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Title: The Light Within Summary: Mulder thinks he's got the flu, but it's a lot more than that. Mulder groaned as he ran to the bathroom, clutching his stomach. He barely made it to the toilet before losing control and heaving what little he'd had for breakfast. For several minutes he knew nothing except the taste of metallic bile and the painful spasming of his stomach muscles. The toilet seat was spattered with vomit, but he was so exhausted that he didn't even care. Resting his forehead on the cool plastic, Mulder panted shallowly, doing his best not to set off another round. "Agent Mulder? Are you all right?" Weak and shaky, Mulder spit into the toilet and cleared his sore throat as he rasped, "Fine, thanks," to the unknown inquirer. "Agent Scully said to tell you she's right outside," the man informed him. Mulder sighed and reached up to flush the toilet. Getting to his feet, Mulder pulled out copious amounts of toilet paper and cleaned off the seat before making his way to the nearby sinks. He splashed water on his face and rinsed his mouth out thoroughly before grabbing some paper towels and cleaning up a little. Making a face at his reflection, Mulder left the bathroom and rejoined his partner. Scully looked worried as she observed, "That's the third day in a row." "It's a stomach bug," Mulder dismissed. She fell into step with him and shook her head. "Not for three days solid. And you're getting dehydrated, too, you need to drink more water. Let's go to the cafeteria and get you some Gatorade." Mulder sighed, but gave in. It didn't do any good to balk at an overprotective Scully. She would just dig in her heels and pull out the big guns by calling Skinner. They detoured to the cafeteria before going back to their office where he bought two Gatorades, though Mulder wasn't all that sure he would be able to keep them down. Really, he did feel like crap and his body was making that known with the shaking hands and how he could barely keep his eyes open. Scully, on the other hand, looked radiant. So much so that Mulder suspected something other than her usual good health. He was afraid to ask her about it, though, or bring it up with Skinner. If she was pregnant, it would change everything and he wasn't sure he was ready for that. Oh, hell, you know you're not ready for that, Mulder told himself. She and Skinner would make great parents, but you? You're more than inexperienced, you're useless when it comes to the important things like family. "Hey. What's wrong?" Jolted from his thoughts by Scully's soft question, Mulder smiled wanly at her and asked, "Puking three days in a row isn't enough of a problem?" She squinted up at him suspiciously, but didn't refute his response. The rest of the afternoon passed fairly quietly as they caught up on paperwork from the last case. There'd been a lull in paranormal activity for some reason, or at least the reporting of it, which left them working ‘real' cases with other agents. Despite their promises to each other not to bring work home, the reassignment had caused enough friction that Mulder had stubbornly spent the night before in the guest room. "You have to let him off the hook at some point, you know," Scully commented a few hours later, apparently tired of the silence. "He's the boss, Mulder. There are always going to be decisions he makes that you won't like. Taking it out on him at home isn't right." Mulder ignored her, concentrating on his final report. Scully sighed and said, "You're going to regret acting like this, Mulder. I know you. A week from now, you're going to wish you'd just told him how you felt instead of punishing him for doing his job." Finally looking at her, Mulder retorted, "I'm not punishing him, I'm just making a point." "And what point is that? That you're a brat when you don't get your way?" Scully questioned archly. Mulder made a face and said, "We do have other things to work on, Scully. Cold cases that could use a fresh set of eyes. Checking in with contacts. Following up leads on anonymous tips." "Chasing our tails versus catching kidnappers and killers," Scully interrupted. "Gee, I know which one I would pick." Getting angry on top of the frustration already coursing through him, Mulder stood to tell her off and then leave, but the world spun around him and he went staggering. When the spinning stopped, Mulder found himself on the floor, staring up at a frantic Scully taking his pulse. His head hurt, probably from hitting the floor, and he felt mildly nauseas, as though he might throw up again at any moment. "Mulder, don't move," Scully ordered. "I've called Skinner and an ambulance." He wanted to protest, but knew that if he tried to move he probably would throw up and really didn't want to do that. Instead, he let Scully stroke her fingers through his hair, enjoying the sensations. And then Skinner was there, rushing into the office and skidding to a halt beside them. He made an abortive move to kneel down, but the door opened again and other agents came in to see what was going on. Mulder saw the frustration in his eyes and felt the echo of it in himself. No one questioned Scully's right to be on the floor, comforting him, so that was something at least. The Emts arrive not ten minutes later, taking his pulse and checking his vitals while Scully gave them a rundown on his symptoms over the last few days. Mulder winced when he caught sight of Skinner's jaw flexing, a sure sign the other man was pissed at being kept in the dark. As he had every right to be, Mulder knew. He also knew that Dana was right and he'd acted like an idiot where Skinner was concerned. "It probably is just a stomach bug," one of the Emts said. "But we'll take him in and get him checked out anyhow. He probably needs fluids." "I feel a lot better now," Mulder protested. Skinner snapped, "Do as they say, Agent Mulder!" Mulder flinched at the sharp tone and did as the Emts directed, scooting over onto the gurney and not making any more protests. Scully stayed with him as they left the basement, rode the elevator up, and then entered the ambulance. Mulder knew better than to expect Skinner at the hospital until the end of the business day. Everyone already considered Mulder and Scully to be his pets in a professional aspect; none of them would risk anyone discovering the personal relationship. The wait in the ER was a long one. A nurse settled them behind one of the curtained areas, taking his vitals, getting a urine sample, and drawing blood for testing purposes. She returned shortly with a scold about dehydration and set him up with an IV stand, efficiently putting in the line. They didn't see anyone else after her for a couple of hours. Scully helped pass the time, staying with him and talking about everything and nothing. He was grateful that she didn't bring up his recent behavior at home as they waited for a doctor to see him. When the doctor finally did arrive, he didn't do much. He checked Mulder's head and vision, looked over the chart the nurse had started, and said, "You don't seem to have a concussion, so that's good. We're just waiting on the blood work to see what caused you to faint in the first place. Could be an iron deficiency, could be dehydration, could be that stomach flu you seem to think you have. We'll find out shortly. In the meantime, I'm going to admit you until..." "Wait, what? Why are you admitting me?" Mulder demanded. The doctor offered a polite smile that put Mulder on edge as he explained, "It could be something more severe that we won't know about until the blood work comes back. If it is, I want you here to begin treatment right away." Scully questioned, "Why would you think that it's something serious?" Giving her the same kind of smile, the man answered, "I hope it isn't, but I like to err on the side of caution." There was something about the guy that made Mulder nervous. He looked at Scully and saw her usual, serene expression in place as though nothing weird was going on. It was just that look, however, that told him she thought there was something wrong; Scully's version of a poker mask. Scully smiled back at the doctor and replied, "Of course. It's too bad not all doctors are so conscientious." "All right then. You settle in and I'll see you just as soon as the blood work comes back," the doctor told them before leaving. As soon as he was out of earshot, Scully ordered, "Do not move from this spot before I get back. I'm going to see what the good doctor is up to." "Scully, maybe you shouldn't," Mulder countered. "Wait for Skinner." Scully kissed him gently and said, "I'll be fine. Wait. Here." Mulder made a face, but nodded. He watched her purposeful stride down the corridor and sighed, wishing he was there to watch her back. Still, she did have a point. Something was definitely going on and they needed to know what. He looked over at the phone at the nearby nurses' station and hesitated, wondering if that was close enough to ‘here' to count in Scully's book. Shrugging to himself, Mulder climbed off the temporary bed and walked over to the phone, dragging his IV stand along with him. He dialed Skinner's cell from memory and smiled briefly at the gruff, "AD Skinner speaking." "It's me," Mulder replied. There was an audible change in tone as Skinner demanded softly, "How are you? What happened?" Mulder reported, "I'm fine, but we don't know yet. There's something off about the doctor. Scully's following him to see what she can see." "Off? What do you mean, ‘off?'" "Just...something not right. Like he was holding back something important. He's admitting me on the chance there might be something seriously wrong," "I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Where are you?" "Still in the ER." "Don't move from there, Fox. I mean it. Sign out AMA if you have to, but stay somewhere public." Sobered by Skinner's earnestness, Mulder promised, "I will be right here waiting for you." The phone disconnected and Mulder walked slowly back to his temporary bed. Dana walked swiftly down the hospital corridor, following the doctor who definitely didn't have Mulder's best interests at heart. A mix of anger and apprehension ran through her, knowing that whatever was going on, it wasn't good. Why can't they just leave him alone? she thought furiously. The doctor stopped turned a corner and when she peered around, saw that he was talking to a man in a dark suit. An agent of some kind, Dana knew that instinctively. Fortunately, they were close enough that she could hear the conversation. "Yes, I'm positive!" the doctor insisted. "We ran the bloodwork five times and it came back conclusive every single time. Fox Mulder is pregnant." Dana went stock-still at that, shock rooting her to the spot. The doctor continued, "I'm having him admitted so I can run more tests and find out exactly what his body is doing and how." "That won't be necessary. Tell him that you need to transfer him somewhere else. Once he gets in the ambulance, we'll take care of the rest," the agent replied coolly. Dana didn't wait around to hear any more. She turned and ran back the way she came, nimbly dodging patients and hospital personnel. Mulder, much to her surprise, was right where she'd left him. He looked exhausted and too-thin, with dark circles under his eyes, which were closed. Stopping beside the temporary bed, Dana reached out and put her hand on his stomach, feeling a sense of wonder and awe at the life that was, somehow, growing inside there. "Scully? What's going on?" Mulder asked sleepily. "Is Walter here?" Shaking her head, Dana told him, "We're leaving. Come on." Mulder was almost immediately alert, sitting up and demanding, "What happened? What did you find out?" Dana knew that if she told him, they would never get out of the hospital because he would freak out. Giving him a tight smile, Scully replied, "I think the doctor's working for that cigarette smoking bastard and don't want to stick around to find out for sure. Let's go." Climbing off the bed, Mulder swayed and might have fallen if she hadn't grabbed him and pulled him in close. She quickly undid the IV and told him, "Put some pressure on that so it stops bleeding. We'll get a Band-Aid at home." They were almost out of the ER when a nurse called after them, rushing over to block the way. "Where do you think you're going?" the woman demanded. Scully tightened her grip around Mulder's waist as she replied firmly, "Home." "He hasn't been discharged." "Then get me the papers." "Look, ma'am, you can't just..." "I am a doctor and fully qualified to look after my partner," Scully interrupted. "Get us the AMA papers to sign right now." Looking affronted, the woman motioned for security as she said, "I don't think so, ma'am. I was told that this could be a case of domestic abuse and I am damn sure not letting him out of my sight." Scully didn't know whether to laugh or scream at the accusation. Mulder, unfortunately, chose that moment to exclaimed, "What the hell are you talking about? Abuse? I'm not an abuse victim!" Ironically, Scully had to admit that if viewed dispassionately, and with a view towards abuse, they would fit the profile. Mulder was clearly obedient towards her and Scully hadn't left him alone with anyone else, except those few minutes to chase after the doctor. Add to that their attempt to leave without discharge and the healing bruises and welts they would find if Mulder took off his clothes and of course, abuse would be the first thing that sprang to mind. Scully ran her hand soothingly down Mulder's back as she said to the nurse, "Look, I don't know where you're getting your information, but Agent Mulder and I are strictly work partners." "You don't look it to me," the nurse scoffed. Thank God, Skinner showed up right then with a stern, "What's going on here?" The nurse and security guard looked at him and Skinner fished out his badge, showing it to both. Not looking very satisfied, the nurse informed him, "This woman was trying to make off with my patient. I think she's abusin' him." Skinner didn't even bat an eyelash as he replied, "I see. Would it help if I took responsibility for Agent Mulder's well-being? He works for me and I have a place he can stay until he feels better." The fact that Skinner had been the one to put the bruises and welts on Mulder had Dana biting the inside of her cheek to keep down the absurd need to laugh out loud. Lips pursed, the nurse nodded reluctantly and looked at Mulder. "Are you sure you want to leave, Sir? We should really admit you." Mulder nodded, stating, "I want to leave." "All right. Just wait here while I get the forms." Dana transferred her hold on Mulder to Skinner under the security guard's watchful gaze. All she really wanted to do was take hold of them both, but that wasn't possible. At least Mulder could lean on one of them. Stepping back, she waited as the nurse got her paperwork together and then came back, showing Mulder where to sign. They were out of the ER in another few minutes and, when she looked back from the safety of Skinner's sedan, Dana spotted the doctor yelling at the nurse. Glancing at Skinner, she ordered quietly, "Get us home, now." He nodded and stepped on the gas. Walter didn't want to let go of Mulder even for the ride home, but he didn't have a choice. Just as well Scully had ridden in the ambulance so they didn't have two cars to worry about. The pinched expression on her face told him that there was something really big going on, even if the accusation of abuse hadn't. Someone was severely meddling in their lives and he suspected he wasn't going to like who it was. The drive home was silent. Walter's gaze kept straying to the rear-view mirror where he could look at Mulder asleep in Scully's arms. They'd ignored seatbelts so he could stretch out with his head on her lap. Every now and again, Scully met his worried gaze with her own. They arrived about a half-hour later and Walter hurried to open the backseat, pulling Mulder to his feet and sliding a shoulder under his arm. Scully surrounded Mulder from the other side and they brought him in. Walter would've just rather picked the younger man up altogether, but they didn't like to stir up the neighbors any more than necessary. Once inside, though, Walter bent to pick up his lover, cradling him close to his chest as he strode to the living room. It said enough about Mulder's physical condition that he didn't protest, instead tightening his arms around Walter's shoulders. Sitting on the sofa, hearing Scully lock up behind them, he held tight for a few minutes, reassuring himself of Mulder's safety. It felt like they'd just come back from a harrowing case of some sort and he didn't like that at all. He never did. Scully sat beside them, resting her chin on Mulder's shoulder and sliding her arm behind Walter as she said, "I've got some very big, but very good news." Walter braced himself. "What is it?" "Mulder's pregnant." in retrospect, it wasn't the strangest thing to ever happen to their lover. He'd been kidnapped by aliens, mutants, and evil men more times than Walter liked to think about. His arms tightened around Mulder, instinctively trying to protect him from those who would do him harm. Mulder himself didn't respond at first, instead pressing his face to Walter's throat for a long minute. He finally sighed and asked, "Are you sure?" "That's what I overheard the doctor say," Scully replied. "And he said it like he believed it." Walter stated, "The first thing we do is an independent test. Scully, do you have any medical friends that you would trust with this?" Scully nodded slowly as she answered, "I do. I haven't spoken to him in a while, but yes. I know exactly to whom we can go with this. And he's here in DC, too." "Call him," Walter ordered. She didn't take issue with his shortness, probably understanding that it came from worry about Mulder. Walter didn't listen to her soft conversation, wanting to know what was going on in Mulder's head. He tilted his lover's chin up and asked, "What are you thinking?" "I don't know what to think," Mulder replied, heaving a sigh. "I can't even...pregnant? Walter, what the hell do I know about being a parent? And that's assuming we both make it through the actual pregnancy and delivery! What are we going to do?" After kissing Mulder firmly and squeezing his lover's thigh, Walter told him, "We're going to take this one step at a time. I promise you this, Fox...we're going to get through this and no matter what happens, I will always love and want you. Come hell, or high water, remember?" Mulder half-smiled at the reminder of their ‘marriage' vows. A simple, private ceremony between the three of them with no witnesses save each other. Nodding tiredly, he settled back against Walter and relaxed. Walking back to them, Scully told them, "Stephen's ready any time we are. He works at NIH, but we can meet at his apartment. He said that he'd have everything there." "Good. The less official this is, the better," Walter stated. She nodded agreement and Mulder sighed, but did the same. Walter hated to do it, but suggested, "We should bring our bags." In case we don't come back, was understood. The bags that they kept packed in case of emergency. In case Fox's horrific theories of the future came to pass. Clothing, unregistered weapons, Mres, and false papers. Everything needed to start a new life as someone else. "I'll get them," Scully volunteered. Grateful, Walter nodded and relaxed against the sofa until everything was ready. There was something else that needed to be taken care of before they left. "Fox, I know you're tired, but we need to talk." "I'm sorry," he interrupted. "I was being a pain in the ass and I knew it, but I couldn't help myself. I was just...I guess I was hormonal, come to think of it." Walter snorted and said, "Don't even think you're going to use that as an excuse every time you act like an ass in the future." Grinning up at him, Mulder replied, "I wouldn't dare." "Uh huh," Walter muttered. Mulder reached up to cup the back of Walter's head, pulling him down for a slow, reconnecting kiss. It had been too long since they'd all had time to be together in any significant way and that was another strain on the relationship. Walter deepened the kiss, but kept it tame. Bringing it to an end, he rested his forehead against Mulder's and said, "I love you, Fox, that's never going to change. No matter what we fight about, and we will, you won't drive me away." "Thank you," Mulder murmured, squeezing him tight. Walter tried not to be disappointed that Mulder hadn't yet said the words, despite his obvious commitment, but it flashed through him. Keeping it out of his expression, Walter smiled and kissed his forehead. "Car's loaded." Looking over at Scully, Walter nodded and she came closer, again helping Mulder to his feet. As they left the house that had come to be a home over the last few months, Walter felt a pang of disappointment. He could only hope that they were able to return. That this didn't lead to an even stranger life for the three of them. Mulder and Scully settled themselves in the back seat as before and Walter closed the door for them. Walter climbed in the driver's seat and glanced at the rear-view mirror, meeting Scully's gaze. "Here we go." She nodded and he started the car, pulling into traffic and leaving everything else behind.
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