2:15 A.M.
UNKNOWN LOCATION

<Withdrawal>

She nodded, fighting back tears.  Mulder's head dropped to the bed and
his breathing was labored.  Skinner heard the car pull up out back.

"Let's go.  I'll get Mulder, you grab that blanket and put it around
him."

Skinner pulled Mulder to his feet.  The younger agent staggered and
his knees buckled, but Skinner had draped Mulder's arm around his
shoulder and he held him firmly.  Scully put the blanket around his
shoulders and back and helped Skinner support him down the hallway.

Fields had parked as close to the back door as possible.  He opened
the car door, then rushed to help Skinner as Scully slid into the rear
seat first.  They both handed Mulder to her and she pulled his head
into her lap as Skinner laid him on the seat and covered him with the
blanket.  Mulder was starting to shiver from the cold.

"Agent Fields, I'll call you in just a little while," Skinner shouted
over his shoulder as he jumped into the driver's seat.

"All right, sir.  Let me know how I can help."

Skinner threw him a nod of thanks and quickly drove away from the
house, down the alley.  He looked carefully for any police that might
be in the area, and he could hear Scully in the back trying to soothe
her partner.

"Scully, how's he doing?"

"Not good.  And it's going to get worse."

She saw his dry, cracked lips.  "He's seriously dehydrated.  Probably
can't keep any fluids down.  God, he needs a hospital," she said, her
voice strained with worry.

"Scully, we can't.  Strict federal policy prohibits an agent from ever
having field duty status again if there is any kind of drug
dependency, no matter what the reason.  I'm willing to withhold this.
 I give you my word."

"I know, sir."

"Let's just get him to the cabin and then you can tell me what I need
to get."

Her reply was a soft whisper, and Skinner knew right then all her
attention was on her partner.  Mulder was still shivering and Scully
wrapped her arms tighter around him.

"Are you getting warm back there?" Skinner asked.

"Mulder's still shivering."

Mulder opened his eyes and at once looked up at Scully.  He blinked
slowly, trying to focus and she touched her lips to his cheek.

"Hey partner, it's me," she said gently.

She saw his eyes seem to clear and there was no mistaking the relief
on his face, which made Scully smile through her tears.

"Scully ..." he rasped.

"Yes, partner, it's me," she said, tenderly kissing him on the lips.

Mulder's arm came out of the blanket and he wrapped it tightly around
her, burying his head in her neck.

"Scully, Scully," he cried.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she closed her eyes and hugged him
as hard as she could.  Skinner, hearing what was said, glanced back.

"Dana, you all right," he asked quietly.

"Yes, sir," she answered, feeling more right than she'd been in a long
time.

Alarmed, Mulder pulled away from her.  "Who's here!" he asked, on the
verge of panic.

Scully soothed him gently.  "Shhh, it's okay.  It's A.D. Skinner.  He
helped get you out.  Now we're going someplace safe."

Skinner looked back to see what Mulder's reaction was, and he saw his
agent look up at him, his eyes glassy and confused.  But Skinner felt
he shouldn't say anything yet.

"Mulder, put your head back down and rest.  We've got a little drive
to make," Scully whispered.

"I'm thirsty," he said hoarsely.

Skinner heard, and looked back again at Scully, who met his eyes, her
expression one of turmoil.

"There's a little store up ahead.  Want me to run in and get him a
bottle of water?" he asked.

"Gatorade.  We'll try that, okay partner?"

He closed his eyes and nodded.  Skinner pulled the car to the far end
of the parking lot.  Fortunately, the rain had picked up, so it was
difficult for anyone to see inside the car.

"Anything else, Scully?"

"Not now.  Please hurry."

She sat there, cradling her partner in her lap, listening to the rain
beat against the roof of the car.  Mulder turned his head toward her
chest and snuggled closer, not even realizing the warmth he was
feeling was from her breasts.  Scully didn't care.  She pulled his
head against her and rested her chin on his soft hair.

"Scully ...?"

"What, honey?" she said, completely at ease with the endearments,
using them for the first time with him.

"They did things to me.  They made me sick, he said, his voice raw and
weak.

"I know.  It'll be okay.  We can fix it."

Just as she said the words, she flinched. But Mulder was barely aware
of anything.  All that seemed important to him was that he was with
Scully.

"Don't leave me alone, Scully."

"Never.  Never, Mulder.  I'm with you every second on this.  Okay?"

"I'm ... confused."

"Just rest.  We'll get you to drink something, then I'll hold you
while you sleep."

She felt him relax once again, feeling secure in Scully's arms.  She
didn't even see Skinner approach the car until he opened the door. She
watched him take the Gatorade bottle out of the paper bag and open it.
 He had also brought a paper cup.  He filled it half full, then handed
it to Scully.

"Hey partner, can you sit up a little?" she asked.

He opened his eyes and struggled up on one elbow.

"I've got some Gatorade for you.  Take it real slow."

Skinner watched her put the cup to his lips and give him small sips.
As soon as the liquid hit his stomach, he turned away from Scully and
spit it up on the floor of the car.  Scully held the cup away from him
until his heaves had stopped.

"Mulder, try it again.  Small sips."

"No. .. " he groaned.

"Come on, try to keep it down.  Do it for me, okay?"

He turned back to her and once again she put the cup to his lips.
When he lurched in her arms a second time, she put her hand under his
chin, lifting it slightly to try and keep the fluid from coming up,
but it was to no avail. He could not even keep down one sip.  Skinner
was alarmed.

"Scully ...?" he asked, wondering what to do next.

"Let's get to the cabin."

Skinner reached across Scully and grabbed her laptop off the floor of
the car.  He put it inside his raincoat, under his arm.

"I have to check my e-mail.  The caller left a map to the cabins.
I'll be right back."

She watched him dash back into the store to use a phone line.

Mulder settled back against her, breathing heavily, a slight moan
escaping with each exhale.  She knew he was in pain and extremely
nauseous.  The car ride was hard on him.  And they had a long way to
go.

*   *   *   *   *

The long trip seemed even longer with Mulder lying sick and confused
in Scully's lap.  The weather was not cooperating with them, as a
mixture of sleet and snow kept the roads icy and slick, thus slowing
their drive time even more.  For the most part, Scully was able to
keep her partner quiet, soothing him with gentle words and soft
touches.  Fortunately, he slept most of the time.  But Scully and
Skinner both knew that the passing of time was like going through the
briar patch.  Each tick of the clock signified the gradual and
constant dilution of the drugs in Mulder's system, but he would go
through ten kinds of hell before he reached the end.

As Scully held him in her arms, she could feel the almost
imperceptible changes that only a doctor would recognize as the stages
of early withdrawal. His skin would be dry and feverish one minute,
cool and clammy the next.  Occasionally his body twitched from muscle
contractions.  Slight moans from him signaled that he was beginning to
experience cramping, which would continue to worsen.

During one of his quiet moments, she had the chance to open his shirt
and take another look at the bruises covering his abdomen and
extending around to his back.  She was concerned about his kidneys,
but it was hard to tell whether they were functioning properly because
of his severe dehydration.  Scully also realized that once the heroin
began to dissipate and he became more physically sick, the pain from
his beating injuries would be severe.  And she could give him no
relief.

All the thoughts running through her head were almost too much.  She
gravitated between watching her partner and watching the storm outside
the car.  Frequently she caught Skinner's concerned glance at her in
the rearview mirror, and she would smile at him.

<I'm fine.  Mulder's okay for now.>

After almost three hours of driving in almost complete silence, both
agents deep in their own thoughts about Mulder's condition, Skinner's
cell phone rang.  Quickly he answered.

"Skinner," he spoke quietly, trying not to disturb Mulder.

"You've got Agent Mulder," said the voice.

Skinner recognized it immediately.  "Yes."

"How is he?"

"You must be aware of what was done to him.  That's why you said no
hospital."

Scully listened to Skinner replies with interest.

"I'm aware.  I'm only sorry I couldn't get to him sooner.  How far as
you from the cabin?"

"About another hour."

Scully spoke from the back seat.  "Sir, ask him about medical
supplies.  Tell him Mulder needs fluids urgently."

"We're going to need -" Skinner started.

"I heard," the voice interrupted.  "Dr. Scully will find what she
needs.  Don't leave Mulder alone for even one second."

"He's in danger?"

"He's a danger to himself."

Skinner knew what he meant.  He had no response to that.

The voice on the other end of the phone went on.  "The men who did
this could ruin Agent Mulder's career if they talk to the wrong
people.  We're taking care of the problem.  There are those who are
very angry about this.  Mulder's friend on Capital Hill has been
informed.  I just wanted you to know that the wheels are in motion.
Your concern right now is that man in the back seat.  Let us do the
rest."

There was a click and the line disconnected.  Skinned tossed it on the
seat and Scully saw the muscle in his jaw twitch.

"Sir ...?"

"It's okay, Scully.  He basically told me that our priority right now
is Mulder.  Apparently this has caused some major underground waves.
Certain things are in motion."

Scully felt Mulder take her hand and she then realized that he was
more aware than she thought.  She kissed his hair just above his ear,
then kept her lips there.

"Try to sleep, sweetie."

Mulder squeezed his partner's hand.  "Did you call me sweetie?" he
asked, a faint trace of the old humor in his voice.

Scully smiled.  "Got your attention, didn't it . . . baby," she said,
smiling at him.

Mulder silently looked up at her.  Skinner turned slightly in the
seat.

"Agent Mulder, let me know if you get cold back there."

Mulder whispered softly to Scully.  "If *he* calls me 'sweetie', I'm
making a dive for the pavement."

Scully gazed at him affectionately, then raised his hand to her cheek.
She knew what it took for him to even speak.  There was no doubt that
he was struggling.

He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.  "I feel sick," he
whispered.

"I know.  Be very still and hold on to me.  We'll be there soon."

He was quiet for a minute, then Scully heard his soft voice again and
his words almost broke her heart.  "My head is really hurting,
Scully."

Her eyes again filled with tears and spilled over.  Skinner didn't
have to look back to know what effect Mulder's words had on Scully.
He heard her whisper, but couldn't make out the words.

"I'm with you sweetheart.  Just hold on a little longer."

Mulder released her hand and his arm went around her waist.  Then he
was motionless.  Scully held him as still as possible as the car
continued down the snowy road.
 
*  *  *  *

8:43 A.M.
KENILWORTH, NEW JERSEY

Finally they reached the address given them by the informant.  There
were separate bungalows tucked away in the woods, off the main road.
As Skinner pulled the car around the corner, Scully realized he was
looking for a specific number.

Their bungalow was at the very end of a row, nestled in between a
cluster of pine trees.  To her surprise, Scully could see smoke
swirling from the chimney.  Skinner put the car in park.

"Wait here," he ordered.

She watched him get out of the car and run onto the porch, out of the
snow.  He looked around cautiously, then lifted up the mat and took
out a key.  He pulled his gun, then opened the door and went in,
leaving it open behind him.
 
 

Scully looked down protectively at her partner, then pulled her own
gun as she waited, watching for Skinner to re-appear.

Finally he emerged from the house.  He quickly ran to the driver-side
back door and opened it, reaching in for Mulder.  Both he and Scully
sat him up carefully, waking him but realizing he was dazed.

They helped him into the bungalow.  In the living room, directly
across from the fireplace, a queen-size bed was already made up with
clean sheets.

Scully tossed back the covers, and they sat him on the bed where he
immediately slumped forward.  Scully braced him against her shoulder
and began unbuttoning his shirt, as Skinner removed his shoes.   He
kept his socks on him for warmth.

Skinner heard Scully gasp and he quickly looked up.  His attention was
drawn to her gaze and he saw that both Mulder's arms were bruised with
needle punctures.

"Oh, Jesus!  Those bastards!" she cried.

Skinner was shocked too, but knew he needed to keep Scully calm.
Gently he put his hand on her shoulder, seeing that she was horrified
with the knowledge of what had been done to her partner.

"Dana, listen to me.  He's alive.  He's alive and we have him.  Right
now that's all that matters."

Skinner looked into her eyes, making her see what was important.  She
realized what he was saying and nodded in agreement.

Skinner watched her gently pull up Mulder's tee-shirt to check his
discolored chest.  "I don't understand why they didn't they kill him?
 Why did they let us find him?" he said.

"In the car, he was mumbling something about Ambrose."

Skinner sighed, rolling his eyes. "Well, then that's why.  They put
some ideas in his head - probably let it *slip* a few times that
Ambrose was behind this.  They had to keep him alive so he'd put the
finger on Ambrose."

Scully gently laid Mulder back on the bed and although Skinner was in
the room, she didn't even hesitate unsnapping and unzipping Mulder's
jeans.  Skinner kneeled on the bed beside Mulder and put his hands
under Mulder's back, gently lifting his hips so that Scully could slip
his jeans off. She left his boxers on him.

Skinner watched the ease with which she undressed her partner,
realizing there were other times that such care had to be given to
this man that she obviously cared so much for.  Mulder was oblivious
to it all and Skinner couldn't help but find irony in that.  No doubt
the young agent would be throwing back a multitude of innuendos, if he
were aware enough to know what was happening to him.

Scully's full attention had been on her partner, and she was now
alerted to Skinner's voice.

"Scully, look."

She looked over and saw that there were various items on the kitchen
table.  Momentarily leaving her partner's side, she walked over to
inspect them.  To her surprise, there were half a dozen bags of
saline, an IV line, several needles and syringes and a box of latex.
Astonished, she looked at Skinner and met the same expression.  Then
he smiled.

"Just what the doctor ordered."

"Let's get this going," she said, grabbing one of the solution bags
and alcohol as Skinner picked up the packaging of IV line and needles.

They positioned themselves on either side of Mulder.

"Where do we hang this, Scully?"

"Take that picture down and you can hang it on the nail.  That should
be high enough."

He did as she suggested.  Scully put on a pair of latex gloves, then
opened the alcohol and soaked a cotton ball.  Skinner saw her
hesitate, looking at Mulder's arm and knowing she dreaded yet another
puncture mark.  Then she turned his hand over and swiped the cotton
ball over the back of his hand.

"Sir, you may need to hold him down.  I don't know what effect putting
another needle in him is going to have."

Skinner nodded, ready.  Scully bent over Mulder.  "Hey partner, I want
you to open your eyes and listen to me for a minute."

Slowly his lids lifted and they could see it was an effort to keep
them open.

"You said you were thirsty, but your stomach won't keep anything down.
So I'm going to give you some IV fluids.  Remember all the times you
got that in the hospital?"

Mulder didn't seem to understand until he saw the needle in her hand.
Then she saw his eyes widen with fear.

"No, Scully!  I've had enough!  No, no more!"

"Mulder, this is saline.  That's all.  Not much more than water."

"No needles, no more!  Please!"

Scully put her hand through his hair, running her fingers lightly
through the soft thickness.

"Partner, I'm not going to hurt you.  This is not a drug.  It's just
-"

"Not you, Scully!  Not you!"

His words hit her full force, the impact of his shattered faith almost
doing her in.  But she grit her teeth and held steadfast to her
determination to get through to him.  She knew it was up to her.  He
was the one he looked to when he was in trouble.

"Partner, listen to me.  I need to give you fluids, that's all.  Let
me help you.  I promise you, Mulder ... Sweetie," she said with a
tender smile, " ... I won't let anyone hurt you again."

Skinner watched in rapt amazement as she calmed him down with her
words and her hands.  He saw the change in Mulder as he began to relax
and listen to her.  Scully saw it, too.

"As a doctor I know what you need.  And you trust me, don't you?"

Mulder blinked slowly.  Scully stripped the rubber glove off her hand.
She trailed her fingers down the side of his face and her thumb across
his lips, as she had done once before.

"Mulder, you'll know instantly that this is not ... heroin."  It was
hard to say the word and Skinner barely picked up the tremor in her
voice.  "Okay?"

He hesitated, his eyes threatening to close from the weight of
fatigue.  Then he nodded pensively.

"Hold still for just a minute, partner."

"Scully?" Skinner whispered.  "Can you give him anything to help him
sleep?"

"There's nothing here.  And if there was, I wouldn't.  He's had enough
narcotics."

Scully put the glove back on, then opened the sterile package and took
out the needle.

"Okay, partner.  Turn your head away," she said as she gently put her
fingers on his jaw and forced his head to turn toward the wall.
"You'll feel a little prick."  Without looking up, she addressed
Skinner.  "Sir, can you come around this side and slip the IV line
over the needle?"

As the needle pierced the skin, she blotted some of the blood with the
cotton ball.  Mulder didn't flinch.

<He's used to this!  And to think he hates needles!  Those Bastards!>
 
 

Skinner saw where the attachment was and he connected the line.

"Now if you could cut off about three inches of that tape."

He took the roll of paper tape and measured the approximate amount,
handing it to Scully as she covered the needle to secure it.  Then she
reached up to the ringer on the line and opened it until she was
satisfied with the drip.  Sitting back down next to Mulder, she took
his hand, careful of the IV, and held it.

"This is going to make you feel a little better.  Maybe it will help
you sleep."

Mulder's voice was hoarse.  "You're not leaving are you?"

"Not on your life," she said with a smile.  "Are you still feeling
sick?"

"Yes."

"How's your headache?"

"A little worse."

Scully looked briefly at her purse, knowing there was some Tylenol in
the pocket, but then changed her mind.

"Sir, there are some things we'll need."

He opened the drawer of the nightstand and found a pad of paper and a
pen.

"Get about a dozen Hershey chocolate bars.  Orange juice.  7-Up.  Some
crackers -- saltines, without the salt.  It might be a good idea to
buy a cheap coffee machine and some coffee.  For us," she said with a
tired smile.  "And some Jell-O.  Not green," she said, looking at
Mulder, trying to impose a little humor in this unthinkable situation.
 "Also, a jar of Vaseline and an ear thermometer.  You know what that
is?"

"Yes."

"And I think that's it.  Oh, a crossword puzzle book, something he can
try to focus on later.  And we all need other essentials, like
toothbrushes and toothpaste, you know."

He nodded.  "Scully, I noticed we passed a Target about three miles
back.  That's where I'll go.  While I'm there, I'm going to get some
clothes for myself and Mulder - just a couple of tee shirts and sweat
pants and underwear.  When I come back, and when he falls asleep, I'll
let you go and buy yourself some clothes."

"All right."

Skinner watched Mulder's body twitch.  "How long do you think this
will take?" he asked Scully.

"I'm not sure.  I'd have to guess.  But I'd say at least four or five
days.  He's still got plenty of narcotics in his blood.  That's going
to start wearing off in about six or seven hours and then we'd better
be ready."

"Then what we were seeing was not withdrawal?"

"The early stages.  His body is rejecting everything but the drugs.
The sugars in his body are depleting rapidly.  And his body thinks
that heroin is the only fix."

"What symptoms will he experience?"

"High fever, chills, vomiting, or at least trying to since there's
nothing in his stomach.  Paranoia, which - I know - " she said, seeing
Skinner smile in spite of the circumstances.  "Severe cramping in his
stomach, legs, headaches as bad as migraines, and maybe even seizures.
 I just don't know for sure how much heroin he was given during the
time they had him.  I'm assuming the maximum without overdosing him."

"Will he become violent?"

"Violent?  No, but agitated to the point of hysteria if he doesn't get
his way.  When the pain gets bad enough, he'll want to get out so he
can find a source on the street.  He won't be himself, but he won't be
so far gone that talking to him won't bring him back.  It will.  He's
going to need us to be there for him every step of the way."

"He's got it.  And on that note, listen to me a minute.  There's
another bedroom in back.  I'll use that.  I want you to forget I'm
your boss for the next few days.  I expect you to sleep with Mulder,
keep him as calm as possible, make him feel safe.  I'll give you your
privacy so you do whatever it takes to help him through this.  We're
not going by the book here. Do I make myself clear?"

Although she was mildly shocked at his inferences, she remained cool.
"Very. Thank you for saying it because it's what I had planned to do
anyway."

"I know," he said, smiling.

Skinner stuck the list in his pocket and reached for his coat.  He
felt Scully's hand on his arm and turned around.  She raised up on her
toes and placed a kiss on his cheek, surprising him.

"Thank you, sir.  I don't know how else to say what I really feel."

"It's not necessary and you know it.  Mulder would do no less for you
and me."

He put his coat on and turned to her once more.  "You'll be okay with
him for about an hour?"

"Yes.  He should sleep.  Putting sugar in his body will act as a
barbiturate. Get whatever you need, because once this starts, I can't
afford to have you leave."

"Okay.  Be back as soon as I can."

He opened the door and a gust of cold air rushed in, chilling Scully
to the bone.  When the door closed, she stood at the foot of the bed,
watching her partner's restless sleep.

*   *   *   *   *

8:45 p.m.
KENILWORTH, NEW JERSEY
HIDDEN BUNGALOW

The storm had picked up.  Howling winds and flashes of thunder rattled
the windows of the bungalow.  Skinner kept the fire going.  Mulder had
slept through both of them going to the store for what they would need
over the next few days.  Scully knew she had to call her mother.  And
Skinner knew he needed to call Fields and make up some kind of story
to explain Mulder's absence and non-admittance to a hospital.

"Scully, I'm going to make a call from the other room."

She nodded and picked up the jar of Vaseline from the table and a tube
of antibiotic cream.  She sat next to Mulder on the bed.  For the
longest time she couldn't take her eyes off of him.  She watched his
chest rise and fall, saw the faint flutter under his eyelids.  Placing
her hands on his forearm, she then moved her thumb under his wrist,
detecting his pulse there.

<He's alive.>

She removed the lid from the Petroleum jelly.  Very gently, she spread
the balm over his chapped lips, avoiding the cut.  He stirred slightly
but his eyes remained closed.  Then she opened the antibiotic cream
and carefully spread the ointment over his wrists, which were still
oozing from the rope burns.

<What did they do to you, partner?>

He stayed asleep until she had finished and was checking him for
fever.  She watched as his eyes found hers and he blinked trying to
clear them.  But they remained glassy and his lids were swollen.
Scully smiled to reassure him.

"Hey, partner."

Just as the words left her mouth, Mulder doubled over, pulling his
knees up and wrapping his arms around his abdomen. His breathing was
shallow and rapid.  Scully moved closer to him, running his hand up
and down his arm.

"Mulder ... try to slow your breathing down.  Mulder ..."

His response was to curl up into a tighter ball, his eyes squeezed
shut against the pain.  Then his body began to shake with chills.
Scully grabbed the blanket and wrapped it tightly around him.  She
tried to pull him closer to her, but he resisted.

"Partner, come here."

"No ... I need some help, Scully," he cried.

<Oh, God.  Now it starts.>

Suddenly, Mulder's body convulsed and he began throwing up blood.
Scully leaped off the bed and rushed into the bathroom.

"Sir!  I need you!" she shouted down the hall to Skinner.

The A.D. came charging out of the bedroom, seeing her at the bathroom
sink, and hearing Mulder's distress.  He instantly went to the agent,
sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling Mulder's head and chest
into his lap.
 
 

Mulder lurched again, his stomach cramping and forcing him to endure
dry heaves so severe that he was rupturing blood vessels.   Skinner
supported Mulder's forehead as he leaned over the bed, continuing to
spit up blood.

"Easy, Mulder.  It's okay," said Skinner.

Scully quickly sat on the other side of Mulder, pressing the cold, wet
cloth on the back of his neck.  Mulder coughed and Skinner held him
tighter as Scully pulled the thin blanket over him.  They were both
surprised to hear him speak.

"Sir," he said weakly, "did I tell them," he asked.

Skinner frowned and looked to Scully for an answer, but she was just
as puzzled.

"Did I?" Mulder asked again.

"Mulder . . . what . . .?" Skinner started, then he understood.

Scully touched Skinner's shoulder and when their eyes met, they both
realized what he was asking.

"Partner, lay back and relax," she said, easing him back on the
pillow.

She spoke quietly to Skinner.  "Would you get a glass of 7-Up?"

Mulder was aware enough to catch Skinner by the arm before he could
stand.  "Sir . . ." he said hoarsely, "did I tell them what they
wanted to know?"

It was apparent from his expression that he needed the truth.  Skinner
interpreted Scully's taking Mulder's hand to mean that he should be
honest with him.  Skinner chose his words carefully.

"The men who took you pumped you full of drugs for almost two weeks."

Skinner stopped, wanting to see Mulder's reaction to that information
before he went on.  There was no surprise on his agent's face, and he
nodded slightly to confirm that he knew that.  So Skinner continued.

"You couldn't have known what you were saying.  No one could."

"What did they want to know?"

Skinner hesitated.  This was hard for him and it showed on his face.
"They wanted to know who Barbino's informant was and where to find
him."

Even through Mulder's glassy eyes, they could see his mind working to
access his memory.

"Did I tell them?" he whispered.

"Mulder, the fact that you don't remember is proof that you didn't
know what you were saying," Skinner said, trying for as indirect an
answer as possible.

Mulder looked stricken.  "I did."

Both Skinner and Scully knew that even in his condition, he was able
to read both of them, so he accurately guessed the conclusion.

"They killed him," he said flatly.  "I led them right to him."  The
words were barely audible.

When their only response to him was Scully squeezing his hand, Mulder
closed his eyes and turned his head.  Scully started to say something,
but Skinner put his hand on her shoulder, at the same time leaning
closer to Mulder.

"Mulder, I want you to listen to me," he said.

Although he didn't open his eyes, Skinner went on.

"Alonzo Latima's days were numbered anyway.  He was turning whoever
offered the most money.  He lied and stole from the mob.  He would
have even sold you out for the right price.  I'm not condoning the
murder of a human being - for whatever reason - but he made his own
choices when he dug a hole and hid in it like a rat."

Surprised at Skinner's cold analogy, Mulder opened his eyes and looked
at his AD.  Skinner put his hand on Mulder's arm.

"It would have been a profound, senseless tragedy if you had lost your
life protecting him.  It was just not a trade-off that was meant to
be."

Mulder blinked slowly and looked at Scully.  Her eyes glistened with
tears as she smiled and nodded.

And then the regret, the emotion, and the pain were too much for him.
He rolled to his side, curling into a ball and clutching the blanket
in his fist.  Scully put her lips to his ear, speaking calmly and
slowly over his groans.

"Easy Mulder.  Slow yourself down.  Try to hold your breath for a
couple of seconds.  You're going to be okay."

She knew he was listening to her.  His breathing began to even out.
His eyes were shut, but he turned his head in Scully's direction,
trying to find out.  Skinner knew what he was doing and he helped him
sit up a little, guiding him into Scully's arms.

"Sir, can you get my medical bag out of the closet?  I need the
stethoscope and pressure cuff."

Skinner quickly complied, setting the bag at her feet, but opening it
and removing the requested items.

"Scully, do you think the juice or candy would help him?"

"He won't be able to keep it down yet."

Mulder was pressed up close to Scully.

"Partner, I need to listen to your heart a minute.  Can you just lay
-"  Mulder ignored her words and his arms tightened around her.

Scully looked at Skinner at the same time he realized that he needed
to help. Scully slid the end of the stethoscope up under his tee shirt
as Skinner wrapped the cuff around the top of his arm.

"Do you know how to ... Jesus," she exclaimed, hearing Mulder's rapid
heartbeat in her ears.  Seeing her rapt attention, Skinner waited
patiently, worried.  Scully's eyes were focused on the bed, still
concentrating on his cardiac function.

"Do you know how to take a blood pressure?" she asked.

"Yes."

Skinner performed it expertly, surprised that his basic first air
training years ago would come back to him so adeptly.  Mulder's
pressure was high, but not in the danger zone.

Skinner could see the wheels turning in Scully's head.  He knew she
was trying to come up with some kind of relief for her partner that
wouldn't require drugs - an almost impossible task.

"We need to sit him up just a little."

Skinner tried to pull Mulder away from Scully, but he only held
tighter.

"Mulder, partner, I'm right here.  We just need to sit you up.  I'll
lean up against the headboard and you can lean back against me, okay?"

As Skinner placed two pillows against the headboard, Scully scooted
back against them, pulling Mulder back with her until his forehead
rested just underneath her chin.  His eyes were closed and his
breathing shallow.

Skinner reached for the blanket, giving Scully a questioning look, and
when she nodded, he covered them both.  Then he stood for the longest
time, feeling at a loss what to do, as he looked down at his two
agents.

He could see the toll it was beginning to take on Scully, who knew she
was risking Mulder's health by not admitting him to a hospital.
Scully's eyes met his and he saw the same helplessness there.  Skinner
stood, waiting to see if there was anything else he could do.  He saw
Mulder's breathing finally begin to slow down.

"Is he falling asleep, Scully?"

"Yes," she whispered.

Skinner reached over and turned off the lamp, plunging the room in
darkness except for the small fire in the fireplace and a faint spill
of light down the hallway from the other bedroom.

"You sleep, too.  Call me if you need anything.  I'm going to go out
in a little while and get us something to eat, but for now, you need
to sleep while he does."

"Thank you, sir," she said softly.

Scully lay there, watching the lightning flash through the thin
curtains.  After a loud clap of thunder, Mulder instinctively jumped,
then curled up closer to her, grabbing a fist full of her blouse.
Scully's eyes once again filled with tears.  She wrapped her arms
around his neck and kissed the top of his head.

"We're going to make it through this, partner.  You have my word on
that," she spoke in his ear.

*   *   *   *   *

When Mulder finally dropped off to sleep, Scully was able to do the
same.  The worry over her partner was exhausting her.

She woke when she felt Mulder move against her.  She didn't want to
speak to him, hoping he would fall back to sleep rather than endure
any more suffering.  When he relaxed once again next to her, she
closed her eyes, hoping to sleep a little more herself.

She was just dropping off when suddenly she felt Mulder's hand slip
under her shirt.  His fingers moved up the side of her rib cage.  Now
wide awake, she laid perfectly still, wondering if he realized what he
was doing.  She could hear Skinner moving around in the back bedroom.

Scully was further startled when she felt Mulder's hand travel upward
until it rested on the swell of her breast.  She sucked in air, biting
her lower lip when his thumb traced the thin lace of her bra down to
her nipple.

Scully's surprise and pleasure intensified feeling the warmth of his
hand against her skin.

But before she could stop to consider what was happening, Mulder had
flattened his hand over her entire breast, squeezing it appreciably.
Scully fought back a moan.  Trying to keep her senses was further
challenged when Mulder then rolled her hardened nipple between his
thumb and index finger.  Scully had no idea whether Mulder was
conscious of what he was doing.
 
 

If he was, she only hoped he knew who he was doing it to.

The sensation was wonderful and she continued to enjoy it, realizing
that there was a good chance that when Mulder fully awoke, he would
remember none of this.

Scully laid quietly, letting Mulder work his fingers under the lace of
her bra and cup her full breast in his palm.  He pushed the lace
fabric up until her breast fell free from the undergarment.  She
catalogued every movement of his hand and fingers.  His body turned
slightly against her, and with his free hand he reached around her
back and deftly unfastened her bra.  Using the same hand, he began to
open the buttons of her shirt while continuing to massage her breast.
 

Scully knew she should stop him, but her instincts, along with her
rising passion, told her to just enjoy it while she could.  Although
attention to dual tasks proved difficult right now, she concentrated
on both the sensations Mulder was drawing from her as well as keeping
an ear open for Skinner, should he suddenly appear to check on them.

Scully's full attention was brought back to the bed where Mulder had
completely opened the front of her shirt.  He spread his hand
underneath her breast, lifting it and bringing it to his lips.  Scully
gasped, and then relaxed, leaning further into Mulder's warm mouth.
She felt his tongue flick over her nipple until she was so hard it was
deliciously painful.

She felt his mouth leave her breast briefly and heard a faint murmur
from him.  It was only one word he whispered, but for her it was a
wish fulfilled.

"Scully."

She smiled.  <Thank you, god.>

Then his lips opened wide, taking as much of her in his mouth as he
could.  He was sucking hard, like a baby, and she put both her hands
on the back of his head, holding him to her breast as if she were
nourishing him with milk.  The sensation was pulling Scully into
long-overdue desire.  She felt herself falling closer to the edge,
still unable to fathom completely that this man, whose teeth were
gently tugging at her nipple, was her partner.

Scully savored his touches, melting under the magic of his fingers and
his mouth.  How many times had she fantasized what this would be like?
 

In the farthest corner of her mind, she encountered the pain that
still hovered close - traces of the agony that had consumed her since
Mulder's disappearance.  This was not the scenario she had imagined so
many times alone in her bed, but Mulder was here; he was alive.  She
was not going to wake up to find her sanity once against assaulted by
nightmares of doom or dashed hopes.  This was really happening.  Tears
of joy mixed with her passion.

She was drawn back, slowly and sweetly, to the real world when she
felt Mulder's free hand slip under the waistband of her sweat pants.
As much as she ached to let him continue, and tempted by the fact that
his memory might be a total blank the next day, she knew this was
where she had to draw the line.  She moved her own hand down to grasp
his, but he was quicker.  Before she could stop him, he had his hand
inside her panties.

In one smooth motion, his middle finger plunged into her, pushing
deeply.  Scully arched her back, feeling his finger curl inside of
her.  Her breast slipped out of his mouth, but he found it again,
pressing his tongue firmly against her nipple.  He plunged his finger
deeply again, then drew out.

Scully knew what he was waiting for.  She spread her legs for him,
draping one leg over his hip, inviting his sexual foreplay.  Widening
her opening, he pushed a second finger in.  Scully's body quivered and
her breathing quickened.  After a few seconds, she heard the soft
smacking sound his fingers made as they slowly pulled out of her
wetness. She went limp against him as he ran two fingers the entire
length of her.

The suckling of her breast coupled with the long awaited touching of
her clit sent her into immediate spasms and she clung tightly to him,
as if she might spiral into complete bliss.  Mulder was somehow aware
of the reaction he was getting.  Sliding his fingers out of her, he
parted her folds with his thumb and middle finger, using his index
finger to stimulate the hot spot of her passion.  That alone would
have sent her into an immediate orgasm, but he varied his stimulations
between a few seconds of circular motions on her clit, and a few
seconds of plunging his fingers in and out of her several times.

"God, Mulder," she cried, not intending for the words to be spoken out
loud.

In the faint glow of the firelight, she could see where Mulder's hand
was pumping her under the blanket.  The erotic excitement was
intensified by the awareness that Skinner was just down the hall.
Instinctively, Scully's body began to gently move to the rhythm of
Mulder's hand.  Each time he plunged his fingers into her, she pushed
against his hand, urging him deeper.

When Mulder's fingers slid out of her and continued the circular
motions on her clit again, Scully was more than ready.  As she felt
her climax building, she could not believe the intensity.

She was already out of control when she whispered one word.

"Faster."

She was too far on the fringes of sexual oblivion to consider how
Mulder was able to comply, but he did.  And he even managed to speak
to her.

"Come for me, Scully."

<Holy Mother of .  .  .>

Some rational part of her reminded her that Skinner was in the next
room.  So she folded her arms around the back of Mulder's head and
pressed her mouth against his hair, willing herself not to scream.
She rode out the most electrifying, almost overwhelming orgasm she had
ever experienced as her body jerked with earth-shattering rapture.

Finally, as her body became sensitive to his intimate touch, she sank
against him.  Mulder's hand relaxed, but his middle finger entered her
again.
 
 

Out of the corner of her eye, Scully saw movement and she turned her
head.  Skinner's shadow could be seen moving on the wall in the
hallway.

Scully slowly reached down for Mulder's hand.  She couldn't help but
run her fingers over his, reveling in the fact that one long finger
was extended completely into her.

Regretfully, she curled her fingers around his and pulled his hand out
of her pants.  Mulder's fingers, still wet, went around her bare waist
as he continued to suck and lick her nipple, but more gently.  It was
as if he knew he had brought her to orgasm, and now he was bringing
her down the rest of the way, slowly.  He was acting purely on
instinct, because in his current condition there was no way he could
have had much awareness of what they had been doing.

"Mulder ... sweetheart ..." she whispered breathlessly.

Mulder removed his mouth from her breast, but laid his cheek against
it, finally still.  Scully laid quietly with him, letting the pounding
of her heart slow down.  She could feel his heavy breathing against
her.

Hesitantly, she softly spoke to him again.  "Hey, partner."

Scully felt the impact of those words.

<Partner.>

She placed her fingers under Mulder's chin and lifted his head to her
shoulder.  He said something, but she couldn't understand him.

"What, honey?"

Mulder's head raised from her shoulder and his eyes opened slowly.
For an instant he was disoriented.

"Scully ...?

She smiled at him, running her hand through his hair.  Mulder looked
down and saw that her blouse was open, her bra pushed up.  He looked
surprised, but confused.

"Scully, did I ...?"

"Shhh.  It's okay.  Put your head down."

He put his head back against her shoulder.

"Scully, I had the most wonderful dream."

He couldn't see her smile.  "Tell me about it," she said.

"We were back at Arcadia.  But it was just a nice little neighborhood.
But guess what?"

Scully could tell from his voice that he was a little delusional.  His
body was converting the last remnants of the heroin in his system into
more of a barbiturate-type drug, making him disoriented and lethargic.

"What babe?" Scully asked, still soothing his hair.

"We had to really convince the neighbors we were husband and wife."

"Did we?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"How did we do that?" she asked, a glowing smile on her face.

"You know, Scully.  Birds and the bees."

"Oh.  And was it good?"

For a long time there was no answer and she thought he had fallen
asleep again.  But he did speak, and his voice was soft, slightly
slurred with drowsiness.

"You feel incredible, Scully."

Scully couldn't blink back the tears that spilled down her cheeks.
She knew Mulder's reprieve from pain was temporary, and that he would
probably have no memory of what was real and what wasn't.  Some small
part of her wished he would remember what they did, and why, and then
just keep it as a treasure in the back of his mind.

She knew she would - forever.

She looked down at him, seeing that his eyes were closed, and kissed
him sweetly on the lips.  He smiled and snuggled against her.

"I love you, Mulder," Scully whispered.

"Me ... too," his voice trailed off as he drifted once again into
sleep.

*   *   *   *   *

END OF STORY

Anybody interested in writing a sequel?  Go for it.