Title: Nova
Author: Angel
Email: JumperChick@aol.com
Feedback: Please!
Archive: Please!
Classification: MSR, Colonization fic.
Rating: NC-17 (for some parts-very mild but to be
safe!) Others are probably PG-13 or so.
Summery: The inevitable happens. Mulder has
planned ahead and now does everything in his power
to keep Scully safe. You MUST read all parts to
understand! Available at Ephemeral and my home
page.
Disclaimer: You know the drill. Characters are
property of Fox, 1013, ect. No money is being made.
No infringement is intended. Some poems are used
without permission, names of authors are given.
Prayers which I did not write, and I don't know who
wrote are included in some areas.
Homepage: (to find missing parts and sooner or later
the completed version, also posted at Ephemeral)
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Bath/7266/ang
elsfanfic.html
A HUGE thanks to Evie my beta reader! Nova would
never be doing this well, or going as fast, without her
help! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!
Note: Want Nova updates in the mail? Just let me
know!
"Baby don't look up, the sky is falling." Tori Amos
A late spring morning like any other.
Day 1
Mulder braced himself against the wall as another
quake caused the building to quiver; a picture rattled
off the wall. It's crash went unnoticed as Mulder
shoved all his spare clips for his gun into his hiking
bag. Hauling the already heavy pack over his
shoulder he made his way into the kitchen, stumbling
as the building shook again. Emergency sirens blared
through the broken windows as he packed what
canned and dried food he had, matches, batteries, and
the few bottles of water from the refrigerator whose
door was left swung open letting chilled but unlit air
into the brown hazed room. Mulder made his way to
the door, full pack over his shoulders. He cursed
himself and went back into his bedroom and
rummaged through the closet until he came upon a
fireproof safe. Quickly entering the combination he
pulled out the items contained; now useless cash, a
folded piece of paper and two silver chains. Shoving
the contents into his front jean pocket he left his
apartment without a second glance, without shutting
the door.
Stepping outside the sirens wailed loudly as Mulder
made his way to his car. The street was flooded with
panicked drivers, heading no where and anywhere.
He guided his car, as best he could, out onto the side
streets and floored the gas pedal ignoring the earth as
it shook, ignoring the sky that had turned dull and
thick, but most of all ignoring his thoughts.
"Scully!" Mulder called as he pounded on the door.
After no answer he pulled out his keys letting himself
in. He stepped into the apartment and looked around.
"Scully?" He made his way to her bedroom stepping
over broken lamps, nick-knacks, and other debris.
Walking into her room he saw her, laying on her bed,
which had collapsed, a small trickle of blood fell
from her forehead that was resting against the leg of
her night table. "Scully?" He kneeled beside her and
touched her cheek.
She gasped and her eyes flew open.
"It's ok. It's me."
Scully cringed and pressed the heel of her hand to her
forehead.
"You ok?" Mulder asked as he helped her sit up.
"Yeah I think so." She looked around in awe. All she
remembered was waking up to a loud bang then the
ground seeming to fall from under her. "What
happened?"
Mulder was silent for a moment. "The inevitable."
Scully's jaw dropped went slack as she took in the
sirens, the shaking ground, the haze in the air, and the
indescribable expression on Mulder's face. She
slowly shook her head. "No." It came out more of a
sob then a word. "No. I'm dreaming. This isn't
happening."
Mulder took her face in his hands and met her eyes.
"It's happening. I need to listen to me, Scully. Ok?"
She nodded quickly not knowing what else to do.
"Ok you need to get dressed, we have to leave now.
Where's your hiking bag?" Her jaw worked for a
moment as she tried to speak. "Scully, focus, where
is it?"
She cleared her throat. "Hall closet."
He nodded and helped her stand. "You need to get
dressed." He left without another word. After pulling
the bag from the closet he tore open her cabinets
dropping in anything useful. More cans of food, bags
of rice and pasta, bread mixes, bottled water, any
food he could find that wouldn't spoil quickly, a
small pot, some utensils.
He turned to Scully as she walked out, still in a daze.
He took her arm and brought her back into the
bedroom dropping the bag onto the slanted bed and
picking up her gun to pack. "Clothes Scully." She
nodded and walked to her closet handing him pairs of
jeans, shirts, an extra pair of shoes; dependable multi
use clothes like the ones they both wore and Mulder
had packed for himself.
"I have some blankets." She mumbled pulling a few
fleece blankets from the shelf in her closet. Just as
Mulder shoved them into the overflowing bag the
room shook. They braced themselves in the doorway.
"The siren stopped." Scully whispered after a
moment.
Mulder nodded and pulled her out of the room.
"Flashlights? Batteries?" He was about to go on but
Scully held up a hand for him to stop and pulled open
a drawer. She dropped the items in question along
with a lighter and a small army knife. She walked
into the bathroom with some medicine bottles, soap
and a few other things. She pulled the bag on as they
walked towards the door.
Scully turned before she stepped out of the door.
"Wait Mulder." She called as he was leaving. She ran
to her desk and pulled a photo from a drawer and
placed that in the bag also before they left the
apartment.
"Is your gas tank full?"
"Yeah." They made their way to the car oblivious to
the screaming people in the streets.
"Ok let's drain it and we'll take my car." Scully
nodded and unlocked the trunk for Mulder. He pulled
out the gas can and sieved the gas into it as Scully
opened her glove compartment. She pulled out
another flashlight and her first aid kit. "Scully?"
Mulder called as he capped the can.
"I'm ready." She called back and pulled the pack
back on. Mulder lead her around to the back of the
building to where he had left his car, thankfully no
one had broken into it. Stowing the gathered items
into the back seat they climbed in. Mulder made his
way back out onto the road, which was cluttered with
cars. "We aren't getting anywhere too soon." Scully
whispered. She reached forward and flipped on the
radio. Nothing back but dead air. "Towers must be
down." She mumbled as she continued to scan
through the stations. All the way at the end of the dial
a soft beep, beep-beep, bee-eep, beep came through.
"Morse code." Scully flipped off the radio and sat
back in her seat.
Mulder glanced her way before turning onto a side
street in an attempt to get away from the traffic. After
some time they were on the highway. It was littered
with cars, but they were able to do the speed limit.
Finally taking a moment to look around they did. The
sky looked foggy and dirty, like it was covered in
damp dust. No clouds were visible. In the distance
there were several red glowing areas from fires and
explosions. Buildings were crumbling for the
constant shaking of the ground. The pavement had
even started to crack in some places. Everything was
dark, no lights from the windows. The power went
out hours ago. The sun had vanished behind the thick
haze. Cars were pulled off the road. Hoards of people
walked the roads. Once tall old trees lay on their
sides. There was no wind. The air was heavy and
still. Waiting.
Scully couldn't look anymore. She turned onto her
side and curled herself up in the seat facing Mulder.
She took in his expression. His jaw was clenched, his
eyes alert, hands strong on the wheel. Determined.
She closed her eyes and thought. For the first time
since Mulder woke her she thought. Her mother, she
was in San Diego visiting Charlie. She would worry.
Bill. Where was he at sea right now? She couldn't
think about that anymore. Her heart couldn't take it.
She looked back at Mulder. "Where are we going?"
She asked the dead silence of the car.
He glanced over at her and swallowed roughly.
"Some where safe." He turned away from her.
Scully didn't ask anymore questions. She didn't want
to. She wanted to wake up in her bed, this being all a
bad dream.
Mulder unconsciously slowly the car as he starred out
the top of the windshield. Scully sat straight and
looked up as a large ship passed silently and slowly
over them. Mulder clenched his jaw and pressed
down hard on the gas petal.
***
Scully woke as the car slowed to a stop. She sat up
and looked around them. Mulder had pulled into a
rest station on the highway. The soda machine had
already been forced open but there was no one is
sight.
"I'm going to put the rest of the gas in the tank. Take
a minute to walk around but be careful." He warned
as he tucked his gun into the front of his jeans and
stepped out of the car.
Scully nodded even though he couldn't see her and
stood on stiff legs. The air was cold from the lack of
direct sun all day. She looked across at the rest
station and spotted the area map. Pennsylvania, they
were somewhere is Pennsylvania. Probably not very
far on less then one tank of gas. Mulder touched her
shoulder lightly as he walked by her and into the
men's room, gun drawn. With a sigh Scully pulled
her own gun out and walked into the bathroom. The
room was almost pitch black save for the slight
grayish light from the one window. Glancing around
and under doors she put her gun away knowing she
was alone. Emptying her bladder she almost laughed
bitterly after noticing someone had taken all the toilet
paper. She walked to the sink and stared at her dim
reflection in the mirror. She looked tired, alone and
scared. She was all of those things and more.
Reaching down she flipped on the faucet already
knowing nothing would come out. She caught the
few drops that fell.
"Scully?" His voice was full of concern.
"I'll be right out Mulder." She called back.
Pointlessly turning the faucet off she walked back out
into the night. Mulder was leaning up against the car
scanning the surrounding area when she walked out.
"It's quiet." She stated as she got back into the car.
Mulder nodded and looked around. "Too quiet." He
started the car and pulled back onto the road only
slightly dotted with other cars.
"What do you think They are doing?"
He glanced as her and let out a breath before facing
the road again. "Taking who they need and killing
who they don't."
Scully didn't ask for details. They both had their own
ideas about who They would want, and why. And
whom They didn't want and what they were doing to
them. Realizing for the first time that she was hungry
Scully reached for her bag. After passing Mulder a
bottle of water and getting her own she pulled out a
jar of peanut butter and bread, squished from being in
the bag, but bread nonetheless. She made Mulder a
sandwich and passed it over to him.
"You never told me you were a gourmet cook."
Mulder commented with mock surprise.
Scully laughed softly appreciating his efforts to
lighten the situation. When they had finished eating
Scully looked over at Mulder. He was just as tired as
she. "You want me to drive for a while?"
"No I'm ok."
"Maybe we should stop for the night and get some
sleep." She tried again.
"No I want to get as close as we can as soon as
possible."
"Where are we going Mulder?" She asked in a tone
that meant she wanted the real answer. He shot her a
quick glance and reached into his pocket. He handed
her two silver charms each on their own lengthy
chain. She held the chains up so that the charms
dangled in the low light of the car. Two identical
small stars swung in front of her eyes. "I don't
understand. what are these?"
"Our passports to the Nova Project. Put one on."
Still not understanding she pulled the long chain over
her head, the charm hung low under her shirt, the
cool metal tickling the sensitive skin between her
breasts. He took the other from her hand and pulled it
over his head and tucking it under his tee shirt. "Nova
Project?"
He nodded and passes her the folded paper from his
pocket. "About four years ago the gunmen found out
about it, I don't know how. But they brought it to my
attention. The project has been set up for years,
preparing for when They came. While there were
people working to help Them, there were people
working to help us. I had to buy my way in of course.
But anyway, it's set up in Canada; They don't like
the cool weather apparently. A system of tunnels
have been built underground. Rooms are built, a
water source, and a system of gardens and barns for
farm animals on the surface. The growing season
isn't long. but it's all planned out. Last I heard over
a thousand people were expected when this happens,
but who knows how long it will take for everyone to
get there."
Scully stared at him in shock. "Mulder. how do you
know that isn't all a load of crap?"
He looked at her soberly. "I don't. But it's better then
nothing."
Scully didn't say anything for a moment. "How do I
work into this?" She asked softly.
Clearing his throat he looked at for a long moment.
"Scully. I wouldn't go with out you, I don't want to
go without you."
She was silent for sometime. "Why didn't you tell me
about all this?"
Mulder let out a laugh. "Scully you would have told
me I was crazy. You probably still think that. But it
doesn't matter, this is better then sitting in our ruined
apartments waiting for Them to come and kill us isn't
it?"
She nodded quickly then leaned back in her seat
pulling the charm out examining it. "It's actually very
pretty."
He smiled over at her. "Well it's a good thing
because you can't take that off. If anyone sees you
with it, if they are also a member of Nova they have
to help you, and vise versa."
She stared at is another moment before placing it
back under her shirt.
Day 2
Mulder pressed his lips together with an annoyed
smile as Scully bit her lip waiting.
"Come on Bessie, just a little more!" Mulder cheered
to the car as it slowly rolled down the road.
"You've named your car Bessie?" Scully asked with
astonishment.
He nodded. "Yeah about four seconds ago." The car
finally stopped. Mulder sighed. "Well that was over
four hundred miles we don't have to walk." He
looked around the deserted street. "Slide over here
Scully, I'm going to push us down into the trees
some. We'll stay here and get some sleep. I think we
should be ok." He stepped out of the car and into the
cool hazy air.
Scully slid over and steered the car until is was
covered in brush.
Mulder struggled to get back in, cursing at a branch.
Once he sat down Scully passed him a blanket as she
reclined her chair and settled on her side facing him.
He copied her actions and reached out, tucking a
strand of hair behind her ear. "You doing ok?"
She let out a humorless laugh. "Oh yeah wonderful."
He smiled sadly and pulled his hand away. "Get
some sleep."
She closed her eyes and nodded. "You too."
"Mmm Hmm." He mumbled already half way there.
Mulder woke quickly to a tapping sound on his
window. He opened his eyes quickly and glanced at
Scully, she was sleeping soundly. He jumped when
he looked towards his window. "Sir." He said
surprised to see Skinner standing in the brush beside
the car. "How did you find us?" Skinner didn't
answer. Mulder jumped again when a tapping came
at Scully's window. He turned to see Maggie Scully
looking down at him. He turned to the front to see the
lone gunmen standing at the hood of the car.
"Scully." He said softly trying to wake her. Glancing
in the rearview mirror he saw four of the guys he
played basketball with on Saturdays. They all began
tapping on the windows.
Mulder jerked upright breathing hard.
"Shh. Mulder it's ok. Just a dream." Scully soothed
placing a hand on the back of his neck.
Mulder let out a long breath and leaned forward
placing his face in his hands.
"What was it about?" She passes him a bottle of
water.
After taking a long drink he looked up at her with
pained eyes. "Everyone we left behind." He leaned
back against the door and shook his head. "I'm so
sorry Scully. I didn't even ask if you wanted to
come with me."
Scully squeezed his knee lightly. "Mulder of course I
would have come with you. I had no place else to
go." She finished in a sad whisper. Mulder placed his
hand over hers and leaned back with his eyes closed.
"You want to get moving?"
Opening his eyes he sat up and nodded. "Yeah, we've
got a hell of a lot of walking to do. Rest of
Pennsylvania, all of New York and some of Canada."
They both got out of the car and pulled on their bags.
"How long do you think it will take?"
"Maybe two months, depending." He said as they
walked up to the road. "Come on, it'll be easier on
the pavement."
Scully was silent lost in her thoughts for some time.
"Is it safe up here?"
He looked around. "I think so. Let's just keep our
eyes out. We need to stay with the roads so I can use
the map."
They walked for hours, side by side, in the dark haze,
in the silence, listening for anything until Mulder
stopped and steered Scully to the side of the road.
"Let's take a break, I'm staving."
Scully fell gratefully to the ground. Running three
miles four times a week for the past two years did not
have her prepared for this. She stretched her legs out
into front of her and lay back against her pack.
Mulder sat beside her and pull open his pack, tossing
an orange at her. She peeled away the skin and rolled
on her side to look at Mulder. He was watching down
the road suspiciously. Scully followed his line of
vision and saw a family of four walking up the road
towards them. Scully looked back down at her
orange. Whenever they would come across other
people they would never make eye contact. After
glancing for a Nova pendent they would act like they
weren't there. Scully bit into a piece of orange and
fiddled with her necklace. Just a few days ago she
would be fingering her gold cross, but that now that
lay against her collarbone all but forgotten. They both
finished eating before the family walked by. Scully
struggled to look away from the small boy holding
his father's hand. She kept her eyes down cast until
they were just little dots on the horizon.
Mulder cleared his throat and held a hand for her
after standing. Giving him a weak smile she let him
pull her to her feet. "Better get moving."
***
Mulder and Scully sat back staring at the fire of their
makeshift camp after a dinner of bread and a small
amount of pasta. Scully tucked the bread back into
her bag and looked up at Mulder. "We aren't going to
have enough food."
"I know."
Scully watched him for a moment before sighing and
pulling the pot of warm water out of the fire. "I'm
going to clean up." He nodded absentmindedly. She
turned, but stayed close to the fire and started to strip
off her clothes, only leaving the bare minimum on.
Dipping a small towel into the warmed water she
washed away the sweat of walking all day carrying a
heavy bag with the knowledge of Mulder's eyes on
her back. She slowly dressed in clean clothes and
turned back to Mulder who adverted his eyes.
"There's still half left." She held back a smile as she
passed him the pot and towel.
"Thanks." He mumbled. Not bothering to turn away
he stripped down to his boxers. Scully tried not to
watch as he washed himself but she was fascinated
by the way the fire played off of his skin. Mulder
looked up at her and refrained from smirking as she
quickly looked away. Silently cursing herself Scully
laid down two of the blankets as a cushion and pulled
out the other three. Mulder redressed and added more
wood to the fire.
Scully looked up at him sheepishly. "We should
share, it'll be warmer."
He grinned. "Finally! It's rained sleeping bags." With
a sigh he settled down next to her and bunched up
two shirts for them to use as pillows.
Scully smiled and shook her head as she lay back
between the fire and Mulder's body. Immediately she
was warmed and felt sleep beckoning. Everything
was quiet; the only sounds were their breathing, the
crackling fire and the calls of small animals. Scully
drifted close to sleep when an explosion and a burst
of light lit the sky. They both sat upright. "What are
They doing?" Scully asked softly.
Mulder shook his head and looked around the sky. "I
don't know. Doesn't sound too close though." He
reached over and placed a hand on Scully's stomach
pushing her back down against the blankets, he left
his hand there and rolled onto his side. Two more
explosions followed quickly, sounding further away.
After a few long moments of silence Mulder gently
rubbed Scully's stomach. "Get some sleep." They lay
awake for a few hours more in silence before finally
drifting off.
Day 3
Mulder woke feeling the sun on his face. Opening his
eyes he could actually see the blue sky instead on a
brown haze for the first time in days. He rolled on his
side to tell Scully. He couldn't help but smile. She
was curled up on her side, blankets wrapped around
her and looking utterly innocent. Deciding not to
wake her yet he climbed out of `bed' and looked
around for a fairly flat rock. Cleaning one side with
water he dropped into in the hot embers from last
night's fire to let it heat. He then dug through their
bags and pulled out the four left over pieces of bread
and a can of pineapple chunks and opened it with his
army knife.
Sensing movement Scully woke up. "Mulder?" She
called softly as she rolled over to look towards the
fire.
"I'm here. Just making breakfast." He placed the
bread on the hot rock. "The sky cleared." He nodded
upward.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Yeah it did." She
started to fold up the blankets and passed Mulder a
bottle of water. "We're almost out."
He nodded and flipped the bread over with a fork as
he passed her the can of fruit. "According to the map
we should intersect with a stream late today, it's set
up so we walk along water most of the time." He
passed her two hot pieces of bread. "Toast my lady."
She smiled around a piece of pineapple. "Now look
who is the gourmet chef."
***
Scully poked at the fire with a long stick when
Mulder draped a blanket over her shoulders and sat
beside her. "It's cold by the water." He said
absentmindedly. Looking over at her he rubbed her
back lightly. "You ok Scully?"
She looked at him with a small smile. "Yeah." She
pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on
them, still looking at him.
Mulder tipped his head to the side, copying her
stature, and tucked her hair behind her ear. Scully's
eyes closed at the contact. Placing his palm around
her jaw he stroked her cheekbone with his thumb.
She leaned into his touch. After a moment Mulder
laid back against the already spread blankets pulling
Scully with him. He tucked her securely against his
chest with her back to the fire. Pulling the other
blankets over both of them he stroked her back
lightly. With a contented sigh Scully fell asleep
wrapped in his arms. Sensing she had fallen asleep
Mulder rolled her away from him slightly so he could
see her face. With the back of his fingers he stroked
her cheek. Then traced her lips with the tip if his
finger. She stirred slightly and opened her eyes
sleepily. Mulder leaned down and kissed her
forehead for a long heartbeat then tucked her head
under his chin before she could see the thoughts in
his eyes. The fear. The fear that maybe the Nova
Project was in fact a hoax. Then what? Where would
they go? How would he make it up to her? Dragging
her a thousand miles through dangerous land. Who
knew what would happen? Who knew where They
were waiting? Maybe They wouldn't even bother
them. Maybe They didn't need them, didn't care
about them. But even if They didn't bother them
there were people out there, desperate people who
would do anything to find food for their loved ones.
Would do anything to unsure their safety, their
future. Mulder knew. He was one of those desperate
people.
Day 5
Scully rubbed her face with her hands as she sat
down and watched Mulder gather things to make a
fire before it became too dark. Usually she would
help, but today they stopped walking early and went
slow the whole day. Scully silently cursed herself.
She had gotten her period. It didn't surprise her; it
was actually a few days late. She felt woozy and
heavy limbed. Her body couldn't handle the constant
walking, the decrease in food and blood loss. It
wasn't even bad this month, but too many factors
were against her. All she wanted to do was curl up
next to the fire and sleep for a few days.
Mulder got the fire going well and added some large
pieces of wood before sitting behind Scully slightly.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently
massaged away the tension of carrying the heavy
pack all day.
"You gonna tell me what's going on?"
Scully leaned back into his hands. "It's nothing
really."
"Nothing has you pale and tired?" He pressed gently.
She let out a long breath. "Woman problems."
"Ahh. I understand now." He continued to relax her
muscles.
"I'm sorry I'm slowing us down." She mumbled after
a few moments.
Mulder's hands stopped and he took her chin in one
hand and turned her to look at him. "You are not
slowing us down." He turned her whole body around
so her back was against the fire. "We'll take it easy
for another few days and then make up that time.
Summer is almost here so the days will be longer;
we'll walk more then. Ok?"
She nodded and tucked herself against his chest.
"Oh, Scully." He whispered in a heartbroken tone as
he wrapped himself around her small body. He
pressed his lips to her temple and ran his hand
through her hair as she relaxed into his safe embrace.
The fact that she let him hold her like this said a lot
about the situation. They were both tired, aching, and
most of all scared.
"Mulder?" She mumbled against his neck.
"Mmm?" He nuzzled the hair at her temple just
wanting to bury himself in her warmth and comfort.
"You think They will come for me? They can track
me with the chip."
He pulled her head from his neck, cradling her face
with his hands. "No. They wont. They already took
everything They want from you, it won't happen
again."
She gave him a strained smile. "We don't know
anything for sure." She dropped her weight back into
his arms and closed her eyes.
Day 7
"You know what I want?" Scully asked
conversationally as they walked the road, sun beating
down strongly.
"A half pound cheese burger, fries, potato salad and a
beer." He supplied quickly, his mind obviously on
the same track.
She nodded thoughtfully. "Actually I wanted some
sea food Alfredo and a glass of white wine, but I
could settle for that instead."
Mulder stopped walking and squinted into the
horizon. "Hey Scully, is that a gas station."
"Well. maybe once." She said when she saw a
small building all but collapsed.
Mulder reached over and tugged her arm. "Let's go
check it out, maybe it hasn't been completely cleaned
out yet."
Scully quickly nodded, glad for a change of plan.
"Watch out for the glass Mulder." She called once
they came to the building. But Mulder was already
occupied with searching the remains for anything
useful. She couldn't help but smile at him. He looked
like a little boy on an Easter egg hunt. Looking down
she toed through the crumbled wall and shelving
debris that covered a small area of land, only one
wall was still standing.
"I found some canned food." Mulder called over as
he shoved three cans of tuna and a can of beans into
his bag. "There's still some stuff here, it's just
buried."
Scully nodded and picked up a crushed box of
crackers, a large box of raisins and a few other items.
They poked around for at least an hour collecting
odds and ends. Including two cartoons of cigarettes
Mulder said they could probably trade something for
at some point.
"Man its hot today." Mulder looked up at the sky; it
was just turning mid afternoon. "I think we should
call it quits early."
Scully shrugged. "If you want. We can take
advantage of the warm weather and wash some
clothes, that way they'll be dry before we pack up in
the morning."
He nodded and they walked away from the station in
case anyone else walked by and went looking
through. They stopped at a lightly treed area in front
of a wide shallow part of a stream. Scully kneeled by
the edge with the pile of dirty clothes next to her and
a bar of soap in one hand as Mulder leaned a few
long branches up against a tree. As Scully washed
each article of clothing he hung it up in the sun to
dry, everything very close by incase anyone came by
and decided to try to go shopping at their makeshift
clothesline. After a moment's thought Scully stripped
down to her black panties and dark gray tank so wore
as a bra -she quickly realized that anything with a
wire was not comfortable in this new lifestyle- and
washed the clothing she wore that day. Mulder
stripped to his boxers and as she finished washing the
clothes he walked out into the water, barely reaching
his waist and fell straight back into the cool water.
Scully laughed at him when he reemerged and tossed
him the bar of soap as she hung the wet clothes up.
Cringing she stepped into water.
"Oh it's not that bad." Mulder teased and handed her
the soap as he stepped out clean and freshly shaven.
"It's freezing!" She whined.
He laughed at her and sat back on a blanket after
changing out of his wet boxers and into dry ones,
which were the only thing that wasn't wet.
Scully focused on washing herself, trying to erase the
image of Mulder's bare backside that was now
burned into her mind. She worked slowly enjoying
the opportunity to really get clean. She sat down and
dipped her head in, lathering her hair and washing it
for the first time in days. After rinsing off she sat
back for a moment and relaxed, pretending she was
in her bath with scented bubbles and a glass of wine
in her hand. After her third shiver and stood and
walked over to where Mulder was sitting next to the
small fire. He tossed one of his tee shirts at her. "I
left that for you to change into."
"Thanks." She said walking over to hang up the
clothes she pulled off. She could practically feel
Mulder's eyes burning into her skin as she shed her
wet tank and panties. She pulled his shirt over her
head and almost laughed when it fell to her knees.
Walking back over to the fire she placed a few
cleaned flat rocks in the fire and then a few on the
sides, building small walls. She found a large rock to
fit over the top then dug through her bag for a box of
corn bread mix. She stirred a small amount with
water then dropped two globs on to the warmed rocks
and placed the large one on top creating a makeshift
oven.
Mulder clapped his hands together. "A job worthy of
Indian guide status."
Scully smiled proudly and laid back on the blanket
next to Mulder letting the sun warm her cooled skin.
Mulder looked down at her from where he sat and
reached over tugging the shirt down her thighs
slightly. "Showing some skin there Scully."
She looked over at him with raised brows. Reaching
over she took his hand in hers, interlocking their
fingers. With a small tug she pulled him over so he
lay on his side, holding himself up on either side of
her on his elbows. He looked down at her with a
confused/intrigued expression. With a small sigh
Scully reached up and flicked the Nova charm and
watched it swing. One moment with would shine in
the sunlight, the next it would go dark from Mulder's
shadow. It looked like a real star twinkling in the sky.
"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. How I wonder what
you are. Up above the world so high. Like a diamond
in the sky. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. How I
wonder what you are." She murmured still watching
the necklace. "First star of the night."
Mulder smiled down at her and pulled her own
necklace out from under her shirt. "Go ahead and
wish." He whispered.
She bit her lower lip in thought for a moment before
meeting his eyes. "Can I take a rain check?"
He gave her half a smile and nodded. "Of course."
"What about you? Any wishes?" She asked swinging
the charm once again.
Nodding slowly he said, "A few."
"Care to share?"
He gave a shy smile. "Not just yet." They were quiet
for a moment, Scully swinging his charm, him
stroking the front of her neck with his thumb. "A star
is the perfect charm for you." He said out of the blue.
She tipped her head quizzically. "That's what you
are. A star, beautiful, bright, strong and out of reach."
"I'm not out of reach Mulder." She whispered. They
locked eyes for a moment, just watching each other.
Scully wrapped her hand around the chain of his
necklace and pulled gently bringing his lips down to
hers. The touch was soft, warm, gentle. Mulder
pulled back slightly and changed angles, pressing
again in the same way. After a long moment he
pulled away ever so slightly, his lips still resting
against hers but without pressure. Together they met
for another kiss, this one open, tongues taking soft
tastes of each other. The kiss lasted a moment before
Mulder pulled away and pressed his face into her
neck, Scully's hand still clutching the chain.
Day 10
Mulder paused where they were on the road and
pulled out the map. "We have to take this next exit
coming up. We'll be off the water for at least a day
and a half so we better go fill up out water bottles."
Scully yawned and stretched as she nodded and
followed him down to the water.
"You want to camp here for the night?" He asked
over his shoulder after her yawn.
"No, we've cut too many days short. Might as well
keeping going."
Mulder shrugged noncommittally and flipped his bag
off his shoulders to pull out the empty water bottles.
Scully sighed and sat at the edge of the water, tucking
her legs under herself. Mulder passed her the bottles.
A slight cracking sound, nothing more then a twig
breaking in the trees behind them, and Mulder spun
with his gun drawn. Scully turned, still crouched on
the ground, pulling her gun from her side. "Drop it."
Mulder said calmly to the middle aged man standing
partly behind a tree with a knife. It was nothing more
then the kind used to cut vegetables, and it was
nothing compared to two guns. The man just starred
at both of them. Mulder scanned the thin trees for
anyone else but he appeared to be alone. "I said drop
it. Now." With a glare he dropped his knife. "Now
kick it over to me." Mulder bent to pick up the knife
without breaking eye contact with the man and tossed
it into the stream. "Now get the fuck out of here
before I shoot you." The man turned, the sound of
branches breaking echoed back. Mulder holstered his
gun and turned to Scully, placing a hand on the back
of her sunburned neck. "Almost ready?"
She nodded and splashed some cool water on her
face. She was getting worried, this wasn't the first
run in they had with someone trying to rob them. So
far their guns had gotten them out of it, and keeping a
fire burning all night kept people away. It had
worked, so far.
Day 13
Scully arched her neck to the side as Mulder nibbled
the corner of her jaw, his hands running up and down
her sides slowly. This had become a nightly ritual;
they would kiss softly by the fire, lips always staying
above their collars, hands caressing gently over
clothes. Mulder pressed his palm over her breast.
Scully tilted her head to the side to meet him for a
kiss as he rubbed his thumb over her nipple. She
murmured slightly against his lips. Mulder moved his
mouth to her ear and suckled her lobe. With great
courage he slipped his hand under her shirt and
caressed her bare belly. After a few moments his
hand traveled upward and stroked the smooth
underside of her breast. Scully's breathing hitched.
Mulder pulled his face away from her neck and
looked at her face, her eyes were closed and lips
parted invitingly. After pressing a long kiss to her he
slipped his hand over her breast, his fingers brushing
her pebbled nipple and kneaded softly. Scully caught
a moan in her throat.
"Don't hold back Scully." Mulder whispered as he
kneaded harder. "Let me know what you like."
She bit her lower lip but let out another moan.
Satisfied with her response Mulder suckled her neck
softly as he ran his thumb over her nipple. After
another moment Scully began to tense.
"Mulder." She whispered signaling she was
uncomfortable just by the tone.
Mulder shifted and nuzzled her temple as he slid his
hand away from her. He pulled the blankets over
them and let her get comfortable before his placed his
hand under her shirt again, only against her stomach.
"Thank you." She whispered against his neck.
"For what?"
"For not rushing anything."
Mulder smiled against her hair. "I've loved you for
seven years, I can wait for this as long as necessary."
She nuzzled his neck. "I love you too."
Day 14
Scully kicked at a stone as they walked. Mulder was
a step behind her and watched as she walked side to
side on the street to fallow the stone. She was acting
like a little girl who's mother dragged her to the
museum, finding anything else to hold her attention.
"Scully. you keep that up you'll be tired before
noon." He called with a smile to where Scully had
stopped at the corner of the road.
"Hey Mulder. Is that a baby?" She asked pointing
to a small object sitting on the edge of the grass thirty
feet away.
They walked slowly up to the bundle.
"Oh my god Mulder!" Scully took a step to pick up
the sleeping baby when Mulder grabbed her arm to
stop her. She took a step away from him expecting
him to let her arm go. "Mulder let me go."
He shook his head as he scanned the surrounding tree
line. "No. Come on Scully." He tugged firmly to
bring her back onto the road.
"Mulder. We can't just leave the baby here." She
tugged her arm.
Mulder tugged back, only harder, sending Scully to
step closer to his chest. "Scully, leave it. Walk
away."
She looked up at him with angry tears swimming in
her eyes. "What the fuck is wrong with you? It's a
BABY Mulder."
He let his hand slide down until it circled her wrist,
still tightly. "Scully. Please. Just come with me."
He whispered softly as his eyes screamed for her to
trust him.
Scully gave the baby a long look as Mulder tugged
her away. They walked in a tense silence for some
time before the baby began to cry. Scully turned
quickly. "Mulder. I can't." Scully trailed off as
she saw a man and woman come out from behind the
trees to retrieve the `bait' they left out. Scully
swallowed roughly as the mother picked the child up
and cooed softly. Letting out a long breath she placed
her hand over her eyes. "I'm so stupid." She
whispered.
Mulder pulled her back in the direction they were
headed before speaking. "You aren't stupid." He
wrapped his arm over her shoulders. "You are a
naturally caring and giving person. I would have
done the same thing, but I saw something move in the
trees and put two and two together." He paused for a
moment trying to organize his thoughts. He stopped
and turned her toward him. "I wouldn't leave a baby,
Scully."
"I know." She said quickly. Scully didn't say
anything else, just hung her head slightly as she
silently cursed herself. Excepting that the world had
changed so much was close to impossible. Not being
able to even think about trusting anyone but Mulder
was hard. Not speaking to anyone other then Mulder
was starting to make her feel alienated. She could
feel herself fighting a bought of depression.
Day 16
Scully lay on her back, head turned as she looked
unseeing into the flames. With a sigh Mulder lay on
his side beside her and pulled the blankets over them
to keep out the damp chill of night. Running the back
of his fingers down her cheek he asked her; "What's
wrong?"
She gave a little shrug, honestly not knowing.
Wrapping an arm around her waist he tugged her
closer to him and burrowed his face into her neck as
he stroked her side softly. Pulling herself from her
thoughts Scully turned her head and kissed Mulder
deeply, cupping his cheek with her palm. She pulled
away after a moment and ran her thumb over his
bottom lip. Her eyes closed in contentment as Mulder
pushed his hand under her sweatshirt, then slowly
under the band of her sweat pants. He paused, just
gently combing his fingers through her course hair.
She began to swallow convulsively as his fingers
moved to brush lower. Mulder lowered his head and
suckled the curve of her throat for a moment before
whispering in her ear. "I want to touch you." She let
out a breathy gasp and licked her dry lips. "Can I
touch you Scully?" He asked licking at her ear lobe.
"Yes." She whispered. Mulder smiled against her
neck and slipped his hand lower cupping her sex
possessively. Scully let her eyes close and focused on
enjoying Mulder's touch. His fingers gently found
her bundle of nerves and massaged with a gentle
pressure that for some reason didn't surprise Scully
was perfect. "Just like that." She encouraged softly.
"Don't change." Mulder kissed her neck to show he
understood and that's when Scully began to imagine.
Pretending that they weren't in the middle of no
where Pennsylvania. That it wasn't a chilly forty
degrees. But that they were lying in her warm bed
with soft cotton sheets. That Mulder was touching her
in the most intimate way after a romantic candle lit
dinner at a fine restaurant, not after a dinner of plain
rice. That she was dressed in her light blue silk
camisole, and Mulder in a pair of black silk boxers,
not dirty sweats to keep the chill out. Stuck in her
fantasy Scully felt a steady release building in her
body. With as much focus as she could muster she
shoved her hand into Mulder's sweatpants and
grasped his erection. His guttural cry didn't disturb
her imaginary world as she continued to stroke him
firmly, edging on painfully. The orgasm that flooded
Scully's senses did not distract her from her search
for Mulder's release. In the moments following her,
Mulder moaned as his body released. Both fighting
for a good breath they lay close together, Scully still
lost in her own world. Where she and Mulder were
going to fall asleep warm and safe in her apartment
and wake in the morning to a satisfying breakfast and
a life that, even with it's difficulties, she desperately
wished she could return to.
Day 17
Mulder turned to Scully with his arms wide open,
displaying the land surrounding the road, a proud grin
on his face. "Welcome to New York, Scully." He
called exuberantly.
Scully shook her head with a smile and walked
towards him, plucking the map from his fingers.
Unfolding the map Mulder placed a hand on her back
to guide her while she frowned at the wearing paper.
"We sill have a hell of a way to go."
Unfazed, Mulder paid little attention to her.
Still frowning Scully glanced behind her. "Have you
noticed that everyone we have passed the last few
days as been going in the opposite direction of us?"
"Yeah. They are probably moving to a milder
climate for when winter comes."
Scully was silent for a moment. "What are we going
to do if Nova is a fake?"
Not meeting her eyes, "We'll turn around."
Although the idea was having to back track was
unappealing Scully wasn't going to pass up the
chance to see Nova. She knew if she told Mulder she
didn't want to continue, if she said she thought they
should turn around and settle someplace else he
would. But that would mean crushing all the hopes he
had for them. A life when life was meant to be
destroyed. A way to live when everything was meant
to die.
Day 19
Slack jawed Scully looked at the land in front of
them. As far as they could see the land looked turned
inside out. Debris of buildings, trees, cars, even
people lay mixed with the earth. The road they
needed to fallow was lost amongst the chaos.
"Mulder."
Cursing under his breath Mulder turned away and
rubbed his face with his hands.
"Mulder?" She asked softly and took a step toward
him. She could almost feel the tension and anger
radiate from him. "Hey." Reaching out she placed a
hand on his arm trying to bring him back to her.
"Fuck!" Mulder hissed and spun around. Scully
jumped away from him on reflex. He looked at her
heartbroken that she pulled away. "I'm sorry Scully."
He took two steps toward her and lightly took her
hand in his. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's ok." She closed the space between them and
leaned her forehead against his shoulder for a
moment. "Now what?" She asked lifting her head to
find him scanning the horizon.
Pulling the hand he still held in his grasp. "We go
around."
"Go around? Mulder we don't know how far off we
are going to have to go."
He turned to her with a frown. "What do you suggest
we do Scully?" He held his arm out toward the
disaster they were walking by. "We certainly can't
walk through this." The anger was evident in his
voice. "You want to turn around? Go someplace else?
So that one night we'll be sitting by the fire and then
poof! You'll be gone or dead and then what? Huh?
What do I do then?!" He dropped her hand a turned
away from her once again, breathing heavily and
choking on tears.
Scully placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm not
leaving you Mulder."
"You said it yourself Scully; we don't know anything
for sure." He still would not look at her.
Letting out a long breath she leaned forward and
nuzzled his upper arm. "I know, for sure, that I want
to do anything possible to ensure that I won't be
leaving you. And if that means we have to walk
around this, whether it's a mile or five hundred miles,
I will do it." Picking her head up from him she turned
him toward her and held his face in her hands so that
he looked at her. "I don't want to fight with you. We
are both getting frustrated and we're tired. Let's just
keep going. As much as I hate to admit it we don't
have a choice."
Looking both ways around their obstacle Mulder
asked; "Which way?"
She shrugged. "Right?"
He nodded. "Sounds good." Taking her hand once
again he pulled her to the right.
Day 21
Scully idle watched Mulder's back as they walked
along the rough ground. The bright sun reflected off
his skin making it a challenge to continue. With
aching eyes she turned to the disaster they paralleled.
She paused her walking and studied the land.
Not hearing her footsteps Mulder stopped and turned.
"Scully? You taking a break or just like the view?"
He gestured toward the turned up earth and the
remnants of houses.
Squinting, she pointed to the horizon. "Can you see
where the ground is normal? Or I am hallucinating?"
Mulder stepped behind her and crouched to her eye
line. "I think you are right. Wanna try to cross here?"
Stretching her arms over her head she nodded.
"Might as well give it a try."
They walked in a silent concentration. Carefully
testing even ground and steering away from debris as
well as possible. Although they had more time to
think then either thought possible they barely did. It
was odd how quickly they forgot everything about
the past. They would see things that should have
reminded them of the past but it wouldn't even cross
their minds. It was useless, that was a different time,
a different life, and a different world. Nothing existed
but the present.
"Oh gross." Mulder said with disgust after walking
for at least fifteen minutes.
Scully looked up from the ground for a spilt second
to glance at him at her side. "Problem?"
"No. I just stepped in something."
"What?"
"I don't know and I have no desire to."
Scully laughed softly before they stopped at a drop
off seven feet. "Well. this is unfortunate." She said
grimly.
Chuckling, Mulder carefully hopped down, wavering
on the landing. After graining his balance he held his
arms up to Scully. "Come on jump, I'll catch you."
She snorted. "Yeah right." Reaching down she took
his hands in hers and slide down.
Mulder steadied her with his hands on her waist.
"Told you." Smiling smugly he turned and walked
on.
"That was barely a jump, Mulder."
He glanced over his shoulder at her. "I'm sorry I
couldn't hear what you said." Before she had a
chance to repeat what she knew he heard he began to
whistle.
With a smile she shook her head and took a few large
steps to be at his side. "Why I put up with you I'll
never know."
Throwing his arm over her shoulders he spoke matter
of factly. "Because you love me." Beaming he leaned
over and kissed her cheek then continued to pull her
along.
Day 24
Mulder frowned down at the map, looked up at the
road they had met with, back down at the map, again
at the road, and for good measure back at the map
once again.
Rolling her eyes Scully plucked the map from his
hand. "There's no way to tell if this is the right road
is there?"
"Well we should follow it about five miles and if we
come to a stream we have the right road. If we
don't. well we don't."
Scully passed the map back to him with distaste.
"Sounds fun."
"That's the spirit!" Mulder exclaimed throwing an
arm over her shoulders to pull her down the road with
him.
Mulder tossed a few large pieces of wood into the
fire and sat down by Scully. She turned to him with a
thoughtful expression and ran her fingertips over his
four-day beard. "Will you shave for me?" She asked
softly.
Mulder couldn't keep the smile from crossing his
lips. Nodding he grabbed his bag and pulled out the
soap and a razor as Scully brought over the pot of
water.
"Can I do it?" She asked after a moment's hesitation.
He grinned fully this time and handed over the items
then sat back on his hands with his legs out in front
of him. Scully sat down on his thighs. "I'll be
careful." She said as she worked up a thick lather in
her hands.
"I'm not worried." He said truthfully.
She gave him a small smile and spread the lather over
his face. He turned and angled his head helpfully as
she moved about his face. Wiping her hands on a
towel she picked up the razor and bit her lip in
thought. Tipping his chin with her thumb her first
shaved his neck. He lowered his head after she
finished. Scully smiled at him. "This is fun." He
laughed as she turned his face to one side. "Hold
still."
"Sorry." He mumbled as he started to caress her thigh
with one of her hands, the other still supporting him.
"But this is fun."
Once done Scully wiped his face with a damp towel.
"Viola." She sat back proudly.
Mulder rubbed a hand over his face, testing the
closeness of the shave. "Good job Scully. You can
shave me anytime."
Smiling, Scully leaned forward and kissed him softly.
He leaned back on both his hands as she wrapped her
arms around his neck. "Want to go to bed?" He
shrugged as best he could in his position. "Tired?"
Glancing at her mouth he shook his head.
He smiled smugly. "You can stop playing stupid
Scully. I know why you wanted me to shave."
She silently thanked the night so Mulder couldn't see
the extent of her blushing. Looking down she
mumbled; "You don't have to."
He laughed then shook his head with a smile. Sitting
upright he took her face in his hands. "Oh, Scully."
He kissed her deeply for a moment before shifting,
bringing them both down onto the spread blankets
with her beneath him. His fingers quickly found the
hem of her shirt and pushed under. He teased her ribs
for a moment before caressing the undersides of her
breasts. Becoming impatient Scully wiggled and
pulled her shirt over her head then tugged Mulder's
off, quickly pulling his lips back to hers. Mulder
chuckled against her mouth as he pulled at the
waistband of her pants. "Anxious, Scully?" He pulled
away enough to fully pull off her pants. When she
didn't answer he lay back against her and turned her
face so she looked at him. "Don't be shy. I told you
I want to know what you like."
She smiled weakly and nodded.
He kissed her gently in reassurance once then moved
slowly down her body. Spending long moments on
each breast, tasting every inch of her body he could
reach. When he came to her belly button he darted his
tongue in and out massaging her thighs with his
hands, slowly lifting them apart. Mustering her
courage Scully buried her fingers in his hair.
Encouraged, Mulder placed openmouthed kisses on
the inside of her thighs feeling a slight quiver run
through her body. Slowly and gently he worked his
way to her center. With gentle kisses and strokes then
with the help of his fingers she came moaning his
name. He made his way back up her body and
stroked back her hair as she reclaimed her breathing.
Before she even opened her eyes Scully pushed down
at Mulder's pants.
"Scully...?"
Finally opening her eyes and smiled and pushed him
onto his back. Mulder let out a laugh until she took
him into her mouth. Working him with a strange
familiarity it didn't take long before he moaned out
her name. They both lay silent until the chill of the
night caused them to shiver. Scully pulled on all her
clothes while Mulder only mustered enough strength
to pull up his sweat pants. Cuddling up against his
chest Scully tucked the blankets around them to lock
out the cold reality of the world around them.
Day 28
Scully rolled away from Mulder after he gave her a
little push. She quickly wrapped the blanket around
herself to fight the chill as Mulder slowly eased off of
the blankets and into the dark. Thinking nothing of it-
he often woke to add more wood to the fire-Scully
settled herself to sleep again when she heard
scuffling, grunts and a few cries of pain. She sat
upright and looked out in the night with eyes
struggling to focus with the dim orange light of the
fire and the pale gray haze of the half moon. She
picked Mulder out amongst the trees struggling with
a man slightly larger then himself. Shoving the
blankets aside Scully grabbed her gun and flicked off
the safety. She looked up just in time to see another
man barreling towards her. Without a second thought
she raised her gun and shot him in the chest. The man
fell with a dull thud.
"Scully!" Mulder called while he struggled.
Lifting her eyes from the body a few feet in front of
her she aimed her gun at the attacker. Crouching on
her knees she followed the two trying to get a clear
shot. Knowing this, Mulder ducked down and
grabbed the man by the waist, trying to push him
away from Scully. Focusing on the blonde haired
man the best she could in the dark. The second
gunfire echoed in the night and both men fell to the
ground in a tangled heap. Scully jumped up from her
spot on the ground. "Mulder?!"
He groaned and pushed at the body laying over him.
"Are you ok?" She fell to her knees beside him.
"No." He said softly. "He stabbed me."
"Oh God. Let me see." She leaned over to check
him but he shifted away as he pressed his palm to his
upper left arm.
"Wait. Get rid of the bodies before animals catch the
scent." He leaned his back against a tree trunk feeling
woozy.
Frowning, Scully nodded and dragged both the
bodies over to the stream. The water level was still
high from spring and the current slowly but surely
dragged the men down stream after she dragged them
as close to the center as she was able. Ignoring the
cold coming through her soaked sweatpants she knelt
by Mulder again. He was leaning silently against a
tree with his eyes closed and his hand still clamped to
his arm. "Mulder? I need to you come over to the fire
so I can look at you."
He opened his eyes slowly and Scully helped him
stand on weak legs and sit again.
"Is this blood all from you?" She asked quickly
wiping away as much as she could with a towel from
his bare chest.
"I don't think so."
Scully pulled out her first aid kit. "I need to clean the
cut." She motioned for him to move his hand. She
quickly clamped hers over to replace it as the blood
flowed out. "Damn it. Mulder that's deep." He just
nodded and leaned back against a hiking bag to
support his weight. One handed Scully pulled out a
strip of rubber truncate, tying it with the help of her
teeth. The bitter metallic taste of blood on her tongue
brought another wave of adrenaline. She keep her
hand pressed against him until she felt the hot thick
flow diminish. "You with me?" She asked softly as
she shinned a flashlight on the wound to get a better
look.
"Always." He whispered.
She glanced up at him. "Do you think the knife hit
the bone?"
"No."
"Good." She looked back down at his arm tight
lipped. "I'm going to have to stitch that up. It's
going to hurt more, I don't have anything to give you
other then some aspirin." Fumbling to open the bottle
with bloody fingers she placed three in his mouth and
held a water bottle to his lips. "Drink it all." After
half the bottle Mulder tried to turn away but she
caught his face and forced the rest down his throat.
Squeezing his hand in reassurance, Scully left to fill
the pot with water. She placed it on the fire to boil so
she was sure it was pure. "This is going to hurt." She
warned as she readied herself to clean out the wound.
"It already does." Mulder informed quietly.
She glanced at his face only to see his eyes tightly
closed and featured twisted in pain. Holding back her
growing fears she flushed the wound. "I'm sorry. I'm
sorry." She whispered as Mulder pointlessly fidgeted
to get away from the pain. He made a strangled
pained sound as response. After cleaning the best she
was able to, Scully threaded the special needle with
stitch thread and sat beside him. "Ok I'm going to
sew it up now."
"Just do it." He mumbled bracing himself.
Nodding, even though his eyes were still closed,
Scully inserted the needle in his swollen flesh.
Mulder hissed out curses and tried to hold still as she
quickly sewed the gash. Wordlessly she cleaned the
surface with alcohol and wrapped a thick layer of
gaze over it. Finished she scooted up to his head and
took the hiking bag away, pulling his head down to
her lap. "All done." She whispered as she stroked his
hair.
Mulder nodded, breathing heavy from pain.
Scully began to rock his body gently, stroking his
bare chest, hair, neck, anywhere she could reach.
"Talk to me Mulder." She whispered wanting him to
stay awake for a while longer.
"About what?"
"I don't know, anything.. Tell me about Nova."
He smiled softly. "Again? Scully I've told you all I
know more times then I can count."
"I don't care. I want to hear it again."
He nodded, needing a distraction from the pain.
"Ok. It's set up underground. A network of tunnels
almost. We'll have our own room. I don't really
know what it will look like. But each room has a
small fireplace, a bed, a few hurricane lamps, and a
drainage system. There's center area where a larger
fire is built. It's set up so the smoke filters up and
out, but not all in one big chimney. It separates and
diminishes out into the open. In this center area there
is a food room, every morning we have to get our
rations, everyone gets the same amount. There is a
running water system also. As much fresh water as
we need, the drainage system empties out down
stream from where the water comes in. There's also a
medical room where you will probably be spending
most of your time. Like I said everyone has to work
everyday. Whether it's out in the gardens, hunting,
keeping watch, in the food room, canning and drying
food, collecting wood, I could go on and on, it all
changes." Mulder stopped and moved his face into
Scully's touch where she rubbed his jaw with her
palm. "It's all a system." His voice slowly trailed off
to a whisper. "I cant stay awake anymore, Scully."
Scully ran her hand over his damp forehead. "Go
ahead and rest."
He gave a weak nod and turned his face into her thigh
and swiftly fell into a needed sleep.
Scully sat with him for a long time. Just rocking and
stroking him like a mother would with a sick child.
Her adrenaline wore off soon enough. With careful
movements she lay behind Mulder, curled
protectively around his head. With him nestled
against her abdomen, she fell into an anxious sleep.
Day 29
Scully woke after the sun had risen fully. She
wiggled away from Mulder after gaining her
bearings. Before even laying a hand on Mulder she
knew he had a fever. His skin was flushed and damp
to the touch. Carefully she unwrapped his arm and
cleaned it. He murmured uncomfortably in his sleep.
After bandaging him again she went through her bag
looking for the bottle of vitamins she knew were
there. She had planed on saving them until their food
was extremely low but Mulder needed them now.
"Mulder?" She gently stroked his cheek trying to
rouse him. "Mulder, wake up."
"Mmm?" He went to turn towards her but stopped
short and cringed. With a pained expression he
opened his eyes and struggled to focus on her.
"Hey." She said softly. Moving to his head she
carefully lifted him onto her thighs. "I need you to
take some medicine." She placed the pills into his
mouth and held water to his lips. "Slow down." She
eased the bottle away slightly. Slowly he finished the
water. "Want more?"
"No." He said in a dry voice. "Lay with me." He
requested softly, letting his eyes slide shut.
Wordlessly, Scully lay on her side and pulled his
head to rest on her arm, curling herself around him
copying his protective stature in the way he often
held her at night. He let out a long breath as she
nuzzled the sweaty hair at his temple.
Scully watched him sleep throughout the day. His
fever breaking and coming back many times causing
him to stir uncomfortably. She changed the bandage
often and only woke him for a moment to drink
water.
Soon enough night caught up with Scully, bringing
with it her exhaustion and mounting frustrations.
Day 31
Mulder woke to a thick tickle in the back of his
throat. He held back the painful cough as long as he
could. But eventually he body racked with harsh
coughs leading to dry heaves. His body wouldn't give
up contracting his stomach until he rid himself of the
bitter and thick bile. After many minutes he lay
breathless and gasping and first became aware of
Scully's hand smoothing his back. He shivered
violently as she placed a damp cloth on his forehead
and rolled him onto his back, cradling his head.
Wordlessly she pressed a water bottle to his lips. He
sipped carefully, his throat dry and his mouth full of
cotton, but dreadfully afraid of another heaving
session. Finally catching his breath, Mulder opened
his eyes.
The sky was dim, hazy, dead. Knowing his voice
wouldn't cooperate he glanced questionably at
Scully.
"You've been out for a couple days now, if you were
trying to scare the shit out of me it worked." He gave
her a short apologetic smile. "There were more
bombings last night." She whispered following his
gaze to the sky. "Pretty close." She added in a softer
tone. Mulder wanted to speak. Wanted to tell her
things. But his voice box ignored his brain. "I know
what you are going to tell me." She said without
looking at him but with a slightly humorous smile.
"You are going to say for me to take the map and go
ahead without you. I bet you had the map memorized
four seconds after you got it. You're gonna say that
you will be ok. You'll rest for a few more days then
slowly make your way to Nova. But I should go
ahead without you. After all they must need a doctor
and that's what I am. You will be along. You
promise. You love me and you are doing this for
me." Finally she looked down at him, still with a
smile. "Well save it pal. It ain't gonna happen."
With a soft dry chuckle, Mulder nodded. That's what
he was going to say.
Scully leaned down a placed a light kiss on his lips.
"Can you talk?"
"No." He said with a shit-eating grin in a very hoarse
voice.
"Good." She copied his smile as she rubbed his arms
with her palms. "You talk too much anyway."
Mulder pouted out his lower lip. "I haven't said
anything for two days." He pointed out, his voice
cracking dryly every few syllables.
Scully cringed and placed her hand over his mouth as
she cleared her throat because it wouldn't help him.
"As much as I did miss your company you need to
stop talking now before I go hoarse from listening to
you."
He placed a kiss on the palm over his mouth.
With a smile she gently lifted his head off of her and
placed it on a rolled up blanket. "I want you to eat."
Mulder interrupted her with a groan. "I know you
must feel terrible but you need to. I want to give you
some pills to but I don't think they will stay down on
a empty stomach." She routed through the bags for a
moment looking for soft bland foods. Furrowing her
brow she examined the inner plastic bags of foods,
the outer cardboard disposed off long ago to save
space. "How about some bisquick?" She asked
brightly. Mulder groaned again. "I knew you would
like it!" She prepared the dough then sat by Mulder's
side as it baked and slowly unwrapped his arm.
"How am I, doc?" He whispered.
She set to cleaning the wound. "Um. You have an
infection, not too bad. I. I did what I could but you
came down with a fever. That's why you were asleep
for a few days. I think you will be ok but we need to
stay here for a few more days so don't try to jump up
tomorrow and get going." She glared sternly at him
while he just smiled innocently.
Day 32
"Scully?" Mulder whispered as he squinted against
the harsh glare of the hazy sky. Finding it too painful
he closed his eyes and called for Scully again, louder.
Still no answer. He knew she was here, she just
couldn't leave him. Swallowing back the pained tears
in his throat he crooked out her name as loud as he
could.
Scully rushed from where she was getting water from
the stream after hearing the desperate tone in his
voice. "I'm here, Mulder." She smoothed his hair
way from his face, feeling his hot forehead. "What's
wrong?"
Swallowing roughly, Mulder tried to move his arm.
"It hurts." He forced his eyes open and gave her a
look pleading for relief.
"Ok. Ok. Don't move." She gently unwrapped the
wound to see the red swollen flesh. "How does it
hurt?"
"I don't know." He said frustrated. "It aches."
"Alright. It's going to be ok. You're infection is
getting much better, you slept through the worst of
it." She cleaned and rewrapped trying to work
thoroughly and ignore his wordless cries of pain the
best she could. "Squeeze my hand as hard as you
can." Scully placed her hand in his.
Holding back to scream of pain he did as she asked.
"That's good. You can let go." She flexed her now
aching fingers. "Did that make it hurt more?"
"No." He turned his head to face her, looking tired
and flushed.
"Is the pain localized? Do you have feeling in your
fingers, any tingling?" Her was attention split
between her interrogation and pouring out aspirin and
vitamins.
"Nothing other then a constant ache. Every time my
heart beats its worse."
Scully moved back to his head, lifting him gently into
her lap then placing the pills in his mouth and water
to his lips. "You'll be ok." She cooed softly. "Here,
let's get your arm up. Let me lift it." She instructed,
carefully lifting and placing his injured arm to lie
against his chest.
Mulder cringed sharply. "Can't you just hit me over
the head with a rock so I can sleep through all this?"
With a small smile, Scully leaned down and kissed
his damp forehead. "But then I will have to listen to
you complain about a head ache when you wake up."
He immediately looked hurt. He didn't want Scully to
think he was whining this. He had been turning to her
for comfort for years, not just on the medical side but
also personal. It was never an easy thing for him to
do. The common comforts of a loving person were all
but common in his family.
Cursing herself under breath Scully leaned over,
covering his upper body with hers as she caressed his
chest lightly. "I didn't mean it like that, Mulder. I
know it hurts a lot."
Swallowing his pride in favor of her care he turned
his head into her embrace to nuzzle the crook of her
neck.
Day 34
"How's this for an Indian summer?" Mulder
commented as he pulled a blanket up one handed
before settling back again.
"In youth, it was a way I had
To do my best to please,
And change, with every passing lad,
To suit his theories.
But now I know the things I know,
And do the things I do;
And if you do not like me so,
To hell, my love, with you!" She carefully tucked
the blankets around Mulder's arm then lay down next
to him with a smile.
"Thank you Miss Parker." Mulder chuckled softly as
he waited for Scully to settle. Turning his head he
gave her a soft smile. "I do like you so."
"Well you better, cause you're stuck with me.. I've
always like that poem." She rolled onto her side and
regarded him seriously. "What about you? Any
favorites?"
Nodding, Mulder struggled to remember all the
words;
"How do they do it, the ones who make love,
without love? Beautiful as dancers,
gilding over each other like ice-skaters
over the ice, fingers hooked
inside each other's bodies, faces
red as steak, wine, wet as the
children at birth whose mothers are going to
give them away. How do they come to the
come to the come to the God come to the
still waters, and not love
the one who came there with them, light
rising slowly as steam off their joined
skin? These are the true religious,
the purists, the pros, the ones who will not
accept a false Messiah, love the
priest instead of the God. They do not
mistake the lover for their own pleasure,
they are like great runners: they know they are alone
with the road surface, the cold, the wind,
this fit of their shoes, their over-all cardio-
vascular health- just factors, like the partner
in the bed, and not the truth, which is the
single body alone in the universe
against its own best time."
After a moment Scully swallowed around her closed
throat. "Mmm. Sharon Olds?"
"Very good." Mulder was truly impressed. "`Sex
without Love'. I'm surprised I remember the words."
"Well. They are pretty memorable." She said with a
slight blush.
Mulder laughed softly. "You look so cute when you
blush."
This caused her to blush even more. "Shut up
Mulder." She mumbled and moved closer to him. She
rested her head on the shoulder of his uninjured arm
and wrapped one of hers over his waist.
"Night Scully." He said still laughing as he placed a
kiss on her forehead.
Day 37
There were no two ways about it; Mulder was going
stir crazy.
And Scully was ready to kill him. "Mulder stop that."
He looked away from where he was poking at her
freshly made fire with a long stick. "Why?"
"Because you are going to knock over the wood and
then I'll have to start it again." She turned back to the
clothes she had just washed and began to wring them
out to dry.
"Don't worry Scully, I won't mess up your pretty
fire." He turned to stick from the fire and poked
Scully in the butt with it, leaving a soot mark on her
right cheek.
"Mulder!" She batted it away and turned to him with
her hands on her hips. "Are you trying to drive me
crazy?"
"No not at all, it is just a added benefit." Reaching
out he poked her belly lightly. Scully grabbed the
stick strongly so he couldn't jab her anymore. "Ooo,
Scully." He said slyly. "Your grip is so firm."
"Oh brother." Scully released her hold and walked far
enough away that he couldn't touch her with it.
"Hey! Where're you going?" Mulder called with a
dramatically hurt tone. "Are you going to leave poor
injured me all alone?"
Raising her eyebrows she turned toward him. "I
thought you were all better? I believe your words
were; `Scully, I don't want to sit around here wasting
time. I'm fine, I don't need my arm to walk.' Then I
said; `Yes but you need your arm to carry your bag
even if I put the heavy things in mine.' Then you
gave me that damn puppy dog look and I said ok."
Mulder grinned smugly. "That look always works on
you."
Scully quickly walked back over to him and knelt by
his side, suddenly serious. "Mulder I really want to
you take it easy. You've got nothing to prove to me. I
know you want to get going, I do to. But if you push
yourself and get hurt we will just end up waiting
longer. Ok?"
He cupped her chin in his good hand, his other laying
gently against his chest in a makeshift sling. "I
promise. Stop worrying Scully, you're gonna go gray
at this rate."
She frowned. "I'm surprised I haven't after seven
years with you."
Mulder couldn't help but smile. "I'm not that bad."
Scully gave him her `yeah right' look, raised brows
and all. "Ok so I am that bad."
Scully moved away and added large pieces of wood
to the now steady fire. "Damn right."
Day 39
"Is it something blue?"
"Mulder, why are you stuck on asking color? And no,
that's question number 18. Two to go."
Mulder frowned in deep thought. He was horrible at
the game Twenty Questions. "Is it something you are
wearing?"
"Yes! Finally you go one right."
"Ok. So it's something small, important and you
are wearing it." He walked backwards and examined
her. "Well it's not your bra because that isn't small."
"Mulder!"
He laughed, proud of himself. "I just wanted to see
you blush. "Ok. I've got one question left." He
focused all his investigative skills on her five foot
something frame. Suddenly he smiled smugly. "Your
necklace?"
Scully sucked in an unsure breath through her teeth.
"Which one?"
His smile quickly faded. After a moment he shook
his head. "I don't know."
Reaching under her shirt Scully pulled out the Nova
charm. "I figure this one is more important at the
moment."
Mulder turned back around, much to Scully's relief.
Regarding her form his position beside her, "I don't
know if that's true Scully, your religion has always
been important to you. If you didn't have faith you
wouldn't be able to carry on."
She thought in silence for few moments. "In all the
time we have been walking I haven't prayed once.
The last time I did it was when we were still in the
car."
"What did you pray for if you don't mind my
asking?"
Scully watched her feet with great focus. She
remembered what she prayed for; her mother, her
brothers, the world in general, that her and Mulder
would be safe, that Nova would be real, that They
wouldn't find them, that They wouldn't even look for
them. Her worst fear has been that They would start
to look for them, tracking her with the chip. She
would take in out in a heartbeat to save Mulder,
knowing he wouldn't leave her willingly. But if she
did take the chip out she would die. Probably within a
few months. She didn't want to die. She prayed that
she wouldn't die. Even with her life being turned
upside down she did not want to die.
"That everything would turn out ok." She whispered
after many minutes in silence.
Smiling, Mulder bumped her should lightly with his.
"It will be. Eventually. I think as long as you have
faith we can get through this."
"But the thing is.. I don't have faith in God."
Mulder looked at her sharply. "I don't. Not at this
time."
"But you have faith?" Mulder was quickly becoming
confused.
"Yes." She answered immediately. "But my faith is
in you now. I've always had faith in you Mulder. But
now. now that you've done all this for me. Now my
faith is in your hands."
Day 41
"Mulder." Scully looked up at the darkening sky.
"It's going to rain."
"It's ok, our bags are water proof. We need to keep
walking, we are really far behind." It was simple:
Mulder was pissed at himself. They had to walk
slowly, stop often, and poor Scully was carrying
much more then half her weight on her back. Every
time he tried to speed up his arm would begin to ache
and Scully would make him stop. He had never been
able to keep anything from her. And she had been
watching him carefully, noticing every cringe and
missed step. Probably filing them in her mind in
order of degree of pain and length of time between
such events.
Scully frowned up at the big clouds. "I know, but
after all the bombings I doubt the rain will be clean.
Can we please just stop and find somewhere to wait
out the storm? I really don't like the idea of what ever
nuclear waste and acid falling on our heads."
Mulder ran a hand down her arm, she sounded so
worried. "Ok. Lets keep walking and we'll look for
something for the night. We don't want to stay too
close to the trees."
"Thank you." She said visibly relieved.
They walked for fifteen more minutes before they
came to remains of a building that would provide
some shelter; two of the walls were completely
destroyed but the roof was partly intact. They
normally didn't stay in old buildings, too many
people could run into them.
Scully slowly eased Mulder's bag from his shoulders.
"Sorry." She murmured as he cringed when she
carefully placed his arm back in the sling. "I'll get
some wood, why don't you get out the blankets."
Within ten minutes they were sitting by a small fire
as Scully mixed water with a can of chicken soup.
The rain started to fall with a heavy patter, a cold
breeze came into their little home.
"Of course we have to be facing the wind." Mulder
mumbled as Scully settled next to him handing him
his soup.
"Well at least we won't get too wet."
They ate in silence and watched as the lightening
started off in the distance. The increasing wind kept
the fire to a minimum, the damp air was not helping
the chill.
Setting their dishes aside, Scully moved closer to
Mulder.
"Cold?" Without waiting for her answering nod he
pulled her back against his chest and looped his good
arm around her belly. "The sky looks so different."
He whispered in her ear.
"I know. I think the bombs have effected the ozone.
The sun is so much stronger and so cold at night. And
sometimes the wind changes, like now, doesn't it feel
different."
Mulder nodded in her hair. "Yeah. I don't know what
it is but you are right." With a small sigh he pulled
her closer and kissed her neck.
A tingle of excitement ran down Scully's spine. She
arched her neck, encouraging him. Mulder quickly
pushed the stray hairs away with his nose and placed
soft opened mouthed kisses on the curve of her neck.
A happy murmur left her throat as she reached back
and buried a hand in his hair. With an awkward hand
Mulder turned her cheek so he could kiss her lips.
She smiled against mouth and twisted to face him,
without breaking contact. Being careful of his arm
she pushed him down onto his back.
One handed Mulder unbuttoned her jeans and slipped
his hand into her heated folds as she pulled at his
waistband and gripped his sex at the same time. "Still
cold?" He asked softly as he pressed a finger up into
her body.
Biting her lip she shook her head and smiled.
Because he couldn't with only one hand she pulled
down both of their pants only to the needed amount.
Awkwardly she settled by his side struggling to find
an angle so he could keep his hand on her but not
lean on his injured arm.
Not that it mattered. Mulder couldn't feel anything
but Scully's hand around him. Determined to bring
Scully over the edge with him he sped his pace up on
her body. With a small whimper Scully buried her
face in his neck and clenched around his fingers.
Mulder quickly followed in a choked gasp.
After a few moments Scully helped him redress then
pulled the blankets around them both. Mulder quickly
fell into a deep sleep. But not Scully. She laid awake
for a long time, watching the lightening, listening to
the thunder around them and Mulder's heart under
her ear.
Day 42
Scully ran her brush through her damp hair noticing
she needed to trim it. She only had a small mirror that
she happened to grab when packing, which was
probably for better so she didn't notice the extent of
the changes in her body. She knew she had lost
weight, but she had also added muscle. And it
seemed every time she did look in the mirror she was
dirty, even though she washed at least twice a day.
She just felt different. Like she did while fighting her
cancer. She felt like herself, only altered.
They both had changed. Mulder has become so much
more open with her. Not hiding his feelings behind
jokes. She felt more comfortable with him then ever
before. But she had forced herself to open up to him,
it wasn't as hard as she thought it would be.
She looked over at him. Mulder needed a trim also
she noticed as he dozed beside her. Reaching over
she ran her hand front and back of his head, the damp
strands standing on end. He stirred slightly from her
caress but did not wake.
She didn't bother to wake him this morning. It was
still raining and he needed his rest. It bothered her
that he pushed himself so hard after being injured.
He's chased bad guys with bumps, bruises and
sprains more times then she could count. Willingly
letting scientists drill holes into his head, other
numerous head injures-not all by his choosing. The
one that always came to mind was brain surgery by a
certain smoking friend of theirs. He seemed to have a
tendency to be near bombs as they ticked closer and
closer to zero. He managed to drive recklessly and
barely miss head collisions, people, buildings, even
an airplane or two. She wasn't sure how many times
he'd been shot. His list went on and on.
Her list wasn't much better. Cancer, numerous
kidnappings, the target of mutants and madmen
alike. She stopped thinking about that. It didn't
matter. It just really didn't matter now.
With a sad sigh she placed her hand back into his
hair, caressing his scalp with her fingertips. A slight
hum came from his throat.
Scully smiled softly at his sleeping form. She worried
about him more then he could ever realize. He was
constantly thinking of her safety before his own. She
loved him for that. No one had even put her first as
much as he did. It still amazed her, after almost seven
years of knowing he cared, that he could care that
much. But sometimes he just didn't think before he
acted. As much as she loved him, she could hate him
at the same time. Always leaving her behind for `her
own good'. She whole heartily believed he thought
that was what he was doing. But it didn't make it any
easier. Strangely enough, every time he did
something crazy thinking it was right, she loved him
a little more. Maybe it was because it made the fact
that she could loose him any moment clearer. Or
maybe it was just that she loved him and he gave her
a reason to think about the fact. Three years ago she
started to think about it constantly. So it took the
destruction of the world for her to realize it. Maybe it
was a small price to pay for this important insight:
time was up, live life now or die regretting what she
didn't have the guts or opportunity to do.
Mulder opened his eyes and smiled up at her sleepily.
"Hey."
She returned his smile and caressed his hair more.
His eyes closed at the contact and he leaned into her
touch. "It's still raining." She informed looking out
into their dark surroundings.
"Mmm." He mumbled, too content with her attention
to care.
She let out a soft ironic laugh. At the moment he was
fine with it, but when he was fully awake and in a
few hours restless he would think differently. But for
the moment she didn't care either. She was happy to
sit by his side, in the cold damp air, in the bitter wind,
in a destroyed building, in the chaos this world had
turned into and just be alive.
Day 45
Scully sat straight up with a gasp. Her head spinning,
turning her stomach violently. Scanning the
surrounding trees she was only met with orange
tinted darkness.
"Scully?" Mulder, awoken by her sudden movement,
touched her arm lightly.
She couldn't speak. The visions in her head where
still too fresh. Her head pounded, her eyes were still
teary and her heartbeats echoed insanely loud in the
silence of the night.
"You're trembling." Gently he pulled against him. He
held her silently for a few moments, letting her catch
her breath, catch her mind. "A dream."
Scully nodded against his chest even though it was a
statement, not a question.
"Want to talk about it?"
She pinched her eyes closed. The dream replayed in
her mind. The trees bursting into flames around them.
The eyeless men coming straight to them, ready to
kill them. Maybe if they had eyes they would see.
Would see that she and Mulder where people, with
hopes, who felt love, people who didn't want to die
just yet. Or maybe their eyes wouldn't be like normal
eyes. Maybe that would be black and hollow. Like
the eyes of a shark. No feelings. Just a job nature, or
whoever, gave them. Scully felt her body shake more
at the remembrance of watching Mulder burn beside
her. Reaching his hand out in a desperate plea for
help. But she couldn't move to him. Her body was
frozen, wishing to wrap her arms around his body
and burn with him. His last words a choked
confession of undying love.
Mulder hugged her closer to him, feeling a shudder
run through her.
"No." Her answer was delayed and barely audible.
Mulder didn't ask again. Slowly he lowered her back
down onto the blankets. He held her for a long time
before he felt her finally relax and fall back into
sleep. He lay awake a while longer. Watching over
her, just in case the dream returned once her
consciousness relaxed. Nightmares are tricky like
that, he learned. They can sneak up on you when you
least expect it and when you least need it. Why have
a nightmare when you are living one in slow motion?
Day 47
"You ok, Mulder?"
He glanced at her from her side. "Yeah, why?"
"You've just been so quiet today."
With a shrug he leaned down and picked up a small
gray stone off the road. He tosses it in the air a few
times. "Just thinking."
"What about?" Scully reached over and took the
stone Mulder was offering her.
He gave another shrug and watched Scully finger to
smooth rock. "It's amazing how everything in our
lives, how important or unimportant led to this." He
paused and shook his head. "It's just odd. That no
matter what we did, I'm not saying what we did was
pointless mind you, but everything we did. didn't
change a thing."
Scully thought for a moment. "I suppose its possible.
But if that's true then its also possible that everything
we did do, no matter how small, did make a
difference. Maybe if lets say we didn't go on a
certain case or speak with a certain contact that this
would have happened sooner. Or later, anything is
possible. "
"Gosh Scully, I wasn't talking about that kind of
stuff, I was just thinking that I wouldn't have paid
taxes this year if I knew."
"Taxes aren't important?" She asked playing along
with his sudden change in mood. They barely stayed
on depressing topics for too long. That seemed
pointless, there was nothing they could do about it so
there was no reason to dwell.
Mulder paused a step to kick at a break in the
pavement. "Well our government is doing a shitty job
of taking care of the roads."
"I'll write a letter to our council man immediately."
She said deadpan.
Day 48
Scully cradled Mulder's head on her chest as he
dozed lightly. There was something soothing about
his breath between her breasts, his arm around her
waist and his weight grounding her. Perhaps it was
her unused reserve of maternal instinct that enjoyed,
even needed this. Keeping him safe and comfortable
made her feel that same way. Her body was relaxed
and felt light, his hair tickled her chin, his heartbeat
pressed up against hers.
Scully fought sleep.
She really didn't know why. Maybe she was too
content with this quiet moment. The sun had set not
long ago, leaving the sky a hazy red. The air was still
warm from the afternoons rays. Everything was quiet.
Scully's motion stopped on Mulder's body, causing
him to drift away from his slumber slightly, as she
listened.
"Mulder?" She questioned softly as she slid the hand
from his hair down to cup his jaw, turning his head
up to her. "Why is it so quiet?"
"It's night time Scully." He mumbled before burring
his face back in the front of her shirt.
She wiggled out from under him, ignoring his groan
of disappointment. "I'm serious Mulder, I don't hear
anything. No wind, no birds, nothing."
Mulder rubbed his eyes to rid himself of the last
reminisce of sleep. "Ok I'll admit it. It is early calm
but that doesn't mean anything."
Starring up at the sky she drew her knees up to her
chest. "No, it does mean something. Last time there
were bombings, when you were unconscious, it was
like this before."
Mulder took a deep breath, he had nothing to say to
that. There was nothing they could do but wait it out.
He was about to reach for Scully when an
indescribable noise filled the air, the ground shook,
the sky turned black with upturned earth and the air
turned heavy and thick with dust.
The noise ended just as soon as it came.
The fire was snuffed out by the useless air. They both
choked on that same air. A ringing filled their ears,
their eyes stung, their throats burned.
For a long time all they could do was sputter and wait
for the air to clear enough to see.
Finally the thick brown settled into a dim haze.
"Are you ok?" Mulder asked hoarsely as he slid
closer to Scully.
Still coughing dryly she nodded. "That was really
close."
Mulder pulled the front of his t-shirt up and wiped
away the dirt from his face. He quickly added wood
to the fire, catching on the burning embers. He then
collected their bags which had tumbled away slightly
from the shaking. He brushed the dirt from the
blankets and pulled Scully back down with him.
"What were they bombing?" She asked after many
moments of tense silence.
"I don't know." He whispered placing a kiss on her
forehead. "It's ok, just get some sleep."
She tried to let the day's exhaustion take her over as
she burrowed into Mulder's warmth. But they both
lay awake ready for another explosion. Ready for it
all to be over in a moment.
The Big Bang theory started the world, a whole other
bang could take them out.
Day 49
Mulder absentmindedly glanced up at the sky as they
walked. It had barely cleared enough for the sun to be
more then a brighter area in the haze. With a sigh he
looked over at Scully beside him. His stomach
immediately twisted sickly, his throat closed up.
"Scully!"
She quickly spun to look at him. "What?"
"You. you're bleeding."
Without breaking from his panicked eyes she placed
a hand over her top lip, under her nose. A thin line of
crimson marred her index finger when she pulled her
hand away. "Oh." She wiped at her face a few more
times and shook her head. "It's just from the dry air.
It-it's not anything other then that."
"Scully." He said softly, taking a step toward her.
"No!" She stepped back and held up her bloody hand.
Causing them both to cringe. She quickly wiped
away the blood onto her dirty jeans. "It's nothing
Mulder. I'm fine." She wiper her face a few more
times and walked ahead of him not daring to look
into his eyes. She didn't want to see the same fear she
was feeling.
Day 49
Words had been sparse that day.
The fear that clutched Mulder's stomach was eating
him alive. He watched Scully carefully all day. It was
making her angry but he couldn't help himself. He
was reliving the worst moments of their lives all over
again.
Mulder sat down heavily by the fire. He shivered
from the cold water he had just washed the day's dirt
off with despite the warm flames.
Wordlessly Scully sat beside him with her back to the
fire drying her hair.
After watching her struggle with keeping the blanket
wrapped around her nude body and fluffing her hair
with one of her hands for a minute before Mulder slid
closer to her. "I don't like it when we aren't talking."
He said bluntly as he pushed her hand away and ran
his finger through her damp hair, slowly heating with
from the fire. "I especially dislike it when I don't
know why we aren't talking."
"We aren't talking because we don't have anything to
say that won't upset each other." Her voice was soft,
apologetic and forgiving at the same time.
Mulder nodded then remained silent for a moment
while he chose his next words carefully. "Do you
really believe it isn't the cancer coming back?"
"There is no reason to think that it would be back. I
have been in perfect health ever since the chip.
Unless that is malfunctioning." With a sigh she
leaned her head against Mulder's shoulder. That
simple gesture spoke volumes. The day of silence
was over. "It was the dry air Mulder. My throat and
eyes still burn, yours too. That's what is was. It has to
be."
Mulder moved away now that her hair was dry and
faced her. "You better dress before you catch a cold."
He said softly, as he ran his hand down her shoulder
over the blanket.
Scully watched him for a moment before shaking her
head slowly. Upon Mulder's quizzical look she
dropped the blanket so it pooled around her waist and
leaned forward running her hands over his still bare
chest, letting her hands rest on the waistband of his
boxers. "I want to be with you."
A fist of arousal wrapped its self around Mulder's
body. He opened his mouth to speak but his nothing
came out for a moment. "I thought you wanted to
wait."
Scully let out a curt laugh. "Wait for what?" Without
letting him answer she slid forward and took his face
in her hands. "It's just you and me now Mulder.
We've got nothing to do but keep walking. There is
nothing we can do to fix the world, we don't even
know how much longer the world with be here." She
quickly swallowed back tears. "I want to live the
moment."
Mulder nodded as he cupped her jaw in a gentle hand
and pulled her lips against his.
Day 52
Mulder woke slowly. The sun was beating down on
his face, warming one side while the other was being
warmed by the soft warm cotton covering Scully's
belly. Lazily he rolled onto his back and looked up at
the finally cleared sky. After a few moments of
watching the clouds drift by he sat up and looked
down at Scully.
She looked breathtaking. Her hair spread out beside
her, her lips open slightly, her cheeks flushed with
sleep. Painfully innocent.
Silently Mulder cursed himself. He knew this would
happen. He knew the moment they made love his
urge to protect her would intensify. He had kept
himself in check so far, but with this past week's
cancer scare he was ready to burst inside. But if he let
it out Scully would be angry. He knew she could take
care of herself, there was no question in his mind.
But there was something about being inside her that
made him was to wrap her in his arms and carry her
to Nova. God he hoped Nova would be there.
Something about making love with her that made him
want to take her away from every bit of pain. He
knew they weren't making life in the traditional
sense. He accepted that. It broke his heart but he
accepted it. But they were making their life together
by being together. Scully was right, it's all they have
now.
Scully shifted slightly and opened her eyes. "Good
morning." She said softly while smiling up at
Mulder.
He nodded with a small smile and brushed her hair
away from her face.
Day 55
Scully stomach rumbled loudly. She pressed her palm
against her belly and continued walking.
They were down to one meal a day. One small meal.
Scully was thankful though. Mulder shot a rabbit the
other day. It was just plain luck. He happened to be
sitting by the water washing clothes when the animal
hopped close by. Scully never thought she would eat
rabbit. She couldn't eat veal, for some reason it
seemed wrong to her. But she had never tasted
anything as good as that fresh meat, at least nothing
that good lately.
But that had only been one large meal for them, it
would have been more but they had no way to keep
the meat. Now they were down to a few cans of food,
some pasta and a little bread mix.
Swallowing a gulp of water Scully rubbed her
stomach again while she looked aimlessly around the
road.
"Hey Mulder. Look." Scully reached down and
picked a few dandelions from the grass. She handed
half to Mulder. "You know you can eat every part of
a dandelion? Even the root."
"I think I did hear that." He said as he chewed the
bitter plant.
They didn't taste very good. And there wasn't much
to the pant. But it gave them something to do as they
walked along the mostly quiet road.
Day 57
Scully rubbed her tired eyes as Mulder looked at the
map for a moment. She honestly didn't know why he
looked at it. He had a perfect picture of it in his mind.
"Hey Scully."
"Mmm?" She asked around a yawn.
"We're in Canada." Mulder smiled happily at her.
She looked at him for a moment in shock. "Already?"
He nodded. "We've been walking eighteen hours a
day lately. It paid off." Ever since Mulder's arm
healed enough they walked. They walked as long as
they could. Only stopping when it was too dark and
became unsafe, and starting at sunrise when they
woke. Walking helped keep their minds off the
hunger and fear.
She looked around in amazement. Most of the road
signs had fallen with the last bombing making it
difficult to follow the roads without looking at the
map often. "How much longer until we reach Nova?"
He stared uncertainly at the map for a moment.
"Hopefully ten days or so." Carefully he folded the
map and put it back into his pocket.
Scully took his hand in hers and pulled him along.
"Well lets keep walking then."
For the first time in a many weeks she felt some
hope.
Day 57
"Who knew Canada could be so hot." Mulder
mumbled.
Scully nodded in agreement as she pushed tree limbs
out of her way.
Once in Canada there wasn't any main roads to take.
Everything was poorly marked and overgrown with
brush. It was difficult walking with rocks and uneven
ground in some places. They had to move around
newly fallen trees from the bombings.
It was hot.
And humid.
Mulder wanted nothing more then to sit down with a
cold beer and forget about all this for ten minutes.
But that wouldn't get him away from the heat, and he
didn't have a beer, much less a cold one.
If Mulder had to choose between that cold beer and
real food, the food would win out in a second. They
only had two days of food left. A couple weeks of
vitamins, but those only did so much.
But it was better not to think about it, so they didn't.
They just walked.
"I'm taking a break." Scully announced then
immediately sat down in the shade.
"I'm not going to complain." With a yawn and a
stretch Mulder sat beside her and leaned against a
large tree. They sipped water in silence for a few
moments before Mulder looked over at Scully in
thought. She looked tired, stressed and bored. He
continues to watch her silently as she recapped her
water and tipped her head side to side, cracking and
popping away tension. He tried not to smile as she
stretched her arms over her head with a groan.
Suddenly Mulder reached out and grabbed her waist.
Ignoring her shriek of surprise he pulled her into his
lap and tickled her through her damp t-shirt.
"Mulder! Stop!" She forced out around laughter,
trying to push herself off of him.
Mulder danced his fingers along her sides
relentlessly. It was wonderful to see her laugh. He
was never able to often. Their lives have always been
busy and hard. It was the still the same, but he
wanted happiness added to that equation.
Scully finally managed to tare herself from his grasp,
causing her to tumble off his lap and onto the dirt.
With a smug grin Mulder stood and pulled his bag
on. "Well. we better get moving."
Scully squinted up at him from where she still sat on
the ground pulling her bag on. "You gonna help me
up?" She held out a hand expectantly.
"Well I guess so." Nonchalantly Mulder leaned down
and took her hand. With a sharp tug he pulled her up
and over his shoulder.
"Mulder!" Scully's yell was muffled by his hiking
bag. Desperately she kicked her feet.
"Hold still young lady." Mulder scolded easily
holding her legs down with his forearm.
"Mulder! I'm serious! Put me down."
Mulder walked along the tiny path. "If you are so
serious why are you laughing?"
Realizing Mulder wasn't going to give up, Scully did.
She dropped all her weight against him making him
work to carry her. "Fine, if you won't put me down I
might as well enjoy the ride." Folding her arms she
rested them on the top of his bag, then lay her head
on them and closed her eyes. The up down motion of
Mulder's stride was relaxing.
Day 59
Scully wiped the sweat from her brow as she walked
silently behind Mulder down the narrow path. It was
hot, she was hungry, and it was barely noon. The day
didn't look promising.
A painful ache settled in her belly. Scully suddenly
felt cold despite the heat in the air. She paused her
stride and pressed the heels of her hands to her
temples as a high pitched ringing sounded in her ears.
Her vision became spotty and darkened.
She watched silently as Mulder took a step away
from her. Two steps. Three.
She wanted to say something to him, tell him she
needed to rest. But her head spun and her mind
wouldn't focus long enough for the sound to travel
from her throat out her mouth. The last of her focus
was spent on putting a hand to her nose, she pulled it
away. She saw only sweat covered fingers, no blood.
That relief only lasted a moment before she wavered
helplessly on her feet.
Four strides away. Five. Six.
Mulder, not hearing Scully's answering footsteps,
turned around. "Scully?" She was pale and shaking
slightly. His six easy strides of distance was
recovered in two long steps to her. "Scully!" He
caught her around the waist just as her knees gave
out. "I've got you, it's ok." He said softly as he
lowered her to the ground.
He gently pulled her bag from her shoulders then laid
her on the ground. After wrapping her in a blanket he
sat her up with her back to his chest. Running his
fingers through her hair he spoke softly to her.
"Come on, Scully. Come on back to me." He pleaded
gently.
Slowly Scully was able to focus on his voice and not
the ringing in her head. Lolling her head back she
kissed his neck lazily in a silent reply that she was
ok.
Letting out a long breath Mulder squeezed her tightly
and let her relax a while longer before speaking.
"What happened?"
Scully shrugged the blanket off and turned to him. "I
don't know." Shaking her head she ran her hand over
her face. "I think the heat is getting to me."
Mulder frowned. He didn't know what to say or do
that wouldn't upset her. "Let's stay for a while
longer." He said tentatively as he handed her water.
She nodded. "A few more minutes. I'll be ok. I feel
better now."
A knot of anger settled in Mulder gut. "No. I want
you to rest."
"I will, for a few more minutes." She repeated
meeting his angry gaze with her own.
He rubbed his face with his hands in an attempt to
erase some of the frustration he felt. "Scully please."
He got up onto his knees in front of her. Begging, out
right begging. "Please. I'm worried, can you lay
down for a little longer?"
Scully's first reaction was be yell at him. Tell him
she was fine, even though she knew she should rest
for a bit longer. She hadn't fainted in a years. She
wanted to be mad at him, part of her was. It was
always so much easier to be angry with him instead
of herself. But seeing the way he put the anger and
frustration away for straight out concern made her
think twice.
"We don't have the luxury of sitting, Mulder."
He nodded and took her hand, pulling her down with
her head pillowed on his thigh. "Close your eyes and
take it easy for a little while, then we will start
walking again. Just a little while."
"I'm not tired." She mumbled at him. She wasn't, she
was hungry and hot, but not tired.
"You don't have to sleep, you just have to rest."
Scully jumped at the sensation of something cool and
moist on her neck. Mulder shushed her and continued
to run the damp cloth over her exposed arms, her
neck, her forehead.
Despite not being tired Scully was easily lulled into a
calm half sleep state.
Day 62
"Mulder, get off of me it's too hot." Scully mumbled
and pushed him off of her shoulder where he had
placed his hand
The sun had gone down a few hours ago but the air
was still heavy and the fire, lit only for safety, was
not helping.
He batted her hands away when she tried to push him
away. "I'm trying to help you." He informed helping
her pull her shirt over her head.
"Thank you, but I think I can handle washing
myself." She stripped off the rest of her clothes
perfectly aware of him starring at her.
Mulder grabbed the towel and water from her hands.
"Yes, I know you can. But won't it be more fun if I
do it?"
Scully bit the inside of her cheek in an attempt not to
smile, it didn't work.
Returning her smile, Mulder moved behind her and
washed the sweat and dust from her pale skin. Once
finished her laid her down onto the blankets and
washed her chest and arms.
"I think you are favoring certain body parts over
others, Mulder." Scully accused good naturedly since
the focus was on her breasts.
Mulder only smiled knowingly, her voice was light
and airy as he traveled down her body. He bypassed
her midsection, going straight to her feet.
Scully let released a low groan of approval as he
massaged the soles of her feet with him thumbs.
Mulder continued until he felt she had relaxed
completely into his hands before moving to her
calves. He cleaned and massaged the tight muscles all
along her legs until he reached her inner thigh.
Scully slowly became aware, within her relaxed haze
of arousal, that Mulder's hands were gone. "Are you
stopping?" She whispered without opening her eyes.
"Just for a minute."
Cracking her eyes open the bare minimum she saw
Mulder. His back was to her as he washed the day's
grime off of himself. With a soft sigh of anticipation
Scully closed her eyes again and waited for him.
A few moments later Mulder settled himself on his
side next to Scully, pressing the length of his body
against hers. Leaning down he kissed the underside
of her chin and stroked a hand down her body. With
his fingers buried in her heat he settled himself on
claiming her mouth with deep thorough kisses.
Scully returned his attentions on her as well as she
was able, but his strong skilled fingers continued to
distract her. Finally, she gave up trying to keep up
with him and relaxed into the sensations. Closer and
closer she came to release. Mulder brought her right
to the edge then eased up, avoiding stroking her
sensitive nub or working his fingers into her body.
He stroked her gently, bringing her down but not far
from where she wanted to be.
Opening her eyes sleepily, Scully looked up at
Mulder. He smiled down at her look of annoyance
and kissed her softly.
In a wordless invitation Scully opened her legs.
Without breaking eye contact Mulder settled down
against her. She happily wrapped her arms around his
neck, holding his familiar and comfortable weight to
her body.
They closed their eyes in unionism as Mulder sank
into her body. Warmth radiated through Scully's
body as she kept her eyes closed and Mulder began to
move in relaxed strokes. Welcoming his body into
hers Scully bent her legs around him.
The warmth that built in Scully increased, along with
her heart rate and breathing. Times like this she
found it easy to accept the world as it was now. She
could pretend it had always been like this. She never
had a job, or a house, or a family outside of Mulder.
That the ones who were destroying the world around
them for only God knows why never took her away,
never took her life force, never destroyed part of her.
Scully let the heated ripples of pleasure take her away
from the memories of what life was once.
Mulder nuzzled the side of her face until she opened
her eyes and focused on him in the firelight. Half his
body glowed with orange warmth, the other half lost
in the shadows of the night. He was a living eclipse
over her, the Nova charm swinging gently in the
firelight with his motion.
Scully struggled to keep her eyes focused on his as
the fire inside her consumed them both. With breathy
calls of the others names they relaxed spent against
each other.
When the focus returned to Scully she dropped her
legs from his waist, wove one hand into his hair and
soothed his back with her other. Mulder rested his
head on her collarbone, his arms around her waist,
still inside her body.
After many moments of silence he shifted, rolling
onto his back and pulling Scully onto his chest as he
struggled to pull a light blanket over them.
"We should get there any day now." Scully
whispered as she toyed with the charm low on
Mulder's neck.
His only response was to bury a hand in her hair and
place a kiss on her forehead, leaving his lips to rest
there.
"What do we do once we get there?" Scully asked
after long moments of silence. She carefully wrapped
the chain around her index finger, watching the silver
catch the orange light of the fire.
"Doesn't say."
Scully glanced up at him with worry. They had
nothing more to go on other then what Mulder had
been told about Nova which wasn't much at all. But
without the idea of Nova they had nothing at all.
"We just have to walk until Nova finds us."
Letting out a long breath Scully looked back at he
small charm now settled into the palm of her hand.
Turning her hand over she trapped the star between
her hand and Mulder's heart.
Day 63
Scully was her usual two steps behind Mulder on the
small dirt road. Their order of walking wasn't about
sexual rank. Mulder would walk slowly wanting to
set the pace so Scully wouldn't push herself too hard,
she knew this, but humored him into thinking she
didn't. He would push the heavy branches away with
his longer arms. Scully preferred to stay behind him
anyway, otherwise he would try to help her too often.
Guiding her up embankments, around ditches, and
through trees. She didn't mind much, it was the
chivalrous part of him coming through. She actually
enjoyed it, but not when it was this hot. She just
didn't want to be touched until it was dark and
cooler. That and she liked the view.
Their usual comfortable silence was ruined by
Mulder cursing then falling to the ground.
Scully walked up next to him, looked down with her
hands on her hips. Her expression was a mixture of
question, concern, but most of all humor. Mulder
could be so damn clumsily sometimes.
"I stepped in a hole." He looked up at her with his
lost puppy eyes.
With a smile Scully shook her head and kneeled
down by him. "Which foot?"
"My left."
Sitting in the soft dirt she carefully pulled off his
shoe to inspect for injuries. "Did you sprain it?"
"I don't think so. It doesn't even hurt anymore. I
think I just lost my balance."
"I saw." Scully stated trying not to laugh.
"You're just lucky I was walking in front. I found the
hole for you."
Deciding there was no damage she put his shoe back
on. "If your feet weren't so big you wouldn't have
had any trouble." She teased, after all there were a
few perks of being petite. One of them being you
didn't often trip in holes, just fell in them. Ok so
maybe it wasn't a perk, but she had to tease him
when she could.
"Well you know what they say about guys with big
feet." Mulder grinned, proud of his comeback.
Shaking her head in good humor once again Scully
stood and started walking down the path away from
him.
"Hey!" Mulder jumped to his feet to follow her. "Just
gonna leave me all alone?"
"No," She glanced over her shoulder at him. "I just
thought I should take over the hole searching for a
while, you don't seem to be doing so well."
Mulder mumbled a wordless reply but didn't push the
fact that he usually led. He liked the view he had now
anyway.
Day 64
Scully actually wasn't hungry anymore. It was
strange, she woke up and for the first time in a long
time her stomach didn't cause her pain. It was still
empty, she knew that, but it didn't bother her.
And that frightened her. She wasn't starving to death.
That took months. They had water, so that wasn't a
problem. But she didn't like the fact that she wasn't
in pain. It had become a comfort to her in a way.
Something that was always there no matter what they
did. But that seemed ridiculous. She didn't like that
though. She wanted food. Wanted something to
chew, to fill her stomach, something to use their pot
for besides heating water.
"Hey Scully.." Scully followed Mulder's line of
vision to a group of five people walking in the sparse
trees by them. "Stay here for a minute and keep an
eye out for me."
"Mulder?" Her voice was filled with warning and
concern.
"I'm going to go see if they want to trade anything."
He started to walk towards them in a calm non-
threatening stance.
"Be careful."
He smiled over his shoulder. "I always am. and
when I'm not you are there to save my ass."
Scully watched, unamused, as he walked up to them.
They group was suspicious towards Mulder at first,
but Scully could pinpoint the moment he said he had
cigarettes to trade.
Standing alone was something that didn't happen to
Scully anymore. She and Mulder were never far from
each other. It made her feel vulnerable and protective
at the same time. So she watched Mulder carefully.
The group didn't look armed, but then again neither
did Mulder. When in fact he had two guns and a
knife hidden on his body. They talked and bargained
for quite a few moments before Mulder walked back
over.
"Well?"
Mulder put his arm over her shoulders and guided her
back down the path they were on. "Well. we'll be
eating a nice dinner tonight. I traded pretty well, still
have a whole carton of cigarettes if we run into
anyone else. It's amazing what people will trade for
an addiction."
Day 67
Mulder paused his walking beside Scully.
"What?"
Not looking at her he placed a finger to his lips as a
signal for her to stay quiet. They both drew their guns
slowly, scanning the surrounding area.
Scully cursed herself silently, she was so lost in
thought she wasn't paying attention to anything
around them. She had been doing that often. Thank
goodness Mulder didn't have that problem. Multi
tasking was simple for him. He could be in deep
thought, walking, listening and watching all at the
same time.
A few feet in front of them a middle-aged man,
armed with a rifle, stepped out into the road. They all
watched each other silently, with respective firearms
lowered but posed at their sides.
Scully waited for some sign of what Mulder wanted
to do. Walk on? Speak to him? See if he had any food
to trade?
Slowly Mulder reached under his shirt, pulling out
his chain. The Nova charm was displayed to the man
on the pad of Mulder's thumb.
....
The man looked at Mulder a moment with a blank
expression. Then he gestured toward Scully; "She
have one too?"
Scully frantically dug under her shirt pulling out first
the cross them with more fumbling the star.
All in one motion the man lowered the gun
completely to his side, smiled and took a step
forward extending his hand. "I'm Jared, nice to meet
you."
"Fox Mulder." Mulder supplied as he shook his hand
looking very shell shocked.
"I'm Dana Scully."
"Nice to meet both of you." He turned, nodding his
head in the direction from which he came. "Come on
I'll take you to Nova so you can settle in."
"So Nova is real?" Scully knew it was, she knew it
now. But she still needed to hear the words.
Jared glanced over his shoulder nodding. "Of course
it is. It's going to be about two miles walking. We're
coming up on some of the gardens and barns now." A
few feet later they all stepped out of thick trees and
into small fields. "Hey Bill!" He called to an other
middle aged man who was wondering around the
field. "I'm taking these two to Nova, watch my area
for a bit." The man waved in a friendly response over
at them. Jared walked along the dirt path pointing
out different fields, kept small so that the canopy of
tree provided some cover. And barns containing
cattle, pigs, chickens, and work animals. Mulder and
Scully followed along in silence, taking in all the
information and filing away the names of the people
they met. Everyone was working, everyone seemed
relaxed; it was strange. After months of being alone
together it was difficult to remember how to
communicate with other people.
"Ah there he is." Jared said to no one in particular.
"Benjamin! We have some new arrivals."
Jared waved his goodbye as a tall man with silver
gray hair came up to them smiling. "Hello, I'm
Benjamin Walters."
"You're the man who started all this." Mulder said as
he shook his hand.
"That's right." He said as he moved on to Scully.
"I'm Dana Scully and this is Fox Mulder." Scully
immediately liked Benjamin. He was kind, and quiet
with an honest smile.
"Doctor Dana Scully?"
"Well. Yes and Agent Scully." She said with a
small laugh.
"Oh yes. I remember now. You are both FBI agents.
Dana has a medical background and Fox you have a
psychology degree."
"Yes that's right." Mulder was truly impressed. With
all the people in Nova it was shocking that he could
remember the two of them.
"Well this is wonderful. Dana you are the first doctor
to make it here since this all started. We have a few
nurses but that's it. Come on, I'll show you around."
They slowly walked towards a rocky area, almost
small mountains.
"How is that you remember the two of us?"
"Well Fox-"
"Mulder, it's just Mulder."
Scully rolled her eyes. But she was actually surprised
it took him so long to mention that.
"Ok, Mulder. Your story about your sister, your
work, Dana's medical training, I suppose it just stuck
in my mind." They had approached a rocky cliff.
"Watch your step here, the ceiling is low in some
spots." The three slowly made their way through a
dark maze of rocks before stepping into a lit hallway.
Scully shivered slightly. The air was much cooler
with the rock cover. Large oil lamps lining the
hallway threw out some heat, but mostly just light.
"This is the main entrance. There many others, but
smaller and not as easy to get in and out of."
Benjamin began as they walked. "There is a map in
your room, that will help you learn your way
around." The hall became brighter and warmer as
they walked into an open area at least two hundred
feet in diameter. A large fireplace was in the center
and what looked to be brick ovens with the smell of
fresh bread filling the air. "This is the Main Room."
He directed them to the right of the doorway and
pointed down a long hallway. "There are many rooms
down there, four hallways in all. The north, south,
east and west, named for obvious reasons. Here's the
food station, every Monday morning you pick up
your rations, every morning you pick up fresh milk,
bread and eggs; you also pick up your work
assignment then. Usually once a week we have fresh
meat. I'll bring your food to you once you have
settled in." Benjamin waved at different rooms as he
spoke. Showing them where to collect the ice cold
water that flowed in from the river higher in the hills.
Where to dump waste and milk bottles to be refilled.
Pointing down the hallways of rooms they passed,
introducing them to anyone that they met along the
way. He showed them the `churches' the `library' the
storage rooms filled with canned and dried food,
other rooms with stacks and stacks of spare clothing
and bedding, everyone would be given replacement
clothing every few months. When they walked into
the Medical Room Scully looked around in wonder.
The walls were lined with shelves and cots lay in the
back near a small wood stove. There were bandages
and herbal medicines-some which she recognized,
surgical supplies and medical books. She didn't say a
word as she walked around. Finally, after being
shown and told more things then they could possibly
remember, Benjamin showed them to a room. Saying
`it is one of the largest ones left' since not many
people had arrived yet, only a few hundred so far.
Benjamin closed the heavy wooden door behind him
after lighting a few of the many oil lamps in the
room.
Leaning back against the door Mulder looked around
what was now their home. The room was rectangle,
about thirty feet by twenty. The door was on the short
side, the floor was rock, just like the hallways. The
walls were of thick wood planks, stained a natural
dark color. In the right corner of the opposite short
side was a small wood stove with a pipe leading up
into the carved out rock ceiling. Next to the stove was
a queen sized bed on an old oak frame pressed up in
the corner. In the corner, to the left of the doorway
was a large dresser, above were two long shelves.
The only other furniture was a small wooded table
pressed up against the wall opposite the bed and three
mismatched chairs.
The stove had a flat top. A small pot, pan, a few
plates, glasses, mugs, and bowls along with silver
ware in a low cabinet. It was made for both heat and
cooking.
The bed looked inviting, with a thick down blanket
and four pillows.
Silently Scully dropped her hiking bag near the table
and walked over to the bed. Tentatively, as if it might
dissolve at any moment, she sat on the firm mattress.
With a soft laugh she laid back against the soft
sheets. "I missed having a bed."
Mulder slowly made his way over to her, running his
fingers along the wall. "I missed having walls." He
sat on the edge of the bed savoring the cushion that
absorbed his weight.
Reaching up Scully pulled him flat on the bed. She
curled up against his chest with her hands tucked up
against her. "I feel comfortable here."
Mulder only nodded. He felt the same way. It was a
strange feeling, he never felt like he was home
anywhere. Not his old apartment, not even his house
as a child. It didn't seem to have anything sacred.
"Who thought our first home together would be a
single room in a cave."
Scully picked her head up enough to rest her chin on
her hands. She smiled for a moment trying to decide
whether or not to talk about the fact that he presumed
that they would be living together at some point. Not
that she thought any different. Years ago she realized
Fox Mulder was the only man for her. He loved her,
and she loved him, it was that simple. They would
easily give their lives for each other without a second
thought. What more could she look for in a man?
A knock sounded on the door.
Mulder kissed her forehead quickly before standing.
He opened the door to Benjamin.
"Here you are Mulder." He handed him a canvas bag
with dried rice, cans of vegetables, fruit, soup and
many other things; more food then Mulder had seen
in weeks. "This is both of your rations for the rest of
the week. I brought the only bottle of milk left from
this morning. Now don't forget to pick up your
assignments in the morning, but Dana, you will be
working in the Medical Room. Mulder since you are
good shape you'll probably be doing hard labor."
Mulder nodded solemnly. "But it's still early, so take
the day off. Get settled in and take a look around. Be
sure to read the rule-book. You can pick up wood in
the Main Room where I showed you. There should be
a change of sheets for the bed in dresser. If you hear
something, it's just the clock chiming the hour.
You'll get used to it quickly, except the wake up call
at six am, you won't miss that." Benjamin laughed
softly. "Oh, and before I forget, we don't work on
Sundays. Except Dana. People will have to find you
if they have any problems."
She nodded in understanding. "Benjamin, what day is
it?"
He smiled softly, feeling sorry that they had to make
the journey to Nova. And judging by their tired, worn
expressions it wasn't an easy trip. "It's Wednesday.
If you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to
find me." With a smile he left them.
Mulder turned back around to find Scully, who had
kicked off her hiking boots, putting clothing away.
"We can do that later, Scully. Why don't you come
over here and eat something."
Scully walked over and sat in one of the chairs taking
the cold bottle of milk in her hands. "I would just like
some milk."
Mulder passed her two glasses which she separated
the milk into equal parts. She sipped slowly, savoring
the rich thick taste of raw milk, as Mulder stowed the
food in the cabinet by the stove. She watched
wordlessly as he walked around drinking his milk
just as slowly. He unzipped his hiking bag, placing
the clothes in the dresser, then with care, he took out
his framed picture of Samantha and placed it on a
shelf. Scully set her empty glass down, after digging
through her bag she pulled out two pictures. One of
her and her mother, father, Bill, Charles, and Melissa
when they were young. And one of Emily. Smiling
she leaned back against the foot of the bed. "This is
perfect."
"Perfect?" Mulder's voice was full of amusement.
"Well." Scully tipped her head from side to side in
thought. "Just about yeah." She placed a hand over
her stomach. "I haven't felt this full in a long time."
The fresh milk felt heavy in her shrunken stomach. It
was a wonderful feeling.
Mulder nodded his agreement then picked up a
bucket. "I'm going to go get some water, then I'll get
some wood."
Scully dragged the hiking bags back out. "I'll finish
unpacking. Then I think we should take a nice long
nap on this new bed."
"I agree whole-heartedly." Mulder called as he shut
the door.
A few minutes later Mulder was making his second
trip back to the Main Room to get wood. He was
placing the small pieces of wood in the carrier he
found in the room when he heard a questioning voice
call his name.
Mulder looked up from his crouched position.
"Mulder!" Langly bounded over to him.
After recovering from an unbalancing hug Mulder
laughed in disbelief. "How long have you been
here?"
"All three of us got here over a month ago, we had
enough gas saved up so we drove all the way to
Canada, but we left about a week after They came.
The guys are back in their rooms for lunch." Mulder
nodded, the clock just struck twelve. "When did you
get here? Is Scully with you?"
"Yes, we got here today. No more then an hour ago."
Mulder pulled the heavy bag onto his shoulder. "Why
don't you guys stop by. We are in the fourth room on
the left in the west hall."
Langly nodded enthusiastically and started jogging
off to the east hallway. "Yeah! We'll be right there."
Mulder walked back to their room with a stupid grin
on his face. "Hey Scully. Guess who I just saw?"
She looked up in question from where she was
stowing items they wouldn't need under the bed.
"Langly. Him, Byers and Frohike are on their way
over here right now."
A few minutes later the Gunmen arrived, they stayed
throughout the hour and a half lunch break. They
talked about their relatively easy ride up to Nova.
Then Mulder and Scully shared their story. The short
version. It was easier that way. For all of them.
Scully lay on her side on the bed, watching Mulder
start a small fire. It was only mid afternoon, but they
were both ready to turn in for the night. Mulder
walked around, putting out the lamps so that the
room was lit in a faint orange glow from the fire. He
then climbed up on the bed, his back against the wall
and pulled Scully to him.
She rolled over, burring her face in his chest.
Then she started to cry. She finally let herself cry.
"Shh. It's ok sweetheart." Mulder cooed softly.
"Everything is ok now." He didn't press her to stop.
He couldn't. He had started to cry softly. But it was
of relief. He felt safe now, he felt he could keep
Scully safe here. At least he hoped he could, for a
little awhile if nothing more.
Scully hadn't let herself cry about Them coming.
Through the whole thing she only cried once. And
that was for Mulder. When she went to wake him to
drink water after being stabbed, and he wouldn't
wake. She started to cry. For him. That she might
lose him, it was a big possibility. So she cried from
the moment he wouldn't wake up to the moment he
finally did. For over forty-eight hours she cried. Only
sleeping when pure exhaustion overcame her, the
moment she would wake up she would cry again.
Mulder soothed his hand through her hair, the other
wrapped around her waist, holding her to him.
"Everything is ok." He whispered again.
Slowly Scully stopped crying. She just lay in his
arms, horribly tired from physical and mental
exertion. But she wasn't hungry. And she wasn't hot.
She wasn't cold. She wasn't sleeping on rocks or
even dirt. And she wasn't as scared. Slowly she let
Mulder's heartbeat pressed against her ear lull her
into a restful sleep.
Scully was awoken slowly by the feeling of Mulder's
lips pressing feather light kisses to the back of her
neck. It took her a moment to remember where she
was. It always amazed her that she never got over
that, even after all the years of spending most of
nights in hotels and the last few months waking up in
the middle of no where. "Is it time to get up?" She
asked sleepily, rolling over to face him.
Mulder placed a long deep kiss on her lips. "Not at
all. I just heard the clock, it's only two in the
morning."
"Then why are you bothering me?" She teased.
"It's bad luck not to make love in a new house."
Scully laughed softly. "Is that a fact?"
"Mmm hmm." He mumbled against his neck as his
hands slipped under her shirt. "Brings good luck."
Wiggling against him she managed to pull off her
shirt. "I don't want to tempt luck." She tugged at
Mulder's shirt.
Reaching behind him, Mulder pulled his shirt off the
rest of the way with one hand. "I wonder how thick
these walls are." He said with a smile against
Scully's lips as he struggled to unbutton her pants
without looking down.
Scully just laughed and shimmied out of the rest of
her clothes. Mulder moved to cover her body with his
but she stopped him with a hand on his chest. "You
have too many clothes on." She said matter of factly.
"Aren't you in a hurry. Not that I am complaining."
Scully pulled him, finally naked, down onto her
body. "I wouldn't want any misfortune to strike while
we wait."
He chuckled against her as he suckled her breast.
"That would be a shame."
She pulled his face back up level with hers, pulling
his hips between her legs at the same time. "We
better hurry then." Putting her hands on either side of
his face she kissed him deeply. She fingers slowly
traveled down his arms where he held his weight on
either side of her face. Then she skimmed them down
his back until she cupped a cheek of his ass in each
hand. With a firm pushed she took him into her body.
Mulder broke off their kiss as the sensation of her
warmth sheathing him overwhelmed him. Nothing
else in the world mattered but his body moving inside
of hers. All his focus was concentrating on bringing
pleasure to Scully. It served as a way from him to
take away all the pain and harshness that surrounded
them.
Angling himself, Mulder put his weight on to one
arm while sliding the other down to Scully's
slickened folds. Finding her swollen nub he rubbed in
time with his strokes. Almost immediately Scully
began to quiver around his hardness.
In the closing moments Mulder fell to her side,
placing his face in the crook of her neck. Rolling onto
his side he pulled Scully against him. Taking her
thick hair into his hands he pressed his lips to her
forehead for long moments.
"We may have to do that again." Scully whispered
sleepily with a smile.
Mulder pulled away enough to look at her face in the
faint glow of the fire. "Why?"
Stretching up she kissed him quickly. "Just to keep
our luck up."
He chuckled softly and pulled her against him again.
"Sounds like a good plan." He murmured into her
hair. Slowly they both drifted off again in the
peaceful silence of their room.
Day 68
Scully awoke with a gasp at a loud chiming, the
blood rushing from her head at the sudden upright
movement made her feel dizzy.
Mulder chuckled softly from the other side of the
room. "Benjamin said we wouldn't miss that." He
moved from the table where he was reading the rule-
book to sit on the side of the bed.
Scully rubbed the sleep from her eyes in order to
focus on Mulder. He had obviously been awake for a
while, the lamps were lit dimly, the fire was going
well, and he was clean and dressed. "Did you sleep
alright?" Scully asked with concern, cupping his jaw
in her palm and rubbing his cheekbone with her
thumb.
He turned and placed a long kiss on her sleep-warm
hand. "Yeah, just fine." He stood and motioned
towards the table. "I already got our breakfast. I'll
even cook for you." He grinned over at her as he
picked up the pan from the cabin in one hand and the
two morning eggs in his other. With a little wink that
melted Scully's heart he turned to start frying the
eggs.
Scully climbed out of bed, wearing only Mulder's tee
shirt from the night before. She wrapped her arms
around his waist and kissed him between his should
blades through his shirt. "I love you." She said softly.
Even though they had confessed their love they
didn't get carried away with it. They knew how the
other felt, but didn't see the need to say it all the
time.
He smiled over his shoulder. "I love you too. And I
don't want you to catch a cold. Get dressed before
these are cooked."
After another quick kiss she did as requested.
Dressed, Scully sat down in one of the chairs and
took a long drink of the still very cold milk. She
quickly became accustomed to the rich taste of the
fresh milk, wondering how she ever drank fat free.
She took a large bit of eggs and an equally large bite
of bread. Chewing happily she looked up at Mulder.
His fork was poised over his plate, but he was just
staring at her with an astonished expression. "What?"
She mumbled out around a mouthful.
Shaking his head he laughed lightly. "Nothing.
Nothing at all." He hadn't seen her eat with such
relish in a long time. Good food after so long without
it will do that to a person.
With a shrug Scully focused back on her food. "What
are you doing today?"
"Chopping firewood." Scully looked up at him in
slight question. "I have to meet the group at seven,
we won't be back until five tonight."
Scully looked back down at her almost empty plate.
She didn't know what to think. Working a day away
from Mulder was not typical. Even when they
worked in the FBI. It hadn't happened in years.
"Hey." Mulder reached over and tilted her chin up to
meet his eyes. "I know, it will be weird. Not seeing
you for ten hours." He smiled in humor. "No cell
phones, so I can't call you every hour with some
stupid reason to hear your voice." Mulder blushed
slightly realizing he said that out loud, but Scully
wasn't surprised, she did the same thing. "But don't
worry. We'll both be busy, the time will fly by."
Scully raised her brows at him. "Yeah, I know, that's
a load of crap." He picked up both their empty plates.
"But we've got to get used to it."
Scully leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms
over her head with a slight groan. "I hate to say it but
you're right."
"Oh, thank you Scully." He said with mock hurt.
She began to page through the rule-book Mulder had
been reading.
"That is a pile of shit if I have ever read one." He
said turning around after cleaning the dishes in one of
the buckets of water.
"Why do you say that?"
"They are just unrealistic. `Anyone who steals will be
banned from Nova.' Like they are just going to walk
away. I don't think so. Another one was `Sexual
harassment and other such offences are not
permitted.' Like having that written will stop it from
happening." Mulder shook his head in annoyance as
he started to tie his hiking boots.
"Well. we can hope right?" Scully sounded less
hopeful then she meant to.
Mulder sighed when the clock chimed seven. "I
better go. Not allowed to miss a day unless you file a
note from the doctor, which is you by the way, with
the work station." Mulder rolled his eyes then stood.
After kissing Scully quickly. "I'll see you later."
"Bye." She called as he closed the door.
Scully was sitting in the silence of the Medical Room
reading when the creaking of the door caught her
attention. She looked over her shoulder to see
Mulder, he was sweaty and covered in dirt. Smiling
he walked over and leaned down to kiss Scully's
cheek.
"No way!" She ducked down and out of the chair.
"You are not laying a hand on me until you clean
up."
Mulder held his arms out to display himself. "What?
You don't like the rustic lumberjack look?"
She shook her head. "Not really."
"Oh all right. I was just trying to kiss my woman
hello when I get home from work." His voice was
coated with humor.
"Tell you what, you go to our room, clean up. I'm
going finish up in here and I'll kiss you hello."
Nodding, Mulder walked out the door. "As long as I
get a kiss I have no complaints."
Smiling to herself, Scully put away her medical book,
turned off the lamps, leaving only the faint fire to
light the empty room. Closing the door behind her
she flipped over the wooden sign saying the doctor
was no longer in. She walked towards the west hall
smiling at the people she met during the day.
Scully smiled openly the moment she opened to door
to their room. Mulder was lying on his side, facing
the fire, he was cleaned and changed and looked
completely exhausted. She toed off her shoes and sat
next to him.
Mulder opened his eyes for a moment to look at her,
then let them slip closed. "Do I get my kiss now? I'm
all clean."
As her answer she leaned down and kissed his
exposed neck. She stayed down, leaning her weight
against his side.
Mulder rolled onto his back, causing Scully to land
on his chest. "How'd it go today?" He asked taking
her hair into his hands. He let the soft strands slip
through his fingers, only to pick them up again.
Scully lifted her head, resting her chin on the back of
her hands in the center of his chest. "There are two
pregnant women here, I saw them both today."
"Yeah? Are they doing well?"
She nodded, looking at the wall behind him in
thought. "Yeah, they are fine as far as I can tell." She
paused for a moment. "I'm going to have to deliver
the babies, Mulder." Her voice was just above a
nervous whisper.
Mulder rubbed his palms over her back. "You've
done it before."
"Once, Mulder. Only once."
Mulder turned her face with his hand to meet her
eyes. "You'll do ok Scully, don't worry."
Frowning Scully laid her head back down on his
chest and looked into the fire.
Day 69
Scully was sure of it, they had barely been at Nova
for three days and Mulder had already gotten himself
in trouble.
She had gotten back from the Medical Room over an
hour ago, Mulder was supposed to be back an hour
before her. His job today was to patrol. Mostly
because of his experience with firearms. He had to
walk to border of Nova all day, watching for anyone.
Scully paced the length of the room for the
umpteenth time. She wanted to go looking for him, it
was her first reaction. But he could be anywhere in
the hundred square miles that Nova had `claimed'.
There was no way for her to find him. But she wasn't
allowing herself to panic, yet.
With a frustrated sigh Scully walked out the room
and down to the main room. She all but jogged down
the east hall to the three rooms the Lone Gunmen
had, all in a row. She rapped her knuckles on the first
door, Frohike's.
"Well Scully, what do I owe this pleasure?" Frohike
greeted with his trademark leer.
"Have you seen Mulder today?"
His face straightened. "Not since I woke up, why?"
Scully frowned and leaned against the wall next to
the door as Langly and Byers walked in from the
Main Room. "He went on patrol today and hasn't
gotten back yet. He's two hours late."
"We'll go looking for him if he doesn't get back by
dark." Byers promised. "But give him time."
"Yeah, don't worry yet Scully. All he had to do was
walk a little farther then he planned and lose track of
time."
Scully looked at Langly and tried to absorb the truth
of his words into her reeling mind. Nodding slowly,
"Ok. Thanks guys. I'll come back over if Mulder
doesn't show up in a couple hours." She started
walking back towards the Main Room.
"Don't worry Scully, I'm sure he'll show up." Byers
called.
Scully studied the floor her entire walk back to the
room, she wouldn't be able to force a smile for
anyone she ran into in the hallway so she didn't want
to make any eye contact.
Refusing to let herself pace anymore before she wore
a tread into the rock floor she laid down on the bed,
starring up at the rock ceiling. Studying the natural
contours of how the stone broke away from the
carved out sections was much like looking up at the
clouds. At a quick glance they looked like nothing
more then hills and valleys. But with the imagination
of her stressed mind Scully saw many things.
In the far corner above the table there was a spiral,
uneven and irregular, but it was there. Native
Americans believed that symbol meant the
continuation of life. It went on forever, no matter
what.
Scully couldn't imagine her life without Mulder, she
hadn't been able to for years.
The area above the stove had already turned slightly
dark from the soot when the glass door was opened to
add wood. The way the smoke spiraled up and
around left a swirling mark. It looked like a large
black spider.
Scully hated spiders. She smiled in memory at the
time one had found it's way onto her desk in their old
office. She had screamed like a little girl, jumped out
of her chair and told Mulder to kill it. But he
wouldn't, instead he picked it up in a scrap of paper
and let it out one of the tiny ground level windows.
Scully hated this spider. Climbing off the bed she
pulled a chair over to the spot. Standing up on it she
was tall enough to wipe away the mark with her
hand. Once it was nothing more then a blur of soot
she climbed down and got back on the bed.
For many silent moments she stared at the area above
the head of the bed. She knew her unconscious had a
part in what she saw, but she didn't care. To her the
stone was cut in an `X'. She smiled at the
appropriateness of it all.
Her eyes grew heavy at as she stared at that X. She
didn't want to sleep, but it was so much more inviting
then waiting. She had always hated waiting as a
child. She grew out of it as an adult, until she started
working with Mulder. Then the waiting wasn't just
waiting, it was fear, annoyance, concern, and
nervousness.
But she had no choice but to wait.
But there was nothing she could do but wait.
Day 69 (continued)
Scully woke with a start from a dip in the bed. Her
eyes flew open and did not meet the X above the bed,
but Mulder's face.
"Oh thank God." Scully sat up and wrapped her arms
around the surprised Mulder's neck.
He kissed her neck softly. "Sorry I'm late, I lost track
of time. I got to walking around. It's really pretty out
around here Scully, I'll have to show you some spots
I found-What?" He asked worriedly after she pulled
away from him and shot daggers out of her eyes.
"You scared the shit out of me Mulder!" She wiggled
out from between him and the wall to stand, hands on
her hips, lips pressed tightly, a angry flush in her
cheeks, still glaring at him.
Mulder opened his mouth to say something but didn't
know what to say for a moment. "I'm. I'm sorry,
Scully. I don't exactly have a way to keep track of
time out there. And once I realized it was getting late
I had an hour and half's walk back."
"I don't want to hear your excuses Mulder!"
He held up a hand. "Ok, just relax Scully."
"Relax?! Oh sure, no problem. I've just been laying
here for the past few hours worried to death that
something happened to you and I wouldn't be able to
find you!" Scully had two choices in situations like
this; either start to cry, or be madder the hell. She
almost always chose the latter.
Mulder clenched his jaw trying to keep the words
from coming out of his mouth, but they did anyway.
"So you usually sleep when you are worried about
my well being? That's good to know." His voice was
bitter and hurt. Hurtful.
Scully jaw dropped open. "Mulder." Scully stopped
and pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes,
trying to keep the angry, yet relieved, tears from
falling.
Mulder shook his head. "This is useless. I'll be back
later." Mulder stood and walked towards the door,
but Scully blocked his way with her small body.
"No way. You aren't walking out until we are
finished."
"Scully! This is pointless. Whenever I do something
that scares you -even when I had no way to stop it-
like this time, you get pissed off. There's nothing else
for me to tell you!" He leaned in close to her,
speaking slowly and firmly. "I lost track of time and
location. I am sorry I worried you. I didn't do it on
purpose." He stood upright again. "Now if you insist
on still being mad at me I would like to go
somewhere else."
Scully refused to give in this time. Call it pride, call it
stubbornness, call it whatever you like, she just
wasn't going to let him off the hook. Crossing her
arms she leaned back against the doorway. If Mulder
wanted to leave he was going to have to move her
first, and she was planning on making that very
difficult if he tried.
"Oh I don't believe this!" Mulder turned around and
took a deep breath, running his hands through his hair
before turning around again. He spoke softly, trying
to let the level of tension in the small room ease up at
least a little. "What do you want me to say Scully?
What can I do to make you feel better about all this?
I've said I am sorry, and I mean it. I really am. I
don't like to worry you, I really don't."
"Say you won't let it happen again." Scully ordered.
Mulder's eyes closed, this was just getting worse and
worse. "Scully, sweetheart, I love you." He took a
step toward her, pinning her against the door with his
height. "I really do. I respect you and I don't want to
hurt you ever." His next words were careful, he knew
he was on thin ice. "But you aren't thinking this one
through." He quickly held up his hand when she tried
to speak. "There is no way for me to promise
something like this won't happen again. I can't
promise something I don't have control over."
"Mulder you have control over when you come
home." She said bitterly. He was trying to sweet talk
her and it wouldn't work.
"Not when I don't have a way to keep track of time.
Some places are very heavily treed, I can't see the
sun. And even that isn't very helpful. I refuse to
promise something that I might not be able to keep. I
won't do that to you."
Scully bit the inside of her cheek. She had
overreacted. She knew that. But she couldn't help it,
and she wasn't sorry in the least. She was tired of
this. Seven years of being scared shitless that she
might not see Mulder again would do that to a
person. She let her eyes fall from his and looked at
her feet, her arms loosening the tight determined
pose. "You scared me." She repeated because she had
nothing else to say. She couldn't stop the few tears of
pain that rolled down her cheeks.
Mulder stepped forward even more. Taking her arms
in his hands he loosed the cross completely. "I
know." Tilting her head up with one hand on her chin
he kissed the tears away from her cheeks. "I'm sorry.
I am so sorry, Scully."
She sniffled and nodded, unable to meet his eyes.
"Come here." He said softly pulling her into his arms.
She buried her face in his neck and wrapped her arms
around his shoulders.
"I don't want you to be mad at me. You're all I've
got." He whispered in her ear. "You're all I want and
you're all I need." He squeezed her against him.
"You're my everything."
"I know." She whispered back. "You're mine too."
She kissed his neck where the skin became hot and
moist from her breath.
They stayed like that for a long time, lips pressed
against each other's necks, exchanging feather light
kisses of apology and forgiveness. Mulder finally
pulled his head away from her slightly and kissed her
lips. She opened her mouth to his gentle request of
his tongue against her lower lip. His kiss was gentle
and controlled. Scully slipped her hands from his
upper arms to into his hair. She wove her fingers into
the soft stands and pulled him closer to her. With her
back still against the door Scully had some leverage
over his height. Arching her back away from the
wood her was able to push Mulder back. She kept
walking, forcing him to either stop kissing her or
move with her. When the back of his knees hit the
end of the bed he sat down, bring Scully with him.
Straddling his lap she tugged his shirt from his pants,
breaking off the kiss only long enough to pull both
his and hers off. Mulder danced his fingers over the
newly exposed skin of Scully's back, tickling lightly.
Wiggling in his lap slightly Scully smiled against his
lips as he continued to tease her flesh.
"That tickles." She informed in a soft voice as she
moved to kiss his jaw.
"I know." Mulder answered and ran his fingers over
her skin again, this time on her sensitive sides.
Scully bit his neck in rebuttal.
"Hey!" He said laughing. "Play nice."
Smiling again, Scully kissed him thoroughly as she
pushed him onto his back. They carefully worked the
buttons of each other's pants open. As Mulder kicked
his jeans off he pulled himself and Scully further up
on the bed so his legs weren't hanging off the end.
Scully kissed around his face, his eyes, his nose,
spending great time on his ears before moving further
down his neck. Working her tongue in circles she
traveled the length of his collarbone. Scully paused
suddenly. Mulder turned his head and opened his
eyes to look at her. Without looking up at him, Scully
placed a long kiss over the pink scar on his arm.
Mulder watched silently as she laved the tender flesh
with care. As if she was hoping to wash away the
scar like a mother cat. With a gentle sigh, barely
audible in the silence of the room, save for the soft
crackling fire, Scully worked her way back to his
mouth.
Slowly Mulder worked his hands in a continuous
caress from her shoulders to her lower back. He
slipped his hands down the back of her panties,
Scully rose enough to allow him to slip them as far
down her legs as he could. With a little squirming she
kicked them off the end of the bed. Mulder quickly
raised his hips enough for Scully to pull down his
boxers, he pushed them off, finishing off the pile of
clothes on the floor.
Scully returned to her perch of straddling his thighs
and kissed him the heat of anticipation became
unbearable. Mulder supported her weight in his
strong hands as she guided him into her waiting
body. Sitting up straight, Scully tilted her head back
and let a rhythm take over her movements without
much thought. When she was with Mulder it seemed
natural. She didn't need to question her movements,
or her actions. She let her eyes slip closed from the
vision of the X on the ceiling as she felt Mulder's
thumb probe knowingly at her folds.
She let the rhythm change with Mulder's new
movement. She let him take some of the control, let
him take her to the wonderful place that he was so
good at taking her. Scully bit her lip to remain quiet,
but a small whimper escaped. Her body pulsed its
pleasure, it rejoiced at the feeling of Mulder releasing
into her body. He gave her life, even if they couldn't
make a new life they were build their life together
stronger and stronger.
Scully let herself fall relaxed onto Mulder's chest,
frantic with trying to breathe properly. His hands
slowly began to stroke and soothe her back after he
pulled the bunched blankets over them both.
Mulder tried to ignore the sound that was disturbing
his sleep, but the sound wouldn't go away. He slowly
figured, after listening closely, someone was
knocking on the their door. Carefully extracting
himself from Scully's grasp he pulled on his
discarded jeans. He covered Scully's body with the
blankets securely before opening the door.
"Hey, you're alive." Langly greeted.
Mulder let out an only partly amused snort and
stepped out into the cool hallway, closing the door so
Scully wouldn't wake. "Yeah, I just lost track of time
out there."
"Unbelievable." Byers said shaking his head after
looking Mulder up and down.
"Huh?"
Frohike nodding in agreement with Byers. "You are
one lucky son of a bitch Mulder."
"What are you talking about?" Mulder, still half
asleep was quickly becoming annoyed with them.
"I have never seen Scully as scared as she was when
you hadn't shown up after a couple hours." Byers
said, looking just as pissed as the other two. "And
I've seen Scully pretty scared before."
"Yeah," Frohike interrupted. "You scare her to death
then come back and have make up sex."
Mulder leaned back against the door with a sigh.
"Look, guys, I'll say is again for the millionth time
today; I am sorry. Ok? Can everyone just lay off?"
Langly held up his hands in innocence. "Hey we
aren't here because we are mad. We were just
checking up on Scully to make sure you showed up."
"I appreciate that. Thank you."
"No problem. See you tomorrow." They turned and
walked away still muttering how unbelievable it was
that he always ended up getting away with stunts like
that.
Feeling worse then before about the whole thing
Mulder went back into the room. He sat down at the
table and watched Scully sleep peacefully wrapped
up, safe and warm. She didn't look that way when he
first walked in and found her sleeping. Her brow had
been furrowed, she shifted restlessly in the few
seconds that he had been there before she woke, she
looked just plain shaken.
Mulder let out yet another sigh, this one annoyance
with himself-even though there was nothing he could
have done about it- and continued to watch over
Scully as she slept.
Day 70
Scully was reorganizing the supplies in the Medical
Room when the door opened and a bleeding Mulder
walked in.
"A rock bit me." He said sitting down on one of the
cots.
Scully rolled her eyes. She spent most of her day
taking care of simple wounds like this. She didn't
mind though, things could be much worse. "It bit
you?" She asked as she placed a pan of water of the
cot beside him.
"Yeah. Came out of no where. Them rocks can be
pretty tricky." He cringed as she placed his bleeding
hand in the water and cleaned off the dried blood.
"So I've heard." She pulled his hand out and toweled
it off. The cut wasn't deep. "Tell me if this hurts."
She gently pressed the bones surrounding the cut.
"A little."
She nodded. "Ok, nothing is broken. I'll just wrap it
up, try not to use it too much." She pressed a towel
over the cut, then placed his hand over it. "Hold that
till the bleeding stops."
"It's quiet in here today."
Scully sorted through the cabinet looking for size
bandage she wanted. "Now it is. People are always in
and out of here for something. I feel like Dr. Quinn
Medicine Woman." She mumbled as she sat down
next to him again.
He chuckled.
"Let me see." She examined his hand for another
moment before spreading a green paste over the
wound.
"What's that?"
"Astragalus. It will help some with infection. After a
few days you can just put aloe on it."
"Oh. You have turned into Dr. Quinn Medicine
Woman."
She glared at him before wrapping a strip of cloth
around his hand, tying it securely. "I'll take some
more bandages back to the room so we can change
that. Don't throw the fabric out, I need to reuse it."
While he nodded she leaned over and kissed his
cheek. "Watch out for those rocks. I'll you see later."
She stood up and went over to check on the bandages
that where boiling to sterilize. Mulder just sat where
she left him. "Are you going back to work?" She
asked glancing over her shoulder.
"Yeah. I will in a minute." Mulder swung his legs
and relaxed on the cot, resting his hands behind his
head.
"Please get your feet off that."
He wiggled down the cot slightly so his shoes hung
over the edge. "Hey Scully?"
"Hmm?" She paid little attention to him as she wrung
out the washed bandages.
"Does that door have a lock?"
"No it doesn't Mulder." She was glad she wasn't
facing him, he would have seen her smiling even
though she kept her voice stern.
"Oh. Well you want to push the table up to it or
something?"
Scully turned around with her hands on her hips. "Go
back to work Mulder." She let a small smile play on
her lips.
He sighed dramatically and stood. "Fine, but I'll get
you later." He leaned down to kiss her but she
playfully turned her face so he kissed just the corner
of her mouth. Mulder smiled and grabbed her around
the waist. He pressed his lips against hers.
"Oh! Sorry!" A young woman said as she opened the
door to the Medical Room and was met by the
kissing couple.
Scully tried to jump away from Mulder but he held
fast. "No. It's ok. He was just leaving." Scully
blushed a dark pink as she stepped out of Mulder's
grasp. "Goodbye." She gave him a small but firm
push to the door. "Easy on the hand and be careful."
"Yes doctor." He said as he walked away.
Day 72 (Sunday)
"Where are you going?" Mulder asked sleepily,
holding tightly to Scully when she tried to rise out of
bed.
Scully struggled in his grasp to get up on her elbows.
"It's Sunday, stay in bed with me." He mumbled
trying to pull her back down.
"I know it's Sunday. I want to go to mass this
morning."
Mulder's arms dropped from around her. He wasn't
going to push for her to stay with him. Going to
church just wasn't something he understood, he
didn't even try it. All he knew was it is important to
Scully.
"You don't want to go do you?" She asked as she
placed water on the stove to heat so she could wash
up.
Mulder rolled onto his side to look at her. "Sorry, not
my thing."
She smiled softly. "I didn't think so, but I thought I
would ask."
Scully smiled politely at the people who had already
arrived at the church but sat in a row all by herself.
She looked around the small room, it was nice. The
walls were decorated tactfully with painting of saints
and biblical scenes, most she recognized. Tall natural
colored candles, obviously hand made, lined the front
of the room. A small altar stood in the center of the
line of candles.
The smell of incense, surrounded her. She inhaled
deeply, feeling a deep sense of contentment.
Scully leaned back in her chair. She was comfortable.
It was quiet and small. Perfect. She didn't feel forced
to relax, it already felt like the church she had often
gone to with her mother.
Scully studied the far right hand corner of the room.
Two small doors were side by side. Confessionals.
It had been a while since she had been, but for the
first time in a long time, there was no guilt clouding
her heart. She had made her peace with the
tumultuous events of the last couple of months,
realizing that there was no shame in being glad that
she and Mulder were alive, while as far as she knew
everyone else she had known and loved had died.
The mass was simple but beautiful. Though she had
been going regularly Before, she had not felt the
sense of wonder and hope that she felt in this little
room. So many people had gathered to share her
same thoughts and prayers. How odd it was that the
smallest mass she had ever been to was more
important, more moving then any other. The prayer
for the day was short. Spoken softly and slowly.
Everyone listened with polite and eager minds.
"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where
there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury,
pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is
despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I
may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to
love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in
pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we
are born again to eternal life."
The final words of the priest remained with her long
after the mass had ended. "Go in peace." He had
instructed them.
Scully marveled how those three words could hold
such power. All her life she had longed for a sense of
inner peace. And only now, after the sky had almost
literally fallen, had she found it within herself, and
with Mulder.
Mulder looked up from the book he borrowed from
the library when Scully walked in. "Hey."
Wordlessly she walked over, took his face in her
hands and kissed him. "I love you." She said barely
pulling away, just to press another longer kiss against
his lips.
He smiled as she sat down next to him, not releasing
his lips completely. When she finally pulled away
Mulder spoke. "Enjoy your time?"
She smiled and nodded. "It was wonderful. I loved
it."
Mulder patted her thigh. "I'm glad. So what do you
want to do today?"
She just shrugged and flipped the pages of his book
unseeing.
"When I was out on patrol with the group they
showed me where a small lake is. It's not a hot
spring, but it is warmer then the river. We could hike
up there if you want."
Scully nodded quickly. "I would LOVE to really get
cleaned up. Just soak up the water, turn into a raisin,
it sounds wonderful."
Mulder chuckled and stood up, turning off the lamps.
"Let's go then."
"Wow." Scully whispered looking at the large lake. It
was shallow, the rocks were easily seen through the
sun reflecting water. To one side the water flowed
very gently down a natural hill of rocks. All long the
edge wildflowers grew, the bright yellows and rich
blues mirrored off the gently rippling water.
The lake wasn't empty by far. Many people swam,
played with their children, or just soaked up the sun
and cool water.
Wordlessly Mulder took her elbow in his hand and
lead her around to part of the water where no one
was. He stripped down just to his boxers and looked
at her pointedly, but she was still starring off at the
scenery. "Scully? You going in?"
"Oh. Sorry." She smiled shyly and pulled off her
clothes, leaving only a black tank top and panties on.
They both walked out into the almost too-cold-for
comfort-water, it only came up to Mulder's waist,
and Scully chest. The sun beating down quickly
warmed their cool skin making the water a pleasant
contrast.
Scully was silently cupping the water and running it
over her body as she watched a few of the children
laugh and splash around. She couldn't help but smile.
They were happy and carefree. Maybe it was best
they were so young when They came, they wouldn't
remember what life was like before. How easy some
things could be taken for granted, like being warm
and having a full stomach. To be na‹ve. How she
wished to be na‹ve like when she was young.
Thinking the only problems were getting her brothers
to leave her alone, the fight she had with a friend
over who took who's Barbie doll, when she would
finally grow out of her training bra, and where her
family would be moving to next. The fact that those
were her worst of her worries shocked her.
As she grew older her worries changed of course.
Would she pass medical school? Was she making a
mistake joining the FBI? They became more
important of course.
The last few years before They came her worries
seemed to revolve around one man. The man that had
saved her life more times then she cared to count.
The man who she threw away many of her morals
and who changed her life tremendously. If she was a
petty woman she could easily blame all her problems,
three months of her life missing, the death of her
sister, a daughter she only knew for a short time, on
him. Many if she didn't love him more then life it's
self she would be able to give him some of that
responsibility. But as amazing as it was, she believed
if all the sacrifices she made the last several years
had brought him to her, it was worth it. It was all
worth finally having some one who understood her
and loved her for who she is.
Mulder touched her shoulder lightly. "You ok?"
She blushed lightly realizing how spaced out she
must have looked. "Yeah, I was just thinking. I think
I am going to get dress, but let's stay for a while
longer."
Nodding Mulder walked with Scully to the shore.
They dressed and sat on the rocks by the water in a
comfortable silence. It was nice to just sit and relax.
For the first time since they started to walk Mulder
didn't feel the need to look over his shoulder and
watch over Scully every second. It was calm and
peaceful. No threats appeared to be near them. They
were in the company of new friends and honest
people.
Mulder glanced over at Scully. "Hey?" He said softly
placing his hand on her back.
Scully rubbed her temples trying to ease the headache
she could feel starting. "I must be allergic to some of
the flowers." Mulder stood and moved to help her up
but she held up a hand. "I'm ok Mulder. My head just
hurts a little, sinuses I think."
Frowning Mulder looked at her closely. "Let's head
back?"
She nodded and started to walk in front of Mulder,
staying just out of arms reach so he couldn't help her
every step like she knew he wanted to.
Mulder stared at Scully's back as she made her way
slowly down the trail. He had to bite the inside of his
cheek to keep from saying anything. Not that he had
anything helpful to say, but he wanted to share what
was on his mind. He was worried, it was very simple.
She hadn't had any more nosebleeds, at least none
that he knew of. She didn't seem to be feeling ill, but
he didn't spend the day with her anymore. This
headache could very easily just be from pollen. But
this wouldn't be the first time she had hidden how
she was feeling from him.
He took a few large steps to stand at her side. He
gave her a soft smile, one of apology for his
uncontrollable worry and understanding that she
didn't want to speak about it, he has learned how she
worked. He didn't like it, but he accepted it. Mulder
took her hand lightly in his, interlocking their fingers
he brought their hands to his mouth and kissed each
knuckle softly.
They walked hand in hand all the way back to Nova,
not uttering a single word. Mulder didn't say
anything to her when they reached their room. He
just laid her down on the bed next to him and read
aloud from the poetry book by Anrienne Rich he had
been reading while she was at church.
"The glass has been falling all the afternoon,
And knowing better then the instrument
What winds are walking overhead, what zone
Of gray unrest in moving across the land,
I leave the book upon a pillowed chair
And walk from window to closed window, watching
Boughs strain against the sky
And think again, as often when the air
Moves inward toward a silent core of waiting,
How with a single purpose time has traveled
By secret currents of the undiscerned
Into this polar realm. Weather abroad
And weather in the heart alike come on
Regardless of prediction.
Between foreseeing and averting change
Lies all the mastery of elements
Which clocks and weatherglasses cannot alter.
Time in the hand is not control of time,
Nor shattered fragments of an instrument
A proof against the wind; the wind will rise,
We can only close the shutters.
I draw the curtains as the sky goes black
And set a match to candles sheathed in glass
Against the keyhole draught, the insistent whine
Of weather through the unsealed aperture.
This is our sole defense against the season;
These are the things that we have learned to do
Who live in troubled regions."
Mulder finished reading and looked down at Scully
where she had fallen asleep with her head resting on
his shoulder. He couldn't help but smile at the
peaceful look on her face. Tucking her hair behind
her ear with one hand he placed the book on the floor
with the other. Carefully he turned, Scully's head
shifting to rest in the crook of his arm. He studied her
face while she slept.
He wished there were a way for him to tell her what
he would do for her. The words that he would give
his life for her just didn't cover it. He would give his
soul if needed. He would do whatever it took to
protect her from what was happening around them.
The world had crashed down, now they had to deal
with the after shocks.
Day 74
Mulder woke with a start to loud banging on the
door.
"Dana! Dana we need you!"
Scully sleepily stumbled off the bed pulling on
enough clothes to be presentable. Swinging the door
open she shielded her eyes from the dim hallway
light and focused on a panicked looking Greg Wells.
Mulder had patrolled with him many times, saying
that he was a nice man but always very jumpy. "What
happened?"
"I-I shot a man! I didn't know he was a member. Oh
god, oh god what have I done?!" Greg shook
frantically.
"Ok." Scully held up a hand. "It's ok, I'll be right
there, let me just put warmer clothes on."
Greg nodded and ran off toward the Medical Room.
Scully turned around and took the sweatshirt Mulder
was handing her. "I might need your help Mulder, not
many people can handle the sight of blood."
"Oh and I just love it." He mumbled as he pulled his
shoes on.
"Come on." Scully rubbed her face quickly, feeling
the rush of adrenaline flow through her body. They
quickly jogged do to the Main Room and into the
open door of the Medical Room. Scully stopped short
when she saw the man who was shot.
"Oh my god." Mulder whispered at the sight.
...
End of posted parts 1-10 of ?
Note: I am spitting these things out as fast as I
possibly can! Trust me! Any and all feedback is
appreciated. If it is good feedback it makes me write
even faster!! =)
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!
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