Scully gave up trying to sleep any longer, as all the forces
of nature seemed intent on waking her up. If it wasn't the
chirping of several unidentified birds, it was the brilliant
sunlight pouring through the large bay window or the
indescribably delicious smell of coffee brewing, or the low-
level ache of the bones healing in her leg.
She tried burrowing further under the covers and pulled a pillow over her head for good measure, but it was no use - the damage had been done. With a jaw-splitting yawn, she stretched slowly and carefully and pushed back the covers a bit, putting the extra pillow behind her head. Looking around, she caught sight of her new constant, albeit temporary companion; her wheelchair. Beyond that was the bathroom and her crutches.
Hmmm. The wheelchair was next to the bed, the brakes were already set. The bed was higher than the couch, so it would be an easier feat to slide down to the chair than to try and pull herself up and over.
"Don't even think about it, Dana Scully."
Scully froze with one hand in the act of pulling back the covers, even as a small gasp escaped her lips. She jerked her gaze to see Mulder, his arms folded across his chest, leaning against the doorframe with the casual grace of Fred Astaire.
"Jesus, Mulder! You know better than that." She brought the offending hand to her breast. "You scared me half to death," she said with a shaky laugh, "I don't dare take my pulse right now."
Mulder just stared at her, until she dropped her eyes, guilt coloring her cheeks a brilliant pink.
"The best defense is a good offense, huh Scully?" Mulder commented calmly, barely able to control his laughter at her feeble attempt to cover up what she had been about to do.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mulder," Scully huffed. "I was just trying to get comfortable. In fact, I was just about to call you." Scully looked everywhere but at the man standing before her, aware that she was very nearly babbling. She abruptly clamped her lips shut.
Now Mulder did laugh, as he quickly strode over to her and sat down on the bed, snaking his arms around her.
"Mulder - what are you doing?" Scully asked, her voice muffled as she found herself pressed against his shoulder in a bear hug.
"Trying to stop you from further incriminating yourself," he replied smugly.
Scully knew he was still smiling. She could hear it.
She sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumped.
Stupid, she berated herself, just plain stupid.
Mulder tilted her head back and kissed her. "I was wondering when you'd try to break the rules. Although I must admit that I didn't think it would be before breakfast."
Scully's jaw dropped. "Very funny Mulder. You think you know me so well."
"I do know you," he said, lovingly caressing her cheek. "And you know me. But you do keep me guessing."
Scully gave a wry smile. Mulder won this round fair and square. She kissed him. "I'm sorry."
Mulder shook his head. "I don't want you to be sorry. I just want you to be patient - and I want you to get better. You'll be able to get out of bed all by yourself soon enough. I just don't want to be cast in the role of the warden."
Scully felt another pang of guilt. Mulder was right, of course. She had to show some responsibility here. He had previously admitted that if their positions were reversed that he'd have just as a hard a time as she was now. So why put him in a role she wouldn't enjoy either. That she hadn't enjoyed during one of his numerous recuperation periods. Payback didn't really apply in this situation anyway.
The infection around her heart; the pericarditis, had changed the rules. It had nearly killed her and the threat wasn't over yet. But when you felt fine otherwise, it made it very difficult to be an invalid.
Scully grimaced as the internal battle came to an abrupt end. "Mulder, you're absolutely right. I'm just - "
Mulder placed a silencing finger on her lips - stroking the
satin skin slowly. "That's enough, Scully. I understand. I've
been there - maybe not exactly there - but close enough"
Scully stared up at him, entranced - her lips on fire. "Now, I
don't know about you, but I'm starving." She nodded mutely.
She felt absolutely weak with love for the man sitting next to
her.
He dropped his hand. "Great, let's start over." He stood up. "Good morning, Scully."
Scully pushed down the laughter that threatened to bubble up and tried to match his formal tone. "Good morning, Mulder."
"I hope you slept well."
"Yes, thank you."
"Are you ready to get up?" She nodded eagerly and he assisted her to her wheelchair, letting her perform her morning ministrations privately. When she was finished, she followed him to the breakfast room, maneuvering the wheelchair with ease and was pleased to see freshly toasted bagels and steaming cups of coffee, alongside a bowl of fresh fruit and a container of cream cheese. She pulled up to the table, next to Mulder and reached for the coffee first. Mulder started in on the bagels.
"Your mom called," he managed in between bites, "Said that she'll be here in a couple of hours."
Scully nodded as she wiped the crumbs from her fingers. "Mulder, I just want you to know that there won't be a repeat of this morning." Mulder opened his mouth, but Scully silenced him with a gesture. "I don't want to waste any more time and energy figuring out how to beat the system and end up losing anyway. And I don't want anymore conversations like we just had. We're embarking on a new chapter of our lives and the negative aspects are just a minor setback. I want to concentrate on the positive."
Mulder grinned happily. "Yes Ma'am. Sounds like a plan to me"
He caught and held her gaze; his features softened as he
stared into her bright blue eyes. She smiled a soft, loving
smile back at him. Mulder's breath caught in his throat and
as he gazed into her eyes, he felt he would surely tumble in;
she made him so weak and wanting.
Having reached that understanding, they enthusiastically put the past behind them and took each day as it came; ready to enjoy it and each other to its fullest. It made the next eight weeks seem to fly by. Scully began working with a physical therapist and Mulder let Skinner contract his services to local colleges and law enforcement agencies, giving lectures and setting up workshops.
Home was their sanctuary and the summer evenings and weekends fell into a peaceful routine. They spent as much time outside as they could, on picnics, lazy boat rides and small road trips, sometimes just swinging on the porch swing. That was Scully's favorite spot. She would always remember their first time on it with a smile.
Seeing how tense Mulder's shoulders had been, she had volunteered to give him a massage. "Ooh Scully, you know what I like," he said in his best Big Bopper voice. He turned sideways in the swing so she could reach and felt himself melting as she kneaded the knotted cords. Her small hands, deceptively strong, unerringly applied just the right amount of pressure.
"Putty."
"Excuse me?" Mulder was so lost in his fantasy world that he thought surely, he hadn't heard correctly.
"Putty, Mulder."
Okay, he had heard correctly. "I don't understand - " He suddenly groaned, unable to go on as Scully located a particularly sensitive spot on his right shoulder.
"You're putty in my hands, Mulder. I could tell you to do anything or say anything right now and you'd have to do it," she announced smugly.
"Uh, Scully, I hate to have to tell you this, but that's been true with or without the neck rub, for quite some time now," Mulder returned with a leer, waggling his eyebrows mischievously. He kissed her and announced that it was his turn now.
Scully settled back and let herself go as Mulder took her uncasted foot in his hand and ran his thumb up and down the sole of her foot. Every other muscle in her body responded to his magical touch and she felt helpless to move, barely breathing.
"Now who's putty?" Mulder smirked as his hands traveled up and down her leg and foot.
"Touché," she purred, more relaxed than she could ever remember being.
"Jealous."
"Excuse me," she looked over at him. "Who's jealous?"
"Your other foot and leg that's in a cast. I'm sure there's some serious envy going on here."
Scully let her head fall back and chuckled. "How right you are, Mulder, how right you are."
As tempting as it was, they did not live their life in a
bubble. Maggie made her way out several times, as did the
Lone Gunmen and even Walter Skinner drove out twice. They also
spent a few evenings with Linda, the physical therapist and
her husband Brad, going to the movies, and dinner. Sometimes,
Scully and Linda would just read while the guys played one-on-
one basketball.
When Scully received the go ahead from the cardiologist to begin low-level aerobic activity and the orthopedist removed the heavy plaster cast in favor of a lightweight brace, she felt as though she had finally been freed. She couldn't wait to get started.
Unfortunately Linda informed her that she and Brad would be moving to Kentucky. Immediately.
"Kentucky?" Scully exclaimed.
"Yeah, Brad got a job as one of the assistant trainers for the University of Kentucky. It's too good an offer to pass up - college level positions are hard to come by with Division I schools. That's why we don't have much time - schools about to start."
"That's wonderful. Best of luck to you and Brad," Scully congratulated her, barely able to hid her own disappointment.
"Now, don't worry. I've already got another therapist lined up for you. I asked her to come over this afternoon to meet you and go over your treatment plan. I hope you like her - but, of course I know I'm irreplaceable."
Scully couldn't help but laugh. "Well, yes you are. You've been wonderful. So, what do you know about her?"
"Well, she's from around here, but she just got back from an extended personal leave. Apparently she and her boyfriend broke up - " she stopped when she heard the ringing of the doorbell and hurried to answer it. She returned escorting a woman Scully thought was very close to her own age, tall with jet black hair.
Scully extended her hand, "Hello. I'm Dana Scully."
The woman took it with a shy smile. "Hi. I'm Jane."
