Torture - Part I (PG) Why did Skinner always want early morning meetings? Did he think he had an advantage that early? Well, he probably did. Mulder wasn’t always at his best first thing in the morning. Oh well, she’d better call and let him know. She continued getting ready as his phone rang and was reaching for her necklace when the phone was picked up. "Mulder, it’s me. . . " "Hello?" The phone had obviously awakened the woman. The voice was husky, sexy. "I’m, I’m sorry I must have dialed a wrong number." Even as she said it she knew that wasn’t the problem, she’d use her speed dial. "You lookin’ for Fox?" "Huh, yes." Damn, she sounded like a fool. "He’s in the shower. Can I give him a message?" "No thank you. Sorry I disturbed you." She broke the connection, too many emotions assaulting her to carry on any further conversation. Who the hell was she? Even as her anger grew she was grateful there was no one around to see how those few words had devastated her. This was ludicrous, he had every right to have a woman in his apartment, well okay, his bed. Get a grip, Scully. She managed to finish dressing and drove to the office. She left a note on the office door and proceeded on to Skinner’s office rather than wait in the basement. She might be early, but she needed the time. She still couldn’t trust her composure. How the hell was she going to face him? She was already aware that concentrating on this meeting was going to be a useless gesture. She actually jumped when Skinner said her name to call her into his office. "Is everything okay, Agent Scully?’ "Fine, Sir. I just have a lot on my mind." He nodded and held the door for her. He offered her coffee, which she refused. Caffeine was the last thing she needed – she was going to jump out of her skin as it was and finally lapsed into silence. "Did you tell Agent Mulder about this meeting?" he asked. "I wasn’t able to reach him this morning, Sir. I left a note on his office door." Skinner shot her a questioning look, but made no comment. He did note that she stiffened slightly when Mulder tapped on the door. "Sorry I’m late, I didn’t get word of the meeting." He directed that at Scully, but she didn’t comment or look at him. "Well, let’s get started, shall we?" Skinner began the meeting. ***** Scully had been right, this was a futile exercise. Would this meeting never end? She was gathering herself to leave when she realized Skinner was dismissing them. She was up and out practically before he was finished speaking. Mulder caught up with her at the elevator. He took her elbow and she reacted as though she’d been scalded. "Are you all right?" "I’m fine." "Really?" "I’ve got work to do Mulder. Do you need anything?" If she didn’t get away from him. . . "I guess not. I’ll catch up with you later." He turned and headed for the stairs. He didn’t have a clue what had put her in that mood, but he could go get bloodied elsewhere. He’d give her a little time, maybe check back at lunchtime. He put her out of his mind and got down to work. ***** She was less fortunate. No matter how she tried to put the morning’s incident out of her mind it was always there ready to reassert itself. She didn’t hear him approach the cubicle she was using and jumped when he spoke to her. "Don’t sneak up on me." She turned away crossly. "Sorry, I thought you heard me. Want some lunch?" "No thank you." God, she sounded like such a bitch. "Aw, come on Scully. I don’t know what’s bugging you, but can’t we eat?" "I would think you already had plans." Why couldn’t she get this under control! "Why would I already have plans?" His temper was beginning to go, too. "Look, you have your own life. You don’t owe me any explanations. . . " "You’re damn right I don’t." He interrupted her. "But just for the sake of argument, if I did owe you any explanations, what the hell would I be explaining?" "Don’t." "Come with me, now." He took her arm and gently but firmly led her to the elevator. Rather than cause a scene she allowed him to do so. He led her to the basement and locked the door to ensure they were not interrupted. "Okay, what’s the problem." "I don’t have a problem." "The hell you don’t." He placed a finger on her chin to turn her face up to him. "Don’t." She stepped away from him. "Scully, what did I do? Shit, don’t be like this." "Do? You didn’t do anything to me." He slammed his hand down on the desk, causing her to jump. "We’re not leaving here until you tell me what the hell is wrong." "We have no claims on each other, you can have as many women as you want over, but you might let me know so I won’t call and disturb you." "What the hell are you talking about?" Mulder stared at her as though she’d lost her mind. "Your friend answered the phone this morning. I’m sorry I woke her." "What friend? Scully, I do not understand." He took a step toward her and she flinched. "I called you to tell you about Skinner’s meeting and a woman answered. I woke her up." "There was no woman. . . " "She answered your phone, Mulder." "You dialed the wrong number." "How do you misdial ‘1’, Mulder?" "I’m number one on your speed dial?" He tried to lighten the moment. "Mulder!" "Look maybe the programming went out." "She said Fox was in the shower. I don’t know about you, but the number of my acquaintances with that name is limited." "Fox. You’re sure she said Fox?" "Yes." "Scully, I don’t have an explanation, but there was no woman in my apartment, much less my bed, last night. What did she sound like?" He had gotten closer and closer to her as they spoke, invading her space, making her dig in her heels to stand still. "Sound like? A busty blond. Mulder, how the hell would I know?" "Well, there was no busty blond around. I’d have noticed. Even in my dreams, the only woman is a short red-head." "Mulder, don’t." She finally did step back, away from the power of him. "It’s true, Scully. There was no woman at my place last night. I swear it." "But. . . " "I don’t know what happened. I can’t explain it. But there was no woman." He put his hand on her arm. " Did you know your eyes flash when you’re jealous." "I am not jealous." He pulled her to him. "Scully?" "Yes?" "Bullshit." She had the grace to blush. He grinned down at her. "Now we have to find out who’s been answering my phone." "Mulder. . . I. . . " "Let’s go get some lunch. Come on." Scully nodded, too embarrassed to follow that line of conversation anyway. ***** She was out of sorts the rest of the day, mostly angry with herself. How could she have revealed so much, cared so much? They were partners, not lovers, for god’s sake. Regardless of what…damn what a terrible day. She ought to apologize. Yes, that’s what she needed to do. She’d really been a bitch this morning. She dialed his phone, not bothering with the speed dial. Scully heard the phone picked up, then, "Oh damn, I forgot you don’t want me to answer the phone." "Just hang up." The line went dead. Scully’s nerveless fingers dropped her phone. Mulder. That was Mulder’s voice. He’d lied to her, he’d looked right in her eyes and lied. He’d even joked about dreaming about her. Fury shot through her. To hell with him, he wouldn’t be lying to her again soon. She’d talk to Skinner first thing tomorrow. When her phone rang at two a.m. she knew immediately it was he. Who else called at such ungodly hours? She lifted the received, heard his, "Scully" and dropped the phone back into the cradle, then lifted it again to ensure he couldn’t call back. "Scully? Scully!" What had happened? He tried again and got a busy signal. He waited a minute and tried again. Something was wrong. He grabbed his jeans from the back of the couch and slipped on his shoes as he found his keys. He lost no time in reaching her apartment. When his knock brought no response, he pounded on the door. He was reaching for his keys when she opened the door. "Be quiet! Some people are trying to sleep." "What happened? I called you and the phone went dead, then I couldn’t get through." "My phone is off the hook so I won’t be disturbed. You, however, are disturbing me. You can go back home now." "Scully, I thought we were okay. Now what’s going on?" He’d never felt this kind of iciness from her before. He could actually feel himself shriveling up, if she were armed he’d be on his knees begging. "Go back to your busty blond, Mulder and leave me alone." Mulder pushed past her into the apartment. "Get out of here!" "No way. Somebody is feeding you bad information. . . " "I heard you. It was you on the phone." "When?" "I called you earlier. She answered and you told her to hang up." "That never happened, Scully." "Are you telling me I’m crazy? That I didn’t hear what I heard?" "No, but. . . Scully. . . shit, it didn’t happen." "Will you leave now?" He stared at her for a minute, but she didn’t waver. Finally he opened the door, but looked back once more. Her return look left no room for conversation. He walked out. In case she was watching, he drove off. He circled the block, then returned and parked outside her building. Her lights were out, but he waited an hour before he returned to her door and letting himself in with his key. He stretched out on the couch. Something was happening to her and he wasn’t leaving her alone until he figured out what. ***** When she rose the next morning she donned her robe and headed for the kitchen to start the coffee. Spotting him on the couch brought her to a dead stop. She pulled the robe closed. "What are you doing here? I threw you out last night." "I came back." "Why?" He rose from the couch and stretched. "She not woman enough for you?" "Damn it, Scully! There is no woman. If there were some busty blond in my bed, do you really think I’d have slept on this short little couch?" His anger was mounting. He advanced on her and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her around directly in front of him. "There is no damn woman, Scully!" He shouted in her face. "Oh, to hell with it." He let her go and plopped back down on the couch. "Then what do you want me to believe?" "That someone’s trying to break us up. That someone doesn’t want you to trust me. And they’re damn good." He ran a hand through his hair. "There ought to be a way to prove that." "Call my apartment." "Why?" "To see if I’m there." She just looked at him for a moment, then nodded and picked up her phone. After ten rings she turned to him, "All this proves is that you were able to train her not to answer the phone." "Where’s my machine, Scully?" She just stared at him for a few seconds. "What’s going on here, Mulder?" "I don’t know. But you have to believe me, Scully. You have to trust me." "I want to." "Scully, there is no other woman." It was so hard looking at him, she couldn’t do it any longer, couldn’t meet his eyes. She had believed the worst, that he would lie to her. She looked down. "It shouldn’t matter if there were." "Well," he forced a slight grin, "I’d be a fool not to admit how good it feels that it does matter." "Mulder." "Okay, okay. We need to find out where my calls are being diverted. I’ll call it in, you better get dressed." "Oh! I. . . " They had spent time on the road together. He’d certainly seen her in nightclothes before. Why was she blushing, why was this different? "I’ll start the coffee. Go on." Torture - Part 2 (R) He woke slowly, groggily, becoming aware first of the fact that his hands were restricted, then becoming aware of someone in his arms. "Scully?" "Yeah." She was also struggling to wake. "Scully. . . are you as naked as I think you are?" "Uh, yes, just like you." "Tell me this isn’t a dream." She squirmed around trying to see the room. "Scully, no. Could you. . . could you be still for a minute." "I’m trying to see if I can see our clothes or our weapons." "Yeah, yeah I know. Would you please be still a minute!" "Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t. . . " She’d seen Mulder nude before, maybe not this close, but she shouldn’t be affected this way. They were obviously in danger here, this was not the time to notice how good his hard on felt against her thigh, or that with just a little movement she could. . . Okay, she hadn’t been nude those other times, but still she needed to get a grip. "Don’t apologize, just please be still." She tried to shrink away from him. "That’s not helping." He wasn’t seventeen anymore, he should be able to get his body back under control. Just because the core of his fantasies was writhing nude in his arms. . . god couldn’t the woman make a move that wasn’t sensual? Even in his dreams she hadn’t fit against him this well. At least in high school he’d had books to carry, this was impossible. They were in danger here, for god’s sake, but the scent of her readiness was obscuring his judgment. "My god, Mulder, this is. . . " "Don’t say ‘hard’, just don’t. . . " they both froze as they heard the key turn in the lock of the door. Mulder pressed her close to him and rolled over her, exposing his back to the door, rather than hers. "Well, hello children. Having fun?" Scully said nothing, waiting for Mulder’s cue. "Would you like to tell us what’s going on here?" "Patience, my boy, patience." The man, middle-aged but in good physical shape, leaned over and clipped the band holding Scully’s hands around Mulder. She pulled her arms in but did not attempt to leave the shelter of his embrace. "Come now, Dr. Scully, I would like for you to come with me." "Where?" He reached down for her arm to pull her to her feet. She noted the fact that he was wearing surgical gloves. "Why are you separating us? What the hell is going on here?" The man, very politely, assisted Scully to her feet. Once she was out of his arms Mulder came to his feet ready to attack. "I wouldn’t do that if I were you. It won’t help anything." "Leave her here. Bring us some clothes and tell us what you want." "Not now, dear boy. We would really like Dr. Scully’s company at present, just the way she is. It would be more. . . convenient." Mulder’s jaw tightened as Scully tried to pull away. The man’s grip tightened uncomfortably so she stopped. Mulder approached the man slowly. "If you hurt her, I will kill you. Do you understand that?" "Of course, Agent Mulder, I would expect nothing less." He escorted Scully to the door, stopped and tossed something metallic into the far corner, and left, locking the door behind him. Scully had placed her free arm over her breasts but did nothing else to hide her nudity. She walked with dignity beside him down the corridor. Mulder, left behind, closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself. Scully would be able to look after herself. He had to believe that. He went to the corner to see what the man had left behind. It was a nail clipper and he quickly freed his hands. He began exploring the room then to see how he could get out and find her. Scully was taken down a short hall and into a room containing only a table, one chair and a TV monitor. From the back of the door the man handed Scully a cheap housecoat to cover herself, then politely pulled the chair out for her to sit. "What is going on here? So far you might be able to get off with a slap on the wrist if we testify that you did not harm us. Don’t go any farther with this, whatever it is." "Dr. Scully, this is an experiment. Perhaps you would like to see the next phase for yourself. Please sit here and watch the monitor." She didn’t move. "What kind of experiment?" He motioned again to the chair, but said nothing further. She finally took the seat, pulling the housecoat more tightly around her. Mulder was on the monitor exploring his prison. He opened the door to the room and turned back to her, for the first time holding a weapon. "I must insist on complete silence on your part. Do you understand?" She nodded. He pulled a tape recorder from his pocket and placed it on the floor at the door. When he pressed play, a woman’s scream shattered the silence, the voice sounded remarkably like hers. She screamed again. On the monitor Mulder froze. He heard her scream. He would kill the bastard. He raced back to the door and tried again, frantically to open it. "Scully! Damn you, let me out of here!" He threw himself against the door, but it was too solid. "Scully!" He hit his forehead against the door, never more helpless, his mind running scenes he couldn’t bear. Scully watched him in horror. Torture? Why the hell was this man trying to torture Mulder? He hadn’t harmed her, why make Mulder believe he had? After several minutes of screams and finally moans the man turned off the recorder. "Now, Dr. Scully if you will accompany me, quietly please." She rose and he took her arm, leading her farther down the corridor. He had replaced the recorder in his pocket. When he reached the outer door he turned and handed her the key to Mulder’s room. "Have a good day, my dear. We will see you soon." He gave a slight bow and walked out of the building. Scully watched him, slightly stunned, then turned and raced back down the hall. When he heard the key in the lock Mulder’s rage almost overcame him. He was ready to attack the man when the door opened. "No! Mulder it’s me." "Scully." He pulled her to him, nearly suffocating her in his embrace. "What did he do to you?" "Nothing. Mulder, I swear, he never touched me." Mulder gently pulled her housecoat apart with shaking hands. She allowed it, watching his face. "See? I’m okay." "I heard you, you were screaming." "No, it wasn’t me. He had a tape recorder. He was torturing you Mulder, not me. Who was he?" "I never saw him before." He sank into a chair and suddenly remembered his own nudity. He closed his eyes. "I’ll. . . I’ll find you some clothes. Mulder, are you alright?" He nodded, not opening his eyes. "I’ll be right back." She found their clothes and weapons in the first unlocked room she came to and hurried back with them. He dressed in silence, as did she. But her silence came from fear for him. "Why would he do that to us, Scully?" "He said it was an experiment. He did have a gun, he held it on me while the tape was playing, so that I couldn’t tip you off. We’re not going to find any fingerprints, he never removed the gloves. I think we need to get a team down here anyway. I’ll call it in." She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and made the call. When she hung up Mulder approached her and took her shoulders in his hands. "Scully, you’re not lying to protect me, are you?" "No, Mulder. It wasn’t me he was hurting." Mulder nodded and they got down to work. ***** The team scoured the building and after a while Mulder approached one of the agents. "Do you have an extra car?" "Sure I can ride back with Edwards. You leaving?" "I need to take her home." "Yeah. We don’t need you here anymore anyway. This was an extremely low-tech job. We’ll want that composite drawing tomorrow." "No problem. Thanks for your help." He caught the keys that were tossed to him and went to find Scully. When he located her in the room with the monitor he tapped her shoulder. "Come on, I’m taking you home." "We’re not through here, Mulder. I was going to. . . " She looked up at him. "Okay. I’ll get my coat." He handed it to her and they headed toward the door. Once outside he pointed out the car they were using and before she had a chance, he opened the door for her. She made no comment, but slipped inside the car. As they were headed away she finally spoke. "I should be taking you home." "I’m okay." "Yeah. Listen, take me by the bureau, I need to get my car." "Leave it there. I’ll pick you up in the morning." "You don’t. . . " "I want to check out your apartment." She nodded, he obviously needed this. When he got to her apartment he went through it, checking all possible entries until she finally stopped him. "No one has been here, Mulder. You need to go home, try to get some rest. Do you think you’ll be able to sleep?" He shrugged and reached for his coat. "Call me when you get home. Please?" "Sure, I’ll check in. You lock this door." "Of course." He reached for the doorknob. "Mulder. . . would you like to stay here?" "Desperately. So I better leave now. I’ll call you." He let himself out and waited until he heard the deadbolt engage. Then he drove over to the bureau exchanged the agency car for his own, and returned to his own apartment. Scully was in bed when he called. "Been waiting for you." "Got my car. You doing okay?" "Mulder, I’m fine. I’m just worried about you." "I’m okay. I’ll probably watch a movie." "One of your ‘favorites’?" She said lightly, trying to lighten his mood. "You know me too well." He could try too, but it wasn’t working. "Scully, what’s the last thing you remember before waking up there?" "I told you, I parked in the underground and got out. Nothing after that." "Do you remember a smell, a sound?" "Nothing. You?" "No, but it means he has access to the FBI parking garage. Maybe we got a picture." "We’ll have to check that out in the morning." She stifled a yawn. Mulder continued talking, bouncing ideas off her, and her responses becoming more monosyllabic. "Scully? Scully! Are you there?" "Sorry, Mulder. I must have drifted off. What did you say?" "It can wait. Go on to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning." "Call me if you need me." "I will. Go on to sleep." ***** She was ready when he knocked on her door the next morning. "My god, Mulder. Did you sleep the full ten minutes?" "About that." "We don’t have any meetings this morning, do we?" "No, not that I know of." "Come on in. I’m going to fix you some breakfast." He came in and followed her into her kitchen. He sank into a chair and watched her comforting movements. They ate her breakfast in silence. "That was good, thanks." She smiled and touched his hand. "Could I ask one more favor?" "Of course, what?" "Could you wear something a little more, you know, frumpy today?" "Frumpy? I’m afraid that’s not high on my criteria when I shop." "Hell, it wouldn’t do any good anyway. It was just an idea." He ran his hand through his hair and looked away. She rose from her chair and hesitated, then stood in front of him and hugged his face into her abdomen. "I love you so much, Mulder. More than you could know." He froze for an instant, then his arms were around her pulling her even closer to him. "Don’t tell me that’s a surprise to you." "A surprise, I’m not sure, a relief, definitely. I hope you know how much I love you and after yesterday how much I want you isn’t exactly a secret." "Yes, but look at what yesterday did to us. We were barely able to work together. We treated each other differently. If we give in to this, we can’t ever go back. I don’t know if I can give up working with you to be with you. I want both and I don’t know. . . " "I hate it when you’re logical. There’s got to be a way." She stepped back from him and took her seat, still holding his hand. "If he comes back like he said he would, can either one of us handle it? He tore you apart making you think he was hurting me and you couldn’t help me and I’m torn apart knowing how much he hurt you by using me as his weapon. I can see why Superman held Lois off for so long." Mulder grinned. "Do I get to be Superman in this scenario?" "We’ll take turns." She answered dryly. "Really Mulder, on the job you have to trust me to look after myself. Watching you on that monitor yesterday nearly killed me. I’m trained, I’m a better shot than you. . . " "Well. . . " He turned serious. "You’re right. If his ‘experiment’ was to foul up our partnership he hit all the right buttons. Just like. . . the busty blond! Could this. . . ? No that’s too. . . " "No, I see where you’re going. It’s the same thing. Someone tried to make me lose trust in you and if we hadn’t. . . if you hadn’t helped me see what was going on. . . Mulder, I had decided to go to Skinner that morning and ask for a transfer. That’s how angry I was at you and what I thought of as a betrayal." Mulder tried not to show the shock that statement caused him. She’d actually have left him over that? Didn’t she know no other woman could. . . well she did now, and he’d make damn sure she never forgot. It would take a lot more than that to come between them now, but if this guy was escalating. . . "Now the question is can I know you’re in danger and treat it like anyone else?" "If you can’t, we’re sunk." He closed his eyes. "Let’s go to work. Get that composite out and see if we can connect him to anyone or anything." "I still think we need to check the VCS. If he wasn’t one of your arrests he could be working for someone who was." With that semblance of normalcy they went back to work. Torture - Part 3 (NC-17) They had both begun to calm down, after all it had been weeks. They couldn’t remain on alert indefinitely, which is why the phone call caused such a surge of adrenaline when it came. He was in his car when his cell phone trilled. "Mulder." He answered. "My dear boy." Mulder nearly lost control of the car, every nerve on alert. "What do you want, more torture? "Not exactly. It seems things have gotten a little out of hand. Your beautiful partner could use some assistance. I would suggest that you hurry." "Another mind trip?" He was already executing a U-turn to take him back toward Scully’s apartment. "That is how it started, Agent Mulder. Unfortunately some of my cohorts became, shall we say, overzealous. Time is of the essence." "You remember my promise." He was already speeding toward her. "Of course. Well, until we meet again." The connection was broken. Mulder pushed the speed dial for Scully’s phone. No answer. Mulder threw the phone to the passenger seat and increased his speed. ***** He arrived at her apartment fully prepared to break the door down yet again to get to her. It wasn’t necessary, the door wasn’t even completely closed. He drew his gun. "Scully? Scully are you here?" He advanced carefully into her apartment. Nothing in her living room, he glanced into her kitchen, but instinctively continued on toward the bedroom. He’d been right, she was there, on the floor. He was beside her, feeling for her pulse with trembling hands. The pulse was there, but weak. He noted the black eye and swollen jaw, but was more concerned with the blood and where it was coming from. "911." "I need an ambulance, now!" He confirmed the address and returned to her side. "I’m here Scully. I’m here." His hands were still shaking. This time the torture wasn’t just his. He found ways of killing the SOB forming in his mind. The ambulance and police arrived. Mulder was giving his information when the paramedic examining her turned to his counterpart. "Christ, look at this. What a son of a bitch." "What?" Mulder’s fear rose several more notches. "Did you find his weapon?" "Weapon?" "What he used to rape her." The words didn’t register for a second. When they did his knees buckled and he found himself on the floor on hands and knees. "Used?" He croaked out the word and waved the second paramedic back to her. He managed to pull himself up into the chair where he buried his face in his hands. "What should I be looking for?" The question was muffled behind his hands. "I’m not sure, broom handle, something like that." The world swam. Not his Scully. "We’ve got to transport now." "I’m coming with you." "You can’t leave the crime scene." "Watch me." He held her hand in the ambulance and when the doctor himself separated them he finally called her mother. There was no answer so he left his cell phone number on her machine. She still hadn’t returned his call when the doctor returned to him. ***** "Agent Mulder, I believe she’s going to be fine, physically. Her assailant did a lot of damage. He perforated her uterus, we had to do some emergency repair work. I’m not going to tell you that she’ll be able to have children, but we’ve done the best we could. On an older woman, I’ll admit, we wouldn’t have tried." Mulder swayed and the doctor took his arm. "Come on over here." He led him to a small table in the waiting room and they sat. "Look, I don’t know what your relationship is with this woman, but she’s going to need a hell of a lot of support in addition to counseling. If you’re not the person I should be talking to…" "I’m the right person." Should he tell this man that she was already unable. . . no. He had only Crawford’s word on that anyway. "I’ll contact a psychiatrist unless you know if she is already seeing one." "I don’t think she’s seeing anyone." "Have you been able to reach the rest of her family?" "Not yet. I’ve left messages." "She shouldn’t be alone." "She won’t be. Can I see her now?" "Yes. She’ll sleep for a while longer. I’ve put her on self-induced morphine. She shouldn’t be bothered by pain on top of everything else." ***** Her room had a small couch but he chose to use the chair. Comfort wasn’t important and he couldn’t touch her from the couch. He sat holding her hand, forcibly holding all thoughts at bay. When they bled into his conscious he shoved them away again. He had to concentrate on her, not vengeance. Not yet. She stirred and opened her eyes. They didn’t focus on him. "Mulder?" "I’m right here." "It hurts." He pushed the button for her to allow the morphine to travel into her bloodstream. "Where are we?" "You’re in the hospital, but you’re going to be fine. Go back to sleep." Her eyes closed in spite of herself. A few minutes later the trill of his phone startled him back to the present and away from thoughts he couldn’t handle anyway. "Mulder." "It’s Margaret Scully, Fox. Is everything okay?" He closed his eyes. "Yes and no, Mrs. Scully. Dana is going to be fine, but she is in the hospital." "What happened, Fox? Was she shot?" "No, she was attacked in her apartment. She’s in room 412 at Georgetown." "I’m on my way." "Don’t rush. She’s asleep and going to be fine." He placed the phone back in his pocket. He realized he was still wearing his coat and tie and decided to get comfortable for the long haul. ***** She hadn’t stirred again before Mrs. Scully arrived. "Oh Fox." She pressed her hands to her mouth, staring at the blackened eye. "What happened?" "Someone broke into her apartment, apparently while she was getting ready this morning." "Did they. . . " She looked up at Mulder. He nodded and the tears brimming in her eyes spilled over. "My poor baby." Mulder circled the bed and put his arms around the grieving woman. "Come sit down." "There’s more, isn’t there? Fox, tell me." He led her to the small couch against the wall and sat her down. "What?" "He hurt her. She had to have surgery. . . they tried to repair everything, but they aren’t sure that she. . . that she’ll be able. . . " Margaret closed her eyes and stuffed her fist into her mouth. A moan still escaped her and Mulder pulled her into his arms and held her as she cried. When she had some control again she met his eyes. "Did you catch him?" "Not yet, but I know who it was. I will handle this." She nodded, more needed to be said on that subject, but now was not the time. She rose and took his seat beside the bed, taking Scully’s hand in her own. He settled in the other chair at the foot of the bed. When she next woke her mother was beside her. "Mulder?" "No Sweetheart, its Mom." "Where’s Mulder?" "I’m right here, Scully." He rose and took her other hand. "Okay." And she was out again. Mrs. Scully gave him a wan smile. ***** It was dark when she woke again. She looked over at the sofa trying to focus and found Mulder sleeping with his arms around a woman. Her pain rose a notch before she recognized her mother. She pressed the button on her IV and dozed again. ***** She woke to a caress on her cheek. It was daylight. "Sweetie, you’ve slept long enough. I need you to wake up now." "Mulder?" "No Sweetie, its Mildred. I’m your nurse. Let me get your vitals, okay?" Scully looked around the room. Her mother was missing, but Mulder was waking up on the couch. "Oh, you’re doing fine, Sweetie. Now I need to get that tall drink of water out of here so I can check your incision." "No, he can’t go. . . what incision?" Her mother entered the room in time to hear the question. Mulder rose to his feet and reached to take her hand. "Scully. . . " He began, but Mrs. Scully shook her head to silence him. "Dana, Honey, you were injured and the doctors had to perform surgery on you. You’re going to be fine." "What kind of surgery?" Mrs. Scully stepped between Dana and Fox. The nurse busied herself with the chart. "It was. . . repair work, Darling." Memory hit her like a truck. "A hyster. . . ?" she lost her voice, but her eyes had grown impossibly wide. "Oh god, no!" The nurse swiftly grabbed the bedpan and held Scully’s head as her sickness racked her. Mulder retreated to a corner of the room. This might not be the place for him but he’d be damned if he was leaving her. Mildred bathed her face with a cool cloth. "No Sweetie, not a hysterectomy. Repair work. Come on now, Sweetie, just relax." "Relax?" She croaked, "oh god." She was beginning to shake. Mildred pressed the button to lessen her tension and Mrs. Scully held her and rocked her as she cried. Mulder was getting an uncontrollable urge to smash something, but managed to hold on. "You, out of here." Mildred motioned with her head. "I’m not leaving." "I said out of here. You go stand in that hall, or get coffee, or whatever, but right now, out!" Mrs. Scully looked up. "It’ll be okay, Fox. Just for a couple of minutes." "But. . . " defeated he retreated to the hall. In seconds they heard the unmistakable sound of his fist slamming into the wall. "Now I’m gonna have two patients." Mildred sighed. "Let me check you, Sweetie. I won’t hurt you none, and then he can come back in." She deftly checked the incision, rebandaged her, and covered her back up. "Now there. The doctor will be in to see you shortly and we’ll get you a liquid diet starting with breakfast." "No, I don’t want. . . " "Now Sweetie, you know we’re gonna do this my way. Don’t you make me throw all this weight around, ‘cause once I get started it’s hard to stop the jiggling. You want that skinny fellow back in here?" Scully looked at her a little stunned, but didn’t answer. "Well, even if you don’t need him, he sure as hell does need you, so I’m gonna send his butt back. You just lay there and I’ll bring you that tea and Jell-O. Cross your fingers it ain’t orange, Sweetie." With that she gathered her things and left, leaving Scully with a bemused look on her face and Mrs. Scully almost smiling. Mulder entered shyly, keeping his right hand behind his back. "She said for me to get my ‘skinny butt’ in here." At that Mrs. Scully did smile. "I’ll leave you two for a minute. Can I bring you some coffee, Fox?" "I’ll get it. I should go." "No, you should stay. I’ll be back in a few minutes." They both watched her go, suddenly frightened of being alone together. "Are you. . . " "Did you. . . " They started together and both fell silent. Mulder circled the bed to "his" chair and sat down. "Are you in any pain?’ "Not physically." He winced at her honesty, but took her hand. "If you don’t want to talk about this now. . . " "It was him, but he wasn’t alone. He didn’t want to do the ’dirty work’." Mulder closed his eyes. "I will find him." "I know you will." "They’re going to ask you. . . " "A night stick. A police night stick. Mulder, my hand!" Mulder loosened his grip. "Oh god, Scully. I should have been there. I should have. . . " "At my apartment? Mulder, it won’t help me if you’re consumed with guilt. You did nothing wrong." "I didn’t look after you." "That’s not your job. I can’t handle any guilt now, please." He nodded. "I’ll do my best." He tried for a lighter tone, and almost pulled it off. They sat in silence for a moment, and then Mulder carefully joined her on the bed and held her against his chest. He desperately needed to be in tactile contact. She felt some of the tension in her body fading. ***** That’s where they were when Mildred tapped on the door. "I’m here to give you a sponge bath, so the tall drink of water has to leave again. Don’t give me that, ‘it’s nothing I haven’t already seen’." She continued without giving either of them time to respond. "You haven’t seen me do it and I’m not about to teach you anything new. Now, you go home and take a shower and change clothes because you are beginning to offend me." "What?" "You heard me. Out of here." Bemused he gently helped Scully lie back on her pillow. He looked questioningly at Scully. She nodded. "You sure?" "I think it should be a cold shower. You’ve got too many women here." "What?" "I caught you snuggling with my mother last night, and now you keep flirting with Mildred. Maybe you ought to jog home, you know, work off that excess energy." "I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be back in one hour. If you’re not through bathing her, I get to take over." "Out!" Mildred pointed to the door. He pecked Scully on the cheek and got out before Mildred could arm herself. "When are you going to marry that skinny kid and put him out of his misery?" "I beg your pardon?" "I asked when you were going to marry him." "He’s never asked me." "Details. Just give him a date." "I can’t marry him now." "Well, not today maybe. . . " "No." Scully surprised herself by answering. "I can’t give him children." "It’s not your children he wants, Sweetie, it’s you." "But I can’t condemn him. . . " "This here chart tells me that you’re a doctor, so you should know better than me that that ain’t no problem any more. There are thousands of kids on this here planet that need somebody, and if that don’t feel right. . . you’ve got your ovaries, child. Just get you and him together in some petree dish and hire some cute young thing to carry it for you, assuming the doctor isn’t as good as he always says he is. You’ll have all the skinny red-headed kids you could want." Scully just looked at her, slightly astonished. "Now Sweetie, you know I’m right. And, I’m coming to the wedding. I’ve decided to sit on the groom’s side ‘cause he don’t look like he has a lot of friends to invite. Am I right?" Scully suddenly found herself laughing at the picture in her mind of this large black woman sitting on the front row of a church watching them go through the ceremony with a self-satisfied "I told you so" look on her face. Mildred nodded, mostly to herself, gathered her things up and left, nodding to the doctor as she passed him at the door. "Hello, Dr. Scully. I’m Dr. Towers, a psychiatrist on staff here. I didn’t realize you were Mildred’s patient. You probably don’t even need to see me." "I beg your pardon?" "You’ve just been ‘down-homed’ by Mildred, right? I bet she had you laughing about your biggest fear." "How did you. . . " "Mildred is our best secret weapon. To be honest, she’s a Ph.D. in nursing, specializing in psychiatry. She teaches full-time now, never on the floor. She heard about your case and assigned herself to it. I don’t know anyone who tells Mildred no, so you got her." "What? She. . . " "I wish I could use her technique. You think she’s about as subtle as a bulldozer, but in fact she blindsides you every time." "I can’t believe it. That’s exactly what she did to me." "Well, welcome to the club. Someday I’ll tell you what she did for me. Now, though, would you like to talk." They were still talking when Mulder returned. "She finished with that sponge bath? Damn!" She introduced Dr. Towers and they talked a few more minutes, then Dr. Towers excused himself, giving Mulder his card and encouraging him to call if he had any questions. "Did you go by the office?" "No, but I called Skinner. Our extremely polite friend is going to find himself a very popular man shortly. Skinner will be by to see you later. He was very concerned." "It would be nice to see him. Look, I’m doing fine. They’re going to be getting me up to walk any minute, so if you want to. . . " "I’ll walk with you." They exchanged looks, his slightly defiant, and she nodded. "Where’s your mother?" "I’m not sure. Maybe Mildred has her." "Maybe I ought to go looking." "Looking for who?" Mrs. Scully opened the door. "Mom, I was getting worried about you." About that time Mildred bustled in and Mrs. Scully smiled at her. "Everybody out. Now, out, out, out." "Wait a minute! I just got back from my shower – don’t you want to hug me?" "Little thing like you? I’d snap you in two. And I may anyway, get!" "Why?" "Cause I said so. I’ve got to get her ready to walk, not that its any ‘o your business." "Come on, Fox." Mrs. Scully took his arm. "Keep an eye on him, Mom. His harem is growing too fast around here." "I’ll watch him." She led the mock protesting Mulder into the hall. "Dr. Towers blew my cover didn’t he?" Mildred took her hand. "Yes, he did. I want to thank you for what you’ve done." "My pleasure. To be honest with you, Dana, I knew from the moment I met you that you were strong enough to handle this thing. I would never minimize the trauma you’ve endured, but you have great inner strength. To be perfectly honest, I’m more worried about your friend, Fox. I don’t know why he wasn’t where he thought he should have been, but his guilt is enormous." "I’m not sure how to counter that, Mildred. The man who did this to me, did it for the sole purpose of hurting him." "Oh lordy. I’ll concentrate some more on him." She continued to minister to Scully, removing the catheter and helping her to her feet. "Come on now, Sweetie. He needs to see you up and around. Lean on him all you can, he feels the need for heavy penance. And don’t forget, I am attending the wedding." Scully smiled and shook her head as she squeezed Mildred’s arm. They walked into the hall together. Torture - Part 4 (R) Skinner looked up as the door to his office opened and he rose to his feet as he saw his visitor. "Agent Scully, are you suppose to be out yet?" He walked to her and took her arm. He was faintly alarmed when she actually leaned on him a little. When was the last time Scully had leaned on anyone? He seated her and sat beside her, moving his chair closer to her. "What are you doing here?" "I need to know if you’ve heard from Mulder." "Mulder? No." "He’s missing." "Now wait a minute, Scully, he’s famous for taking off on a lead. . . " "No," she interrupted, "He wouldn’t leave now. Not now." He took in her appearance again, she was probably right. "When’s the last time you saw him?" "When he left to come to work yesterday morning." Skinner looked away. That was more information than he needed or wanted. "Where have you looked?" "He hasn’t been to his apartment or the office. His cell phone is off. I need help to locate him." "You need to be home in bed." She started to protest, but he raised his hand. "I can handle this. Not you." "It’s important." "Agent Scully, you are on medical leave. You’re going to have to let me lead this investigation." "Yes, Sir." She rose to her feet, but as she swayed he scooped her up in his arms. "I. . . I’m okay." "I’m taking you home." "My car. . . " "I’ve just impounded it. You are not going out again until a doctor, other than yourself, gives you the okay." His secretary’s eyes widened as he emerged from his office with Agent Scully in his arms, but she wisely made no comment. "I’ll be out of the office for a couple of hours." Was his only remark. Scully had her eyes closed, and he wasn’t entirely convinced she hadn’t actually fallen asleep before he reached his car. When they reached her apartment building he allowed her to walk to her apartment, but at the door she once again had to steady herself on the door jam. He again took her into his arms and entered her apartment. He had never been inside her place that she was aware of, but he moved unhesitatingly to her bedroom and laid her gently on her bed. "I’m going to call your mother, so you won’t be alone." "She’s out of town. My brother’s ship is in, it was already planned. I didn’t want her to miss it, and Mul. . . Mulder was here." "You shouldn’t be alone now. Is there anyone. . . ?’ He stopped, unsure how to react to her tears. She turned her face away, trying to regain her composure. He reached out, his intentions, at least he told himself, were to touch her arm. He found, however, that he had gathered her into his arms and was rocking her as she burst into sobs against his chest. He held her until she had cried herself out, then handed her some tissues from her bedside. Suddenly he was furious with Mulder for not being there, not giving her this opportunity. She always had to be strong for him, protect him. She cleaned herself up, unable to look him in the eye. "I think I’ve ruined your shirt." "Not a problem. Do you feel better now?" "Better?" "You needed that. You shouldn’t hold everything in. You’ve been through a terrible ordeal yourself. Worrying about Mulder shouldn’t. . . " "He’s escalating." "Who?" "The man who’s torturing us. He was playing games in the beginning, then he attacked me. He could have killed me, he may have killed Mulder." "Mulder’s not dead." "How do you know?" "You would know. Scully, you would know. We’ll find him. You need to rest. When did you last eat?" "I’m not hungry." "Not my question. I heat a mean can of soup. I’ll fix it for you, and then you’ll nap. I’ll be back in a few minutes." Scully felt herself relaxing, the burden wasn’t hers alone. She obediently ate the soup he brought her, embarrassed at how she had responded to the gentle caring of this largely unknown man. When she had finished he cleaned up, despite her protests. "Your job is to recover your strength. Mine is to lead an investigation. I’ll check back with you in a few hours. Try to sleep for a while." She nodded and walked him to the door. "Back in bed, right now." She gave him a wan smile and followed his directions after he left. The doorbell woke her a few minutes later and she was shocked to see Skinner at her door, holding take-out. "But. . . but you just left. Do you have news?" "That was nearly five hours ago, Dana. You were more exhausted than you realized." He put the sandwiches on the coffee table and ignored her comments about getting plates and drinks as he did it himself with quiet efficiency. "Now, eat and I’ll bring you up to date. I do have news, but not necessarily about Mulder. They found the body of the man that. . . assaulted you, in a landfill in Virginia, shot execution style." "How did you identify him?" "Semen samples." "But he never. . . " "The police recovered some items of clothing from your apartment that, frankly, I don’t think you’d want returned even though there won’t be a trial." She closed her eyes and nodded. "As for Mulder, we have an APB out on his car, and I’m checking several other avenues, but it’s really too soon to expect results." "I need to be doing something." "You are, you’re recovering from major surgery. You’re not my only agent, I do have a few resources I can call on." She sighed and acquiesced. She and Skinner fell into a routine, he brought dinner every night and called several times a day to check on her and she obeyed his instructions to rest and eat, but began work at home with her computer links to various sources. On the fourth morning, Skinner appeared at her door at 9 a.m. She let him in, but he didn’t speak. He took her arm and sat her on the couch. "We’ve found him." Her eyes widened but she seemed to have lost the ability to speak. "He’s alive, at the hospital in Georgetown." Her lips moved, but no sound emerged. Suddenly she rose to her feet and started toward the door. He leapt after her and grabbed her arm. "I have to. . . he’s alive. . . " Skinner caught her body before she could hit the floor. She came to in her bed, and as soon as consciousness returned, so did Skinner’s words. Only his hand on her shoulder held her down. "You are in no shape to go anywhere. Don’t even think about it." "I’m going to the hospital, Walter. You can’t stop me. If you won’t take me, I’ll grab a cab after you leave. I have to be there. Is he conscious?" "I’m not sure. His eyes are open, but he’s non-responsive. I went by to see him before I came to tell you." "How did he. . . where did you find him?" "Actually we didn’t. He turned up at the hospital, they notified us." "That’s what happened with…" Skinner nodded. "Are you going to take me or not?" "Dana…oh hell, get ready. But you aren’t staying long. I’m bringing you home, too." She nodded and swung her legs off the bed, already looking for her shoes. ***** Skinner held her arm as they approached his room keeping her from breaking into a run. She noted with satisfaction the guard posted outside of his door. Skinner allowed her to enter the room alone, but not before reminding her that her time was limited. She nodded and slipped inside. He looked awful. Skinner was right, his eyes were open, but not focused on anything in this room. His skin was pasty above the beard that had been allowed to grow, and his eyes were dark and sunken. Occasionally a shudder would travel over his whole body. "Oh Mulder, what did they do to you?" She caressed his face wanting desperately to receive a response. Scully glanced over his monitors. His heart rate was rapid and his blood pressure was up, it was as though he were frightened. Another shudder ran through his body. She pulled a chair beside his bed and sat, taking his hand and beginning to talk to him. She kept reassuring him that she was there, that she would not leave him. The length of time between shudders lengthened, and they decreased in intensity, but did not cease. There was no direct response to her presence. Doctors and nurses came and went. Skinner entered the room quietly. "You need to go home, Dana. I’ve left you here a lot longer than I planned." "I can’t go, Walter. I can’t." He put his hand on her’s where she was caressing Mulder’s fist, trying to calm him. He was startled into a backwards step when Mulder’s hand suddenly gripped Scully’s, pulling her from his touch. "Mulder? Can you hear me? Please." There was no response, but his grip on her didn’t lessen. "Walter I am not leaving. You can ask them to bring in another bed or a recliner, but I am not leaving. I’m sorry." Skinner stared at the death grip Mulder had on her, or was it a life grip? It looked as though he were holding on to her for dear life. Maybe he was. He looked up and nodded at Scully. "I’ll see about that bed." And let himself out of the room. He hesitated before closing the door, taking another look at the woman beside the bed. They were linked, in a way he’d never known and probably would never know. He felt an overwhelming rush of loneliness wash over him. He shouldn’t have gotten so involved, he had enough trouble keeping his professional distance from these two anyway. He closed the door and went in search of a nurse. They brought an extra bed in and she had it moved as close to his bed as possible. It was there she spent the night, if not sleeping at least resting. Skinner trudged to his car. He was purposely focusing his mind on the investigation when he smelled it. His head went up, searching and he heard the voice. "Well Assistant Director Skinner, it’s been a long time." "I thought you were dead." As Skinner glanced over him he was surprised he wasn’t. He’d never known the man young, but now…if it had been any other man he’d have used the term frail. "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." He took another drag on the Morley. "How is Agent Mulder doing?" "He’ll live." "Good. I have a story to tell you." ***** By morning the shudders had almost stopped and he seemed calmer. Scully was awake and talking to him when the door opened. "Well, if it isn’t my two favorite problem children." "Mildred!" "Sweetie, why didn’t you call me. You look all done in. Mildred’s here now, you go get freshened up." She put her hand over theirs and pulled Dana’s loose. "Now Fox, you let that poor little thing go stretch, and I’ll clean you up a bit." She waved Scully on out of the room. She pulled the covers back to expose his chest. "Now you didn’t need to lose any weight, boy. I’m gonna have to fatten you up some so you’ll look good in a tux for that wedding." She looked up at him and saw a tear spill down the side of his face. "Precious, she’ll be right back. Your Dana is never gonna leave the likes of you. She’s been right here by you all night, just let her stretch some. Don’t fret, even I can’t keep her out. Just you relax." She kept up the patter continuously until Scully returned. He turned his head toward the door, and though he made no sound, his mouth formed the word, Scully. "Oh Mulder!" She flew to him. "Now don’t you go getting’ tears all over his chest, I just got him all cleaned up." Mildred led Scully back to her seat she had replaced when moving the other bed out of her way. "Looks like the drugs are working out of his system. They’ll be in to do more blood work soon. I’ll be right back." She gathered up her supplies and left. The door had barely closed behind her when Skinner stuck his head in the door. "Walter." Walter? Mulder felt a pang, when had she begun calling him that? How long had he been gone? As he watched she threw her arms around him and he embraced her. The pang turned into full-fledged agony. It was the look on Mulder’s face that caused Skinner to release her, she turned and although he tried to assume a bland expression, Mulder could tell he had failed miserably. She returned to his side and brought his hand to her lips to kiss. After an awkward moment, Skinner cleared his throat. "I have some good news for you two. You don’t have to worry about the gentleman who’s been bothering you anymore. We found what was left of him early this morning. He apparently had been given a first hand lesson in torture himself." Scully realized that she couldn’t find any pity in her for him and the gleam in Mulder’s eyes told her he felt the same. "You’re never going to believe who led us to him…" "Cancer man." Mulder croaked, the first sound he had made. Both Scully and Skinner looked at him startled. "You’re right, how did you…?" "But I thought he was dead." Scully said. "Rescued me." "That's right. He told me he had something to do with your rescue. I assumed he was lying." Mulder shook his head. "He apparently took great exception to the early retirement plan his employers had for him. And he wasn’t fond of the methods his replacement was using either. I guess he decided to do a little free lance work for himself. I don’t know if he’s a player again, but he was certainly involved in this." He let them absorb that information, then, "He also told me what they did to you. Scully, he was pumped full of amphetamines then kept in a sensory deprivation tank. His only company was an audio tape of your friend telling him over and over again how you hated and despised him, how you blamed him for your abduction, your sister and of course, this recent surgery." Mulder had closed his eyes, remembering it all. When the voice hadn’t been there he could see Scully, screaming at him, cursing him, spitting in his face. The shudders began again. He opened his eyes. She was there, but she wasn’t screaming. He lifted his hand to her face. Oh god, he could touch this one, he could never touch the others. She was actually smiling at him, comforting him. "Mulder none of that was true. I’m really here now, and what he was telling you was part of the torture. It was not true. Remember our conversation in my kitchen, when I told you I loved you more than you could know. That was the truth Mulder, that is the only truth. Don’t you dare forget that, and you better know I’ll always be here to make sure you don’t." She leaned closer and kissed his lips gently. Skinner backed quietly out of the room and bumped into Mildred who was listening at the door and wiping her eyes. "Mr. Skinner, is the SOB that did this to them really dead?" "Mildred, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more dead than he was." She nodded her satisfaction, and then her head came up. "Somebody’s smoking! I’m going to have to tan me some hide." Skinner watched her march off, now that might be worth watching….