Chapter 13: Taking care of you
The discharges Scully from the hospital with the commitment that she should not be alone, Mulder takes charge and arranges everything to take Scully home, his home, he just hopes it will be their home again very soon, after the seizure in the car, she only had another mild episode, for that reason she can leave, but the doctors don't know for sure if it will happen again, that's why she must be accompanied by someone for a few days, both are nervous, Scully knows that Mulder is very worried about her, and it seems a very tender gesture that he wants to take her home and take care of her, things have gone well between them recently, but nobody knows what will happen in the future, it is better go slowly, he is excited about taking her home, but he doesn't know how this will turn out, he just hopes for the best.
She leaves the bathroom ready to go, he takes her suitcase and makes her walk a little ahead of him to watch her, she seems to be well and that makes him happy, after believing that he would lose her, he feels relieved to have her by his side, she feels intimidated walking in front of him, because she knows he is watching her, she looks askance backwards and blushes making him smile
When they get to the car he opens the door - A Mustang Mulder? - He smiles looking at her expression between impressed and terrified - It's beautiful, don't you think? - She laughs as he closes the door and turns to get in the car - We can fly home in this beauty Scully - she denies smiling and rest her head in the back of the seat - It's comfortable, but I can't believe you actually buy a car like this Mulder - he does not know it either, maybe it's the crisis of middle age or old age - If you want me to return it, I will - she turns to look at him frowning - Why will you do that Mulder -
He looks at her with tenderness,if she knew all that he would do or would not do for her - If you don't like it, neither do I - she smiles closing her eyes, then turns to look at him with tenderness - keep it Mulder, it's hot - both laugh and Mulder looks at her raising his eyebrows - it's good to know -
She closes her eyes again and leans back, Mulder looks at her with concern and reaches out to take her hand - Do you feel good? or do we go back inside? - she shook her head without opening her eyes and squeezing his hand - I'm fine Mulder, I just want to rest - he turns on the engine of the car and without letting go of her hand, he puts both their hands on the gear lever and both stay that way throughout the trip to the house.
Scully is falling asleep on the way, he does not stop looking at her, he feels grateful to have her again by his side and that nothing serious happened, but what if she has more seizures being alone with him? That scares him a lot, but at least she won't be alone. She moves a little in the seat and he tries to let go of her hand so that she gets comfortable, but she continues to hold him tight and he feels warm in his heart.
Something that has him confused is her theory about her visions, she says is William doing a sending, if it is true, what else could their son communicate through visions, this is a sensitive issue that creates many concerns, maybe they can discover something soon, for now he just wants to take care of her.
When they arrives at the house, she doesn't wake up and he decides to carry her inside, he releases her hand tenderly and puts her on top of the seat, opens the door as slowly and silently as possible and turns around, opens her door and unbuckles her belt, she moves a little squinting her eyes, but at that moment he takes her in his arms giving her no time to protest, she gasps realizing his action and he smiles looking at her tenderly - Don't worry Scully, I got you, I will never let you fall - she blushes and rests her head on his collarbone crossing her arms behind his neck, he inhales the scent of her hair and can't avoid an increase in his heartbeat, she makes him feel good.
She is not a person who allows herself to be easily helped, she has always been an independent woman, but with the age comes the calm, and the last events have been so accelerated, that she feels for the first time comfortable being carried in Mulder's arms. She feels his heartbeat, he is excited, she smiles tenderly hiding her face in his neck, Mulder makes her happy, that's the only thing that matters, and knowing that her son is alive, well and that he can communicate with her, makes her pain tolerable. She feels his lips kissing her forehead and closes her eyes, remembering all the occasions in which he has done it, a whole life together, sharing sadness, joys, bewilderment, difficulties, wonders, a whole life at Mulder's side, she feels protected by him and that is more than enough.
He finishes climbing the stairs and tries to open the door with her still in his arms, but she looks at him smiling - You can put me down Mulder - he nods and put her down slowly, he opens the door and let her get inside first walking back towards the car for get her suitcase, she pushes the door and enters the house, but this time she sits directly on the sofa, the truth is that it's her favorite place, close to Mulder's life, close to his billboards full of newspaper clippings, to the x files, to his desk, that's his life and at some point hers too.
When he comes back and sees her on the couch he smiles - Scully, you must go to bed - she denies sighing - I want to stay here Mulder, I don't want to be alone upstairs and it's still early - he nods and goes up to the second floor taking her suitcase, she lies on the sofa and closes her eyes inhaling the smell of Mulder, he must sleep there almost every day, he has never been someone who enjoys being in bed.
He opens her suitcase to put her stuff in her drawer, it will always be her drawer, he puts everything inside delicately so as not to wrinkle anything, there are enough clothes for a week, and in the drawer for one more week, the necessary time for her to improve and recover her strength. He goes down again and sees her asleep on the couch, he smiles and grabs the blanket from the back and covers her, she sighs and he puts a strand of hair behind her ear.
While she sleeps he prepares his food, a chicken soup and a salad, something light and nutritious, when he is finishing the dinner, he listen to Scully restless on the sofa, he lows heat to the oven and walks towards her, Scully moves uneasily on the sofa squeezing the blanket with her hands, Mulder sits on the edge and rubs her arm to wake her up - Scully, wake up honey - she wakes up startled and clings on his neck frightened, he hugs her calmly, stroking her back - It's ok honey, I'm here, breathe Scully, I'm here - she sobs against him, Mulder feel her tight her hold of him - Calm down, we are fine, we are home - although that last was said without thinking, it doesn't go unnoticed for her, and that makes her sob even more, it's their home, no matter the time elapsed, doesn't matter that she left, for him, that's where she belongs, he pulls her away a little and press his lips against her forehead - Don't cry Scully, you can seize again, I'm here - she looks into his hazel eyes and tears fall down her cheeks, she withdraws her arms from his neck, lowering them slowly down his arms until resting on his forearms, getting quieter while looking straight at him.
He puts his hand on her cheek while still holding her waist with the other - Are you alright? What can I do? How is that head? -
She half smiles breathing out - I'm fine Mulder - he looks at her, squinting and stroking his head
- what happened? more visions? - she denies and sighs
- I saw you dying again, I can't lose you Mulder - her eyes fill with tears again - everything started here Mulder, in this house, I can't… - her voice breaks and she clings harder to him to assure his presence, he smiles frowning, caressing her back again
- I'm here honey, I'm fine, I won't go anywhere - she hiccups in his shoulder and then kiss his cheek pulling away again.
She looks into his eyes and he does the same smiling - I'm sorry Mulder - he wipes her tears with his thumb - There's nothing to apologize for, now, I will turn off the oven or our food might get burn, and we don't want that, right? - she denies with her head laughing and seeing him walk towards the kitchen.
He serves a bowl of soup and takes it to her, then sits back on the edge and takes a spoonful to her mouth - Mulder, you don't have to do this, I can do it - he smiles with the spoon in front of her mouth - I know, but I'm going to take care of you, and that includes making sure you eat well and don't strain yourself, so, open your mouth lady - she giggles and obeys, he feeds her and she feels like the most loved woman in the world, their situation is complex but this is wonderful, it's as if the years had not passed, it's as if they were still the same as they were ten years ago, they are not what they used to be, but it is as close as they have been.
She feels that new tears threaten to come out of her eyes, and swallows with force blinking several times, her gesture doesn't go unnoticed for Mulder who smiles tenderly - It is the first time someone will cry for my food Scully, I think I've surpassed myself -
She lets out a laugh closing her eyes, he puts the plate on the coffee table and puts his hand on her cheek, Scully opens her eyes and looks at him with love - Thank you Mulder - she says in a sigh, he pulls her to him and she surrounds him with her arms reclining her head on his chest, he kisses her hair and smiles feeling complete happiness.
- How are you feeling? Is there anything else I can do? - he asks in a whisper, she denies in his chest and sighs, he caresses her back and her hair with tenderness - I think we should go to bed then, you need to rest Scully - his voice is sweet and calm, he used to do that when she was sad, or sick like now, so many memories, so many moments shared.
She pulls away and look into his eyes, he also looks at her looking for an answer, but she doesn't say anything, instead she leans forward and pecks her lips with his slightly, then looks at him again and smiles - Let's go -