From: MmentMori@aol.com Date: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 12:01:30 EST Subject: The Caregiver (1/1) Title: The Caregiver Author: Gill, Jr. E-mail Address: MmentMori@aol.com Rating: PG-13 (One bad word.) Category: VR (Vignette, Romance) Spoilers: Anasazi Keywords: MSR, MS UST Summary: What really happened that night when Mulder stayed at Scully's apartment? Disclaimer: Mulder blah blah blah Scully blah blah blah blah blah 1013 snort snicker blah blah CC cough blah blah ;) Author's Notes: Okay, if this story seems to be lacking some dialogue, it's because I wasn't watching the episode when I wrote it. :oP I started it last week in Social Studies when we were watching a boring video on the Bill of Rights. (About as boring as my disclaimer! :oP) My choices were, A) Write a note, B) Watch the video, C) Write fanfic, or D) Go to sleep. I tried going to sleep first, but the urge to write made me pick up my lazy head and take out a sheet of paper! (I *LOVE* to write!!) Feedback: I'm all ears! :o) Send it on my way; I'd be happy to hear it. Any comments, constructive criticism, or just comments on life in general are welcome. Flames will be used in my fireplace to heat my achy feet after a long, grueling day of school. :o) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Caregiver~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A fanfic by Gill, Jr. I heard someone at my door. I abruptly got up from the chair I'd been sitting in and went to get the door. Turning the knob, I opened the door to my overly exhausted partner. "Mulder!" I exclaimed as he fell into my arms. He lingered there for a minute, and I kept my arms around him. I unzipped his coat and was startled when I saw the smeared blood on his shirt. But then, I realized that the blood was not his. Feeling his forehead, I lead him to my bedroom, babying him all the way. The thought was so violent and biting that I startled even myself. I shook that angry thought away. Mulder needed me now. I would take care of him and would not leave his side. I made him lay back on the bed and went to the bathroom to wet a wash cloth to cool his forehead. I heard him say something to me from the bedroom. I walked back to my bed. "Well, right now you just need to rest," I said, gently setting his head down on the pillow. "Okay? Rest." I talked to him softly in soothing tones and stroked his cheek. I felt Mulder start to nod off, but he then fluttered open his eyes. "Scully..." "Hmmmm?" I asked, still sitting next to him on the edge of my bed. "I don't want to invade. Let me sleep on the couch." "No. You shouldn't move; it'll make your fever even worse." I walked over to the dresser and picked out my pajamas. "I'm going to change," I explained as I walked to the bathroom. I went in there and got ready for bed faster than usual. I didn't spend as much time washing my face and brushing my teeth as I usually did. I had this worry that kept growing in my stomach every time I was away from him. Tightening my robe, I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way over to the bed. Mulder was still awake; I could see him staring absently at the ceiling. But knowing Mulder and his odd sleeping habits, that just *might* be how he sleeps. I stepped to the edge of the bed, on my side. "You awake Mulder?" I asked in a quiet whisper. "Yeah," he said plainly. "Feeling okay?" "I think so." I climbed on the bed and reached out to feel his forehead again. He felt the same. "Well, right now we both need our sleep. Especially you." I turned off the light and took off my robe. I was wearing a black, faded Navy T-shirt that Bill had given me years ago, and plaid pajama bottoms. I climbed in the bed and tried sleeping as close to my side of the bed as I could without being uncomfortable. It was a really awkward feeling; sleeping with your partner in your *very own* bed. But even if he wasn't sick and still wanted to sleep on the couch, I don't think I'd let him. It would feel as if I was casting him out. And I didn't want him to feel that way. I had almost fallen asleep when I felt the bed tremble slightly. I looked next to me, at Mulder. He was shivering. "Mulder?" "Scully...I'm...cold," he said, through chattering teeth. He had all the blankets covering him, but he was still cold. On a closer look, I could see that Mulder was sweating slightly. He was having a cold sweat. I don't know what caused me to do what I did next; maybe the mothering instinct, maybe just the urge to be closer to him, but I pulled him close to me. I pulled the covers over us both. Then, I felt him settle his head on my chest and put an arm around me. I felt him smile and then couldn't help but smile myself. "Goodnight, Spooky," I playfully teased him, calling him by the name he only let me call him. "G'night, Dana." I closed my eyes and went to sleep, letting all my cares slip away. XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx All done, bye bye!