that she had not been there to help him.

"I was very angry, as I know you were aware." He scoffed and she looked down, again, that anger still sitting just below the surface.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. She looked up and nodded, squeezing his hand gently as she took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry too. This is going to hurt. Keep the ice there, I'm going to get the first aid kit."

"Fuck," he muttered, as he held the ice with his other hand and she stood up from the coffee table, touching his shoulder as she stepped away.

Walking into his bathroom, she took out the first aid kit she had made for him personally; a standard one not enough for the injuries he always seemed to sustain. Bringing the entire thing with her, she walked back to the living room and sat in front of him again.

Gathering the supplies, she laid them beside her as he moaned and let out deep breaths. She took the ice from him and set it on the coffee table before turning her attention to his finger; making sure it was not wet.

"You ready?"

"No."

"I'm sorry," she whispered and she quickly set the bone, tugging it back into place as he held back a groan. His head dropped onto the couch as his breathing increased.

"That's… better," he breathed, letting out a moan and a shaky breath.

"I'll splint it and get you some ibuprofen to help with the pain and the swelling."

"Hmm," he hummed, licking his lips and shaking his head.

She carefully wrapped his finger and added the splint, taping it closed. He continued to sit with his head back and his eyes closed and for a brief second she considered placing a kiss on his hand; something her mother had done for every hurt requiring a bandage.

He lifted his head before she could follow through and she cleared her throat, feeling her face flush as though she had been caught out, even if he could have no knowledge of her thoughts.

"Thank you," he said quietly and she nodded, rubbing his hand gently before she laid it carefully on his leg.

"I'll get you some ibuprofen and some water. You need to elevate it. Be right back." She handed him some cushions, which he put on his lap, his hand on top, as he leaned his head back once more.

She went into the kitchen and filled a glass with water and grabbed the bottle of ibuprofen. Walking back to join him, she set the glass down and opened the bottle. Shaking out five pills, she handed them to him along with the glass of water.

He drank them down and he sighed as he handed her back the glass. Picking up the ice, she placed it gently on his splint. He inhaled and leaned his head back. Drinking the rest of his water, she set the glass on the desk and sat beside him on the couch.

"I know you couldn't tell me, but you should have, Mulder."

"Skinner-" he said, as he raised his head.

"Fuck Skinner," she said, glaring at him as he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"No thanks," he deadpanned and she shook her head.

"I'm serious. That shouldn't have mattered, Mulder. I didn't like the way it made me feel. Wondering if you…"

"If I'd betrayed my country?" he asked snidely and she shook her head as she bit her lip.

"If you'd decided you no longer needed me as your partner… or your friend," she admitted softly.

"Scully… how could you think that?" he asked incredulously. "You…"

"Mulder… I…" She stood up and paced the room, the knowledge that he was okay, but could have been hurt far worse than he was, suddenly filling her with anger. "Watching you, seeing how easily you brushed me aside, it… I knew something was wrong, of course I did. But fuck, Mulder." She stared at him and he had the decency to look away.

"I'm sorry. That's all I can say to you. I know it hurt you because it hurt me as well." He looked up, his eyes expressing more than his words how much of a toll it had taken on him. "I hated lying to you. Hated keeping it from you."

"What if you'd been hurt and I…" He glanced down at his hand and then smiled softly at her. "Something I couldn't fix?" She stared at him and he sighed, standing to his feet with a wince as his hand dropped. Stepping toward her, he stopped in front of her and sighed.

"That thought was always on my mind, I assure you," he said quietly and she sighed as she shook her head, closing her eyes briefly. "Next time-"

"Next time a domestic terrorist organization recruits you to help them?"

"Yeah," he chuckled darkly, and she shook her head again. "Next time… fuck Skinner."

"You're goddamn right," she said, her expression serious. She sighed as she stared at him and then she nodded. "You need to keep this elevated."

She reached for his hand and held it in both of hers. He drew in a breath as he grimaced and without thinking, she brought his hand to her lips and kissed his finger softly. His eyes darkened and when she did it again, she heard his breath catch. Bringing his hand to his chest, she held it there and gave him a slight smile.

"Keep it elevated. For a little while at least. Give the medicine a chance to work." He nodded and kept his eyes on hers, until they moved to her lips and her breath caught. Moving her hand, she stepped back and nodded.

Neither of them saying anything, she walked past him and to the door. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and stared at him.

"Be careful. Whatever they're using, however they're doing it… we've both seen its effects," she said softly and he nodded, still holding his hand against his chest. "I'll see you later, Mulder."

"You will," he replied and she smiled, turning the knob and opening the door. Stepping through it, she closed it behind her, not looking back again, unable to trust herself to not leave the apartment.

Letting out a breath, she walked down the hall and to the elevator, her heart pounding as she closed her eyes and sent up a prayer for his protection.