I tried to leave this story alone, I honestly did, but it just wouldn't leave me be. These chapters are just basically filling in some of the gaps of my story - there's no general theme at the moment, just ideas when they come to me.

This chapter contains spoilers for Beyond the Sea, and is set just after the episode.

"Thanks for doing this Scully, I appreciate it." Mulder hobbled along the corridor behind Scully as they headed to his apartment, still trying to get to grips with his crutches. Scully had volunteered to drive him home after he was discharged from the hospital barely a few days after his shooting; the doctor in her wanting to make sure he was settled and comfortable before she left him alone.

"All I did was bring you home Mulder; it's no big deal".

"I know, but I took you away from Ashley on your day off".

Scully was having none of it. "Mulder, my daughter seems to have hit her terrible twos two years late. I'm more than happy to take a couple of hours off of watching her bounce around the house and watch cartoons on endless repeat".

"That sounds kinda fun actually". He suspected that now he'd been placed on leave from the Bureau, he'd be bouncing off the walls of his own apartment in just a matter of hours. He wasn't good at sitting still, yet he'd been ordered to rest, by both the doctor and the hospital, and his own personal physician, Scully.

"Besides, my older brother is still in town, and I thought it would give him the chance to catch up with his favourite niece".

"That's very sneaky Agent Scully".

She smirked as she opened the door to his apartment. "Well when Bill has kids, I'll gladly repay the favour, as long as they're not as energetic as my daughter". After letting Mulder go in ahead of her, Scully followed him into the apartment, closing the door behind her. "I'll just put your bag away and then I'll make you some lunch. I can pop round later with some frozen meals for you". She waited for him to get settled on the sofa. "Where's your bedroom?"

"Oh, I don't have one".

It clearly wasn't the answer she was expecting. "What do you mean, you don't have one?" she asked, scrunching her nose up the same way that Ashley did when she didn't quite understand what her mom meant by "getting an early night" or "tidying her room". It was endearing; at least to Mulder.

"Well I have a "room", but it's more for storage".

"So where do you sleep?"

He patted the sofa. "Right here".

He could tell Scully wasn't quite sure whether to believe him or not. "Mulder, you can't sleep on the couch!"

"It's fine".

"Not with a leg injury."

"I've had worse." As his partner raised her eyebrows, he smiled. "Ok, so I haven't had worse, but I'll be fine".

"You're coming home with me."

"Are you propositioning me?" Mulder tried – and failed – to conceal a smirk as he saw Scully's cheeks redden.

"You need to sleep in a bed."

"I'm not kicking you out of your bed."

"You can have Ashley's bed and she can bunk in with me."

"Somehow I doubt I'll fit". He had an answer for everything, but it seemed that Scully did too.

"Well then, I'll take her bed, and you can have mine. Seriously Mulder, I'm not leaving you here alone. Besides, at least if you're under my roof I can keep an eye on you and make sure you stay remotely healthy".

"I'll be fine". He could see from Scully's expression that she wasn't falling for it. "You've got a lot on your plate as it is Scully. You don't have to worry".

"Ok," she finally conceded. "Well come round for dinner then."

"I can do dinner", he relented. "But only if you're sure."

"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't sure."

"Ok then," he smiled. "Dinner it is."

"But bring an overnight bag, just in case."

And with that Mulder knew he'd lost the argument.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"My bed is all made up for you," Scully announced, as she entered the living room and took a seat next to Mulder on the couch. Dinner had been a hit with her guest, and he'd repaid the favour by keeping Ashley entertained up until bed time. After putting her daughter to bed, Scully had made them both tea, before she retreated to her bedroom to get it ready for its overnight guest.

"Scully, you don't have to do this".

She ignored him. "Do not even THINK about looking in my underwear drawer".

"I can't believe you'd even suggest that I'd do such a thing." He grinned.

"If you need me, I'll be in Ashley's room."

"Listen Scully, thank you. I know that this is the last thing you need after everything that's happened over the past few days, but –"

Scully sobered. "I…I said I needed to keep busy, and I meant that. I'm grateful for the distraction. Besides", she added. "I appreciate your company. It makes a change from talking solely to a little person".

"I don't know; I know I've only met Ashley a few times, but she's pretty clued up for a four year old."

"Tell me about it. She's four going on twenty four, and she doesn't miss a trick. I half hoped she wouldn't really understand what was going on at the moment, but I think she does."

Mulder nodded in agreement. "She may not understand exactly what's going on, but she knows that something's happened and realises you're upset. Kids are often more clued up than we give them credit f–"

"Mommy?" Scully turned to see her daughter walking into the living room, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"There's someone in my room. Grandpa –"

"What?" Out of the corner of his eye, Mulder saw his partner tense.

"I don't want grandpa to die," Ashley sobbed, as she walked up to her mother and climbed onto her lap.

Scully pulled her in for a hug. "I know sweetie", Mulder heard her whisper. "I don't either". Feeling a little out of place, Mulder reached out and rubbed Ashley's arm as the little girl looked at him, her tears still falling. Without warning she shifted herself towards him. Scully tried to stop her, but Mulder shook his head. "It's ok".

"Your leg".

"It's fine", he said as Ashley transferred herself onto his lap, thankfully avoiding his wound. She buried her head into the crook of his neck and for a moment Mulder felt his chest tighten as he realized she'd put her complete trust in him. "It's ok", he murmured against her cheek before pressing his lips to her warm forehead. "You're ok". He noticed Scully glancing at him through watery eyes, giving him a shaky smile as he tried to comfort her daughter.

Pulling back, Ashley sniffed and looked up at him, her bottom lip trembling. "Will you check my bedroom Mulder?"

He nodded. "Of course I will".

"You come too Mommy".

Scully frowned. "Sweetheart, Mulder has hurt his leg; he should be resting".

"I want Mulder!"

"It's ok", Mulder interrupted, before Ashley had a full blown tantrum. After lifting Ashley up off of his lap and onto the couch, Mulder grabbed hold of his crutches which stood next to him, and rose from the sofa, waiting for Scully and Ashley to stand too. "You guys lead the way; I'll be right behind you". He followed them slowly back into Ashley's bedroom, pausing while Scully switched on the light. "Where did you see it Ashley?"

She pointed to the window. "Over there".

"Ashley honey, there's nothing there".

"Let Mulder look", the youngster urged her mom.

"Ashley –"

"It's ok Scully, I'll look". He hobbled over to the window, and pulled the curtains open. Nothing, just as he thought. "All clear". He turned back to face the little girl, noting that she still didn't look convinced. "Want me to check under the bed again?"

"Mulder", Scully warned.

"If it helps her get to sleep Scully, I'm more than happy to do it".

"Yes", Ashley finally answered.

"Yes what?" Prompted her mother.

"Yes please".

Under the bed then led to the wardrobe once again, underneath Ashley's dressing table and inside her chest of drawers. "It's all clear", he finally announced ten minutes later. "Do you think you can sleep now?"

Ashley nodded. "Will you read me a story?"

"Ashley, it's late honey, and Mulder needs to sleep. I can read you a quick story".

"I tell you what Ash; let your mom read you the story tonight and I'll do it another night". He was tired, the painkillers kicking in. Thankfully the little girl didn't complain, and instead turned to head for her bed. Suddenly thinking better of it, she marched up to Mulder and laced her arms around his leg – his healthy leg. "Night night Mulder", she said, pressing a kiss to his jeans, before padding over to the bed. As Scully helped her daughter into the bed, Ashley let out an impressive yawn, and Mulder knew it wouldn't be long before she was fast asleep once again.

"Goodnight Tigger", he murmured, wishing he could take away her pain, as well as that of Scully's. Carefully making his way out of the bedroom, Mulder left Scully to get her daughter to sleep, and headed back to the living room. After finishing the remainder of his tea, he realised that he could no longer hear his partner talking and so stood up from the couch, once again making his way towards the bedroom to make sure she was ok. When he reached the doorway, he smiled to himself, noticing Scully stretched out on the bed next to Ashley; her daughter wrapped in her arms. The two of them were sound asleep; finally at peace after their traumatic few days. He carefully – and as quietly as possible – hobbled over to the bed, manoeuvring his crutches so he could pull the comforter up over them, and then slowly made his way out of the room, switching out the light before closing the door and leaving mother and daughter to sleep.