From: "Kristi Dorn" Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:46:56 -0600 Subject: Crossing the World by Kristina Source: direct Title: Crossing the World Author: Kristina Email: schmkb27@msn.com Rating: R Spoilers: FTF Summary: How did they get back from Antarctica? And how did that cross find its way back to her neck? Notes: I wrote this after waking one morning to an intense desire to watch Fight The Future. I had not watched it in years, so it was an odd feeling, and quite out of place. I watched it twice while my husband was away that week and found myself swearing under my breath about so many things... and I just had to fix it. To quote a highly skilled, loved and dearly departed Author's character, "When you went to Antarctica to save Agent Scully from being taken by that spaceship and you ran out of gas in your Sno-cat. How did you get back?" To become part of a series is the ultimate fans dream-come-true. I hope in Heaven you continue to smile down on those of us who continue to produce fic and love the show. Though I did not know you directly, Leyla Harrison you are a hero to us all, we will all love you forever. Thank you CC, Fox and 1013 for honoring her this way. Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters on The X-Files. However Leyla Harrison belongs to God now. ~X~X~X~X~X~ Crossing the World ~X~X~X~X~X~ I lay there Mulder in my lap, watching a sliver of something slip into the dark stormy horizon. I clutch him to me. Desperate to be warm, desperate to keep him beside me, desperate to recapture what we had in the dim hallway before this. How long before? I stare around the vast landscape and see the blue darkness that radiates from the large gaping hole so nearby. Confusion surrounds me as I place a kiss on his temple, it's then I find his wound. When I touch it and he flinches, my brain tries to slip back into doctor mode. Instead the confusion threatens to pull me under completely, into the black abyss that at this moment, I know is somewhere I can't slip towards. I struggle against it, but I find my self coughing once more. My lungs burn and they can't seem to keep enough oxygen in my blood. It's my coughing that rouses Mulder. "Scully" his voice whispers as he straightens in my arms. It gentle sound booms in my ears as the chilling quiet expanse seems to be closing in on me. I sigh and lean myself forward onto him in such a way that his back now holding me up. "Scully? You better stay with me." He orders in a low rumble and he slips away and hoists me up onto my feet. "Mulll..." I groan in a hoarse whisper. My voice lost, my throat burning, my whole body frozen. "Shh." He hushes me gently. "I'd hope the seismic crew I borrowed the Sno-Cat from is on top of this." "Huh?" I manage and Mulder and I stumble forward in the snow. "It's a long story Scully, and quite frankly, I think it would likely put you to sleep." It's at this I snort softly. "And, with how I found you..." He trails off, his voice cracking in the wind. I stop. He stops. He brushes his hand against my face, both parts of us freezing. Our eyes seek each other and when they met, the panic, the worry, and the emotion surges through. I can hardly believe what I see, I know that whatever has happened, he'll share with me at some point, but it will undoubtedly be massive. I smile at him the best I can with my burned face, as I bring my hand up to where his rests on my face in an attempt to comfort him. "We should move." He states pulling me along. For what seems like eternity we trudge towards the ridge line. I have slowed things considerably and we have to take several breaks in which I've vomited. I'm not sure if it's from the viral infection I clearly contracted, or a side effect of whatever Mulder administered to set me free. Finally, we near the ridge enough for me to realize there is no way I'll make it over. I'm cold, nauseated, exhausted. And my quick survey of Mulder yields similar results, as he's been trudging along in not much more than a pair of pants, a long sleeved shirt and an insulated vest. "Stop." I whisper. "You need a break?" He asks me, worry coating his face like the frozen bits of slime clinging to mine. I nod my head. "Mulder," I scratch with my teeth chattering lightly. "Where are your buddies?" The effort has led me into another coughing fit. When I've finished vomiting the horrible bitter brown and sucking on a small piece of snow, it seems almost on cue that we should hear the shout. Our eyes float upward, and as if almost on cue there stands two friendly figures. My eyes must show relief as Mulder grasps my freezing hands. "Scully, the Calvary has arrived." He tells me. Before we know it the crew's helicopter has picked us up and brought us back to their base. It's only after we step inside its warmth I finally allow the swirls and confusion to drag me into unconsciousness. ~X~X~X~X~X~ "Put her down over there." The woman tells Mulder. "And get her out of those clothes and into something dry." Mulder gently places Scully onto the bunk and begins peeling the wet parka and snow pants off her body. "Do you have...?" Mulder begins as he's handed a pair of dry sweats, his question answered before completed. "Thanks." He nods. "We didn't meet before." The woman begins. "I'm Rebecca Turnmaine. I'm the medical officer here." Relief washed over Mulder's face and he took a step back. "She cold, I'm afraid she's hypothermic." "How long were you out there?" Rebecca questions. "She was submerged for what I can only assume was the last 36 hours, maybe more." "Submerged! In what?!" she asked, eyes wild. "I don't really know." His eyes met those of his new friend, hoping she will see the truth. "What happened to the ice sheet?" She continues as she begins to take Scully's temperature, pulse and other brief exam notes. "You'd laugh if I told you the truth." Mulder responds. After surveying Scully, she looks up. "She's not hypothermic, but she's close." Glancing at down at Scully once more, Rebecca continued, "I'll run our bath, but it's going to take a while to heat properly off the generators." Mulder nods. "Anything I can wear?" "Oh God! You must be freezing as well! I'll have one of the others bring you some clothes a-sap" And with that Rebecca scurries out of the room. Moments later at the door appears Mark, the man I'd convinced into lending me the sno-cat earlier in the day. "You must have a story." The man sighs putting down the clothing he's brought. "Your Cat's still out there, I didn't loose it to the... uh." Mulder waves his hand around in a small circle. "It happened on the other side of the ridge." "I'm not as worried about the Cat as I am to you two. What happened to her? You? Out there?" He asks. Mulder gives a soft chuckle and motions for Mark to turn around while he sheds his wet clothing and vest. "When you survey out there, you'll find the activity wasn't a collapse in the ice sheet." Mulder begins. "Instead you'll find a hole where something rose out. Something, that you won't be able to explain." Mulder finishes, both his speech and dressing. His hand slips into the wet material of his discarded pants, pulling out a glint of gold and placing it into the pockets of the warm dry clothes he was given. Mark stares at him, almost in disbelief, but some how Mulder's deep convictions have rung true. And then, knowingly he nods. Perhaps he saw it too. Scully begins to cough, and almost on cue Mulder rolls her unconscious body onto its side as she begins to vomit. What's expelled this time along with her bile is a small brown mass, so dry and shriveled it appears charred. Both men give it a disgusted look before being interrupted as Rebecca appears at the door. "The tub." She smiles. Mulder scoops Scully from the bed and follows Rebecca, leaving Mark, still speechless. ~X~X~X~X~X~ The room is large reminding him of a high school locker room. Several showers line one wall, a few toilet stalls along another. Centered within the room is a large metal tub. The tub is very large, and it becomes immediately clear Scully will slip below the waters surface if she's submerged in it alone. Peeling the clothing from both their bodies he climbs in with her. Ever so carefully he places her in his lap, the large tub reminding him of a therapy tub straight from a football locker room. The warm is penetrating, soothing, and taking a quick survey of its attached equipment is apparently on a thermostat. Their cold bodies kick it on, like throwing ice into a boiling pot, and the heat bubbles softly from the ring of bubbles at its base. With Scully settled between his legs he begins to worry how long she'll be out, how long they should sit here. How long it will be before They realize the two of them have survived. Laying there with her, as the heat soothes his aching body Mulder realizes just how exhausted he is. He surveys her body carefully, assuring himself that she is in one piece. During his careful scrutiny he realizes how exposed she is with her back settled against his chest. He mentally kicks himself when his body responds to her nudity. She had just walked away; somehow, and this was not appropriate. Gently Mulder slid her slightly off his offending body. Apparently his brain and body were not connected, or too connected. There was no denying the countless times he'd come with her name on his lips alone in his apartment, or in the next hotel room. It occurs to him, that even beneath the water anyone on the base could walk into the open room and see her exposed front, she isn't something he's willing to share with the world. This thought brings his body back down towards control. Balancing her carefully in front of him, he leans to grab a towel off the stool nearby. Carefully he wraps her and settles her back against his chest. The cold had barely escaped his bones when he'd drifted off. It was when the bubbling heat kicked on the 3rd time he bolted up and glanced at the clock. Despite the gentle sunlight streaming through the tiny windows above the wall of showers, it was nearly 9'oclock at night when Rebecca checked in. "You alright?" she questioned. "Yeah." Mulder sighed "Warmer." "And her? Has she woken?" "No." Mulder sighed. "But do you think we should get out?" "Yes, and dry off. If she doesn't wake or keep a sustained temperature rise after this, you may need another round. We can't get you out until morning." Mulder nodded. "But you'll be fine here, a storm is rolling through McMurdo Valley, that station is the only way in or out of here." She reassured and then excused herself politely to let him climb out. It was just after the conversation Scully stirred. "Mulder?" She gasped "Hey." He whispered into her ear as she blinked open her eyes. She gasped a little and stiffened when she realized they were all but naked in the large bath. "Can you sit?" he asked. "Yeah." Her voice creaked as she leaned forward drawing up her knees to rest on and Mulder slipped out of the bath behind her. He began to towel off and dress. "Where are we?" her voice still horse asked. "Scully." He stated with a pause and a crack in his voice. "Don't be mad." He hushed, her heavy lidded eyes still managed to shoot an eyebrow up ever so slightly. "Antarctica." At the confession her eyes shot completely open, unquestionably mad. "Mulder!" her voice stern, "I guess that explains the snow. But what in the hell were you thinking!?" She asked pulling the drenched towel up and attempting to stand on her wobbling legs bracing the edge of the deep tub for support. "Oh no you don't." He sighed and scooped her up and out. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He sighed as he tried to peel the wet towel from her fingers. They were reluctant to let go, to expose her now conscious body to him. "Scully, it's just me in here. I've seen you naked several times before. You're hurt and sick, let me dry you off." Her lip trembled as the air cooled the water clinging to her body and she let him pull the wet towel off. He dried her legs, hips and curve of her bottom reverently, letting her hold onto his shoulders as she stepped into sweat pants. Then he toweled off her stomach, arms and ever so carefully and gently her breasts. He couldn't help but notice her sigh as the towel swept its path across her body bring it warmth as it swept away the cooling water. With that he slipped her into a tank top and a sweatshirt over that. She sank to the floor gently then, leaning against the warm tub as Mulder reached over to drain it. He toweled off her hair. "Sorry I didn't use soap." He said as she picked at a piece of slime in vain. "I saw something Mulder." She said so softly he almost didn't hear. "I'm glad." He whispered back as he helped her back to her feet and they shuffled out the door. Waiting there in a chair was Rebecca. The three of them headed back to the bunk they'd been offered until someone could chopper them out in the morning. "Agent Scully," She smiled. "Its nice to have you back." Scully did her best to give a gentle smile. Then turned to Mulder in confusion before Rebecca answered for him, "I'm the teams Medical Coordinator and Officer. I've been stationed here for the last 6 months; we've never had more than a dribble on our seismic monitor." She explains as we arrive at the room and enter through metal door frame. "Until today's cave in." With that Scully half sighs, half snorts as I lower her to the bed. She climbs in carefully as I begin to tuck her in. There is slight commotion outside in the hall as half of the team begins to settle in for rest, while the other half begins their shift of exploration past the cliffs. "Agent Mulder would you like to rest next door? I know you're exhausted as well." "No." He answers. "He'll stay by me." Scully mumbles sleep overtaking her again. "He always does after something like this." "Do alert me if you need something. Either of you." She informs as she lingers at the doorway. "Thanks." Mulder nods and clicks the door shut behind her. Pulling his feet from his shoes, he sits at the edge of the bed. "Scully?" "Hmm?" "Room for me in there?" "MmHmm." She sighs and scoots closer to the wall. He climbs in beside her, slipping under the blankets, snuggling up to her, spooning her in his warmth. His arms wrapped tightly. "I thought I'd lost you for good." He whispers as they both fall asleep. ~X~X~X~X~X~ With the clear morning sky, we load up onto a helicopter. Scully is much more alert, focused and despite the frost bite we both endure, she avoided hypothermia. I'm thankful. She sits beside me; both of us bundled and properly dressed. Relief washes my body as I realize we've truly escaped this barren land. I watch with amazement as we float past the gaping hole, the rim scattered with survey teams. I feel Scully suck in a shaky breath and I pull her to me once more. I press a kiss to her temple and she sighs, sinking deep into our feather parkas. We find ourselves aboard several small planes next, before landing in Argentina, followed by a stop in Houston before arriving in Washington. I'm grateful to have avoided Dallas. Our parkas are too heavy for the early fall chill of DC; but we simply unzip them as we scurry from the plane towards the airport. I fear who might be waiting, I also fear there will be no one. Scarcely a word has past either of our lips. There is too much to say. There is too much not to say. But the silence hangs comfortably as we enter. As we pass through the door, I see them. The Gunmen have made it. Relief washes all three of their faces. None of us have much to say. I think they realize when things are alright again I'll spill all the details. I've never seen them more patient than they are at this moment. "So where to?" Langly asks. "The hospital." I tell them. "No." Scully objects. "I've already had medical attention Mulder. I'm fine, all they will do is send me home to rest and stay warm. You, on the other hand, should be on antibiotics." She scolds in her hoarse voice. "You did take a shot to the head." Frohike chimes in. Always in her defense, I have to chuckle at the little troll. "You can write me one." I tell her, slipping my hand over hers and giving it a squeeze. A sigh escapes her and I know I've won. ~X~X~X~X~X~ It feels as if an eternity has passes before the boys have dropped us at her place and left us to our own survival. We've missed another full day with the travel. Both exhausted from the flights she tries to excuse herself to a shower and bed. "Go home Mulder." She tells me. "I'm going to be fine." "Scully?" I pause. "Mulder." She whispers back. "You're just going to leave it like this?" "Leave what?" "Everything. You quit your job!" I spurt out in a yell, my voice fading softer as I continue, "The hallway. Antarctica. I crossed the world for you." She stands in the hallway leading towards her bedroom and bathroom. Leaning against the wall her eyes slip closed, her face falls forward, and her hair shielding her face. "I did. You did." With this her fingers go gently to her lips. Touching only the very top where her pink skin dips in time with the pale skin of her face. The very place where our lips scarcely touched, with such light pressure it couldn't be called a kiss. I know what she's thinking. I know what's she panicking about before she speaks again. "What does this mean Mulder?" She asks me. I know what she's asking, but with her panic, I find myself spiraling down into my own. "We saw what we saw. We both know. We both know what's real, what's coming now. They've torn us apart Scully, and aside from telling what we've seen and looking like fools, even FACT-filled fools, there is not much else left to do accept let them win." I finish conviction and frustration apparent in my voice. "Oh." She says disappointed, the hurt present in her hoarse voice. I've chosen the chicken's way out. I've chosen to make this about Antarctica and the X-files, not us in my hallway. "I'll go." I sigh. "Mulder." she pleads. "Scully." And with her name I seem to have broken some spell. Before I know what's happened she's in my arms. I'm holding her tightly and she's sobbing. I'm sobbing. We're both hopeless. Her head tucked under my chin, without her heels. Arms both wrapped around each other. She holds me for deal life and I hold onto her warm body, praying silently I never loose her. We cry like that, for several minutes. Before she pulls back and drags my head down to hers. Our lips touch, more fully and her lips sear mine, pulling me down into a spiral of fear, comfort, lust and love. They part ever so slightly and she kisses my upper lips, tasting it just barely with the tip of her tongue. "Don't go Mulder." She sighs as she breaks the kiss. I stare at her speechless. "I think I should say the same to you." I sigh, pulling her again my chest where my heart races, threatening to pound through my chest. Her hand slides up to feel it and I cover her small red pricked hand with mine. "Scully?" I probe. "Hmm?" She asks. "You realize, that there is no one I'd cross the world for except you." At this, her hand turns around and weaves her fingers in with mine. "I know." It's this moment, my mind remembers her cross. Suddenly it seems to be burning a hole through my pocket. I gently separate her body from mine and from my pocket I pull out the treasure. When she sees it, she gasps loudly. "Mulder!" She exclaims. "When I found this," I begin, as I motion for her to turn around as I begin to put it on her neck. "I had such relief and worry wash through me. I knew you were there but I panicked that this may be the only thing of you I'd have in the end. That you might be dead." I sucked in air as a tear began to fall down my cheek. She turned, fingering her tiny bit of gold. Her face fell at my tears when she turned in my arms. "When you stopped breathing Scully, I died. I bargained with God when I pounded on your chest. I vowed to tell you, if we made it out of there. I would have stayed there trying to save you until they consumed me." "Tell me what?" She whispered in question. "Scully. I love you." I sighed, "And I would go to the end of the earth to find you, over and over." I whisper in her hair. "Oh, Mulder." She sighed, "I have no idea what to say." "Not exactly what I was hoping for." I confess, wiping the tears off her cheeks and as a smile touched her frost prickled face. "I love you too." She breathed and my mouth closed over hers. ~X~X~END~X~X~ After much debate I've decided to end it here. There are still question I have regarding how the X-Files were reopened. Who told them, where they were, yadda yadda yadda. But I decided after nearly 8 weeks sitting at this exact point, with each read through giving me no further inspiration, this is all my idea was truly meant for. This was really about how they got back, and that entire unresolved hallway doodle. Of course it doesn't fit with the remaining seasons' timeline. Mulder and Scully clearly did not get romantically involved until after the failed IVF thing, or just shortly before. However after what CC did to us with William and the emotional turmoil of "The Truth" I had to screw with said timeline for a little payback.