Intuition, part 2Feedback is cherished: Rorie (rorie.brianne(at)nospamcomcast.net) & Lisa (SarahRabb7@aol.com) Key: ** denotes H/Mac communication; ~~ denotes Mu/S communication; ~* denotes S-->H/Mac communication; *~ denotes H/Mac-->S communication. You'll see what we mean, hopefully. BETHESDA NAVAL
HOSPITAL Mulder and Scully sat in the Medical Imaging Department waiting room for the two JAG officers to arrive. Finally, Harm and Mac stepped off the elevator and headed over to the agents. "You're late." Mulder said, irritably, he hated hospitals, and hated them even more when he was the subjects of the tests. "Only 23 seconds late, Mulder." Mac stated without looking at a watch or clock. "How do you..." "Don't ask... unless you speak Farsi." Harm said, smiling, he now did speak Farsi, and now knew her secret. However, just because he knew, didn't mean he could duplicate it... he'd tried unsuccessfully. "Good morning." Scully said cheerfully, trying to make up for her partner's rudeness. "Good morning." Mac replied. "Now what?" "Well, Mulder and I now get to lay in the lovely MRI machines for twenty minutes. The same way you did yesterday. Then I'll look at the films and compare them to yours, see if there are any similarities. After that, we'll see if we can't come up with some sort of theory on this. Mulder has his own ideas, involving alien viruses being the origin of our abilities. But I doubt that you two have been exposed to one lately, so we'll see." "No, I don't think we have been exposed to anything that would classify as an alien virus." Harm said. A technician called Mulder and Scully into the imaging room to begin the tests, leaving Harm and Mac sitting in the waiting room. **Mac, I went through your memories last night...** Harm began, softly laying a hand on her shoulder. **Oh, got bored with Indiana Jones?** Mac teased. **No, I had to know something...** "Well, you could have asked." Mac said out loud. "Well, you're welcome to search my mind since you have it." Harm replied. He couldn't tell her... not yet. Scully came out of the imaging room, she had gone first... the other machine was occupied by a legitimate patient. She could see immediately that something was wrong. Mac looked very upset. *~He went through my mind last night!~* Mac projected to Scully, blocking Harm out of the loop. "Harm, we need to teach you some telepathy protocol here." Scully began. "Number one, never probe another person's mind without their permission." She gave Harm a piercing look. "I know that you two haven't learned to block completely yet.... When you do, it won't be such a problem. Until then, ask her, either out loud or in her mind, but ask first... it'll save both of you some embarrassment in the future." Harm looked duly chastised. He had known he was doing something not-quite-kosher when he probed Mac's memories the night before. However, the lure was too great to resist. He had learned some interesting information about his partner. Scully headed for a chair. ~~Scully!~~ "Mulder!" she suddenly said out loud, sound scared. ~~What's wrong?~~ ~~Pain... unbearable...~~ ~~Hold on, Mulder, I'm coming!~~ "Something's wrong... he's in pain... I've got to go to him." Scully said, heading for the imaging room as fast as she could, the two JAG officers right behind. "What is it?" Mac cried, alarmed. She was worried about Mulder, both for his own sake and for Scully's. Mac instinctively moved closer to Harm and he put his arm around her shoulders as they waited to see what was going on. The three of them burst into the outer room where Scully could see the computer screen. What she saw scared her.... "Turn it off!" she ordered the technician. "Now!" He turned it off, Scully ran into the imaging room and rushed over the Mulder's side as the tech pulled the bed out of the machine. He was unconscious. "Page Dr. Niellson STAT!" The tech rushed to do as Scully had asked. "Mulder, can you hear me?" she asked softly, cradling her partner's head in her arms. She got no response so she tried telepathy, ~~Mulder?~~ ~~Scully?~~ she got a weak response, she could barely "hear" it. ~~Mulder, I'm here.~~ Just then, a tall, blonde woman burst into the room, "Dana what's wrong?" "Jenna, he's unconscious. Look at the readings on the screen... what do you see?" Dr. Niellson went and looked, she came back, her face ashen. "Dana, I..." "I know, he needs to be in ICU, now." Dr. Niellson nodded and called transport to take Mulder to the ICU. As they were preparing Mulder to be moved, Scully projected to the officers, ~*I can't leave him...*~ She looked about to cry. Mac put her hand on Scully's arm, "Then don't, Dana. Stay with him." Harm wrapped his arm around Mac's waist. "Scully, it's okay. Stay with him." Harm echoed Mac's urging. **I know what she's going through.** **Dianne?** **No, you.** Mac looked at him questioningly. "Mac... Sarah... I... search your mind, Sarah. It's speaking to you..." Harm said softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Not now, Harm. Mulder and Scully need us." Mac answered softly. She turned to Scully who was getting ready to follow the transporters to the ICU. "Dana? Is there anything we can do? Are you all right?" she asked softly. Scully just nodded. She didn't have the strength to say anything. *~Dana, tell him. This may be your last chance. Later, if it's not, you can chalk it up to the moment. But if you don't say it, you'll regret it. Trust me.~* "No, it's not the last time, Mac. It can't be." Scully said, emphatically. ~~Mulder, Mulder... you can't do this to me... you promised you wouldn't ditch me anymore.~~ As the transporters were moving Mulder out of the room towards the elevator, Scully held onto his hand tightly. ~~Fight, dammit, Mulder, fight. You never let me give up. Now don't you give up!~~ They reached the ICU floor, transport took Mulder to the assigned room. Scully was stopped at the door. ~*Mac, I don't know what to do... I can't fall apart in front of him...*~ *~You've got to fall apart somewhere... why not with the man you love? But, if not that, then at least let Harm and I help you. I know it's not easy going through something like this.~* Mac thought about her father... the last couple of hours she spent with him. She had always thought that she hated him... she blamed him for her problems. But the time she spent with him in that hospice changed her mind... she loved her father.... Harm watched the two women, he knew they were talking to each other. He sensed that it was something very important. "Everything is going to be all right, Scully." he said, knowing that it sounded trite, but he had to say something. "Some of the best doctors in the world are here at Bethesda. He's in good hands." Mac touched Scully's shoulder, "Stay close to him any way you can." Scully smiled, "I'm not a doctor for nothing. They're going to have to carry me out of here if they want me to leave." She thought of something, then pulled the ever-present cell phone out of her pocket. She punched a few numbers and waited for the other end to pick up. "Sir, it's Scully. Mulder's in a coma at Bethesda... I don't know, Sir... he was undergoing a routine MRI when it happened... Yes, I'll keep you informed, Sir." She hung up then dialed another number. "Uncle AJ?" she said in a very quiet voice. She outlined the situation to the Admiral quickly before hanging up. Scully slumped into a chair outside the room. The doctors were inside hooking her partner up to various machines and monitors. Her entire demeanor was one of hurt and defeat. This was really affecting her, she blamed herself. ~~If I hadn't suggested this test, you wouldn't be in this condition. It's my fault. I'm sorry, Mulder.~~ ~~Not... fault... Dana...~~ ~~Mulder!!~~ She broke down and put her head in her hands. No sound came, but the shaking of her shoulders told everyone around her that she was sobbing. Mac sat down next to her and put an arm around Scully's shoulders. She tried to project that everything would be okay, but Scully was blocking everyone except her partner... she didn't want any interference in her communication with him... Harm didn't have to speak to Mac to know this was bothering her. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to both comfort and protect her from the outside world. Of course, he'd never tell her that he wanted to protect her, she'd probably kick his six from Bethesda to the no-fly zone. **My Sarah...** **What?!** Mac could do nothing more than alternate between watching the doctors and nurses and watching Scully. She knew from experience that when she was hurting she either wanted Harm, or no one at all. She had no idea how to offer any comfort to the other woman who had fast become a friend. Harm adjusted his position so that now Mac was sitting on his lap. He laid the hand that wasn't around Mac's waist keeping her from sliding off, on Scully's back in a vain attempt to comfort her. Suddenly, Scully realized that she wasn't alone and looked up. She gave the two officers a half-hearted smile. "I'm fine." she said not convincing anyone, least of all herself. Just then, Dr. Niellson came out into the lobby, "Dana?" Scully stood up, "Jenna, how is he?" "It doesn't look good, Dana. He has increased intracranial pressure, the bleeding is extensive. He needs immediate surgery to clip that blown aneurysm or risk permanent brain damage." Scully face betrayed her emotions for a second before the mask fell again, "Can you do it, Jenna?" "Unfortunately, no. Our surgeon who specializes in aneurysm repair is at a conference in San Francisco." Cmdr. Niellson replied. "I have a call in to Johns Hopkins..." "I understand, can I see him?" "Of course, go right ahead." Jenna replied as she began to walk down the hallway. Scully took a deep breath before walking into Mulder's room. Harm and Mac watched her leave with sadness. They both hoped that this wasn't the last time Scully had to spend with her partner... the man she loved. As they waited, Admiral Chegwidden walked into the lobby. "Commander, Colonel, where's Dana?" Mac didn't bother moving, the Admiral had already seen where she was sitting. "She's in Mulder's room, Sir. Apparently an aneurysm burst while he was in the MRI. The surgeon who normally does those types of repairs in San Francisco at the moment." "Cmdr. Niellson has a call into Johns Hopkins to see if she can get a surgeon from there." Harm added. "Sir, I'm worried about Dana. She's holding all of this inside. It's not good for her." Mac said in a soft voice. "I know, Mac. She's always been like that." AJ replied, as he headed to the room. He knocked on the door lightly and went in. "Dana?" "Uncle AJ?" Scully asked softly, before she started crying. "It's my fault. I insisted that he have the test done." "Nonsense, Starbuck. You couldn't have known that he had an aneurysm... you couldn't have known." He moved to where she was standing and put his arms around her. Scully buried her face in the Admiral's chest and just cried. "Dana, you don't always have to be strong. You are allowed to break down once in a while. Holding it all in isn't good for you." "I know, but I don't want to be weak in front of him." Scully said after pulling herself together. "You love him, don't you, Starbuck?" Scully looked up at AJ, "Yes, I do." she stated. ~~Mulder, did you hear that? I love you, and you are not giving up. You hear me? Fight!~~ Meanwhile, Mac had gotten up to get them some coffee. The nurses watched the pair curiously... a sigh, a laugh, expressions changed, but not a word was uttered between the two officers. Harm had started a conversation on everything and nothing, in Russian, trying to get Mac's attention off of what was happening inside the ICU room. He was worried about her. He loved her completely and hated to see anything hurt her. He wanted to tell her how he felt, especially now that he knew how she felt about him. He'd tell her soon, but now wasn't the right time. Mac couldn't help thinking about Dana. She really liked her and counted her as a friend already, which was rare for her. Normally, it took longer to build the trust on which she based her friendships. Somehow, though, she just implicitly trusted the female agent. They shared a connection deeper than the ability to communicate telepathically. Mac couldn't put her finger on it, but it was there. Mac watched through the glass of the room, she knew what Scully was feeling, she would feel the exact same way if it were her partner lying in that bed instead of Mulder. She looked over at Harm... she thought about her advice to Scully earlier and wished she was brave enough to tell Harm her true feelings. It just wasn't the right time.... She turned back to the window and watched as her CO comforted Scully, and hoped with all that was in her that Mulder would be all right. ~~Scully?~~ ~~I'm here, Mulder. You had an aneurysm. It burst in your brain. You need surgery to repair it.~~ ~~Are you okay?~~ Scully smiled, even in his state Mulder was concerned about her, ~~I'm fine, Mulder.~~ ~~Scully!~~ ~~No, really, I'm fine. Uncle AJ is here with me and Mac and Harm are outside.~~ ~~That's nice... I'm sleepy.~~ ~~Then rest, Love, rest.~~ AJ watched Scully closely. He could tell by the way that she was looking at her partner that something was going on between them, but he had no idea what. "Starbuck?" "Hmm?" "Are you all right?" She smiled, genuinely this time, "I will be..." The Admiral watched out the window to where his officers were waiting for word on their friend's condition. He was startled by how silent the three people he observed were. Granted, this was the ICU, but they were entirely too quiet. Quiet, but not expressionless. He watched as the two officers started laughing again. It was eerie. **No, it was one plus two plus one, plus one, plus one.** Mac argued. **No, it wasn't, Mac. It was one plus plus two plus one plus two plus one.** Harm replied. **How many times have you watched this movie?** **One more won't hurt.** Harm replied, with a laugh. Mac turned and looked at the ICU window again, *~Dana, are you okay? What's going on?~* ~*Yeah, Mac, I'm fine. I just explained things to Mulder... he's still in there. I think Uncle AJ is getting leery of us, though.*~ "Uncle AJ, are you all right?" Scully asked the Admiral. "Yeah, just confused." Scully smiled, she knew it took a lot for AJ to admit to confusion. She nodded and started to lead him out into the lobby. ~~Mulder, I'll be back.~~ ~*Mac, Harm, I think we need to explain some things to Uncle AJ.*~ "Well, Sir," Harm began, when they reached the lobby and sat down. "Not only are the Colonel and I telepathic, but Mulder and Scully, as well. Scully, Mac, and I can all communicate with one another." "That's what we've been doing, Sir." Mac said. "I suppose we've become so used to everyone around being able to hear us that we didn't realize that we weren't speaking out loud." AJ looked stunned, "Dana?" "It's true, Uncle AJ. I can't explain it scientifically, and that bugs me. But I can't deny it's happening. Mulder and I have been able to do this since last year, after my time in Antarctica. However, for some reason, only I can communicate with and hear Mulder. The rest of us can communicate with each other." Scully said. "I know it's strange, and if it weren't happening to me, I wouldn't believe it, either." *~Well, this is going over well!~* Mac noted nervously. AJ looked at Dana and at his two officers seriously for a moment. "How long do you expect this condition to last? Is it a health threat? How does it work?" They all looked to Scully. *~The floor is all yours.~* Harm teased. ~*Thanks, Commander.*~ Scully shot back sarcastically. "As far as I can tell, Sir, it's no threat to anyone. As to how long it will last, I have no idea... I can't even begin to speculate. We don't even know what caused it in Harm and Mac's case. Mulder's and mine, we have an idea, but no proof. Like I said, Sir, Mulder and I have had this ability for a year now." Scully explained, though it wasn't much of an explanation. There wasn't much that any of them knew yet. ~~Scully?~~ ~~Mulder, I'm here, just outside your room.~~ She got a faraway look on her face, a look that Mac and Harm were beginning to recognize as meaning the she was speaking to Mulder. "It's good that he's at least 'speaking.'" Mac commented. "Go ahead if you need to." Harm added. "No, not yet. He's okay for now... stable... there's nothing we can do until the surgeon gets here." Cmdr. Jenna Niellson chose that time to make her appearance, and snapped to attention when she saw the Admiral. "At ease, Commander." he said, "What news do you have for us?" "Well, Sir, Dr. Fisher from Hopkins is on his way over now to do the surgery." Jenna said. "Dana, he'll be all right, I know it." "Me, too, Jenna." Scully replied, and she actually believed it. They all sat in silence for a while. Suddenly, Harm and the Admiral both noticed that Mac was wrapped tightly around Harm and she was now sound asleep. The Admiral raised his eyebrows in question at the sight. "She didn't sleep much last night, Sir." Harm began, but was cut off by the Admiral. "Cmdr. Rabb, that is not something I want to hear coming from you." AJ stated with a sigh. *~I wish.~* Harm thought in Scully's direction. *~She doesn't even know.~* he added though he really didn't plan for Scully to hear him. Scully started laughing, ~*She knows, Harm.*~ "Uncle AJ, it's not what you think. We worked at Harm's place late, then Mac was up most of the night... insomnia... she kept me awake as well, and I was at home in Georgetown... she was at Harm's... her car was evidently still at JAG." *~WHAT?~* Harm yelled in Scully's mind. *~Sorry. What did you say?~* "Well, that's a... what? You mean it travels that far? Approximately what kind of range are we talking about?" the Admiral asked. "This could be potentially useful in their work." Scully laughed at the reactions of the two men to the different things that she had said. "Uncle AJ, I have absolutely no idea what Mac and Harm's range is... I was in Georgetown, they were only in the city. However, Mulder and I have an extensive range.... The furthest we've been in contact was when I was in Quantico and he was in San Jose." AJ was stunned, "That's amazing, all the way across the country." "It may be longer, as well, we just haven't tested it." Scully said, matter-of-factly. ~*You know what I said, Harm... she knows how you feel, on some level. She feels the same... she's just afraid to tell you.*~ She was rewarded with a look from Harm, his eyes got big, she nodded. Harm looked down at Mac and brushed her hair with his hand. He smiled. *~I know how she feels. She's madly in love with me. That's what her memories tell me.~* "Okay, you two." AJ started. "I'm beginning to feel left out." Harm and Scully laughed. "It's good to see you smile, Scully." Harm said. "I'm sorry, Uncle AJ." Scully said, standing on her tiptoes to give the Admiral a peck on the cheek. "I'm going to go check on Mulder." She left the room. AJ looked at Harm who was ready to laugh at the sight of his CO being kissed by the lovely agent. "Not a word, Commander... that's an order." "Yes, Sir." Harm answered. AJ turned and looked through the window to where Scully was sitting next to Mulder's bed. "She really does love him, doesn't she?" AJ said. Harm just nodded in agreement. MULDER'S ROOM
IN THE ICU "Mulder, I'm here." Scully said, sitting down and taking his hand. "The surgeon is on his way from Hopkins. He's one of the best. You'll be spouting off your theories in no time, and I'll be shooting them down. Back to old times, huh?" A tear snaked its way down her face. ~~Not quite back to old times...~~ The chiming of her cell phone pulled her out of her reverie. "Scully." ::Dana, it's Mom.:: "Mom, what's wrong?" ::Nothing, Dear, I was calling to check on you. Walter called and said that Fox was in the hospital.:: "Yes, Mom, he is... in a coma. An aneurysm exploded in his head, a surgeon from Hopkins is on the way to do the repair." ::Dana, is there anything I can do for either of you?:: "Just pray, Mom. Uncle AJ's here with me, and two of his officer with whom we are working on a case." ::I'm glad you're not alone, Honey. Give AJ and Fox my love, and call if anything changes.:: "I will, Mom." She hung up the phone. "Mulder, Mom sends her love, she's praying for you." ~~And I send my love, too.~~ Scully put her head down on the bed next to him, suddenly, she felt him squeeze her hand. Her head popped up, "Mulder!" There was no outward change. ~~Scully...~~ She smiled. ~*Harm, he squeezed my hand!*~ she shot out, exuberantly. *~Wonderful, Scully!~* Harm answered. "It seems that Mulder just squeezed Scully's hand, Sir." Harm said with a smile. Mac squirmed and snuggled in closer to her partner's chest. Harm tightened his grip on her. The admiral smiled at the sight. "She seems to be rather comfortable." he commented indicating Mac. "I'll move her, Sir." "No." AJ said with a smile. "I think the Colonel is pretty comfortable where she is." Even though he couldn't officially condone a relationship between his star attorneys, secretly, as a friend, he was hoping those two would get their heads out of their sixes and see what was right in front of them. "I'm going to go see Dana again." "Uncle AJ, Mom called. She said to give you her love." Scully said, a radiant smile on her face. "Harm told me... he squeezed your hand." "Yes, he did." She turned and looked back at her partner. ~~Mulder, can you hear me?~~ ~~Scully, I hear you. There's something I have to say... before it's too late...~~ ~~No, Mulder, no good-byes. You're going to make it through this...~~ ~~Scully, I need to say this... I love you.~~ ~~And, I love you, too, Mulder.~~ ~~NO, Dana, I'm in love with you. If...~~ ~~When...~~ ~~When I come out of this, I want to explore a new relationship with you. I want you to be my partner in more than just work. Dana?~~ ~~Mulder, I... I don't know what to say.~~ She was crying softly, he loved her... he wanted her... ~~Say yes, Dana.~~ ~~Mulder, I love you, too. I want to try... yes!~~ He squeezed her hand again. Meanwhile, out in the waiting room, Mac had woken up again. "Hey, Ninja-girl." "Oh, Harm, I'm sorry." Mac apologized and moved to get up. Harm just wrapped his arms around her tighter, "You're fine just where you are." "Harm, I..." "I didn't miss it that day in the office, Mac... Sarah. I was crying on the inside, and smiling at the same time. I had never, in my wildest dreams, thought that I would hear you make any mention of love. I was too scared to believe it was real. But now that I've searched your mind, seen all of the times that it was there... Sarah, close your eyes... close them... okay, now look, Sarah. Look at all the times we've been together." Mac closed her eyes and searched in his mind. Suddenly, hundreds of silent 'I love you-s' came flooding to her. Every moment from the rose garden to the trial when he saw her in pain. He was in love with her, madly in love with her. Mac squeezed him tightly, then started laughing. *~Dana! Dana! He loves me! He loves me!~* Scully smiled and walked over to the window of the ICU room, AJ following her. Mac didn't notice that she had an audience, and in her excitement over Harm's revelation, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him. He returned the kiss, and it wasn't a short one. It was a long, soul-searching kiss that left both of them breathless. AJ tried to look stern as he watched his officers. After all, there were regulations about public displays of affection between officers, but they weren't in uniform. And then there were the chain-of-command regulations, but they were on leave. He'd deal with this later. Right now, he was a friend, a very happy friend. "It's about time." "Yes, it is." Scully echoed softly. "For all of us." "Dana, Sir, this is Dr. Andrew Fisher. He will be performing the procedure on Agent Mulder." Jenna Niellson indicated the tall African-American man standing next to her. "Drew, this is Adm. AJ Chegwidden, the Navy Judge Advocate General, Special Agent Dana Scully, Lt. Cmdr. Rabb, and Lt. Col. MacKenzie." Adm. Chegwidden moved to shake the doctor's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Doctor." Scully asked Dr. Fisher how long the procedure would take. "It will take approximately three hours." Fisher answered in a surprisingly soft voice for someone of his stature. He then outlined what exactly would be done in the surgery, sensing that Scully needed to know details in order to set her mind at ease. He had never met the two agents before that day, but he instinctively recognized the bond between them. The two doctors left the lobby to prepare for surgery. Scully went into Mulder's room to "talk" to him before transport came to take him to the OR. ~~Mulder, the surgeon's here for you.~~ Scully sat down and took her partner's hand. ~~He says the surgery will take about 3 hours.~~ A tear snaked down her cheek. ~~You have to stay strong and fight, Mulder. No giving up...~~ "Ma'am?" a voice said from the door. Scully looked up, the transporters were there to take her partner to the OR. She nodded and stood up. She leaned over her partner and kissed him on the forehead. "Come back to me, Mulder." she whispered. 2145 ZULU (1645 EST) Scully sat in a chair in the corner by herself. AJ stood at the window, looking out over the city. Mac had gone to the cafeteria to get coffee for the group. Harm was wearing a groove in the carpeting from all of his pacing. "Are you going to try a case on whether or not this carpeting is wear resistant?" Mac teased from the doorway. Harm smiled at her as she entered carrying the coffee. Harm took his cup and one for the Admiral. Mac carried the other two over to where Scully was sitting. "Any word, Dana?" Mac asked. She felt the need to watch over her friend and protect her, even though she knew there was no way to protect Scully from this reality. "No, he's under the anesthetic. I can't reach him." ~~I wish I could.~~ she thought, not projecting to anyone. ~~He's having a particularly disturbing nightmare.~~ Scully's three companions could see the emotions playing across her face... she was receiving Mulder's dream, but was powerless to comfort him. It was one of his regular nightmares of Samantha's abduction, only this time, she had replaced his sister. Normally, he would call her when he had a nightmare, and she'd soothe his fears, but, now she was helpless. She had become deathly pale, Mac was worried that she might faint. Harm, too, noticed her pallor. He stopped his pacing and placed a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort. No one spoke for a while, Harm went back to pacing. **Harm, stop. You're making me seasick.** **Sorry, Mac.** "Maybe we should get something to eat." Harm suggested, needing to do something. "I know, I can call the pizzeria we liked so much the last time we ate in Bethesda." Mac supplied, heading for the telephone. "I'm sure they've got meatless stuff for you, Flyboy." After ordering, Mac went back to her place next to Scully. "They said it will be ready in twenty minutes." Harm nodded and left to go pick up dinner and the other stuff they'd need to eat it with. Mac put her arm around Scully's shoulders, *~I'm glad I can be here for you, Dana. You're a good friend already.~* Scully didn't respond. Mac stood up and let AJ take her place. She watched as the Admiral pulled the agent into his arms and rocked her as if she were a baby. This was definitely a new side to her CO, one that he had only hinted at. "Harm's back." Mac announced some time later. A few minutes later, the Commander in question, walked in the door, carrying a pizza that was emitting smells that made her mouth water. He also carried a bag containing paper plates and napkins. Mac excused herself to go get sodas for the group. When she had returned, Harm had already set a piece of pizza in front of Scully, who just stared at it. Mac put a root beer down next to the plate then went to sit with Harm. The three officers ate and discussed some cases. Every once in a while, one of them would glance over at Scully who was just sitting there, unmoving. Finally, AJ moved over to where Scully was sitting, "Starbuck, eat something." She had only taken one bite of her pizza and hadn't even touched the soda can. "Huh? Oh, Uncle AJ, no, thank you. I'm not hungry." AJ sighed, he knew that it was useless to argue with her, she was just too stubborn. "If you had joined the Navy like your brothers, Dana, I'd order you to eat, but since you didn't..." He turned to where his two officers were sitting, Mac now on Harm's lap again. "I'm serving as a deadweight to save the carpet more wear and tear, Sir." Mac quipped with a laugh. AJ laughed, "It's okay, Mac. You're not in uniform, and I'm only here as a friend." he stated. "You know this girl had an offer to the Academy, but she decided to go into medicine instead." He turned and smiled at Scully, "I think she made the right choice." 2300 ZULU (1800 EST) Finally, Dr. Niellson and Dr. Fisher came out to where the group sat. Scully jumped out of her seat, "Jenna?" Jenna smiled, "It went well." Dr. Fisher continued, "I was able to clip the aneurysm and stop the bleeding. His ICP has stabilized, still increased, but in a much more manageable range. We won't know if there is any permanent damage until he comes out from under the anesthetic and wakes up. However, I'm hopeful." Scully hugged Jenna, "Thank you." She smiled the first genuine smile since the surgery started. She shook Dr. Fisher's hand. "Now, will you eat?" Harm half-pleaded. "I think you're making Mac here feel like a pig!... Ouch!!" Mac slapped him in the shoulder again. *~It's going to be all right, Dana. I just know it will. What went on in there earlier, if you don't mind my asking?~* ~*When?*~ Scully asked, then realized what she was talking about... the nightmares. "It's a long story, Mac." she said out loud, earning a questioning look from AJ. "Mulder's sister was abducted when he was 12. He was baby-sitting, and he couldn't do anything to stop it. His father blamed him for it. He's suffered from nightmares since then, reliving the experience. This time is was different, though." Her voice caught, "Instead of Samantha, he dreamed that I was the one abducted." AJ put his hand on her shoulder, he remembered the terrible time that she was missing for three months. Everyone thought she was dead, everyone except Mulder. He refused to give up. "It's okay, Starbuck." he said. She continued, "Several years ago, I was abducted... I was gone for three months. I have no memory of what happened to me during those months, though. Mulder blames himself for my being taken as well. Jenna, who had been standing off to the side, stepped forward and put her arms around her friend, she, too, remembered that time. "Dana, I'll send someone for you when he's moved out of recovery back to ICU." she said. "Thank you, Commander." AJ answered for the group. Jenna left to go check on her patients. "I suppose we all have something that haunts us." Mac said, the room fell silent. It stayed that way for an uncomfortable moment. Mac stood up, "I'm going to go get another soda." "I'll come with you. Those things can be a nuisance. Apparently you had some trouble with the one on the Dobbins case." Harm said, avoiding the obvious time when she kicked the life out of the machine at the hospice where her father was dying. "Yes, well, that was an expensive lesson in patience." Mac supplied. Harm nearly burst into laughter as she explained to Scully and the Admiral her reasoning for trying to beat the crap out of the machine after it ate three dollars worth of change and she dying of thirst. "I didn't have any problems with the machine earlier, Flyboy, but you're welcome to come all the same." AJ and Scully sat in companionable silence while the officers left to get their drinks. When they returned, each carrying a drink, they were conversing in Farsi. "Hey, you two, I don't know Farsi. Anyone want to try French?" Scully asked, with a laugh. The three officers looked at her, it was good to hear her laugh. Finally, a nurse came in, "Dr. Scully?" "Yes." "Agent Mulder has been moved back to ICU, you can see him now." "Thank you." All three officers rose with Scully and walked into the hall. Just then Harm said, "I smell a rat!" **Webb!** they thought in unison, as Mac followed Harm's gaze and saw Clayton Webb looking through the glass of Mulder's ICU room. Mac smiled to Harm at their mutual joke and they noticed Adm. Chegwidden didn't seem too happy to see Webb, either. In fact, the only one who didn't seem disturbed by his presence was Scully, and that was probably only because she didn't know who he was. "Webb! What the hell are you doing here? And, what if anything, do you have to do with this case?" AJ bellowed at the State department official, and CIA agent. "Calm down, AJ. This is a hospital." Webb said with a sardonic grin. [Rorie's note: I love his grin!! VBG, VBS!] Scully watched the exchange, shrugged and walked into Mulder's room. ~~Hey, Mulder, you must rate... there's a CIA stooge outside your room.~~ *~Hey, Scully, make sure Mulder doesn't become exposed to toxic fumes with Webb standing so close.~* Mac elbowed Harm, he yelped slightly. "That wasn't nice, Mac." "Neither was your comment, Stickboy." she retorted. "I don't have anything to do with this case, except that I'm supposed to report on the findings." Webb said, looking at Rabb and MacKenzie condescendingly. "Webb, how did you even hear about this case? It isn't exactly up your alley." AJ barked. "I have my sources, AJ." Webb answered. "Having an agent as high profile as Mulder in the hospital tends to make the Agency gossip rounds." Meanwhile, Scully was sitting by Mulder's bed, holding his hand, stroking it lightly with her thumb. "Come on, Mulder, wake up. I need to hear you make some wise ass remark. Besides, you promised me, remember?" ~~Mulder, please, I need you.~~ She drifted off to sleep, with her head on Mulder's bed. 0815 ZULU (0315 EST) Suddenly, Scully was snapped awake by the feeling of a hand on her head. "Scully?" a scratchy voice asked. "Mulder!" she exclaimed, sitting up and looking at him. The sight of those hazel eyes open and looking at her was the most beautiful thing she had seen in a long time. ~*Mac, get Jenna, he's awake.*~ There was no way she was leaving him, even to get the doctor. Mac blinked into wakefulness, she pulled herself out of Harm's arms, waking him up, and headed down the hallway. AJ, who had already been awake, looked to Harm. Harm paused a moment, then Mac turned around and gave him a 'don't you dare' look, and Harm smiled. "She's going to get the doctor, Sir. Mulder's awake." "How do you know that?" Webb asked, waking up as well. He had surprised them by insisting on staying at the hospital with them. He may not have known the two FBI agents personally, but he did consider Harm and Mac friends, and if they were staying, he would, too. "It's amazing what JAG officers are capable of." AJ answered with a smile. A few moments later, Mac came back with Jenna, who had stayed on the case, even though her shift had been over for hours. She went immediately into the other room. Scully came out a few minutes later, while Jenna did an examination. "Uncle AJ," Scully said with a smile, "He's going to be all right, I know it." "That's wonderful, Starbuck." he answered, giving her a hug. He shot her a look that said, 'did you tell him?' She nodded and winked. ~*So what is the spook doing here?*~ she projected to the JAG officers. *~Apparently the CIA is trying to sniff under the blankets and look for the results of this case.~* Harm put in. *~Yes, and they sent Webb to be the snake in the grass.~* Mac added. "What are you all doing?" Webb demanded, watching them. "Mr. Webb, we were talking about you." Scully said, matter-of-factly, earning her an incredulous look from the agent. "I find that very unlikely and highly disturbing." Webb said. "Well, Webb, believe it." AJ said. "I do." "What are you four talking about?" Webb demanded. "Webb, didn't you know? This entire investigation is concerning the newly-acquired telepathic abilities of Harm and myself." Mac said, matter-of-factly. "Since Agent Scully, here, is also telepathic, we were merely developing our skills at your expense." Harm put in with a smile. Webb looked at the officers. He realized that they were serious, he looked frustrated and confused. He shook his head in exasperation, "I'm going to go get a cup of coffee and pretend it never happened." He started to walk off towards the elevator, muttering something about Cmdr. Rabb and that damned black-lunged freak. Mac couldn't help herself, she bit her lip before she burst out laughing. "Is he always like that?" Scully asked, not knowing what to make of the relationship between the JAG officers and the CIA agent. "Most of the time." AJ answered. Just then, Jenna came back out. "Well, everything looks good, Dana. There doesn't see to be any major residual damage from the internal bleed. He has some tremors, but with physical therapy, I'm hopeful that they will clear up." "Thanks, Jenna." Scully said, starting to go back into the other room. Jenna put her hand on Scully's arm, "He wants to see Cmdr. Rabb." Harm looked surprised a moment, then entered the ICU room and walked to Mulder's side. "Welcome back aboard, Mulder." Harm said, smiling genuinely. Mulder half-smiled, then winced in pain. "I'm all right." he said, by way of assurance. "About what you were saying yesterday in the car." Harm nodded. "I've been thinking about it. I think you're right... if she's the one, she's worth the hassle of fighting the regs. I told Scully before my surgery that I want to try... she agreed. I just wanted to thank you for saying what you did." "Thanks. I hate to admit I was being rather selfish in saying that." Harm sighed. "I was discussing the Colonel, doing some thinking out loud. She's really worth it, Mulder. She's been worried about you all day. It was all Mac could do to try and soothe her." Mulder frowned, "It's supposed to be me soothing her, not being the cause of her misery." ~~Scully!~~ ~~Mulder, are you all right?~~ ~~I'm fine, I just needed to hear you. Why don't you and Mac join us?~~ ~~Uncle AJ's here.~~ ~~Him, too, Dana.~~ Scully smiled, he had called her Dana. "Mac, Uncle AJ, Mulder wants us to join them." Mac seemed a bit surprised, but the trio entered the ICU room. Harm stepped back to let Scully be close to Mulder, standing next to her while AJ stood near the foot of the bed, and Mac took to the other side of the bed, but she kept her distance. "Well, you've got the whole crew now, Mulder." Harm said with a smile. Harm looked to Scully who looked like she was glowing. Then his eyes shifted to Mac who seemed to be slightly altered from her earlier enthusiastic state. "How are you feeling, Son?" AJ asked. He didn't really know this man, but if Dana loved him, he couldn't be all bad, despite what Bill kept saying about him. "Better, now that Scully's here." Mulder answered, not willing to hide the way he felt anymore... he had come too close to never being able to see her again. He didn't want to waste any more time. Scully squeezed his hand, "It's Dana now, remember? Scully is the person you work with." Mulder laughed, "Just as long as neither Dana nor Scully ever calls me Fox." "That sounds like someone else I know..." Mac said, darting her eyes at Harm teasingly. Harm opened his mouth to protest, so she added, "I'm just kidding!" "I'll deal with you later, Colonel." Harm said, a glint in his eyes. "I'm glad you're doing better, Mulder." Mac said. "Dana?" Mulder said, loving how her name sounded. "How long do I have to stay here?" "Mulder, you just had neurosurgery. You can't just jump out of bed and go." Mulder pouted, "But I hate hospitals." "I know, Love, so why do you spend so much time in them?" Scully teased. "Well, at least let me see the test results from you three, so that I can feel useful." "Oh, no, Mister. You're here to rest. I'll look at the results and tell you later." ~~Rest, for me... we have some unfinished business.~~ "Yes, rest... that's an order." AJ said. "I'm only joking... about the order, not about you needing to rest." He looked at his watch, "I'm going to go home and get some rest before I have to be at JAG. Someone has to keep order there...." He moved around the bed and pulled Scully into a hug. "I'll see you later, Starbuck. Keep them in line for me." Scully tossed off a perfect salute, "Aye-aye, Sir." she said, as AJ headed out of the room. 1003 ZULU (0503 EST) Scully told her three companions that she'd be right back. She ran out to her car and grabbed the test results from Harm and Mac. She wanted to be able to compare them to hers, which were already upstairs in the room. After returning to the room, she spread the three pictures out on the bed. She looked at them in astonishment... the same structure appeared on all three, in almost exactly the same place. "This isn't possible..." she began, in confusion. "What?" Mac asked. Scully pointed to the areas in question. "So..." Harm said. "So, it's practically impossible for three unrelated people to have the same anomaly in the same place in the brain. The odds against it are staggering." "But it's there, isn't it, Scully?" Mulder asked, reverting to using her professional name because they were discussing the case. "Yes, it is.... Now, I really wish I had yours. Maybe there would be a difference that would explain why you can only communicate with me." "With these findings," Harm began, "With the anomalies being in the same place on all three films... would it be safe to conclude that Mac and I probably have the same abilities and range as you two. Also could we assume that it will be permanent, as yours seems to be?" **I think my mind would feel pretty empty with you now.** Mac thought. **Mmm... same here, Ninja-girl.** Harm said, pulling Mac into his arms. Scully was silent for a moment, "Not necessarily, Harm. Until we have an idea what caused it, there's no way to tell. It's safe to say that your telepathy and ours were not caused by the same thing." she said, slowly. "Wait a minute, Scully." Mulder interrupted. "How do we know that they weren't exposed to the virus?" "Mulder, if they had been exposed to that particular virus, I'm sure they'd remember." Scully said, patiently. "More likely, neither of them would be here." Harm and Mac exchanged confused glances, but then both concluded that there were some things you really might be better off not knowing. They probably wouldn't believe it even if they did hear it. "Well, maybe we'd better let Mulder get some rest." Mac said. "We can work on theories later." "We could go home, get some rest, clean clothes and breakfast. Then we could meet back here." Harm suggested. "That's a good idea, you two." Scully said. "You guys go, I'll stay here with Mulder." ~~Dana, go home, take a long soak, change your clothes. I'm not going anywhere.~~ "No, I don't want to." "Dana, please..." Harm and Mac watched this half-telepathic, half-out loud conversation with slight confusion. They finally figured out that Mulder was trying to get Scully to go home for a while. "Dana, come on. You really need to go home for a while." Mac started. Scully still refused. Harm looked at Mulder, some sort of silent communication passed between the two men. "Anything for a friend." Harm said with a laugh. He came up behind Scully and picked her up. Mac laughed and followed as Harm carried the laughing petite auburn-haired woman out into the hallway. Once there, he set her down and smiled, "Hey, you needed a laugh." "I'm still not leaving... Mac, would you leave it if were Harm? How about you, Harm, if it were Mac in that bed in there?" When neither of them answered, she said, "I didn't think so." She dug in her pocket for a key, and handed it to Mac. "Mac, here's my apartment key. Could you stop by and get me some clean clothes. Bring them when you guys come back, and bring breakfast." She wrote her address on a slip of paper. It was surprisingly close to Mac's, in fact, it was in another building in the same apartment complex. "Okay, I'm not liking where that's headed!" Harm said with a laugh as Scully and Mac exchanged 'girl talk' glances. "Okay, you two get out of here. I promise I'll get some sleep while Mulder rests." 1330 ZULU (0830 EST) Harm and Mac walked back into Mulder's room. They smiled at the sight that greeted them. Scully was asleep in a chair that was pulled up next to Mulder's bed. Her head was on the bed, Mulder's arm around her shoulders, a slight smile on her face. **Do you think we should wake her? She's gonna have a killer crick in her back.** Harm said. **I think she'd say it was worth it to be sleeping where she is.** Mac replied. They sat in a chair, Mac on Harm's lap and waited for either of the agents to wake up. They didn't have to wait long. Scully opened her eyes and smiled when she realized where Mulder's arm was. She carefully moved so that she didn't wake him, and sat up. She smiled again when she noticed the two officers sitting across the room. "Very nice apartment." Mac commented in a whisper. She held up a bag, "Clean clothes." Harm held up his own bag, "Breakfast... and not from Beltway Burgers, either." Mac elbowed Harm lightly, "Hey, Flyboy, no cracks about my eating habits." "Well, you are the one sitting on top of me right now, Colonel." Harm teased. Mac stood up in mock indignation. "Well, if you're gonna complain about it, I'll just find somewhere else to park." Harm stood up, "I know when I'm not wanted. Can I get you a drink, Scully?" he asked, ignoring Mac. "Yes, thank you. Coffee would be great." Scully answered. "All right, one coffee coming up." Harm said, leaving the room. Harm returned to find Mulder awake, Scully sitting on the edge of the bed, and Mac in Scully's chair. The ladies looked at each other, then at Harm and started laughing. Harm looked at Mulder, a question in his eyes. Mulder didn't say anything, he was as much in the dark as the Commander, Mac and Scully had been using their telepathy again. *~Strip him down.~* Mac reiterated from her earlier conversation, sparking another fit of the giggles from the ladies. *~But seriously, I want so much to be with him forever. I can't thank you and Mulder enough for teaching us just how valuable what we have is. I would have probably gone on forever not saying anything.~* "Thank you." she said to Harm as she stood up to let him sit down when he handed her a cup of coffee. After he had sat down, she took her place on his lap. "I'm co-piloting." she quipped. "You're asking for trouble, Colonel." Harm teased. "Oh, and you think that you're just the sailor to give it to me." Mac retorted, raising her eyebrow at the double entendre. Harm couldn't come up with a snappy reply to that one, so he remained silent. Scully laughed at the exchange. This was fun for her... not the fact that they were all sitting in an ICU room while Mulder recovered from brain surgery, but the fact that she felt like these two were her friends. She didn't have many friends, her reputation as the 'Ice Queen' precluded that, not to mention that she was 'Mrs. Spooky.' Other agents in the Bureau naturally avoided her. She took a sip of her coffee, "You two look quite natural that way. Is this how JAG lawyers sit together at the office?" she asked innocently. "Yes/No." Harm and Mac answered simultaneously. "It will be now." Harm amended, jokingly. Then, taking Mac's coffee and setting it down next to his, he pulled her into a passionate kiss. **I love you, Sarah Catherine MacKenzie.** Harm sent to his partner. **I love you, too, Flyboy.** Mac returned, tears coming to her eyes as he took her into another breath-stealing kiss. Scully chuckled, ~~Mulder, do you think you could do better?~~ ~~I don't know, Scully, they've got pretty good form going there.~~ ~~Want to try?~~ ~~Why, Dana Katherine Scully, are you flirting with me?~~ "Uhm, could be." she said before leaning down and giving him a gentle kiss on the lips. ~~The rest will have to wait until later... when we're alone, and you're more up to it.~~ ~~I'm always up to it, Dana...~~ ~~Mulder!~~ ~~Only with you, Dana, only with you...~~ The two JAG officers smiled at them. "Dana, are you seeing what I'm seeing? Lots of good couples' nights?" Mac asked. Mulder groaned and rolled his eyes, prompting his partner to swat his arm lightly, ever mindful of the tubes and wires connected there. "Thanks, Mulder, I'd have to say that this is the... best case I've ever had." Harm said, looking to the agent. "It's been... interesting..." Mac commented. "That it has." Scully agreed. "But, somehow, I doubt that it will ever be solved. Mulder, I guess you'll have another one to add to you unsolved drawer." "I know... and I hate that." Mulder said softly, indicating that he was getting tired again. Harm noticed his demeanor, and motioned to Mac that it was time to go again, she nodded. "We'll see you two later." he said taking his partner's arm and leading her out of the room. *~Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Dana...~* Mac sent privately to Scully, prompting a giggle out of Scully. Mac smiled. Somehow she knew that the four of them were going to become quite good friends. Epilogue:DANA SCULLY'S
APARTMENT Scully led her partner through the front door, and over to the sofa. "Sit!" she ordered, "And no whining about it. Doctor's orders." ~*Mac, we're home...*~ she sent to her friend. *~Terrific. No problems, I hope.~* came the reply. ~*No, everything is perfect.*~ *~Tell Mulder I say hello. I've got to get back to work. The Admiral wants me in his office.~* ~*I will, and tell Uncle AJ I say hello.*~ "Mac says hello." Scully said as she headed for the kitchen. She returned a few moments later carrying two glasses. "Iced tea." she stated simply. Mulder smiled. Scully sat down, "It's weird... I've lost my telepathic connection with Harm, but not with Mac, I wonder why..." "I don't know, Dana, just another twist in this already convoluted case." Mulder answered setting down his tea on the coffee table. He then took hers out of her hand and set it down next to his. ~~I believe we're alone... and I'm definitely up to it.~~ Scully's blue eyes got wide as the man she loved pushed her back into a reclining position on the sofa and lowered himself over her. Mulder lowered his mouth to hers and proceeded to take her breath away. ~~Definitely...~~ ~~What, Dana?~~ ~~You are definitely better than Harm...~~ she thought as she pulled him in for another kiss..... The end (What happened next definitely isn't for general audiences... J) |
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