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      1. New Fic:  For All Is Vanity
           From: "waddles522001" <Waddles52@wmconnect.com>
 

For All Is Vanity

By Waddles52
Waddles52@wmconnect.com

Summary:  After his encounter with a gorilla, Mulder suffers some
consequences.
Spoilers:  Post-ep for Fearful Symmetry
Rating:  PG
Category:  MT
Disclaimer:  Just for fun.  Not for profit.
Archives:  After_The_Fact, others please ask.
Feedback:  Would love to hear from you at Waddles52@wmconnect.com

Mulder and Scully walked slowly toward the car.  Sophie was dead and
they had done what little they could do to console Willa Ambrose.
The loss of the gorilla that was like a child to her had left her
devastated.  To top it all off, it looked like she would be facing
manslaughter charges in the death of Kyle Lang, another person that
had once been so important in her life.

"Sometimes this job sucks," Mulder thought as he stumbled when he
reached the road.

Scully reached out to steady him.  "Mulder are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just tired," he sighed.

"I want the paramedics to look you over.  You were unconscious for a
while you know."

"Yeah, Sophie clocked me pretty good, but I think I'm okay."

He leaned against the car in an effort to stay on his feet.  He
really didn't feel all that great.  If the truth were told, he had a
concussion.  He knew all of the symptoms and he was suffering from
most of them, but he just wanted to file the charges, write up the
report and go home.  The first order of business, however, was to
persuade his stomach to keep its contents where they belonged.  He
swallowed, trying his best, but this time his best wasn't good
enough.  Up it came in all of its embarrassing glory.

"Couldn't this happen in a more private place?" he thought as he
heaved in front of the police, news crews and bystanders and worst of
all, his partner.  He was on his way to the hospital for sure.

Before Scully could even reach him, his head began to buzz and
flashes of light began to dance in his vision.  Oh-oh, he was on his
way down.  Look out below, Fox Mulder was down for the count.

Mulder woke up in the emergency room with a headache the size of
Texas and a stomach that was still threatening to expel its contents.

"Oh, shit," he groaned.  "Ow!"

Even talking caused his head to feel like an explosion was imminent.

"Mulder, I'm so glad you're okay," Scully said sarcastically as she
moved to his side.  "When will you learn to tell me when you're
really hurt?"

Mulder could tell through his blurred vision that Scully was more
concerned than mad.  "I honestly thought I was okay.  It hit me all
at once."

"Well, you've earned yourself an overnight stay for observation."

"No, we need to get the case written up and closed," he protested
weakly.

"The police have filed charges and taken Willa into custody.  I will
file the preliminary report and you can put the finishing touches on
it when we return to DC."

"But . . ."

"No buts, Mulder.  I don't think you can focus enough to sign your
name on release papers, let alone write a report."

Mulder sighed heavily.  "You're right.  My stomach doesn't feel so
good."

Scully grabbed a basin just in time.  "I'm going to talk to the
doctor about prescribing something for your nausea," she told him as
she gently wiped his mouth.

"Thanks.  How is Willa holding up?"

"Not well.  I don't think she even realizes how much trouble she's in
right now.  The loss of Sophie has really thrown her for a loop."

"I really think she's a decent person, you know?"

"Yes, Mulder.  I know, but her love for Sophie overpowered her good
sense."

Mulder moaned.  "Can you get me something for pain?  My head is
threatening to explode."

"I'll see about a Tylenol suppository.  Will you be all right for a
few minutes while I talk to your doctor?"

"Yeah, I'm . . ."

"I know.  You're fine," Scully finished for him.  "Somehow that
statement doesn't fill me with confidence.  I'll be right back."

"I'll be right here waiting for your return."

"You'd better be," she threatened.

Mulder tried to ponder Sophie's last message while he waited for
Scully to return.  "Man help man," he mumbled.

That could mean so many things.  Had Sophie's abductors been trying
to give her a message to share with the world?  His head hurt too
badly to think any more.  He closed his eyes to wait for Scully's
return.

Mulder went to sleep after his meds were administered and didn't
fully awaken until noon the next day.  Scully was seated beside his
bed, busily tapping the keys of her laptop.

She hit save and shut it off.  "Welcome back, sleepyhead.  How do you
feel?"

He took a few seconds to assess his condition.  "Actually, I feel
much better."

"Good.  If you can keep some food down you'll be released tonight."

"I am feeling a little hungry.  Bring it on," he smiled.

Mulder was released and spent the evening resting under Scully's
watchful eye.  He felt stronger as the hours went by and by morning
he was ready to go home.

They made a stop at the police station and visited Willa at the jail
before they started their journey home.

Willa was depressed and was indifferent to her fate.  With Sophie
gone, the prospect of the next few years in prison didn't seem to
faze her.  They said their goodbyes and hit the road, eager to reach
the airport and their flight home.

Mulder drove in silence.  Scully didn't attempt any conversation
either.  Mulder was still mulling over Sophie's message.

"Man help man.  It would be nice if the world would work together to
stop the senseless slaughter of animals and each other.
Realistically, it will never happen," he thought glumly as the car
traveled away from the town.

Neither of them noticed the quote on the sign in front of a church as
they passed by.

"Man has no pre-eminence above a beast:  for all is vanity.  Eccl.
3:19."
 
 

End