Better Things Forgotten
Keywords: MulderAngst, ScullyAngst
Spoilers: Fourth Season
Disclaimer: Star Wars
belongs to George Lucas and the books to Delrey. I do work for feedback
and that's
about it.
Authors note: This isn't a pretty story. To tell you the truth it's
pretty nasty and strongly
warn people against reading it. If you do not like the idea of rape
turn away. If you don't
like the idea of a male raping a male turn away. If the thought of
child abuse disturbs you
turn away. If you feel totally repulsed by a father raping his son then
turn away. You
probably have a good idea on what the story is about but I feel
compelled to warn you.
I should probably let you know that this came to me in a dream one
night after
spending the day reading Fanfic from the Mulder Torture Page. Actually
it was more like
a nightmare. Just so all you people out there don't think I'm mentally
disturbed.
A special thanks goes out to
Rebecca
Rusnak, for encouraging me and for advice (the ScullyAction! scene is
for you!). Sue
Schleider, for helping me with all the spelling mistakes from across the
room. And Perri
Ciner for just approving of the ideas, and All the others who help me
through my writers
block.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Better Things Forgotten
Chapter 1 (1/20)
He didn't really want to go home. He had a bad feeling about it. Like
the kind
before something life depending happened. It wasn't the first time it
happened and he
knew from experience he couldn't get around it. Fate. It was one of
the few things he still
believed in. One of the mantra's in his life was 'Grin and bear it.'
So when he got home he wasn't all that surprised to see two men on his
couch. "I
would have picked something up if I knew that you were coming. I only
have beer and
pizza in the fridge but your free to have it." Mulder said as he put
his stuff down.
He didn't know who these people were. He never did. They would show
up, tell
him to drop the case he was working on, beat him up and leave. But he
wasn't working
on any case. They had just finished one.
There was something else strange. They had not said anything to him
since he
walked in.
His feeling turned from bad to worse as he felt one of them reach
around to shove
a cloth in his face. Ah the sweet smell of chloroform. He knew it
well. He also knew that
he wouldn't be able to fight it. Save his strength, cause he'll need it
later.
Fox Mulder fell into oblivion trying to figure out how many times this
has
happened before.
As conciseness and feeling returned to his body, Mulder registered a
few things.
One he was lying on his stomach. Two, he was not very comfortable.
Three, his arms and
legs were bound in metal. He later figured that they were cuffs. Four,
he was blindfold
and it was his bed that he was on.
'This is the most action my bed has seen in a long time.' His sick and
twisted mind
thought briefly.
"Hey. Any one here?" He tried to sound calm, but the position he was
in made
that hard.
"He's up." Some one said. Fox didn't know who. He then felt
something go
around his mouth.
'A gag. Oh Shit. I'm in trouble.' Fox tried to speak, but it only
came out as
muffled cries.
"Calm down. It won't do you any good." It was a second voice.
He felt hands on him. They reached for his belt. Soon his belt was
pulled away
from his pants. The button and zipper on his pants soon were also
undone.
'Aw Shit. I need help. Where is Scully? How long was I out for?' He
couldn't
see the clock. He rubbed his face against his pillow. 'No real stubble
yet. Okay that
meant it was still Friday night.' His pants were now down around his
ankles.
Mulder was getting very nervous. He tried to squirm away from them
although he
knew that it was impossible. It was then he felt something over his
rear end. The only
thing he could do was let out a muffled cry as his belt found it's way
across his ass and
back over and over again.
Just when he thought that he couldn't take anymore, they had taken to
using the
buckle to hit him, it stopped. Fox's backside was on fire. Moving hurt
as much as staying
still. The warm red blood wasn't very comforting on his body. A knife
was added to his
torture as it tore away his shirt and pants from his ankles.
Footsteps leaving the room gave Mulder time to think some more. 'Okay,
maybe
they were done now. They had just beaten him and striped away his
dignity. Yes it had
hurt, but that wasn't the first time a beating hurt. Maybe this time
they decided to change
their tactics, now knowing that the usual beatings didn't persuade him
from investigating a
case.'
'But we just finished a case.' The thought entered his mind, as a calm
reassurance
just got comfortable there. 'Our last case hadn't even dealt with the
government. It was a
serial killer. His pattern had been so erratic that it took me to catch
him. And even that
took days just to find the pattern.
'So what did these people what from him? It doesn't matter' The calm
tired to
push it's way back in. 'They left. You just have to hope that someone
decides to come
visit you. Because there is no way you can get out of here your self.
just close your eyes
and rest for a bit. Go to sleep. When you wake up there might be some
thing you can
come up with.'
The calm had won this battle, and Mulder drifted into a very
uncomfortable sleep.
A short uncomfortable sleep.
End of chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 2 (2/20)
(disclaimer above)
The pressure on his thighs was a lot. 'What was on top of him?' He
thought.
Next he felt hands. They roamed over his body. His back hurt a lot.
That was when
realization stepped forward. 'Aw shit. They are back. What do they
want?'
As if to answer the unspoken question he felt the elastic waist of his
boxers being
pulled away from his body. 'Oh no. Please no. Oh god. Someone please
say this isn't
happening.' He silently pleaded as he felt the hands on his ass. A
finger made it in-
between the cheeks before he clenched his muscles.
"Mmmmm" He heard someone say. The finger was moving. He tried to
keep the
muscles tight but couldn't. He wasn't comfortable enough to hold the
position. Soon
another finger joined. They worked slowly. He felt a hand reach around
his waist to take
hold of his penis. 'No. Please. Help. Scully. Help.' Was what he
meant to scream. But
it came out muffled.
The hand and the fingers worked together. Slowly and methodically.
"Are you
getting all this on tape?" It was that first voice that he heard.
"Even the sound." The second one. They were taping it. They were
taping them
raping him.
He them felt something hard against his ass. He would have probably
clenched his
muscles again if he was thinking straight. 'Oh god. Please some one
help me. Please let
someone come to the door. I don't care who it is. Even if its Mrs.
Edelman. Just as long
as it's someone. Please.' Was all that was going on in there now.
Fox was barely aware when the pressure was removed from his thighs.
The pain
had been intense. Worse than anything he could imagine. His face was
wet from the tears
that fell. His throat was sore from all the muffled screams that came
along with each
thrust. In fact everything was sore. From his head to his toes. He
felt the warm blood as
it covered his ass. The semen on and under him was sticky and wet. It
also gave the
room a weird, disgusting smell.
'But it had stopped.' Finally registered after a few minutes. 'They
were leaving.
The torture was over.' He was going to tread very softly for the next
few months. 'No
looking for cases. Taking what's assigned without question. Just being
the model agent.
Yes. People will think something's wrong. But that doesn't matter.
Spooky Mulder can't
live forever. Tomorrow Fox Mulder will be reborn.' He would go back to
praying in the
morning. Thanking god for saving him from further torture.
But that tomorrow that he was hopping for was not going to be the next
day.
After a few minutes of peace, a new pressure was felt on his. It was
different from the
first time. 'A different person. That means. . . No. It can't be.'
He thought frantically.
'Not again. Please no.' He would have screamed or cried out, but he
was too tired.
He just laid there taking what they were giving him. He couldn't stop
his body
from reacting to what they were doing to him. He didn't even know when
the white heat
of pain turned into the cold darkness of oblivion.
As he came back to the world of the living, for a second, all the had
occurred
seemed like a nightmare. But Fox Mulder was never that lucky. And he
soon realized
how much luck, or lack there of, he had. If he thought he was in pain
before, than he was
more of a wuss than he thought. Nothing could compare this time.
His head was pounding, trying to comprehend what was happening, how he
was
going to get out of this, when he was going to die, and a bunch of other
things. His arms
and legs felt like they had been pulled out of their sockets. They had
not untied him and
he was in a very uncomfortable position. His wrists and ankles were
sore and stinging.
He felt the dried blood, caking where he had rubbed against the
restraints. His back stung
and itched from the whipping he was treated to in the beginning of the
ordeal. His
stomach was empty. He had no idea what day it was. Even if it was
Saturday, it had been
a while since he last ate. His chest also hurt. His lungs felt heavy
and he had a hard time
breathing. It was more like a wheeze now from time to time. His throat
was also sore.
Muffled screams and cries take as much energy and strength as real ones
do. His ass was
just a blob of pain. They had pushed and pushed into that tiny space.
They had been so
big that they had torn flesh.
Beneath him he felt and smelt the wonderful stench of blood, semen, and
possibly
urine. He didn't remember going to the bathroom. But he couldn't stop
his body at times.
He prayed to anyone or thing that was listening. He didn't know if he
wanted to survive
or to just die. But what ever the outcome was to be he hoped it would
come soon.
Voices interrupted his prayer. "We got some good shots."
"Yeah, our boy is very photogenic. But I want something more. A blow
job."
"That would be great for the film. You want to go first this time?"
"But what if he screams."
"You mean to let him?"
"Yeah. That would give the film something special. No one had done
that
before."
"We can alternate. Give him and then him to us."
"Good idea."
If it was possible Mulder became even paler. He was starting to feel
sick. The
cuffs where being removed and he was turned onto his back. Before
anything really
registered he was already cuffed back to the bed.
The mattress he was on moved as another body was added on top of it.
This body
came between his legs. He felt a tongue run over his chest around his
nipples. "Mmmm.
A reaction." The voice was throaty and he hated it. He wished they
would plug up his
ears too.
The tongue trailed down to his stomach, torso and then it stooped on
his thighs.
Teeth were added, and Mulder was sure little bite marks could be seen on
the inside of his
thighs.
When he felt his penis enveloped in the warm wetness of a mouth, he
tried to
scream again. But the damn gag was in the way.
With each bite and suck he felt his life being taken away. His mind
wondered to
what Scully would think. He could imagine her coming in here gun aimed
and ready to
fire. But she would see what was happening and then freeze. Then these
assholes who
had him would have her too.
He felt himself release and the mouth left. The voice returned. "Very
tasty. You
got it?"
"Yeah. My turn."
"Naw. Give him some time. Meanwhile he can repay the favor. Then you
can
have a taste. He should be . . . replenished by then. Now don't
scream, or bite boy. You
will really regret it. That I promise." Another weight but this time
it was more on his
shoulders and his sides. The gag was removed and was immediately
replaced by flesh.
"Suck boy. This better be good." He felt his hair being grabbed and
the flesh being
pushed down his throat.
Mulder did what he was told he was scared not to. The flesh got more
rigid and
bigger in his mouth. As semen exploded forth Mulder's head was held in
place.
"Good boy." The voice repeated as the gag was replaced. He felt a
hand on his
head like he was being petted.
That's what this was. They were using him. He was there little sex
toy. Before he
could think of much anything else, the whole ordeal began again, but
with a different
weight and voice.
He thought he was going to be sick. 'Wonder what Scully would tell me
about the
health factor of semen on an empty stomach.' His mind tried to make a
joke but his soul
wasn't in that kind of mood.
The first guy must have gotten hard watching his friend with Mulder,
because he
was soon on his back. The movements were too quick for him and he was
getting sick.
There was a constant pounding somewhere on his backside. He wasn't so
worried about
that.
For some reason the dark seemed to be more threatening. Closing in
around him.
The pounding stopped and voices were taking again. But he couldn't make
out what they
were saying. His stomach was churning.
All of a sudden he started to heave. A lot came up. He didn't know
what it was.
But he was thankful that they had forgotten the gag. He threw up for
what seemed like
forever.
His face was covered with it. He didn't have the energy to move his
head away,
and he was still tied up. He couldn't scream, his throat was too raw.
His guests had seemed to leave and he felt a little more relaxed.
Maybe someone
would smell this and come to his rescue. As he thought about all the
things that added to
the aroma he got sick again.
He didn't know when he stopped vomiting. The dark closed up around
him.
Voices. They were back. No it was only one voice and it was female.
This voice
was safe. He could go back to the peacefulness of oblivion.
End of chapter 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3 (3/20)
(disclaimer in part 1)
It smelt as if something had died. She knew that it meant trouble
being it got
stronger as she got to her partners door. A knock. No answer. She
tired again. Still
nothing.
Dana Scully took out her key and her gun. Slowly she unlocked the door
and
entered. "Oh god." She sucked in a breath and ran to open a window.
Once she had her
breathing back under control, she continued her search.
When she came upon the bedroom, she froze. "Oh lord." Someone behind
her
said. Her boss. She forgot that he had come with her in case Mulder
was in serious
trouble and she needed help.
Dana Scully quickly recovered. "Call 911. Now." She commanded
Skinner.
Totally sick from the picture he left the room to make the call.
Scully moved closer to her partner. She took a blanket from the floor
and covered
the shivering, naked body And removed the blindfold. His eyes were
closed. "Don't
worry Mulder it will be okay." She moved his head away from the vomit.
A quick trip to
the bathroom and she had a washcloth to remove the rest from his face.
She did a preliminary examine and was happy that he was still
breathing. But the
cuffs were still on him. "Sir?" She called out.
"What's wrong?" He ran into the room.
"Help me pick the locks on the cuffs. They aren't going to be able to
help him until
they are off. Here's a bobby pin. It's all I have. Work on his legs."
Skinner nodded, happy to be doing something. "We are going to get you
out of
here Mulder. I promise. It's going to be okay. I'm here, Skinner's
here. We won't let
anything happen to you. It's going to all work out." She said to his
lifeless form. She
hoped he heard her.
'Who am I kidding. Nothing will be all right. He was raped and
abused. For three
days he went through the torture. Yes he is alive, but is Fox alive."
She thought as she
worked on the cuffs.
"When are they going to get here?"
"They said that there was a pretty big accident not too long ago. All
the
ambulances are there. They will divert one towards us."
"They better get here soon. He's sick." She stole a second from
working on the
second cuff to feel his forehead. "He has a fever, and he's wheezing.
I'm guessing
bronchitis or early pneumonia. He had a nasty cough at work this past
week. How is it
going down there."
"One more second. And there. He's free."
"Good. Here work on this one. I want to examine him a little more
closely." She
uncovered him to the waist. His back was all ripped up. He had cuts and
welts. Some
looked infected. She then moved to his legs. Saving the worst part for
last.
His ankles were black and blue from pulling on the metal. The area
around his
thighs were irritated. And it looked like there were bit marks.
"There. He's free." Skinner told her.
"Okay let's get him on his back. It will be easier for him to
breath."
"He looks horrible."
"I'm guessing three days. Friday night was probably the first night."
Scully looked
at her boss. "It's the stubble." She explained. "And the fact that he
is so thin. Oh good.
I hear them now."
Dana sat on the bed trying to stay in the clean area and put her
partners head in her
lap. "It's okay. We won't let anyone hurt you." She soothed.
The ambulance came and got Scully to give them his history. They
started an IV
and covered him with some blankets. At Scully's insistence they gave
him oxygen. "Go
with them. I called a few people from the police department. They are
heading over.
They plan to come in after the ambulance leaves."
"Thank you sir."
"Stay with him."
Scully was waiting in the waiting room when her cell rang. "Scully."
"Agent Scully. How is Agent Mulder?"
"I don't know. They have him upstairs. The doctor will hopefully be
here soon.
Where are you?"
"I'm at Mulder's apartment. I'm going to stay here. I have a feeling
that they will
be coming back. I want to be ready for them. I've also had my people
come in here and
take samples from the bed. We'll get the results by tomorrow morning.
So far they have
it narrowed down to four different substances. Blood, urine, semen, and
vomit."
"Okay Sir. Let me know what happens."
"I'll head over as soon as possible." And she disconnected. Scully
was going out
of her mind waiting for information. She headed to the nurses station.
End of chapter 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 4 (4/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"Are you Dr. Scully?"
"Yes." She turned around.
"Hi. I'm Dr. Pratt. I'm in charge of Mr. Mulder's care."
"I was wondering when someone could come down and answer my questions."
"Why don't we go upstairs. Mr. Mulder is in a room now and is
resting."
"What did you find?"
"He was raped. There was severe tearing. We gave him a few stitches.
He is
unconscious for an unknown reason. We are figuring the trauma. Also he
has infected
cuts on his back. We are giving him an antibiotic. Also he has
pneumonia. How he
received that-"
"He was sick before. I've tried to get him to go to a doctor. I guess
it has
developed into pneumonia."
"Thank you. So we have him on some oxygen. He also is
undernourished. We
aren't going to put him on a feeding tube yet. But the idea has crossed
our mind."
"Can I go see him?"
"Yes."
When they arrived at the room they were both surprised at what they
saw. It was
obvious that Mulder was awake. He was on his left side, with his back
towards them. His
body was rocking back and forth.
They both went to the other side. Mulder was in a fetal position, arms
wrapped
around a pillow in his middle. His eyes were dilated and he was
staring out into nothing.
That was enough for the Dr. Pratt. But what made Scully surprised was
the thumb
that Mulder had in his mouth. She laid a hand on his arm. "Mulder?
Mulder, it's me
Scully." he didn't do anything.
"Mulder, it's okay. You're safe. I promise. Fox? Do you here me?"
This time she got a reaction. But it wasn't until she uttered the name
Fox. At that
time he looked up at her. His thumb fell out of his mouth. "Where is
my mommy?"
"Uhm. We will get her. Why don't you go to sleep Fox."
He nodded and closed his eyes, with his thumb back in his mouth.
"We need him to see a physiologist. It's my guess that the 37 year old
Fox Mulder
is not here."
"I tend to agree with you. But what about his mother has she been
notified?"
"She suffered a terrible heart attack a little while back. She is not
really up to it."
"We have to get someone who he can call mom. Do you know anyone?"
"We can try my mother. I'll give her a call."
"Fine. I'm going to find someone to help Mr. Mulder." And they both
went there
separate ways.
'Hello, You have reached the Scully residence."
Damn, the answering machine. Did you think your mother spends her time
waiting
for you to call?
"Leave a name and number and a message at the beep."
"Hi Mom, It's me. I need your help. Mulder is in the hospital again.
And WE
really need your help. Don't bother calling me back. Just come over
when you here this
message. Room 6124. Thanks mom."
She breathed a sigh of relief and hoped her mom could get here soon.
she then felt
obligated to call his mother. "Ms. Mulder's residence." The home aide
nurse answered
the phone.
"Hello. My name is Dana Scully. I'm Ms. Mulder's son, Fox's, partner
at the FBI."
"Yes. I've heard about you. Is there a problem?"
"Yes. Fox has been admitted to the hospital. He was a victim in a
horrible crime.
I was wondering how strong Ms. Mulder is. If she should be told."
"That might not be a good idea. She is not doing to well. She had a
minor stroke
on Friday. We aren't giving her much more time to live. She just came
home a few hours
ago."
"Thank you. Please keep me informed. I assume you have my number?"
"Yes Miss Scully. We will call you with any information." And the
conversation
ended with the dial tone.
When she got back to Mulder's room he was a sleep. He looked so young.
Especially the thumb. She would never have thought that Mulder was a
thumb sucker.
But that might be a good reason why he always had something in his
mouth.
"Yes?" She answered the knock at the door.
"Sorry to interrupt. I'm Dr. Crosby. Dr. Pratt asked me to come to
see his
patient, Fox Mulder."
"Of course. I'm Dana Scully. I'm his partner."
"Dr. Pratt said that you were also a doctor. And you're the one that
requested the
psych counsel."
"Yes. The thing is when he woke up before, he asked for his mother.
She is
unable to make the trip here. She has just suffered another stroke this
weekend. Also the
way he is acting. Rocking himself, holding the pillow against his
chest. And sucking his
thumb. He has never done that before. I've known him for 6 years and
he has never done
that."
"So what is it you think that is happening to him."
"I think that what happened to him somehow triggered something in his
brain to
his childhood. And he is now reliving his childhood after the
incident."
"What happened to him?"
"He was beaten, raped and starved repeatedly this weekend."
"Has this happened before?"
"Not that I'm aware of. But he has many demons in his closet. Ones
that I'm sure
even he is not aware of."
"Well if something like this had happened to him before there should be
a listing of
it in his medical file. I'll take a look at that. Is there anything
else you think I should
know?"
"Two things. One, and this will probably be listed in any psych file
that can be
found on Mulder, is that his sister disappeared when she was 8. He was
12. They still
haven't found her. And number two, is that I called my mother to come.
She loves
Mulder like one of her own. I was thinking that maybe she can act as a
mother figure for
him. That way we might be able to find out some more on what happened."
"What are you licensed in?"
"Pathology."
"You sure know your psychology."
"That's where Mulder got his doctorate. I guess I picked it up from
working with
him for so long."
"No. It isn't my fault. I don't know. Please. No please." A voce
called out. It
was soft and childlike. But that didn't stop them from looking at
Mulder.
"Fox. It's okay. Wake up." Scully shook him.
Suddenly he woke up. "Mommy?"
"Your mom is coming Fox. We called her. She's on her way. Can you
answer me
a question Fox?"
"Uh huh."
"How old are you?"
"I'm twelve. I'll be thirteen in October."
"Okay Fox. Thank you. Do you want to go to sleep?"
"Yes. I'm very tired."
"Okay, you do that. I'll wake you up when your mother comes. I
promise you."
"Don't leave me."
"Okay Fox. I'll sit right here on this chair." She sat down and held
his hand. Soon
he was back asleep.
End of chapter 4
Chapter 5 (5/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"What's wrong with Fox?" Her mother asked her outside the room.
"He was hurt. I need to ask you a favor."
"Sure what is it?"
"First I should tell you what happened. Let's go inside. We just
found Mulder this
morning. He was tied up in his bedroom. He had been that way since."
She was cut off.
"Please no. Please."
"Fox wake up. It's only a nightmare." Scully instantly tried to
soothe him.
Margaret was startled at her daughter's reaction.
"Mommy. I want my mommy. Where is she?" He cried.
Dana nodded to her mother and Margaret understood what her daughter
wanted.
"I'm here Fox. Don't worry. You're safe." She sat down on the bed.
He sat up and opened his arms to give her a big hug. Margaret excepted
it.
"Mommy, why did he hurt me? Why? I told him the truth. Why didn't he
believe me?"
He cried into her shoulder.
"Shh, it's okay Fox. I promise you won't be hurt anymore. I promise.
He isn't
here. It's only you, me, and Dana. We will protect you, baby. You're
safe. Now go back
to sleep. We will watch over you, baby. It's all over. It's okay."
She soothed over and
over again. Soon the crying stopped and Mulder was asleep in Margaret's
arms.
"What's going on? What happened to him? He is acting like a child."
"As I was saying, he was held captive in his apartment over the
weekend. He
wasn't fed and he was beaten. Worse than that he was raped repeatedly.
When we got
there today he was laying on his bed, face down, naked. He was in a
pool of blood, urine,
vomit, and semen. Now he believes that he is 12 years old."
"Where is his mother? I don't like lying to him?"
"His mother had another stroke recently. She just got home today.
There is no
way she can make it down here. He needs someone he can feel safe with.
Please I don't
know what else to do for him."
"All right. What did his doctor say?"
"The psychologist came back before and said that he has not found
anything in
Fox's file that says that this has happened before."
"Why should it?"
"Well the fact that he thinks he's 12. There is no reason to put him
back there
unless something triggered a memory from back then."
"How about his sister?"
"I think it will be more physical things. I know of some people who
might help.
Now that you are here. I'm going to call them."
"Okay Dana."
"Thank you mom. And Fox thanks you too." She kissed her mom and left.
Margaret took the time to look at Fox Mulder sleeping now. He did look
horrible.
He looked weak and frail. Much to thin. But there was something about
him, that
radiated off. Melissa would have said it was his aura.
What ever it was, it radiated innocence. But not just any innocence.
Shattered
innocence. The type that comes when you think you are safe from
something, and then
that something happens. He looked too young to be 37. He looked too
young to have
lost a sister and a father. He looked too young too have been terribly
hurt. And the
thumb on his mouth just made you want to pick him up in your arms and
cradle him like a
baby. Rocking him back and forth. Singing lullabies, and whispering
words of
reassurance in his ears.
Margaret sighed. There was nothing she could do but be here for him.
Be his
mother, while his mother was too busy with her own life. She felt she
owed it to him after
how understanding he was when Dana was sick. Yes. He was there for
her. He was the
one who took her to the headstone maker, although he was against the
idea. He was the
one who insisted the doctors do more for her. He was there for her
sounding board. She
had yelled at him about the injustice that was facing her daughter. She
cried on his
shoulder, letting go the tears of pain that she felt. And he was there
to talk to, to discuss
options on what would happen to his partner. Yes she did owe it to
him.
She just wished that there was an easier way to repay him.
End of chapter 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 6 (6/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"Lone Gunmen"
"Langly? It's Scully. This is important. Turn off the tape."
She heard the tape recorder being turned off. "What is it?"
"I need you to do some digging for me."
"Okay."
"The date is sometime between November 1973 and October 1974. In
either
Massachusetts or on the Vineyard."
"This has something to do with the *fox*."
"Yes. It has everything to do with him."
"What exactly are we looking for."
"Hidden records of child abuse. I mean a serious incident. About a
boy who was
beaten and raped by someone."
"Is he okay?"
"Physically he will heal. Mentally? Well that's why I need the
information."
"One of us will come by as soon as we find something."
"Thanks again."
She took a breath before hanging up. She looked at her watch. Seven.
Time to
eat something. Her mind said. She sat downstairs in the cafeteria
eating, with her
thoughts as her companions.
What was she going to do with Mulder. Even if they did find out if
something
happened in the past how was that going to help? She had no clue. She
would ask Dr.
Crosby when she saw him later. If Fox couldn't go back to work what
would she do? She
couldn't carry on with out him? There would be no purpose to them. Fox
was the whole
reason I didn't quit yet.
Whoa, where did that thought come from? When did Fox make and break
the X-
Files for you? Fox is your partner. When had he become Fox?
When you came into that bedroom and saw what was done to him. When he
looked at you and asked for his mother. When you saw him suck his thumb
like an infant.
When you first saw how vulnerable he was. That's when he became Fox to
you. He was
always Fox. You just couldn't admit it to yourself that he was.
The ringing of her phone brought her out of her reverie. "Scully."
She answered.
"We got them." He boss said.
"Okay. I'll meet you-"
"You stay there. I'm heading over to the hospital right now. One of
them was
shot." From the tone of Skinner's voice she knew that he had done the
shooting, that it
wasn't really an accident, and that he wasn't sorry he did it.
"I'll be outside room 6124." And she disconnected. Time to head back.
"How is he?" Skinner asked.
It was now almost ten. After Skinner had come by he and Scully had to
give their
statements. Separately at Skinner's request. He didn't want her to
know all that happened
yet. And she didn't understand why. She was exhausted. As she got
back to Mulder's
room with Skinner, they heard Fox crying again. They came to the door
just as Margaret
was crooning him back to sleep.
"Not good." She answered. "Besides the physical injuries, he seems to
be
mentally disturbed. He believes and acts like a child. When asked he
says that he is
twelve."
"What brought this one?"
"I think that what happened to him in his apartment, happened once
before in his
childhood, when he was 12. And he has reverted back to that time in his
mind. What
happened to him at the apartment, sir?"
"What is your mother doing here?"
"I asked her to be here sir." Dana was losing her patience. "Fox had
woken up
asking for his mother. I contacted her but she is too ill to make the
trip. I asked my
mother to step in. He has taken to her very well. We will be able to
help him more if we
knew more about the people you arrested." She bit off the last words.
Walter took off his glasses. Man was his head pounding. What was he
going to
tell Scully. How about the truth? No matter how much it will hurt
her? No matter. He
put the glasses back on. He owed her this. "I suspected that the
suspects would come
back tonight. Just the way they left him. I don't know, just call me
spooky." Dana
shuddered at that and he immediately regretted it. "Anyway I was
right. They came back
in using a key. They were carrying video equipment. Before we called
for the ambulance,
I wanted to see what was on the tape they had."
"They were video taping it?"
"Yes. All the incidents. If something like this has happened in his
past who did it
to him?"
"We don't know. We can't find any reports on him. I have some of
Mulder's
friends looking for something."
"How about physically?"
"He has pneumonia. That's the main problem. He is undernourished.
Also there
were bruises on his body from a belt, and being chained to the bed.
Also there was some
tearing. They have stitched him up. They also say there are no
infections from the
tearing."
'Why don't you go home and get some sleep."
"No sir. I don't want to leave my mother here alone."
"I'll stay. Unfortunatly your mother and I have spent many a night
like this with
either you or Agent Mulder. Go home and Go to sleep. You will relieve
both of us in the
morning." The tone that was used was one of a drill sergeant. One you
did not question.
One that there was only one way to answer. "Yes Sir." Dana went in to
say good
bye to her mother and tell her what was happening. She gave Fox a kiss
on his forehead
and left.
End of chapter 6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 7 (7/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
When The alarm went off in the morning, Scully opened her eyes to a
bright sunny
day. Damn, it was late. She forgot to set her alarm last night. Just
time for a shower this
morning.
As she stood under the water she wondered what kind of case Mulder
would dig
up for her. That's when realization hit her.
Mulder was in the hospital. Not just because of a job related injury.
But because
two assholes decided to make a porno video staring Fox Mulder. Her mom
was there
with him as was Skinner.
Dana finished her shower and quickly dressed. She'd stop off and get
breakfast for
everyone.
As she headed out the door, her phone rang. She debated answering it.
It might
be important. "Hello?"
"Dana."
"Frohike, What's doing?"
"We think we found the information you're looking for. Is there
somewhere we
can meet?"
"I'm going to the hospital now. Do you want to meet me there?"
"Yeah. We also found out what happened. It was on the news this
morning.
While his name wasn't mentioned, we figured it was him."
"All right. I'll see you then." She quickly hung up and went for the
breakfast.
When Dana got to the room, everyone was asleep. She let the coffee
wake them
up. Skinner was first. "Here sir. I brought you breakfast." She
whispered. "I figured
that the food here wouldn't be too good."
"Thank you dear." Her mother said.
"Sorry to wake you."
"No problem."
"Shouldn't we whisper. I don't want to wake Fox up."
"You won't. They had to sedate him. I don't know if you were aware or
not, but
he wouldn't eat anything yesterday. So they had to put in a feeding
tube. He wasn't very
cooperative, and they have to keep him heavily sedated, - "
"Otherwise he wakes up, and tried to pull it out." Scully cut her boss
off, as he
took a sip of coffee.
"I take it that it has happened before?" Her mother questioned.
"Yeah. And I'm sure you are now aware of the note in his records about
restraints."
"I was curious about that Agent Scully, after they sedated him instead
of restraints.
The nurse showed me the note."
"You thought he was difficult out of the hospital, just wait. There
are bagels in
there if you want. I expect you to go home and get some sleep. I plan
to stay here." She
said as she patted a large bag.
"But you shouldn't be here by yourself dear." Her mother said.
"Don't worry. I'll be here." A voice said from behind. Everyone
faced the door
but Dana.
"Are you sure you can stay out in the open for so long?"
"For you Dr. Scully you know I would do anything."
Dana turned around. "Frohike this is my mother, and my boss Assistant
Director
Skinner. Sir, mom, this is a friend of Mulder and mine, Frohike."
"A friend?"
"Yes. If you have what I asked for."
"Well then if we can go someplace-"
"No. We are all here for Mulder's health. Don't worry about him
waking up. This
room is clean. I promise."
"Well then, let us start." And everyone took a seat.
January 19, 1974
Fox Mulder was happy to be home from school. His first day back had
been
horrible. He had been out of school for close to two months. His
sister was kidnapped
and he had been in the hospital because of it. Samantha was still
missing. He had thought
that going back to school would help take his mind off his sister.
But no such luck. He would never forget Samantha. No matter what.
And all the
teasing and behind the back whispering had not helped. Not only that
but the principal
and his teachers felt that he should not be kept in ninth grade, but put
into seventh with all
the other twelve year olds. So there were no friends with him in any of
his classes. There
was no one for him to really talk to. At least by the end of the day
he had pleaded himself
back into eighth.
When he walked into the home, it was silent. The first thing he did
was go up to
his room. He closed his eyes as tight as possible. He pictured his
sister in his mind. He
started to pray to G-d. Then in Hebrew, the language of his people, he
was taught, he
asked G-d to make sure that his sister was there. Slowly he opened the
door. He stepped
inside and slowly opened his eyes.
For one brief second he thought that he saw his sister on his bed,
waiting for him
to come home. But he was wrong. Samantha had not returned. He put his
books down
and started to do some homework.
At five his mother had still not made herself known. He wondered what
he would
be eating for dinner. He crept through the hall not wanting to really
disturb his mother.
She was so fragile lately. She barely visited him in the hospital. He
still didn't know why
he was there.
He remembered the police sitting down with him to ask him some
questions and
then he woke up in the hospital. They said that he had blanked out.
That he had been that
way, comatose, for about three weeks. They had wanted to keep him in
the hospital for a
little while after that to run some tests.
He heard soft sobbing coming from the den. He poked his head in to she
his
mother curled up in the armchair. In one hand was a picture of
Samantha. In the other
was a bottle of some brown liquid. He couldn't remember if it was rum,
brandy, or scotch.
No matter. Whatever it was, it was alcohol and not good for her. But
it was something
he had seen his mother do a lot since he had been home.
Fox knew that it would be up to him to prepare dinner again for his
family. He
remembered the first time he had to make dinner.
His father had come home at six thirty. Mom had been busy drinking
herself into a
stupor. To make a long story short his father had given him a beating
before he was
requested to make dinner.
Better to start something now. It could always be reheated later.
Bill Mulder was not a happy man. Not only had his daughter been taken,
they
were holding her to keep him quiet. She wouldn't be found until he was
dead and sure all
their secretes were safe. He hoped that his son would have the right
sense to stay out of
the government for a job. He could see Fox as a doctor or a teacher, or
something like
that.
When he got home dinner was not ready. He knew he was early but
still. He
found his wife drunk out of her mind in the den. She was wailing over
the loss of her
daughter. Man that woman could be so dense sometimes. Why hadn't she
made dinner.
He was really mad now. The only person that was left to fully
appreciate his anger
was his son. "Fox." He called.
The boy ran out of his room. "Oh, hi dad. Got a late start on
dinner. I'm sorry.
Got wrapped up in my school work. I'm waiting for the water to boil. I
figured some
spaghetti and meatballs for dinner."
"Get down here." He commanded. Fox ran, unsure of what his father was
going
to do. "How long till dinner is ready?"
"Ah, a few minutes sir."
"Then set the table." And Bill Mulder headed into the study.
Fox carefully set the table for three. Trying not to make any noise to
disturb either
of his parents. Soon enough dinner was ready.
Fox got his parents and sat down at the table serving out the food
while they
washed up. "What's going on here?" His father's voice almost made him
drop the plate.
"I'm serving dinner."
"Why are there only three places?"
"Because there are only three of us here." Fox said deeply hurt.
"You should have set a place for your sister." His father said as his
mother came
into the room.
At hearing the mention of her daughter she started to cry and went to
her room.
"That's it boy." Bill gave his son a back hand across the face. Fox
was too stunned to cry.
"Get to you room." Fox ran not wanting to get hurt anymore.
This was not the first time Fox was sent to bed without dinner. He
planned to
sneak downstairs after his parents went to bed. Might as well get some
sleep now. He
thought as he laid down on his bed.
It was after midnight that Fox woke up. It wasn't his stomachs fault
this time. It
was loud foot steps approaching his door. Before he could think of
something the door
swung open to reveal his father.
Something about him standing the doorway, lit only by the hallway, and
the smell
of liquor emanating from him, made Fox want to die. Fox didn't even see
his father move.
It seemed that the hand just grew to grab him. It threw him against the
door. "You
ungrateful little bastard." It slurred. The man was no longer his
father. It wasn't even
human, as it threw Fox down the stairs.
"Why do you always do that to your mother. You lost your sister. How
could
you. YOU were SUPPOSE to PROTECT HER. And you DIDN'T." The door to
the
basement opened and Fox was pushed down another flight.
He couldn't see straight anymore. His head ached and so did his back.
Actually
everything hurt. The hand made contact with his face again. When the
blurryness receded
he was able to taste something metallic.
His lip was bleeding. It was both a good sign and a bad sign. It was
good that he
was alive. It was bad that he was still conscious to deal with the next
assault. "So what
do you have to say for yourself, Fox William Mulder." He tossed the boy
like a rag doll to
the ping pong table. The edge caught him in the stomach. "Now that you
destroyed the
family." He picked the boy up by his neck. The brandy that his father
had drunk burned
his face.
Fox could only feel and hear. The two worst things that he could do.
When he
didn't answer it made his father even angrier. "Your going to pay for
destroying the family
Fox. And you are going to pay good." He dropped the boy to the table.
"Dad, please." He croaked.
His father had started to undress him. Fox was getting worried. What
was his
father going to do to him. He already knew that he'd have to be in
another hospital. He
hated hospitals. Almost as much as he hated being home with a drunk
father.
His father left him lying naked on the table. Maybe he would be left
alone now.
Please. He started to pray to G-d. Please help me. Please. I always
daven to you in the
morning. I'm studying for my Bar Mitzvah. Please. Hashem help me.
Fox couldn't
move.
"What are you mumbling about now boy?" His father repositioned his
body, and
listened. "Praying boy? To what? There is no G-d. If there was one
he would not have
let your sister been taken. And he wouldn't have given me such a
worthless child."
Fox heard the roll of duct tape. "Now that you destroyed the family,
you must
take their job." His father spoke as he cut a piece of taped, and put
it over his waist.
Now he was nervous. What was his father going to do to him. Another
piece was
put over one of his wrists, as he stared to squirm. His father
continued to speak as he
continued to tape the boy down.
"Your mother doesn't even want to be in the same room with me anymore.
Whenever this used to happen your sister was here, to help me." Two
more pieces of tape
were cut one was placed over his eyes the other over his mouth.
"But because of you they are both lost." The leather belt met his
exposed flesh.
"Now you must pay." Smack. "You couldn't protect her." Smack. "You
just stood
there." Smack. "Frozen, scared." Smack. "Like a weakling." Smack.
"Well, no son of
mine is going to be weak." Smack. "I'm going to toughen you up."
Smack. "Your
mother never let me discipline you right." Smack. "She said I was
being too hard on
you." Smack. "Maybe if I was harder, we would still have Samantha."
Smack. "If I was
harder you would have fought back." Smack.
Fox didn't hear anymore. He couldn't feel anymore either. All that
surrounded
him was total darkness and he was happy with that.
When Fox regained consciousness he couldn't move. It wasn't because of
the tape.
He couldn't feel that. All he felt was his body. It was on fire.
Burning like he was in hell.
Not only that but it hurt for him to breath or think. Two things he
enjoyed doing.
He tried to remember what had happened but his brain wasn't letting
him. The last
thing it allowed him to remember was the fact that he had come home from
school and
Sam was still missing. He didn't know how long he had been unconscious
and truthfully
he didn't care. He just wanted someone to get him out of here. He was
also able to hear
his stomach growling.
He didn't know when the last time he ate. Fox remembered being to sent
to bed
without dinner. He was going to go downstairs when. . . That's when it
hit him.
His father had beaten him. He wasn't untied yet. He had to get out of
here. Fox
started to wiggle. He had to get away from this person who claimed to
be his father.
Bill Mulder stood in a dark corner. The boy was awake. His wife had
passed out,
and was no good. He had to wait for a full day for the boy to come
around. He wasn't
going to waste himself on a stranger.
"Now that you lost them you must pay. I don't know what it is about
you boy, but
when ever I beat you I need to relieve myself."
Fox heard a zipper being unzipped. What was his father going to do to
him. He
listened closely to his father's actions.
Fox felt something unfamiliar on him. His mind didn't want him to
register what it
was but Fox was a little too smart for his own good. He was too
educated.
He felt his father push into him, or at least try. "You bastard." His
father cursed.
The sound of the tape again, Fox cringed. He felt it on his butt
checks. And there was
pulling.
Bill Mulder was using tape to separate his son's butt cheeks so he can
fuck him.
'Stop. Stop.' Fox tried to scream.
"Shut up. Don't move. You deserve this." Was the last thing he heard
his father
say.
End of chapter 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 8 (8/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
Present
"A garbage man came to pick up the garbage. As he lifted one of the
bags, a
naked, bloodied and beaten body fell out. This was on a Tuesday. The
last day Fox
remembered was Friday.
"For another two months he was comatose. Just like he was before.
Unresponsive. When he finally came back the last thing he remembered
was coming home
and making dinner." Frohicke finished.
There was not a dry eye in the room. "But why wasn't this known by
anyone?"
Skinner asked.
"Well the two months that Fox was in the hospital, Bill got counseling
and Ruth
divorced him. She was granted custody. Through Bill's contacts he was
able to bury it
also."
"But Fox?" Margaret asked.
"Didn't remember anything. They told him about an accident with his
bike and a
car. I bet that if you ask him today that's what he'll remember."
"So what can we do for Fox now?" Scully asked in a whisper. Sobs
still racking
her body. She was very shaken and upset by this.
"I don't know dear. But whatever it is we need to be here for Fox."
"I'll go look for the doctor, and tell him about this revelation."
Skinner said
excusing himself from the room.
"I better get back too. Byers, Langly and myself will stop by later
Dana. Hang in
there. Mulder needs all of us now." He put a hand on her arm and left.
Once everyone was gone Dana broke down. "Mom." She cried. "Poor Fox.
How did he survive. We have to do something. I don't want him to
remember any of this.
He lived with an abusive father who raped him. How can you rape your
own son. And
his mother doesn't want anything to do with him.
"Yet look at him. He wouldn't want to hurt a fly. He is such a smart,
sensitive,
caring, man. How can a person like this emerge from a world of his?"
"He is precious. Like a diamond. Yes in the beginning it is a lump of
coal. Yet
for some unknown reason when the correct amount of pressure is added it
can become a
wonderful jewel. Think of Fox like that dear. He is a precious jewel,
and you should
consider yourself lucky for knowing him. And he will get better. With
your help."
A soft moan broke their embrace. Scully ran to his side. "Fox, Shh.
It's okay.
You're safe. We won't let anyone hurt you. We love you and we'll
protect you."
It was obviously what he needed to hear. A small smile appeared on his
face. He
put his thumb in his mouth, curled up on his side, and fell into a
peaceful sleep.
"Go home mom, You look like you can use a nap. I'll be fine." She
said as she
wiped her eyes.
"Are you sure dear?"
"Yeah. The doctor will probably be by in a little while with Mr.
Skinner, and we
will talk a little about Fox. We won't make any decisions with out
you."
"All right dear. If you need anything you call me."
"Yes thank you mom." And Mrs. Scully left.
Dana was now alone with her partner. Time for a little soul
searching. A little
voice inside her said. Why did you tell you mother to go home?
She was here all night. She needed time to rest.
She offered to stay with you.
Yes but I know better.
What about when Skinner returns?
I'm going to tell him to go back to the office.
Why?
Because I want to be with him. He needs me here. I was the first one
on the
scene. I need to prove to myself that he is okay. I need to prove to
him, that we are
partners and that I'll be here to help him through anything.
But Fox doesn't realize that you are partners. He thinks he is a
twelve year old
boy who just got beaten up and raped by his father.
Somewhere deep down inside there is a 35 year old Fox Mulder. And he
needs to
know that I'm here waiting for him to come out. She told her voice.
"Scully" Skinner caused her to turn around and face him. "I got to go
back to the
office now. The doctor said that he'll be by a little later, to talk to
you. If you need
anything or there is any change, good or bad, you know their number."
"Thank you sir." And she was left alone again.
Dana spent a lot of time thinking about her partner before the doctor
came back.
She didn't know she was doing it or what direction she was heading in.
That could be
blamed on the little voice.
End of chapter 8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9 (9/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
She was broken from the thoughts by the doctors. "Dr. Crosby, Dr.
Pratt." She
greeted both of them.
"Dr. Scully. How are you?"
"Fine thank you."
"We wanted to discuss the continuation of Fox's care with you." Dr.
Pratt started.
"He is healing nicely and can be moved to a more private room."
"We were thinking on the psych ward. There are private rooms there.
That way
some one can stay with him all night and not disturb another patient.
There I can watch
him more closely and his other injuries can also be monitored." Dr.
Crosby took a turn.
"We feel that his psychological health is more the problem than
anything else at the
moment."
"When are you going to move him and how is his physical health?"
"He will probably be moved later on today."
Dr. Pratt decided to answer the other question. "His pneumonia is
still a problem
but the antibiotics are working. The cuts and bruises are healing, even
the infected ones.
He will probably be sore once he fully wakes up. I would recommend some
physical
therapy. Another problem that has me worried is his weight.
"He is very undernourished so we have him on the feeding tube. It will
be
removed a little later on for the move. Also we will try to get him to
eat. I don't like the
fact that he has to be under drugs to have a feeding tube."
"He does not like being restrained. Believe me he is much better like
this. I've had
first hand experience in this. You would have to give him drugs anyway
to calm him
down. This way we just save a step, time, and a piercing headache."
"He seems to be taking well to your mother. I was wondering about your
boss.
Do you think it would be a good idea to introduce him as his father?"
Dr. Pratt asked.
"No defiantly not. He isn't to have a father. I feel that would truly
hurt him
more."
"Then how do you plan on introducing him and yourself for that matter,
Dr.
Scully?"
"I don't know. When I speak to my boss and mother tonight it will be
discussed."
"All right. Then I got to get going. I'll be by later after Fox is
put into his new
room."
"Thank you Dr. Pratt." And he left.
"I wanted to talk to you more. Is that all right?"
"Sure. It's just that I promised my mother and AD Skinner I wouldn't
make any
decisions about Fox's care without them."
"That's understandable. It's easy to see that you all care for him
deeply. I was
wondering if you could help me with some of Fox's personal information.
Specifically the
case when he was twelve. I'm very curious to why it wasn't listed in
his files?"
"His father was very powerful and worked for the government. If
something like
sexually assaulting your son got out, it would be then end of his
career."
"What kind of work did his father do?"
"We really don't know. But what ever it is it was highly classified
and hurt a lot of
people. I think that it has to do with the stuff that Fox and I
investigate. I'm sorry I can't
really tell you more but a lot of the stuff is highly classified."
"I understand."
"But I will tell you something. If Fox thinks that he is 12 years old
then the loss of
his sister is probably still fresh in his mind. I was wondering if you
could talk to him about
that when he is a little more coherent. He has told me that he truly
believes that aliens
took his sister. I'm hard pressed to believe that. But I don't think
it was a random
kidnapping."
"We do have to talk about the future of Fox's care. He can't stay in
this hospital
indefinitely. If he continues in this delusional state I will have to
have him committed.
But since he is still sick and everything he can stay here, What time
will you family be
back?"
"I don't know. But we'll have you paged when they come."
"Thank you Dr. Scully. I want you to know that if you need anyone to
talk to,
you know the number."
"Yes, and thank you Dr. Crosby."
She was finally left alone with her partner again. What are you going
to do if he
gets committed?
He won't. He'll wake up one day and he'll be the 37 year old Fox
Mulder.
But if he is not. What are you going to do?
I don't know. I don't think I'll be able to carry the X-Files on my
own, but I will
continue to look for his sister. I owe it to him.
Why do you owe anything to him?
Because he is my partner. I left him and look what happened. He was
raped and
beaten.
You can't blame yourself for that. Who knew what was going to happen?
But I was thinking of going over or giving him a call Saturday. To see
if he
wanted to do anything. But I was afraid.
What were you afraid of?
I was afraid that he'd find out.
Spit it out girl.
He'd find out how much I love him. "Oh, Fox. Please come back to us.
Please
come back as the Fox you used to be. I love you." She whispered
silently as a tear ran
down her cheek.
Soon tiredness overwhelmed her. Fox would be out for a little while
longer, with
the drugs and all. She put her head down on the bed just for a few
minutes.
End of chapter 9
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 10 (10/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"Miss Scully. Wake up please."
"Huh? Wha?" She sat up.
"We wanted to wake you and tell you we are going to be moving him in a
few
moments."
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Three hours dear."
"Has he woken up?"
"No not even when we took out the feeding tube. He is still on some
stuff.
Hopefully enough to keep him down for the move. We don't plan on giving
him anything
more like that for a while."
"Thank you again."
"No problem dear. Here come the orderlies."
Fox Mulder was taken away to another room. Dana Scully followed them.
She'd
have to call her mother and Skinner to tell them that he was moved. She
shook her head.
There was so much for her to do. While she knew that her mother and
boss were ready to
help she couldn't help but feel that she had to deal with everything.
It probably had to do
with the fact that she felt guilty about what happened to her partner.
Around three o'clock she called her boss at work and told her that they
had moved
Mulder. "How is he?"
"They removed the feeding tube. They drugged him up to do it and for
the move.
When you and my mother arrive here later the doctor will come and talk
to us about Fox's
care."
"All right. I spoke with your mother a little earlier. I'm going to
pick her up
around four. We should be there no later than five. She's ordering
take out. What do you
want?"
Dana thought. "Chicken and broccoli for me. And why not some sweet
and sour
chicken. Just a little pint of it."
"For who?"
"They want Mulder to eat some real food. I'm hoping and praying that
he will
smell the food and want to eat some. Even if he is 12, he needs to
eat."
"Good thinking. We'll see you later."
As the phone disconnected something hit Scully. Her boss, a single
white male,
was going to pick up her mother, a single white female. Even though it
was out of the
way for him to do so. There was also that line he said last night.
When they sent Dana
home. 'We have spent many nights like this together with either you or
Mulder.' Was
something happening between her mother and her boss that she didn't know
about? She'd
ask her mother later.
A soft cry was heard from Fox's bed when she returned. "Fox?" She
asked softly
as she entered the room. He was on his side again, knees to his chest
and thumb in his
mouth. "Shh. Fox. It's okay. I promise. Don't cry." She tried to
soothe him. He
wouldn't stop.
Dana climbed onto the bed and brought him up so that she could hold
him. He laid
his head on her shoulder and continued to cry. One arm went around his
waist to hold
him to her, the other ran up and down his back. "It's all going to be
okay Fox. I promise
you. I'm going to be here for you. I will never leave you again. I'll
always take care of
you, and my mom, and Skinner will also help. Shh. Fox, it's okay. I
promise. Nothing
bad will ever happen to you. I'll be watching. I promise you.
Everything will be okay."
She continued to talk, repeating words of consolation and reassurance.
She made
promises that she wished she could believe and keep. Finally his cries
quieted down and
he was back asleep.
Dana continued to sit there and think about the promises that she
made. Fox's
recent bout of crying turned something on in Dana. It was hate. Pure
unadulterated hate.
She didn't hate the people who attacked Mulder. In fact what had
happened to them? She
didn't know. Skinner never told her. She has to know so that she could
tell Fox that all
the bad people were gone.
No. It wasn't them that she hated. It was his father. William
Mulder. Dana
Katherine Scully never felt such hate for one man. Not even cancerman
could inspire that
much hate in her. William Mulder had taken his son. His own flesh and
blood. And
destroyed him. Okay maybe he didn't destroy him. Because one could
only imagine how
Fox would have turned out in a loving environment. But he beat him.
Not only beat but
tortured his son. The only child he had left at the time. The only
thing that was left that
could carry on his name.
And he had locked the boy downstairs in his basement. And kept him
there for
five days with out food or water. And he used the boy for his own
personal needs. Fox
might have been better off if he was taken along with Samantha. Maybe
then he would
have been luckier.
And his savior. God how she loved that and every garbage man from now
on. It
wasn't even his own relatives that found him. His mother probably
didn't even know he
was gone. And his father threw him out in the trash.
And people wondered why Mulder had a low opinion of himself. How he
was able
to take the verbal abuse of his colleges at work. When you are treated
like trash you start
to think like trash.
From now on she promised that she would show him love. Show him the
love that
he should have known since his birth. The undying love of a mother,
father, or sibling.
Maybe that was what helped Mulder through it. Knowing that his sister
was somewhere
out there. Waiting to come home to accept his love, and to love him.
It sounded very
romantic and kind of juvenile. But to someone who really didn't have
much of a childhood
is it so bad?
Dana couldn't control the thoughts any more. She was more like an
audience
member at a great show. All she could do was sit there and let the
thoughts roll by her. If
it was one she liked she focused her attention on it. If it was one
that made her want to
vomit, she tried to ignore it. Soon it was all moving too fast. Too
much to think about.
Too many roads but not a lot of endings. Too many 'what if's and 'but
there has to be's.
She couldn't take it any longer. Did she dare take a short walk? What
if he woke
up? Somebody had to stay with him. A quick walk up and down the
hallway won't hurt.
You will be able to hear him if her cries. Yeah your ears are tuned to
it already. Not a
happy thought but a true one none the less.
End of chapter 10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 11 (11/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
Scully walked up and down the halls until her mother and boss came. If
the staff
thought she was nuts they didn't show it. They all knew what this floor
was like. They
were just happy that this woman knew what to do instead of becoming
their next patient.
Dana didn't even see her mother. "Dana. Why don't we go see how Fox
is. Have
you eaten anything?"
"What?" She turned around.
"I just asked if you were okay?"
"Yeah, mom. I'm fine."
"Good dear, did you eat anything for lunch?"
"No I forgot."
"Then why don't you come to Fox's room. We brought Chinese for you."
"Thanks mom."
"What were you doing?"
"Walking. Thinking. I needed to move around, and I didn't really want
to leave
Fox in case he woke up again."
Margaret was worried about her daughter. But didn't say anything.
"Fox woke up again?" Skinner asked sensing some discomfort between
mother
and daughter.
"Yeah. He woke up after the move. He cried for a while and then fell
back
asleep."
"How was the move?"
"They drugged him up, took out the NT tube and moved him. I don't
think he
even felt it."
"If I heard correctly you haven't eaten yet. Here is yours." Skinner
said as he
handed a styrofoam container. "Did the doctors come by?"
"Yeah. I have to have them paged that we are all here. We really have
to talk
about Fox. What is going to happen to him if he stays this way. How
are we going to
explain everything to him. Even a 12 year old Fox is a smart Fox."
"Dana's right. He already accepts me as his mother. What are you
going to be to
him and how about Dana?"
"Well I can be a friend of the families or something."
"That's no lie there. What about me in this? Should I play you
husband?" Skinner
joked.
"That might be good. Hold on to that." Dana said with all
seriousness.
"I think it would be better if you are a friend too for now." Margaret
said trying to
appease everyone.
Fox's cry stopped further conversation. A look to her mother told her
that Dana
wanted to handle this one. She sat on the bed and held him. "Shh,
little Fox. It's all right.
We are all here. It's okay. There is no reason to cry. I promise
you." Dana consoled him
Soon he stopped. "Here baby. Blow your nose." She handed him a
tissue. "All better."
She soothed. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired."
"I could imagine. How about hungry?"
"Not really."
"Will you try and eat a little for me?"
"What do you have?"
"Do you like Chinese?"
"I love sweet and sour chicken." He sounded a little excited.
"Good. That's what we have for you?" Fox ate about two pieces of the
chicken
and had to lay back down again. "Are you okay?"
"I'm just very tired. And I hurt all over."
"It's okay Fox. Why don't you go to sleep."
"Can I ask you some questions?"
"Sure Fox."
"Who are you?"
"We are friends of the family. I'm Dana."
"How come I don't remember you?"
"Maybe it's from the hit on the head."
"And you?" He looked at Skinner.
"I'm Walter, also a friend."
"A friend of dads?" He looked scared.
"No. I'm not. More of a friend of your mothers."
"Can I ask you another question?"
"Only if we can have the doctor ask you some later." Margaret said.
"Sure. Has Samantha been found? And where is dad?"
All the three of them looked at each other. "No we are still looking
for Sam. I
promise you, Fox. Now you need your rest. The doctor will be back here
later to talk to
you."
"Thank you Dana. Thank you for the food." He gave a kiss on the check
as she
sat on the bed. He then scooted under the covers and closed his eyes.
"Fox we are going to be outside the room to talk. So we don't bother
you. If you
need us just call." Margaret said. And they all headed out of the
room.
"I'm going to go get Dr. Crosby, and Dr. Pratt. They should be here
when we talk
about Fox's future." Dana said glumly and slinked away.
"Walter do you know what's wrong with Dana?"
"No I don't. Why?"
"I'm worried about her. Especially today. She would never leave Fox's
side if he
was hurt, yet we saw her walking up and down the halls when we got
here. I'm worried
about her."
"Why don't you speak to her after we get done with the doctors. I have
to go and
check up on the assholes who did this to Fox. "
"She won't tell me. She never tells me how she feels. Why don't you
talk to her.
Take her with you to see the scum. It might be good for her to actually
face her enemies."
"If you say so, Mrs. Scully."
"You better start calling me Margaret after everything we have been
through."
The uncomfortable silence that followed was disturbed when Dana came
back with
the Doctors. "I'm glad to see you are all here." Dr. Crosby shook
hands first. "How is
Fox?"
"He woke up before. He had some two pieces of sweet and sour chicken,
talked a
little and then went back to sleep."
"What did he say?"
"He wanted to know who Mr. Skinner and myself were. He also asked
about his
sister and his father."
"You answered?"
"I told him we were friends of the family. He then asked if Skinner
was his fathers
friend we told him no. For his sister I said that we are still looking
for her, which is all the
truth. And we never answered about his father. Mr. Mulder is dead
now." The way
Dana mentioned Fox's father told everyone how she felt about the guy.
"Good. I think Fox believes that his father is still alive. I'm going
to have to talk
to him to see what he remembers if he remembers anything at all."
"Did he mention how he was feeling?" Dr. Pratt, took the stage.
"He said that he was very tired and also a little sore."
"I'm going to want to examine him again. You said he ate some food?"
"Yeah. He said that he wasn't hungry but he looked like he really
enjoyed the
food."
"I think we can both do our examinations at once, so we don't bother
him to much.
We don't need all of you there, but I think one of you should be there."
"I'll stay." Margaret cut in before her daughter spoke.
"Are you sure mom?"
"Yes Dana. You were with him all day. Why don't you go see what
Walter is
going to be doing. I think he mentioned something about the suspects."
"Okay but let me just tell Fox."
"Sure Sweetie."
They walked in and Fox was asleep. Dana didn't want to wake him but
she felt
obligated to tell him that she would be gone but would be back very
soon. "Fox." She
shook him gently. "Fox wake up. I need you to wake up." His eyes
opened slowly and
he looked at her. The look in his eyes was like he recognized her from
somewhere but
couldn't place it. It hurt Dana deeply. "Fox remembered we said that
the doctor will want
to talk to you? Well there are two doctors here. Dr. Pratt, and Dr.
Crosby. They are
going to examine you and ask you some questions. Will you answer them?"
"Where are you going to be?"
"I have to go out for a little bit, but Mom will be right here with
you. I promise,
I'll be right back."
Fox nodded and Scully left.
End of chapter 11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 12 (12/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
She met her boss outside and followed him. "Your mom wanted me to talk
to
you."
"About what sir?"
"Walter please. She's worried about you."
"I'm fine Walter." Skinner was used to this answer. If he and Mulder
got a nickel
for each time she had uttered those words they would be millionaires.
"You sure are taking this better then I am. I feel so lost. I feel
partially
responsible. I'm the one who sent him home Friday night." Scully
looked at him shocked.
"Ever since your abduction I have a habit of going down to your office
after hours to
make sure you two have left. I don't think I have to tell you how many
times I've found
Mulder down there.
"Well he was there this time. He didn't look well. Normally I don't
bother him, but
I felt obligated to tell him to go home to sleep. The paper work could
be dealt with on
Monday. He was very reluctant. But after a few minutes he left. I
stayed long enough to
make sure he left.
"Then on Monday we go to his apartment to look for him and we find him
in that
condition." Skinner visibly shuddered, as he drove. "I'm not sorry I
shot the bastard. I
should be. But I'm not."
"What exactly happened?"
"I told you I had a feeling that they would be back so myself and two
of my friends
form DCPD decided to stay in Mulder's apartment for their return. As my
luck would
have it they did come back. They were carrying video equipment with
them. We ordered
them to put it down. Then none to lightly we cuffed them. Eric, and
Todd knew I wanted
to be in charge and let me take the lead. The video stuff got me
curious."
"What is that crap."
No answer.
"What is it?" Skinner asked again.
None of them answered. The two police officers came up behind them and
put
them in a head lock. "Police brutality. Police brutality." One of
them screamed.
"Shut up. What is the equipment for?" Skinner was really pissed now.
"Police brutality."
Skinner walked up to him and punched him in the jaw. "Shut up." He
shook his
hands like it stung and walked towards the stuff. "Gag 'em. If they
won't answer we just
have to check it for ourselves."
Skinner took out the tape from the video camera, and put it in to
Mulder's VCR.
After it was finished rewinding, he hit play.
What was on the screen scared him more than the condition he found
Mulder in.
The one who was insistent on talking was trying to speak. Skinner
really pissed went to
him and pulled the gag none too gently from his face. "What is this
shit?"
"Private property. Police Brutality. I know my rights."
"Fuck your rights. What about his rights?" Skinner bellowed pointing
at the poor
figure on the television screen. "Did you know that he was an FBI
Agent. You really
fucked up this time. There is no way you are getting off. Not even
O.J.'s lawyers can help
you now that I promise you. We have Agent Mulder's account of what
happened, samples
have been taken from Agent Mulder's body and the bed, and the place has
been dusted for
fingerprints. I'm sure we will find that they all belong to you. Now
we have this piece of
crap. Man your stupid." He shook his head at the stupidity of the two
assholes before
him.
"Better take them downtown now."
"Yeah. Take us. We are going to walk and get your badges in the
process."
Skinner had had enough. He just pulled out his gun and shot the big
mouth in the
leg. "I told you to shut up."
"I then called 911 and you. You know the rest." They pulled up at the
lock up.
"You know they can have your career for that."
"Nobody knows but me, Eric, Todd, you and the two Fucks. Todd and Eric
totally agree with what I did. And nobody believes the two criminals
after they see the
tape."
"What do you have to do here."
"Just have to make sure they are still here. And check in with Eric
and Todd. I
want to introduce you to them. If you want to question the suspects you
can."
"I think I might take you up on that. I have a few questions I'd like
to ask them."
Skinner saw the look in her eyes, and knew that they'd have to pull her
off them.
Skinner asked around for his friends and was then directed to a small
desk in the
back of the station. "Hey Walter."
"Eric, Todd. I want you to meet one of my agents. This is Dana
Scully. Dana,
this is Eric Rogers and Todd Schooler."
"A pleasure to meet you. You have probably seen my partner, Fox
Mulder."
"Yes we have. How is he doing?"
"As well as can be expected." Dana answered shaking their hands.
"So Walter what brings you down here?"
"I wanted to check up on the suspects. And I think Agent Scully wants
to
question them."
"No problem. I'll get you a interrogating room." Eric said as he
left.
"Do we have names?"
"Yeah. Stewert Phleming and Anthony Kupfer. They are still pleading
Not Guilty.
You had to see the face on their lawyers. When they came out, they
rolled their eyes."
"I knew we were dealing with idiots here."
"So Ms. Scully, how do you like working for Walter here."
"Better than some of the other bosses that I've worked for."
"Wow, Walter. What a compliment from a pretty lady."
"So, Mr. Schooler, how do you and Mr. Rogers now AD Skinner?"
"Buddies from Nam. We trained together. When we got back Walter went
to
college with us. Then he went for the FBI and we went for the Police.
Well I guess we
should go in there now. Do you want Eric and myself to stay."
"No I think I can handle it." Skinner said as he showed Scully into
the room.
There sitting down with big smiles plastered on their faces, were the
two suspects.
Scully strode in and sat down opposite them. "Well lookie here. A
pretty woman for us
to play with."
Skinner was working his last nerve. Normally he had more patience but
these
fucks pissed him off. Scully glanced at him and then turned back to the
so called people in
front of her. "Do you plan on playing with me like you did MY partner,
Fox Mulder."
"Is that the dudes name? Sure why not. But I don't know he was a lot
of fun.
And oh so sweet. Have you ever had a piece of him?"
"Shut up Stu." Anthony said.
"Sir, can you escort Mr. Kupfer out of here. I'd like a brief word
with Mr.
Phleming, privately."
"Are you sure."
"Oh yes! I'm positive." Skinner shrugged and led Anthony out of the
room.
"Now that it's just you and me. So do you recommend him?"
"Highly. On my scale I give him an eleven."
"You see even if I wanted a piece of him there is nothing left thanks
to you."
"Then I'm really sorry. But I'm glad I at least had some of him." Stu
smiled
wickedly.
"Oh yeah." She said as she stood up. Dana walked over to the guy.
"Well then I
want a piece of you instead." Then with all her strength combined with
her anger she
lashed out. Her fist connected with his face. He fell from the chair.
Scully hefted him up
by his shirt color. Her knee then hit him in the groin. He gasped
loudly and Scully let him
fall to the floor.
Skinner had silently let himself back in the room. He figured he'd get
the other guy
out now that Scully was done with him. But to his surprise she was far
from done with
him. He saw her kick the scum in the stomach. "I hate you. How could
you. You
bastard. He didn't do anything. He was just a child. And you hurt
him. Your own son.
You should die you fuck. You should be killed. How could he call you
father. You only
hurt him. He was only a child."
When Walter realized what was going on he called for his friends to
come in.
"Scully, Dana, come on. Let go."
"No look at this bastard. He hurt Fox. His own child. How could
he."
"Dana." He said pulling her away. Her face was tear stricken and she
never saw
Stu being lead out of the room. "It isn't William Mulder. It's another
ass, who hurt
Mulder. Bill Mulder is dead. The SOB is dead. I promise. Shh it's
okay." He held her
and comforted her as she cried.
Skinner learned what was bothering the agent. It wasn't what had just
happened it
was the fact that Fox had to go through so many years of hell. And it
was by his father.
A person that is suppose to love his son. He under stood her pain. He
felt the same way.
"It's okay. I promise." He continued to tell her.
"But Fox is so sweet and gentle. He just lost his sister. No one
cared about him,
and his father raped him. No wonder he is so secretive. I wouldn't
trust any one after
that."
"Then it's up to you Dana. You have to show him how to love and trust
someone.
Now why don't we get out of here and see how Mulder is doing."
"Oh my." She said as she headed out of the room. "I just beat that
man up. He
was a criminal, I know but still." She was in horror.
"Don't worry, Eric and Todd knew you were going to hit him. Although I
don't
think they expected so much out of you." Scully glared at her boss.
"What I mean is you
are deceiving. You don't look like you can deliver a hefty blow. But I
know you can."
He quickly covered up.
"Are we done here. I want to see how Fox is doing."
"Yes. We are." And they headed out.
End of chapter 12
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 13 (13/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"Hi Fox." Dr. Crosby said as he sat down in a chair beside Mrs.
Scully. "I'm Dr.
Crosby and that is Dr. Pratt. He's going to examine you while I ask you
a few questions.
Is that okay?"
"Yes Sir."
"Do you mind if your mother is in the room now or do you want her to
leave."
"I don't care."
"Then I'm going to ask her to stay." Dr. Crosby turned to Mrs.
Scully. "Do you
mind?"
"Not at all."
"How are you feeling Fox?"
"Okay."
"Do you hurt any where? Are you hungry, tired, bored?" Crosby said as
Pratt was
examining the him.
"My bones hurt. It hurts to move a lot. My butt is numb. But my back
itches."
"How does your chest feel?"
"It hurts to breath a little." With that, Dr. Pratt moved to listen to
his chest.
"That's probably from the pneumonia you had. How about anything else?
Hungry
Tired? Bored?"
"I'm very tired. I can't seem to sleep enough, Yet that's all I do
here."
"You aren't hungry?"
"No. I just had some chicken. It was good."
"Do you think you will eat some breakfast in the morning?"
"I don't know."
"Would you try to eat some? You lost a lot of weight. We don't want
to let you
out of the hospital unless you weigh a certian amount. And I bet you
want to get out of
here?"
"No not really."
This is what Dr. Crosby was looking for. "Why not?"
Fox looked over to Mrs. Scully. "Don't worry about hurting my feelings
Fox. It's
been hard lately I understand anything you have to say." She said. She
couldn't be hurt by
what Fox said. Margaret wasn't the one who didn't care.
"Well there is no one at home who would care if I'm home."
"Why not? I mean your mom is here with you." Fox wasn't going to
answer but
there were tears in his eyes.
"Would it be easier if I went out, so you could talk to the doctors?"
He just
nodded.
"Okay Fox." she kissed his cheek and left.
"Now Fox. Why don't you want to go home."
"There is no one there I want to be with."
"I don't understand."
"Samantha is gone, and it's my fault. My mom drinks all the time and
my father
could care less."
"But your mother looked fine to me."
"That isn't my mother."
"Why do you say that?"
"She's too nice. And my mom doesn't really look like that."
"Yet you call her mom and let her think that she's you mother."
"If she wants to love me and call me son, who am I to stop her. I
always wanted
someone to love me. If she wants to I'll call her mother."
"Dr. Pratt do you have anything you want to add?"
"I just want him to eat a little more, but he looks like he is doing
fine."
"All right. I want to talk to you again tomorrow. Just you and me.
How about
we get you out of this room. A wheel chair can come in here and take to
my office."
"I could use a change of scenery."
"I'm going to talk to your mom-"
"She isn't my mom."
"I know and I think that maybe you should tell that to her. But be
nice."
"I will."
"And then I'm going to let her come back in if you want."
"Yeah. I don't really like to be alone."
"No problem. See you tomorrow."
Margaret Scully waited patiently out side of the room. She was very
worried
about Fox. She loved him like a son, yet he was never loved by his own
mother and
father. Margaret wondered back to a time when Dana had been about four
and they were
planing on a trip to Martha's Vineyard. She wondered if they would have
met Fox
Mulder, and his family. Then she and Bill would see how Fox was being
treated and
saved him from the horrible life he had. She shook her head with a
little smile.
Margaret turned around as the door opened. "How is he?" She was
directing the
question to Dr. Crosby but Dr. Pratt answered first.
"He is healing nicely. But circulation in his legs is a little slow.
I'm going to see
about some therapy for him. It will probably help if he eats more
too." Dr. Pratt said as
he turned to his beeper that just went off. "Excuse me please." And he
left.
"I'm not truly worried about Fox's health. He has healed many times
before. I'm
more concerned about his mental health."
"Well he knows that you aren't his mother. But he says that it's nice
to be loved
unconditionally. He still thinks he is twelve. He doesn't want to go
home because he
knows his real parents don't care about him. Here there are people that
do care."
"I don't know much about his home life. My daughter knows more. But I
can tell
you that I have spent many times by Fox's bedside and his mother has not
called or even
visited."
"That must be hard for him?"
"It's hard on him, but I think he is used to being on his own. Ever
since Samantha.
But I think it's harder on my daughter."
"Fox mentioned something about a girl being taken and that it was his
fault. Is
that what you mean by Samantha?"
"Yes. Fox blames himself for her disappearance. I think that you are
going to
have to deal a lot with that, especially since the incident happened
very recently in his
mind."
"I thought that would be a problem. I plan on speaking with Fox again
tomorrow
morning. Is it possible for me to speak to Dana tomorrow also?"
"She should be back soon. You can ask her. Can I go back in to talk
to Fox?"
"He might tell you that he knows you aren't his mother. Do you know
what you
are going to say?"
"Probably that I'm Dana's mother, and also a friend of his mothers.
And that I love
him like my own son."
"That's good for him. You got to keep letting him know that you love
him, no
matter what. If you can get Dana and Mr. Skinner to comply."
"I plan on it."
"Another question. How does Mr. Skinner fit into this?"
"Walter is Dana's and Fox's boss. He cares a lot about both of them."
"Good. I might want to talk to him too. You should get back into the
room with
Fox. He doesn't like being alone."
"Thank you Dr. Crosby."
"Who is going to be with Fox tonight?"
"I don't know. Probably Dana. Maybe Walter. I don't want her to be
alone."
"It was nice to speak to you Mrs. Scully. And don't worry Fox will be
just fine."
And he walked away.
When Margaret walked in Fox was barely awake. "I'm sorry. I wanted to
speak
to the doctor."
"It's okay Mom. I know you meant well." There was a moment of unusual
silence.
"Fox, is there something you want to tell me?"
"Uhm, I want to say I'm very thankful."
"For what Fox?"
"For loving me. I know that you aren't my mother, and that you don't
have to love
me there is no reason for it, yet you do."
"Fox. I have known you for a few years now. I want you to know that I
do love
you. Dana loves you too. We all do. You are very special." Margaret
went to kiss him
on the cheek. "Now get to sleep Fox. Tomorrow looks like it will be
very busy for you."
"Thank you mom." He said as he went further under the covers to sleep.
End of chapter 13
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 14 (14/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
When Walter and Dana returned both looked a little better. They all
sat outside
Fox's room as Margaret told them how Fox's examination went. The
results were what
they basically all expected. Fox had some deep problems that needed to
be worked out.
Even if he thought that he was 12.
Margaret sensing that Walter wanted to tell her something she sent her
daughter to
get some coffee for all of them. It was decided that everyone would
stay. Being Fox
would have a busy day tomorrow they could all get some rest.
"Okay Walter, spill it."
"What?"
"You know something about Dana. What is it?"
"Well I found out what her problem was. Was there ever anything that
Dana ever
hated? I mean truly hated."
"No not that I can think of why?"
"Because I think that she hates Fox's father so much and there is
nothing she can
do about it."
"She told you this?"
"No. Not really. She wanted to talk to the two perps who did this to
Fox. One
was stupid enough to open his mouth. Well I think Dana got rid of all
her frustration. But
as she beat this guy up, she was saying how she hated Bill Mulder.
That he had no right
to hurt his son, who only wanted to be loved."
"I can understand. I want to really punch Fox's mother out at times.
Especially
all the times Fox has been hurt. I've had Dana call me crying how Fox
is hurt and his
mother doesn't care about him. Because she won't come to see him."
"Fox has not had it easy. I just hope that he will pull through this."
All night the three of them kept basically quiet, occupied with their
own thoughts.
While some overlapped some were also private. Margaret was busy
worrying about Fox
and Dana. Deep in her heart she knew that they both belonged together.
She wondered
how this will affect her daughter. If Fox ever comes out of it will
they be able to work
together again. Also in her mind she wondered about what Fox's home
life was like. Was
he always abused? Did it get worse after Sam disappeared? Did it ever
happen again after
his parents got divorced? Was Sam ever abused? From the way it
sounded, she was.
Walter had similar thoughts to Margaret. He was thinking about Fox's
homelife
too. Also about the partnership of Dana and Fox. They both were an
excellent team and
even though they'd never admit it, they do love each other. The one
thought that was his
and his only, made him feel kind of selfish. He was thinking about
Margaret. They had
shared a lot recently, exchanging stories, and just talking. He
wondered what kind of toll
this was taking on her. Yet he was also thinking about a relationship
between the two of
them. He knew it wasn't the right time but he couldn't help it
Dana's mind was occupied the most. Yes she wondered about Fox's home
life and
how hard it was. With all the abuse he had to suffer. Not only the
physical, but the verbal
and psychological as well. She was curious as to the relationship that
was forming
between her mother and Walter. She was also curious about how this was
affecting
everyone. Her love for Fox had also made its way to the surface. And
was taking part of
her mind for that. But in the center of it all was hatred. The hatred
she felt for Bill
Mulder. She couldn't understand the reason for the hate or the fact
that it had hit her all of
a sudden. Not one to want to talk about her feelings she knew she
should go and talk to
someone about it. Her mom said that Dr. Crosby wanted to talk to her in
the morning
about Fox. Maybe she could just ask him if she was right to feel this
way.
Morning came too quickly for them. They had all just dozed off for a
few minutes
when a nurse came in to take some more blood from Fox. You'd think
that's he'd get used
to shots now, but that wasn't the case. The three 'adults' were
awakened by a cry. "I'll go
for coffee." Skinner said as he stood up first.
Before Skinner came back breakfast was brought in for Fox. He had no
intention
of eating it. "I'm not hungry."
"I know that, dear. But you have to eat something."
"I had chicken last night."
"If you want us to bring you more food like that you have to eat."
"But I hate oatmeal."
"I know but it's good for you." Margaret was losing this battle.
"All right Fox, what would you like to eat?" Dana asked.
"I don't know."
"Well than you should eat the oatmeal. If you are good, I think we can
arrange to
sneak a hamburger in here. And I mean one from Wendy's"
"Really?"
"But you have to behave. And I mean all through the day. It's going
to be hard.
You have a meeting with Dr. Crosby this morning, and also some physical
therapy to
maybe get you starting to walk again."
"But I know how to walk."
"Yes you do, but your muscles haven't been used in a long time. They
have to
learn how to walk again."
It was then Walter came back in. "What's going on?"
"Fox won't eat his breakfast." Margaret said exasperated.
"Oatmeal. I don't blame you. How about a bagel?"
"With cream cheese?"
"No plain. Don't want you to go over board. I also got you some good
orange
juice. You are going to need it if you are going to be keeping busy."
"Thank you sir."
All the adults held there breath. They were brought back to a time
before Fox had
gotten hurt just by that one sir. Simultaneously they shook their heads
and came back. If
Fox thought it was weird he didn't say anything. He was very interested
in the bagel that
was just handed him.
Fox ate half of the bagel before he was full. Dana wondered if he
thought that he
was 12, did he eat like he did when he was 12. It didn't matter. But
another thought
popped into her head that second. "Uh, Walter can I talk to you for a
second, outside?"
"Yeah Sure." He threw a confused look at Margaret. Her only answer
was a
shrug.
"What's wrong Dana?"
"Uhm, it's about work sir."
"What about it?"
"How is Fox's and mine absence form work looked upon?"
"You aren't to worry. I filled out the paper work for the two of you.
As of this
moment Fox is off because of illness, he has a month. If more is
needed, that can be done.
For you and me we are attending personal business and are to go into the
office when ever
its feasible."
"Thank you sir."
"Ahh, the two people I wanted to see." Dr. Crosby said coming up from
behind
them.
"Dr. Crosby."
"I wanted to just tell you that an orderly will be along soon to take
Fox down to
my office for a meeting. I will probably want to have another one later
on tonight. If
that's okay."
"I don't think it will be a problem." Dana said.
"Also I wanted to tell you that I'd like to speak to both of you
later. How about
six?"
"I can make that. How about you sir?"
"I'll be there."
"Good. See you then." And the doctor walked off.
It was about ten minutes later that the orderly came with the
wheelchair for Fox.
"Hello Fox, my name is Menasha. I'm going to be driving you around this
place during
your stay." Menasha had been told about this patient. And he was
picked because his
friendly nature. "Right now you get to go for your first ride."
"Where are we going?"
"Down to Dr. Crosby's office."
"By myself?"
"I'm going to take you."
Fox looked scared as he turned to the other people in the room. "I
don't want to."
"But you have to Fox." Margaret said as she sat down on the bed next
to him.
"You said that you'd be a good boy today."
"No. I don't want to."
"Are you scared to go alone?" Dana asked next. Fox just nodded.
"Then how
about I go with you. And we'll leave it up to Dr. Crosby to decide if
he wants me to stay
there or not."
"Really?" His eye opened up. He really liked Dana. She was very
pretty.
"I wouldn't say otherwise Fox. Now let's not keep Dr. Crosby waiting."
As she was walking out her mother took her shoulder. "Do you know what
your
doing?"
"Do any of us? Look I don't really expect you to understand this mom,
but I need
to be there for him. Even if he doesn't remember who I am, I need it
for myself. I feel like
I'm helping him by doing this." She said as she turned around and
walked out.
End of chapter 14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 15 (15/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"Oh Dr. Scully what are you doing here?"
"Uhm, Fox didn't want to come by himself. He was kind of scared."
"Fox, do you want Dana to stay? You know if she stays she isn't going
to be
allowed to leave."
"Uhm Okay."
"So how are you feeling today?"
"Okay."
"When we talked yesterday, you said something's I'd like to talk about
is that
okay?"
"Sure."
"Yesterday you said that you didn't want to go home. Can you tell me
why
again?"
"No body wants me there."
"How do you know that. I mean you are their son."
"They always cared more about Samantha. I didn't really mind the less
attention.
It was probably better for me."
"I don't understand."
"They didn't hit me so much when Samantha was around."
"Did you deserve to get hit?"
"I don't know?"
"Well can you name a specific incident where you got hit?"
"I can name them all. I'm able to remember just about everything. I
was probably
4 and Samantha was just born. Mom was sleeping so I went to pick up
Samantha cause
she was crying. I guess mom was awake because, as soon as Sam stopped
crying, mom
took her from me. She took out a ruler from one of the drawers and
slapped both my
hands. She told me never to touch Samantha."
"Where you wrong to pick Samantha up?"
"I guess."
"I mean do you think you were wrong?"
"No. I thought I was helping mom."
"You were just a baby back then can you remember another time, maybe
earlier?"
"I remember when I was first learning to walk. I don't really remember
my age,
but I was very young. And I bumped into something and fell down. I
started to cry. I
don't really remember why. I was probably scared more than hurt. Well,
dad came to me
with his belt and hit me. He said that I had no reason to cry and he
was giving me one."
"Do you think your father was right?"
"I guess. He says that I'm a wimp because I cry when I hurt myself.
He says I
need to be made into a man."
"You said earlier that you can remember everything that you've
experienced."
"Yes."
"But you also said most of the time. Is there a time you can't
remember?"
"When Sam was taken?"
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"I wish I could but I don't remember. I remember watching T.V. With
her, and
then I woke up in the hospital with people asking me questions about
what happened to
Sam. But I can't remember. I try to but I can't."
"Have your parents hurt you since she has been taken?"
"Not on purpose. I deserve it all."
"Why do you say that?"
"I let her be taken."
"How do you know that."
"Because that's what my parents said. They said that I was in charge
and let her be
taken. I should have watched her she was my baby sister."
"Did you let them take her?"
"I don't remember."
"Then how can it be your fault?"
"Because that what everyone tells me."
"What would you say if I told you that it wasn't your fault that Sam
was taken."
"You're crazy."
"Why?"
"Because I was the only one in the room, when she disappeared. I
should know
what happened. I am her big brother. I was suppose to protect her."
Fox was getting
very upset.
"Okay. Can I tell you why I don't think it was your fault?"
"NO. I know it's my fault and that's all there is to it. You don't
like it you don't
have to believe it." Fox screamed. "I want to go back to my room now."
Dr. Crosby nodded to Dana to help calm Fox down. "Fox calm down just a
little
bit. Please Kiddo. You are doing a great Job. It's almost over. I
promise. Let's just
listen to what else Dr. Crosby has to say. Okay Fox?"
"All right. I'm sorry I yelled." Fox said as he looked back at the
doctor.
"It's okay Fox. I want you to think about what I said today, about
fault. I'm
probably going to want to talk to you again tonight. Is that okay?
I'll even come to your
room to talk."
"Sure."
"I just have to ask one more question. You only have to answer yes or
no right
now." Fox nodded. "Do you know why you are here in the hospital?"
Fox looked Dr. Crosby in the eyes and then glanced up at Dana. He
stared into
her baby blues and then looked down on to his lap. "Yes." He
whispered.
"Okay. Dana call Menasha back to take Fox back to his room. I'll
speak to you
later."
Dana walked back to Fox's room in an daze. There was no one there.
She hoped
that Fox would take a nap. She needed time to think. Thinking you know
that's
dangerous. Shut up. She told the voice that threatened to start up
with her. She had a
lot going on in her mind.
Dana always had an assumption that Fox was abused as a child. Yes the
rape by
his father was shocking, but she never excepted to hear so much about
abuse from so long
ago.
As a person she had heard the statistics of child abuse. As a doctor
she read case
studies dealing with the development and what to look for in an abused
child. As part of
the FBI and the X-Files she witnessed the aftermath of it. Yet she
wasn't as effected by it
like she was now. It was probably due to the fact that it now involved
someone who she
cared for and loved. Where did 'loved' come from? She ignored the
voice. There was
nothing that she could do but stand there and help pick up the pieces.
And there seemed
to be a lot of pieces.
Fox was very perceptive. He knew that Dana had a lot on her mind and
needed to
think. He also had something's to think about. Could Dr. Crosby have
been right?
Maybe it wasn't his fault. But his parents said that it was. Could his
parent have been
wrong? They were his parents.
It was that last point that he was debating as he fell asleep.
Around noon lunch was brought in. Fox wasn't interested in eating, and
Dana not
in the mood to argue.
Their next interruption was Dr. Pratt. While he was happy that Fox had
eaten
breakfast and starting to get antsy, he wasn't pleased with the uneaten
lunch. Dana said
that she promised to get dinner into him.
The third disruption and on that Dana was happy for, was physical
therapy.
It was when Menasha came to get him that he spoke. "Dana would you
mind
coming again. I-I like being with people I trust."
"Sure Fox." She was bothered a little by his statement. She
questioned him in the
hall. "Fox how do you know to trust me?"
"I don't know." He gave her a confused look. "Something about you
makes me
what to trust you. I can't explain it. I just know I can."
"Good Fox. I want you to know that you can always trust me no matter
what. If
there is anything you want to tell me you can."
"Thank you Dana. You are a good friend."
The short conversation that they just had had made her happier than she
had been
in the past week. Dana couldn't help but smile.
Physical therapy went well. Besides the fact that he had not been on
his feet for
about a week, he didn't realize how big his body was. A problem for
someone who thinks
they are 12. If he thought that it was strange, he didn't question. He
was more
determined to get up and walk.
While he was exercising his leg he fell asleep. Today had been a lot
for him.
When they got back to Fox's room Dana also took a quick nap.
Walter and Margaret came back at around 5:30 to find both kids asleep.
They
didn't wake Dana until it a quarter to six. "What? When did you get
here?"
"About 15 minutes ago." Margaret answered
"Oh. What time is it?"
"We have a meeting with Dr. Crosby in about 10 minutes." Skinner
answered.
"Oh, okay. I'll be right back."
"How is he?" Margaret asked when she returned?
"Okay I guess. He passes out during the physical therapy session. I
think he was
really exhausted. He didn't eat lunch either. When dinner comes don't
wake him. I
promised him something special for meeting with Dr. Crosby this morning
and again
tonight."
"What do you want to get him?"
"There is a Wendy's around the corner. I figured a cheese burger, kids
meal."
"Dr. Crosby wants to meet with him again tonight?" Walter asked.
"Yeah."
"Are you going to want to stay then too?"
"Yes."
"Okay then we will go out and get dinner for everyone when Dr. Crosby
comes."
"Thanks mom."
"No problem. But I really am curious how the session went with Dr.
Crosby."
"I'll ask him if he can inform you and Mr. Skinner about the sessions."
"We better go Dana." Walter said.
End of chapter 15
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 16 (16/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"Good evening, How are you two?"
"Fine thank you." Dana answered for both of them.
"How's Fox?"
"He conked out in physical therapy."
"Yeah I figured that much after this morning."
"What do you want to speak to us about?" Skinner asked getting antsy.
"Just wanted to briefly talk to you about Fox and his care. What was
he like after
our meeting?"
"Very quiet. I think you gave him a lot to think about. But I did ask
him why he
let me be there. He said that he knows he can trust me."
"That is probably influence from his 37 year old self that is still in
there."
"You think that the real Fox is still in there?" Skinner asked.
"Yes. I think that what happened has scared him that he went to hide
inside
himself. While at the same time it brought back the repressed memory of
what happened
when he was 12. And that's why he is the way he is. Has he always felt
guilty about his
sister?"
"Yes. I think it has to do with his parents, if not his father mostly
blaming him."
Dana spoke.
"I can see that is a major problem for him. I am going to try and
convince him that
it wasn't his fault."
"Many have tried and have not succeeded."
"Yes, Mr. Skinner. But how many have tried before it was fully
ingrained into his
mind? Do you understand what I'm saying?" Skinner nodded his head. "I
also plan on
talking to him again tonight. Is that okay?"
"What time?"
"How about right after this?"
"I don't see a problem."
"Dana I want you to stay again. You seem to have a calming effect on
him. Has it
always been that way?
"Yes." Skinner answered.
"Is he going to need to be calmed down?"
"I plan on talking to him about why he's here."
"Are you sure you don't want more people there in case he gets out of
hand?"
"No. Depending on what Dana just said, it sounds like he has a problem
trusting
people. He trusts Dana. That's another aspect I want to talk to him
about."
"That has always been a problem for him."
"Do you have any question?"
"Yes. Is it possible that my mom and Mr. Skinner be kept updated on
what is
happening with Fox's care?"
"I don't see why not. Dana I just wanted to also commend you on how
you are
handling Fox. A lot of people have a hard time dealing with people like
that."
"I have a question." At the nod of the doctor Walter continued. "Is
it possible for
Fox to come out of this?"
"Yes it is. How long it will be I don't know. The tests that we took
show no
brain damage. Now let's go talk to Fox, before it get's too late."
"Give us five minutes to wake him up."
"Sure." And the two FBI employees left the office.
"Fox wake up." Dana shook him gently. "Come on Fax. You said you'd
talk to
Dr. Crosby. Now you have to wake up."
"Scully? Huh?" He mumbled before opening his eyes.
"Mulder?" She asked excitedly.
"Is my dad here?" He looked around the room nervously. When he saw
that it
wasn't he relaxed. "Why did you call me that Dana?"
"Um, I was trying to wake you up. Dr. Crosby is outside. He wants to
talk to you
again."
"Oh."
"How are you feeling Fox?"
"Okay I guess."
"Walter and I were just going to go out and get some dinner. We will
bring
something back for you."
"Thank you."
"Oh Fox. I got something for you?" Walter said as they were heading
out the
door. He handed Fox a book. "I hope you like it. There are three
books in there. If you
like them I can get you a lot more and it continues the story. There
are also books before
it but start with these."
Fox looked very happy. He was reading the back of the book. "Wow.
Thank you
so much. I can't wait to read it."
Walter smiled and left. Fox had opened the book with a smile on his
face. Once
Dr. Crosby walked in he closed it and looked down to his hands. "Hello
Fox."
"Hi."
"How are you?"
"Tired."
"What do you have there?"
"A book."
"Can I see it?" Fox shrugged and handed it over. "Star Wars, A New
Hope,
Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. These are good books. Have
you read any
of them yet?"
"No."
"I think you'll like them." He handed the book back. "Do you remember
what we
talked about before?"
"Yes."
Have you thought about what I said?"
"Yes."
"Do you still think it's your fault?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to tell you why I think it wasn't your fault?"
"I don't care."
"All right I'll tell you. Well there are a lot of reasons. Number
one, you are only
12. I don't feel that's an old enough age to be left alone
baby-sitting. Number two, you
don't remember what happened right? So maybe you did try and protect
her. Maybe the
people who took her were bigger than you and had a gun or something else
like that. Am
I making any sense?"
"I guess."
"Will you think about it for me?"
"Okay."
"Also remember I asked you if you knew why you were here. Can you tell
me?"
End of chapter 16
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 17 (17/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
He looked over at Dana, unsure if he should speak. "Fox. I was one
who found
you. I have an idea what happened but not really. That's how come I'm
here. I want to
help you."
Fox nodded and looked at the book in his hands. "My dad hurt me
again."
"Do you know why he hurt you?"
"Because I lost Samantha?"
"Okay before we go on we are going to make a new rule. When ever we
talk, you
are never to say 'I lost Samantha' or 'I let them take Samantha' or
anything that puts the
blame on you. You should say 'When Samantha was taken' or 'When
Samantha
disappeared.' Can you do that for me?"
"Yes."
"Okay so why did he hurt you?"
"Because Samantha was taken."
"Can you tell me everything from the beginning?"
"I came home from school. Mom was drunk so I made dinner. Dad was
home
early and didn't have a good day. Dinner wasn't ready. I then set the
table for the three of
us. Dad said I should have set four because of Samantha, mom came in
then heard the
conversation started to cry. So dad told me to go to bed with out
dinner. Around
midnight I got hungry so I was going to go downstairs to get food but
dad came in. That
was when he hurt me."
"Did you have to make dinner a lot?"
"Once I got back from the hospital."
"Why were you in the hospital?"
"Because they said I was found on the ground not responding to anyone,
when my
parents came home. They said I was like that for a while."
"So you made dinner. How did you know that your mother wasn't going to
make
it?"
"When I first got home from the hospital, mom got drunk and didn't make
dinner.
When dad got home he said that because I lost Sam it was my
responsibility to pick up the
slack in the house. He then preceded to hit me a few times and I then
had to make dinner
for him."
"Your mom seems to get drunk a lot."
"It's her only way to escape what happened to Sam."
"You said your dad hurt you. Do you mean he hit you, punched you,
kicked you?
What did he do?"
"Well he took me from up in my room and pushed my down the stairs, into
the
basement. Things get a little fuzzy. I hit my head a few times. He
tossed me around a
little down there. I knew I'd end it the hospital again. He undressed
me taped me to the
ping pong table in the basement, put tape over my eyes and mouth, and
then hit me with a
belt until I passed out?" He said with a cold detachment.
"Did you father say why he was hitting you?"
"Something about me paying for destroying the family?"
"How did you feel when your father took off your clothing and taped you
down?"
"I was scared." He had a little more feeling in his voice now. No one
ever let him
say how he felt. It was always wrong to have emotions his father had
said. "I didn't know
what he was going to do. He was drunk and has a horrible temper. I
tried praying to G-d.
But dad said there is no G-d because then he wouldn't have let Samantha
been taken."
"So now your father blames G-d?"
"I guess he blames everything?"
"Well how could everything be at fault? I mean there are people in the
world who
blame everything that happens to them on everyone but themselves. And
those are the
people who should blame there selves. Do you understand what I'm
saying?"
"That maybe why my father blames everyone is because he himself is to
blame?"
"That's it exactly. Did anything else happen? Did your dad hurt you
again?"
Fox didn't answer. He flipped through the book again. Any one could
tell that he
didn't want to talk about it. Dr. Crosby noticing his uneasiness nodded
to Dana. For her
part she moved from her chair to Fox's bed. He automatically flinched
when she sat. He
was obviously thinking or remembering what happened to him. "Fox, it's
okay. Dr.
Crosby just wants to help you. He can't repeat anything you tell him
unless he asks you
permission first or if it's a life and death situation. And you know
you can trust me. I'm
going to stay right here. You can cry if you want."
At that allowance the tears were falling down his cheeks. "But dad
said-"
"Your dad isn't here. It's only me and Dr. Crosby. And if we say you
can cry then
you can. We won't tell him."
He nodded that he understand, took a breath and started to talk. "I
don't
remember how long I was out for, but I was really hungry and my back
hurt. Then I heard
my dad and he was saying something about having to take over all the
jobs that my mother
and sister did. And then he was on top of me. He was heavy and drunk.
he kept talking
and talking about it being all my fault." The tears were free flowing
and His sentences
were broken by sobs. "He... h-he p-p-put his" breath "into-to me and
the-the-then he
pushed and p-p-push-shed and he he he he di-di-didn't stop. Ju-just
ke-ke-kept go-goin-g.
I-I-I told hi-him to to st-stop b-b-but my m-m-mouth was t-t-aped a-and
I tried to-to s-s-
sc-re-e-em, but I-I couldn't." No more of what he said was legible as
he buried his head
into Dana's shoulder and cried.
Dr. Crosby sat back and let Dana whisper words of comfort. After ten
minutes
Fox had not stopped crying. Dana was doing her best not to cry. Dr.
Crosby would have
helped but with the way Fox had just thought about his father a male
touching him would
not bode well for him. Right now he needed the kind of love only Dana
Scully could give
him. Dr. Crosby waited till he caught Dana's eyes and mouthed that he
would see her
tomorrow morning.
Once alone Dana continued to soothe him. She hummed lullabies and
peaceful
romantic songs she didn't know the words to. She made promises she
wished she could
keep. When her mother and Walter came back Fox was still crying. He
wasn't going to
be eating tonight. Walter made a motion to sit on the bed and help with
Fox. She shook
her head no, and did the same to her mother. If they were insulted let
them be. She had
her reasons and she's explain that to them after Fox calmed down and
went to sleep.
It took close to two hours for that to happen. And her mother and boss
had left
about a half an hour before. She found them outside the room. "What
happened?"
"I'm sorry about keeping you away. Fox just told Dr. Crosby what
happened. It
upset him deeply. I was afraid that more people touching him would
scare him."
"How long has he been crying like that?"
"Around two hours."
"That poor boy."
"How about you Dana? Do you want anything to eat?"
"No not really. But something to drink would be nice."
"Sure Dana."
"So what's going to happen now?" Skinner asked.
"I don't know. The doctor said that he would speak to me in the
morning. I want
to stay here tonight. There is a cot in the room, that they put in for
me earlier. You two
can go home. I'm exhausted. You can stay but I need some sleep."
After she went into the room Margaret and Walter stood outside
together. I'll
drive you home."
The care ride was basically silent. Both in there own worlds which
seemed to
overlap. As they stopped in front of Margaret's house there was an
awkward silence
before she got out. "Don't worry Margaret. Fox and Dana are going to
be fine."
"I'm not sure. What ever these memories are doing to Fox, they are
hurting him.
Yes. But what are they doing to my daughter? Did you see the look in
her eyes, when
she came out of the room? She was exhausted. Like the life was sucked
out of her. Is
that what this is doing to her. Taking out her life energy?"
"No Margaret. Yes Dana is tired. I think we all are. Her admittance
to the fact
show that. But when I looked into her eyes, I saw love. She loves that
man and will do
anything for him?"
"Even if it destroys her in the process?"
"Unfortunatly, yes. They both would. If I know Mulder, if the roles
were
switched he would be just like her. Except he wouldn't have let us
help, well at least me."
"You really think so?"
"Do you remember what Mulder was like when Scully disappeared, or when
she
was returned, or when she was diagnosed with cancer? He was going mad.
He needed to
feel like he was doing something useful. That's what Dana needs now.
She needs to feel
useful. Do you have any clue as to how responsible she feels?"
"Responsible? For what?"
"For Fox. She has let it slip, that she was thinking of calling him,
but didn't think it
appropriate. That's tearing her up inside."
"Walter thank you. You have helped me through so much and now this.
Thank
you again. Dana thanks you and so does Fox." Margaret leaned over and
planted a kiss
on his cheek. "Good night Walter."
"Any time Margaret. And good night to you to." And She left.
End of chapter17
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 18 (18/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
Dana was awakened the next morning when Dr. Pratt came to the room.
When
she opened her eyes he didn't look happy. "What is it?" She whispered,
thinking Fox was
asleep?
"I don't know?" He said aloud, indicating he wasn't.
Sacred, Dana got up and went to stand near the doctor. Fox was not
there. Well
he was there physically but mentally he was long gone. He was in the
position he was in
when he first arrived. Fetal position blank look on his face and thumb
in his mouth. Dana
was nervous. "I'm going to get Dr. Crosby." He said as he left Dana
kneeling on the floor
by his bed.
"Fox. Come on Fox. I know you are in there. Come on sweetie. Please
wake up.
I know you are in there." She said sweetly lovingly. Running a hand up
and down his
side.
Was this what happened when he recalled those visions? Was he going to
ever
wake up this time? Why him? Why? "Come on Fox, wake up. For me.
Please Please.
Fox. You have to wake up." She was hysterical now. "Fox, Mulder.
Anyone. Please
answer me. I know you are in there you bastard now get up? Please. You
can't leave me.
Wake up." She was shaking him.
One of the nurses came in then and brought her to the lounge on the
floor, while
Dr. Pratt and Dr. Crosby examined their patient. "No I have to be with
him. Please let me
be with him. It's my fault he was in that situation." She cried on the
woman's shoulder.
Another nurse took the initiative to call Margaret Scully and Walter
Skinner.
knowing that they would want to be here for the prognosis of Fox
Mulder.
Why every one was so interested in him, was the kind of support he
had. Many of
the people on this floor had seen patients come and go, with all types
of problems. Yet
none had the following that Fox Mulder had. They thought that this
patient had
everything going for him and would be fine. And the fact that he was
cute, gave them
more the reason to watch him.
But what they didn't know of, were the personal demons each of Fox
Mulder's
party carried. And they wouldn't know. For if they did they would
probably end up as a
patient on this floor.
Margaret and Walter arrived at the same time, and found Dana in the
lounge
drinking a cup of hot tea. "What happened dear?" Margaret said as she
sat down next to
her daughter.
She still was upset over everything. "When Dr. Pratt went to check on
him this
morning he was back to the catatonic state we found him in here. Dr.
Crosby is in there
now. I'm waiting for an answer."
As if on cue the doctors walked into the room. "I'm not going to beat
around the
bush here." Dr. Crosby said matter of factly. "Fox has slipped back
into the catatonic
state. I feel partly responsible because I feel the talk we had last
night was too much for
him. I'm very sorry. I also don't have a lot of hope that he is going
to pull out of this.
The only thing I can prescribe for him is for you to keep doing what you
are doing.
"He is probably feeling hurt and alone and that no one cares about
him. You have
to show that to him. A lot of times catatonic patients can hear, and
there brain does react
to voices. I recommend that you don't leave him a lone anytime, and
constantly touch
him. He should hear voices as much as possible.
"There is another matter I'd like to take up with you. It is basically
with you Dana.
I know you are listed as emergency number, but I was curious as to where
she was during
this?"
"She had a heart attack before this began. I haven't spoken to her
since the first
Monday we were here."
"Do you think you might give her a call? If you want I could call
her."
"She doesn't particularly like me."
"Okay you give me the number."
End of chapter 18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 19 (19/20)
(disclaimer in part one)
"Hello, Mrs. Mulder?"
"Hold on I will get her."
"Hello?"
"Hello. My name is Dr. Crosby, down in Washington."
"Oh?"
"I'm calling to talk to you about your son?"
"What happened this time. I'm no condition for much of anything. If
anything, I
need him up here with me."
"I understand that Mrs. Mulder, but your son was a victim of a crime
and he is in a
catatonic state."
"I know. I was told in the beginning. He'll snap out of it. He
always does. Just
ignore him, and he'll snap out of it."
"If I could arrange transportation will you come down and visit him?"
"I'm on my death bed. Transportation should be made for him. I don't
want to
die alone like my husband did."
"Very well Mrs. Mulder. I'll tell your son you say hello." And he
hung up.
"Is she always a bitch?" Dr. Crosby asked when he met everyone again.
"I think so." Dana said.
"No wonder he was able to tell so soon that you weren't his mother. He
was never
loved. Well in a way that makes it easier on me. I don't have to
inform her on how her
son's doing. She's convinced that she is dying soon, and her son should
be there for her,
not the other way around."
"Well we can't all have a mother like mine." Dana said very proud.
"Thanks dear, but it's just that you and Fox were raised differently."
"I know mom. Oh, I wanted to apologize for waking you up so early.
Both of
you."
"It's no problem Dana."
"Why don't you go back and do what you have to do today. I'm going to
keep Fox
busy."
"Dana you can't do it all your self."
"I know that Walter, but I had a little help from you on this one and
Mr. Lucas is
going to help out big time."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"We will stop by later to check up on you." And her mother and boss
left. Now
that they both understood what was going on with Dana, they didn't put
up a fight.
Dana walked into the room and took her seat by Fox. "Okay, Fox. I
know you
have seen the movies, thousand of times. But not as bad Amanda
Nelligan. I don't think
anyone could be that bad." She paused as if waiting for him to answer.
No answer. So
she started to read. "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. . .
" She paused. "You
know this kind of feels like I'm Peggy O'Dell. And you are Billy
Miles. But I know that
you won't abduct me. Do you remember that first case. God it seems so
long ago." She
was silent as she was brought back to a time when things were happy.
"Any way, back to
the story. A long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away."
So for three days Dana read to Fox. When her mother and or Skinner
came by
they would bring food, and take turns reading. Her voice was getting
hoarse from reading
but she continued to do it. Besides she found it to be very
entertaining. Yes she had seen
the movies, but wasn't so thrilled with them. The book was much better.
"As the ship rumbled Leia found herself in Han's arms. 'Let go.' She
said. 'Shh.'
He told her as he listened to his ship. 'Let go.' She stated more
firmly."
"Don't get so excited." A voice said.
Dana had a clue but continued to read to test her theory. "Being held
by you
captain is hardly enough to get me excited."
"I know sweetheart, but we don't have time for anything else."
She looked over at her partner and saw his wonderful smile. And Dana
knew that
her partner, Fox William Mulder, age 37, was back just a little worn.
End of chapter 19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epilogue (20/20)
Mulder continued to see Dr. Crosby for close to two weeks before he was
released
from the hospital where he still sees him, twice a week. And he still
does. Fox
remembered everything from both cases and everything from in-between
both catatonic
states. He is back at work but kept at his desk. Only when certain
cases, that Scully,
Skinner, and Crosby agree to he goes out on to the field. Which happens
most of the time
Walter and Margaret are still friends and go out from time to time.
The four of
them have dinner together once a month.
Fox has also moved into Dana's apartment due to the surfacing of his
fear of being
alone at night.
The wedding is scheduled for June 4th.
END!
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