From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: 1 May 2001 01:57:13 -0000
Subject: repost: Sleeptalking - think I\'ve fixed the formatting, sorry! by Mo Phillips
Source: direct

SLEEP TALKING

Author: Mo Phillips.

Spoilers: Empedocles.

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: You know the drill.

Summary: Continuation of Mulder's visit to Scully in the hospital.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox


"He's worth the effort, Mulder."

For a moment he just gazed at her then he nodded imperceptibly,

"I should go. Let you get some sleep."

"Stay." Scully reached out her hand to him and Mulder reacted 
reflexively, grasping her fingers in his own.

"Scully, you can barely keep your eyes open. " He admonished gently.

"I miss you. " She sighed giving up the battle with her eyelids and 
sinking into a restful slumber.

Mulder watched her for a moment then reached with his free hand for
 the chair set off to the side of the room. He winced as the feet 
scraped against the linoleum, pausing to gauge how disturbed his 
partner was by the noise. When she didn't react he lowered himself 
to the seat carefully. 

For a few minutes Mulder simply watched Scully sleep. She looked 
so peaceful and content that he couldn't help but smile softly in 
response, caressing her fingers with his own. He glanced at the 
enormityof her pregnant belly then back at her face before turning 
in the seat and leaning his elbows on the edge of the bed.

"Looks like it's just you and me, kid. " He addressed the mound 
under the bedclothes, "You gave your mom a scare today. " Mulder
paused and leaned in conspiratorially, "You gave us all a scare 
today." Mulder laid his palm on the summit of Scully's abdomen, 
"How you doing in there? " He listened as if expecting a reply 
then grinned at himself and leaned back, leaving his hand where 
it was.

xoxoxoxox

"Hey. " Scully opened her eyes, moving from sleep to wakefulness in 
one heartbeat.

Mulder had fallen asleep face down on the mattress, his head 
pressed against her side, her hand held under his chin. He muttered 
something unintelligible and turned his face towards her voice, 
his eyes remained closed.

"Mulder. " Scully ran her fingers through the hair at his temple, 
"I'm sorry. "

"Huh?" Mulder lifted his head and opened one eye then the other to 
gaze at her stupidly.

"I'm sorry. I was selfish. I never considered that you might be 
tired." Twin lines of anxiety bisected  Scully's brow. 

"M'okay. " Mulder released her hand and stretched both arms over 
his head. "I was talking to the kid. Must've nodded off. "

"You were - oh. " Scully's eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.

"Scully! " Mulder had on his panic face, rising to reach for the 
bell to call for assistance. 

Scully caught hold of his arm.

"No. I'm okay. You just... I just... Mulder. " She smiled and it 
was like the sun coming out from behind a rain cloud.

Mulder sank back into his seat and reclaimed her hand.

"What are we going to do, Scully? " He asked, suddenly serious.

"About what? " Scully swiped at an escaping tear.

"This. " Mulder swept his free hand over her belly. 

Scully went very still and for a long moment said nothing. Then she 
shrugged.

"I don't know about you Mulder but I'm going to give birth in a few
weeks."

Mulder mulled this over for a while then nodded. "Yeah. "

Scully waited.

And waited but it didn't seem as if Mulder was going to say any 
more on the subject. Her eyes started to close again then she forced
them open,

"Maybe you should go. " She said without inflection.

"No. " Mulder answered quickly. He shook his head emphatically. 
"I don't want to miss any more, Scully. "

She squeezed his hand. "All you're going to miss for the rest of 
tonight is me snoring and drooling in my sleep. "

Mulder smiled and glanced at the door. Then he shook his head. "If 
youcan stand the idea of me witnessing the spectacle of you snoring 
and drooling, I think I'll stick around. "

"It's nothing you haven't seen before. " Scully yawned hugely, 
"Sorry. "

"Quit yakking and go to sleep. "

Scully tried to glare at him but was too tired and too pleased he
 was staying to muster much ire. Instead she closed her eyes firmly 
and, with an alacrity Mulder could only envy, fell promptly asleep.


End


Thanks for reading.

feedback: mophillips@yahoo.com