Mulder sat outside of Scully's hospital room, waiting for everyone to leave so he could go inside and see her. He put the picture of himself and his sister in his jacket pocket; a worry for another day.
He leaned his head back against the wall, crossed his arms and closed his eyes. Mrs. Scully laughed and he smiled, happy to hear her joy when he had heard too much of her sadness. He took a deep breath and shook his head, the days beginning to catch up to him.
"Fox."
He jerked up, heavy with sleep. Turning his head, he saw Mrs. Scully standing beside him, her hand touching his shoulder.
"Dana wants to see you," she said softly with a smile. "We're leaving now." She squeezed lightly and then looked at Bill with a nod. He glared at Mulder and they walked away.
He stood up and stretched with a groan, picking up his jacket and pushing open her door. She was lying on her side, the lights dimmed, and he thought she was asleep until she smiled at him as she reached out her hand. He smiled as he pulled up a chair and took it, holding her fingers lightly.
"How are you feeling?" he said quietly and she smiled wider as she closed her eyes.
"So much better," she breathed, exhaling as she did. "I have to stay tonight but I can go home tomorrow."
"I could come get you. Take you home."
"Mmmm, that sounds good," she mumbled and he smiled.
"You rest. Sleep, Scully," he said, stroking her hair and watching her eyelids fluttering. He stayed until he heard her breathing evenly and he smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Shutting off the light, he looked at her once again, smiling as he left, his heart lighter than it had been in days.
8:45 the next morning, he arrived at the hospital, riding the elevator to her floor and walking down the hallway to her room.
He opened the door and saw she was dressed in loose comfortable clothes and sitting on the bed. When she saw it was him, she smiled and stood up.
"Hi. Are you early? Did we say nine?"
"We didn't set a time as you fell asleep before we could," he teased and she laughed with a nod.
"I guess I did. Well, I'm just waiting on the discharge papers. It takes awhile sometimes." She smiled and he grinned.
"You look better than you have."
"Thank you?"
"I just mean…"
"Relax, Mulder. I know how terrible I looked. I feel a lot better. It's weird…" She put a hand to the back of her neck, touching the small bandage covering her procedure. "I don't know if I want to understand it or think about it too much. I'm just thankful to be alive." He stared at her and nodded.
"I know the feeling," he said softly and she sighed with a smile. "You all set then?"
"Hell yes, I can't wait to get out of here," she declared and he laughed, nodding at her as she rolled her eyes.
"Do you want to—"
"Hello! Good morning. Oh hello, Fox," Mrs. Scully said. "It's good to see you again. And so soon." She smiled at him and he nodded, his eyes cutting to Scully. "Dana, hello. You look better today."
"So I've been told," she said, looking at Mulder with a smirk as he looked between the two of them. "What are you doing here, Mom? Not that I'm not happy to see you."
"I told you last night that I would pick you up and bring you home."
"You did? I don't… don't remember that conversation."
"Yes, before I left, I said I'd be here before nine and help you pack up your stuff. Which I see you've already done," Mrs. Scully said, as she looked around. "Fox, did you… oh, are you here to pick Dana up? Did I miss something?"
"No," he said, clearing his throat. "I came for a visit with Dana and discovered you were on the way. I decided to keep her company until you got here," he lied, smiling at her as he caught Scully's eye and she shook her head.
"Oh, aren't you so sweet?" She stepped closer to the bed, patting his chest as she did. "Is this it?" She pointed to the two bags on the bed and Scully nodded as the nurse entered the room, the discharge papers in her hand.
Mulder backed up closer to the wall and let them talk as he slid his hands into his jacket pockets. Scully looked his way a few times and he smiled, reassuring her that it was all fine. When the nurse finally left, he stepped closer to them and smiled.
"I'll be going now, give you ladies a chance to finish up and get headed for home," he looked between them, his gaze telling Scully, again, that it was okay. She sighed and he knew she understood.
"Mrs Scully, it's always a pleasure to see you." He said as he gently rubbed her upper arm and then turned to Scully. "I'll call you later. Make sure you're doing okay?" She nodded and he stepped toward the door.
"Fox, I feel like there was a misunderstanding. If you would rather take Dana home…" She stared at him and he waved her away with a smile.
"Not at all. I was just here for a visit. I'll see you later." He waved at them and walked out, sighing as he continued down the hallway. Taking the elevator back down, he got in his car and drove home.
It was over an hour after he had been home, when he remembered the bouquet of flowers he had left on her dining room table that morning. Something to make her smile and for them to joke about.
"Shit," he muttered and made to call her, feeling a need to explain himself, but knowing she had likely already seen them, and he missed seeing her happy smile. He decided to wait and leave it until later, give her a chance to settle in at home.
He paced the apartment with too much nervous energy. Deciding to take advantage of the now empty hours, he cleaned his bathroom, did two loads of laundry, and took out the trash.
As he was coming back, he heard his phone ringing. He picked it up and heard her tired sigh.
"My mother just left," she nearly whined and he chuckled.
"It was just a couple of hours."
"I know. I'm just tired and a little grumpy."
"Have you eaten? I could bring you something. Unless you'd rather be alone?"
"I could eat something. Nothing too heavy, though. Maybe just some soup?" He grinned and nodded.
"You got it. Be there soon." He hung up and grabbed his jacket, car keys, wallet and phone and walked out the door.
She opened the door, already in her pajamas, despite the early afternoon hour. Smiling a tired smile, she stepped aside to let him enter. He set the bag he was carrying on the dining room table and looked at the flowers sitting where he had left them.
"Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful," she said softly and he nodded, glancing at her with a smile; no teasing explanation needed.
Reaching into the cupboard, he took down two bowls and three plates, setting them on the table. Opening a different cupboard, he took out glasses and filled them with water, setting them beside the plates. Two spoons and two butter knives were passed to her as she sat down, a small smile on her face.
"I got bread too and that chicken and rice soup you like. Just a little to start?" He looked at her and she nodded. He took out a larger spoon and filled their bowls, keeping her portion small.
He took out the bread and put it on a plate, cutting it into pieces with a bread knife. Picking up the two bowls of soup, he set one in front of her and the other beside her. Their plates were brought closer along with the bread before he went to the refrigerator, and took out the butter. He set it by the bread and then brought over their glasses, as he sat down beside her.
"Wow, that was like watching a very well rehearsed play. You sure do know your way around my kitchen," she teased, as her eyes drooped a little and she yawned.
"Yeah, now be quiet and eat your soup," he teased back and she nodded, yawning again. "As much as you want, don't push it."
"Mm-hmm."
They ate in silence, her eating a piece of bread and half a bowl of soup, yawning every few minutes.
"Why don't you go lay down? I'll clean up and put the extras in the fridge."
"We could watch a movie."
"Scully," he laughed. "You'll never make it through ten minutes of a movie. You're exhausted and you need to rest."
"But you came all this way and you brought food. And those flowers." She yawned again and he smiled, rising from his chair.
"Come on, let's go," he said, gently pulling out her chair and she whined. "Come on." He placed a hand on her back and led her to her bedroom.
He pulled the covers back and she took off her slippers as she sat down. Sighing, she looked at him and he smiled.
"Rain check on that movie?" she asked in a tired voice, her eyes nearly closed, and he nodded.
"Always."
She laid down on her side and closed her eyes with a contented sigh as he covered her up. "Can I get you anything? Water? Any medication?"
"Hmmm. Ummm… water. And there is a bottle… bottle of pills on the counter." She began to breathe deeply and he smiled, watching her sleeping already.
"And you wanted to watch a movie," he whispered, shaking his head.
Brushing her hair back, he stared at the hollow of her cheeks and the paleness of her skin. So much had been taken from her, because of him and his quest, and yet she had trusted him enough to put a piece of metal under her skin in the hope of saving her life.
Moving his hand to her neck, he ran his fingers softly over the bandage, imagining the life force it held underneath. He closed his eyes, placing his palm across it, offering his strength to her as though that could also heal her. Opening his eyes, he watched her sleeping for a bit longer before he stood up.
He went into the kitchen to clean up the mess from their meal. He washed and dried the dishes, putting them away and wiping down the sink. The leftovers were closed up and placed in the refrigerator, something for her to eat when she woke and felt a bit better. He looked around when he was finished, satisfied with the cleanliness of the room.
He refilled her glass of water, picked up the bottle of pills she mentioned, and walked into her bedroom. Setting the items on the nightstand, he watched her sleeping. Bending down, he brushed her hair back gently, and kissed her forehead softly.
"Goodnight, Scully," he whispered, kissing her forehead once more. He stood up and walked out of her room, closing the door as he left.
He turned on a lamp, not sure when she would wake and not wanting her to be in complete darkness. He stepped out the door, and locked it behind him. Staring at it, he shook his head and closed his eyes. So close. He had come so close to losing her.
Again.
Placing his hand upon the door, he shook his head and sighed, as he opened his eyes. Had was the operative word. She was there, sleeping soundly, once more defying the odds. Choking back a sob, he nodded, removed his hand from the door, and walked down the hall.