Title:  Curve Ball

Author:  Waddles52

Summary:  Another bedside vigil for Scully as Mulder 

recovers

Spoilers:  Post-ep for Brand X

Rating:  G

Category:  MSR

Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement intended.

Archives:  After_The_Fact, others please ask

Feedback:  Yep.  DASWaddles52@aol.com

Scully sat down heavily on the chair at Mulder's 

bedside.  The past 24 hours had been harrowing.  She 

had come within a breath of losing her partner, best 

friend and lover.  He was resting now, able to 

breathe without the respirator, but still wheezing 

and coughing; moaning from time to time and muttering 

about tobacco beetles and cigarette smoke through the 

oxygen mask covering his mouth and nose.

Occasionally he would rouse from his drug-induced 

sleep and search frantically with his eyes until he 

located her.  She would hold his hand, smooth the 

hair back from his forehead and offer reassuring 

words.  That was enough.  He returned to his slumber, 

leaving Scully to continue her bedside vigil.

It had been a rough year.  This was just the last of 

a long string of bedside vigils.  Unauthorized and 

unknown brain surgery, numerous snakebites and 

several minor injuries.  Mulder always bounced back, 

ready to take on the world, but would there come a 

time when he wouldn't, couldn't fight any longer?  

The thought sent shivers through her, and she could 

barely control her tears.

She was tired, physically and emotionally.  How much 

longer could this go on?  She was deeply committed to 

her partner, friend, and lover.  Together they would 

continue what started as his quest and was now theirs 

to share.  That they had found a deep love for each 

other was an unexpected gift, but also a detriment.  

She wanted them to grow old together, to have 

children someway, somehow, to live life to the 

fullest, but it always seemed that an unexpected 

curve ball was thrown their way.

Scully sighed heavily and reached for Mulder's hand.  

His fingers curled around hers and he coughed and 

opened his eyes.

"Still here?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Of course.  Where else would I be?"

Mulder smiled and closed his eyes, slipping back to 

sleep.

Scully continued to sit by his side, for where else 

could she be?

End