Chapter Thirteen

The rumbling stopped and the house seemed still and quiet. He couldn't see Tom anywhere.

'Muldeeeeeer!'

He heard her scream. It hit him like a ton of bricks. Mulder dropped the book from his hands and raced towards the sitting room to find her. He felt panic grasp his chest as he could hear her moans of agony fill the house. He burst through the doorway and raced over to her.

'Scully?' He asked, his voice cracking with emotion. He knelt down beside her and put his gun away. She blinked and then frowned in pain, her vision swaying.

'Arghhh god..' She moaned. Mulder grabbed her hand firmly and she squeezed it surprisingly tight.

'It's over Scully, he's gone.' He reassured her. Scully nodded in response and squeezed her eyes shut again as she gritted her teeth.

'Mulder… I can't bear it…' She cried. Mulder felt his heart break for her. He needed to get her out of there fast.

'It's ok Scully.' He said gently, raising his hand to her cheek and forehead. He felt her sweat under his fingers and realised she was burning up. 'Listen to me Dana…' He started softly. She frowned and looked up at him weakly, her chest rising and falling dramatically as her body tackled the pain. 'Back up is coming - but I'm not going to wait for them.' He said in a low voice. He knew what he had to do and he dreaded the thought of it. The last thing he wanted to do was to put her through any more pain. 'Scully, I am going to have to get you out of here…'

'No… god please no…' She begged, her eyes now wide. Mulder shook his head and tried to reassure her.

'Scully, we have no choice. I have to carry you.' He said softly, trying to stay strong for her. She closed her eyes again and frowned in pain.

'No… I can't…' She said desperately.

'Yes, you CAN. Come on Scully! You gave birth without any drugs, you can do this!' He exclaimed, trying to lighten the mood but she looked like she was about to cry. Mulder leant down and kissed her on the cheek. His hand stroked the side of her face as he tried to calm her down. 'Breathe Scully.. just breathe..' He whispered. He could tell she was trying to calm her breathing but it was difficult. He frowned with great concern as he saw her struggle. 'Scully, I know it hurts. But you have to get out of here.' He cooed. She let out a sob. 'It's going to be ok.' He spoke gently into her ear. Then, as she was crying - he hated himself for it - but he seized his opportunity and scooped her up in his good arm and pulled her upright away from the glass which was piercing into her back.

She screamed.

Mulder closed his eyes and tried to block her pain out. It was breaking his heart.

'Aaaachh! No… no please Mulder!' She said between gasps, but Mulder knew it was do or die. He had to get her over his shoulder, it was the only way with his broken arm. He met her gaze, and her eyes bore into his as she knew that he was about to pick her up. Mulder gave her a look of sympathy, like he didnt want to hurt her. She shook her head in frustration as she knew exactly what he was thinking. 'Arghh! Just DO IT!' She screamed.

'Ok, Come on Scully!' He said between his own gritted teeth now, as she flung her up over and onto his good shoulder so that she was lying across his left side, her face down. She moaned weakly at the movement.

'Stay with me Scully, stay with me..' He said to her reassuringly.

She hardly weighed a thing, but it was difficult with one arm. At least his other hand was free. He managed to edge his injured arm towards her slightly and put his hand on the back of her legs to try and support her weight. He made his way out of the room and into the night as fast as he could.

'Ok.. ok.. nearly there..' He said as they descended the pathway to Sandra's house. The roads were quiet. He made his way towards their car which was parked on the curb. 'Talk to me Scully!'

His heart stopped. She wasn't responding.

'SCULLY?' He asked again over his shoulder, panic rising inside him. Nothing.

He had to check her.

At least she was off the glass now.

He bent over and slowly and carefully set her down to a sitting positon by the car, her back propped up against it. He exhaled a deep breath as his broken arm swelled with the force of the act, but he didn't care. He just needed to make sure she was ok.

'Scully?' He begged, and placed his fingers on her neck, desperate to feel a pulse. 'Come on Scully…' His voice breaking with suppressed tears. 'Don't leave me now... please Dana..'

Suddenly there was a sound of sirens as the backup arrived. Mulder felt relief wash over him as he saw a distant ambulance racing towards them.

As he watched the scene unfold, he looked back at Scully and to his relief, felt her pulse under his fingers.

'Scully, you scared the life out of me.' He gushed to her under his breath and couldn't help but let out a small smile. He pulled her face close to his and rested her soft forehead against his own. He felt the urge to kiss her.

He wondered if she could hear him.

The paramedics swarmed around them, and he was swept up in the commotion as the paramedics started to work.

He took a step back to give them space but he never kept his eyes off her. He was determined to stay with her at all times.

'She was thrown into a glass table by considerable force. She's cut along her back, she was in a lot of pain.' Mulder said with difficulty over the paramedics as they spoke amongst each other as they checked her. They looked at him and nodded sympathetically.

'I'm staying with her.'

He stared as they worked on her, his mind totally focused on her. He felt as if he was stuck there, unable to move. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

He wouldn't.

He felt his heart call out for her and all he wanted to do was hold her and protect her. It was difficult watching them tending to her and him not being able to help.

A young paramedic came over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, bringing him crashing back to reality. He noticed now that Scully was laid on a stretcher and ready to be taken to the hospital. He swallowed nervously.

'Ok Agent Mulder. Follow me.'