From: "L. M. Shard" Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 21:43:44 -0700 Subject: Tender Loving Care Title: Tender Loving Care (1/1) Author: L. M. Shard E-Mail Address: lshard@wans.net Date Submitted: July 30, 1998 Rating: NC-17 Category: S, R, and some A Spoilers: None Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance Summary: When Scully's life is in jeopardy once again, Mulder realizes he finally has to tell her how he feels. Archive: At Gossamer and anywhere else! Feedback: Please! I would love to know what you think of my third fanfic. Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, and Skinner are the property of Chris Carter and the Fox Network. I am "borrowing" them just for fun and am making no money from their use. TENDER LOVING CARE By L. M. Shard A five-man FBI entry team kicked in the door of their latest suspect's home. Special Agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder were right behind them. Quickly and with trained precision, the agents searched the house. There was no sign of the suspect. Suddenly a shot rang out and everyone scrambled to the room the sound had come from. Mulder arrived first and was horrified by what he saw. Scully lay motionless on the floor, bleeding profusely, her gun about eight feet away from her. The suspect stood over her, pointing his gun straight at her head, ready to shoot again. Without hesitation, Mulder shot the suspect twice, hitting him in the chest. The man fell to the ground and the other agents surrounded him. An ambulance was called. Mulder rushed to Scully's side. "Scully...Scully," he said desperately, cradling her head in his hands. Her eyes were closed and her face was deathly pale. Blood covered the left side of her chest, soaking the parts of her white blouse and dark jacket that weren't covered by the Kevlar vest. Mulder felt her neck for a pulse and detected one, although very faint. "Mulder..." she whispered weakly, her energy quickly draining. "You're gonna be okay, Scully. You're gonna be okay. The ambulance is on its way," he told her, blinking back tears and a growing fear. The ambulance arrived quickly and took her to the hospital. Mulder followed them in his own car. They wouldn't let him ride with Scully, as he had wanted. He hated to leave her side. He parked his car and ran into the hospital. "Dana Scully was just brought in here with a gunshot wound," he said frantically to the nurse at the front desk. "Where is she? I've got to see her!" he demanded. "Sir, she was brought to the operating room." Mulder was about to bolt, but the nurse held his arm. "You can't go in there now. The doctors need to work on her. You'll be in their way." Mulder looked at her, fear and helplessness in his eyes. "You can wait over there," she said, pointing to the main waiting room. Reluctantly, Mulder walked to the waiting room and fell into a chair. He put his face in his hands and let the tears flow freely. He was so scared! He couldn't imagine life without her. She meant everything to him. He trusted her and cared for her more than anyone else in his life. He loved her, almost from the start, even if he hadn't been able to admit it to himself. She was always there for him, didn't make fun of his wacky, "believer" ideas, and treated him with respect, which was rare, given his "spooky" reputation. He vowed to himself, that if she pulled through, he was going to tell her how he felt about her, tell her how he much he loved her. He had waited too long as it was, and now he might never get the chance. He looked at his watch. An hour had passed since she had been brought in. He saw a doctor at the nurses' station and jogged up to him. "Doctor, have you any word on Dana Scully? She was brought in here with a gunshot wound over an hour ago," he asked, desperation in his voice. "Yes, she just got out of surgery. The bullet was in her shoulder and was successfully removed, but because of its angle of entry, it hit one of her main arteries. She was just moved to ICU," the doctor informed him. "Is she going to be okay?" "We can't say for sure yet. She lost a lot of blood. She will need a transfusion." "I want to see her," Mulder said firmly. "I'm sorry, sir. Only family is allowed in ICU." Without hesitation, Mulder lied, "I am family. I'm her husband." "Oh, I'm sorry. Come right this way," the doctor said, leading him to her room. There she was, lying on the bed with tubes coming out of her nose, some more attached to her chest, and an IV in the back of her hand. She still looked very pale and her lips were almost white. This reminded him all too clearly of not too long ago when she was in the hospital for her cancer. He had almost lost her then. He couldn't lose her this time either. Mulder swallowed back some tears and walked over to her side, gently taking her hand in his. "Scully," he whispered, lightly stroking her cheek. "You are going to be okay." Slowly her eyelids fluttered open and a small smile appeared on her lips. It felt so good to hear his voice. It was so soothing. She had been so far away. "Mulder...I'm so glad you're here..." "I will always be here for you. I won't leave your side," he said and gave her hand a little squeeze. All of a sudden, she closed her eyes and a warning alarm rang. Two nurses and a doctor ran into the room. "Where's that blood? She needs the transfusion immediately!" the doctor yelled. "We're out of A positive, doctor. That big accident from yesterday used up all of our supply, including type O," the nurse informed him. Upon hearing that, Mulder said, "Please, you can use my blood. I am type O positive. I'll give as much as she needs." The doctor looked at Mulder. "Have you been screened for HIV?" "Yes. I am HIV negative," Mulder replied honestly. He had had an HIV test done after his night with Kristen and he hadn't been with anyone since then. He was only interested in Scully and the thought of being with anyone else did not appeal to him. Not having time for another HIV screening right now, since his patient was on the brink of death, the doctor had to go by this man's word (it looked like he loved this woman) and ordered the nurses to start the transfusion using Mulder's blood. They rolled another smaller bed next to Scully's and instructed Mulder to lie down. He did and they inserted a needle into his arm as well as into hers and connected a tube between them. Mulder's blood quickly filled the tube and went directly into Scully's vein. He was so thankful that he was able to do this for her. "Let us know when you're feeling weak and when you need us to stop," the nurse said to Mulder. "I don't care how I feel. I want her to have all the blood she needs. Drain me dry if you have to," Mulder replied sincerely. "That won't be necessary, sir," the nurse responded, then added, "I can see how much you love this woman." Mulder smiled then closed his eyes. "I'll be back in about ten minutes." Scully's eyes slowly opened. She saw the tube of blood going into her arm. Her eyes followed the tube and focused on the man lying in the bed next to her. Mulder. In an instant she knew what he was doing for her. She could actually feel his blood flowing into her veins, giving her life. Mulder's blood in her veins! Her blood mixed with his. The concept seemed so...intimate. She gazed at him, her eyes filled with love. That's when he opened his eyes and looked at her. And he saw it. He saw the love there. It was unmistakable. "Hi, Scully. How are you feeling?" he asked concerned. "Much better, thanks to you. I can feel my energy returning. How can I ever thank you?" "You just did. You know I would give my life for you, Scully. I little bit of blood is nothing." She knew he was serious. And she would give her life for his. "It looks like more than just a little bit. I wonder if I'm going to acquire a taste for sunflower seeds and certain types of videos now that your blood is flowing through my body," she joked. "Now that would be interesting indeed!" he said with a smile, happy to hear her feeling well enough to dish out a little humor. "But I like you just the way you are." At that point the nurse walked back in. "Looks like you're feeling a bit better, Ms. Scully?" "Yes, thanks to my partner here." "Yes, your husband has been very concerned. We were so happy to hear that his blood was compatible with yours," the nurse said. Scully thought, looking inquisitively at Mulder. He gave her a "please go along with this" plea with his eyes. "Yes, I'm very lucky," Scully said, smiling at her "husband". The nurse busied herself with ending the transfusion while a second nurse brought in orange juice and cookies for Mulder. "This will help get some of your strength back, sir. Don't be in a hurry to get up, just rest until you think you can," she instructed Mulder. "And as for you, Ms. Scully, the doctor will be in momentarily to check on you. Can we get you anything?" "No, thank you, nurse," she replied, knowing she had everything she needed lying in the bed next to her. As soon as the nurse disappeared, Scully asked, "so, Mulder, what's this about you being my husband? Was I out cold for the wedding and honeymoon or something?" Mulder looked down at his feet, suddenly bashful. "Well, they told me only family was allowed in ICU and I just had to see you to see for myself how you were...so I said the first thing that came to my mind." He paused then added meekly, "I hope you're not angry." "Of course not, Mulder. I'm just...surprised." Actually, the thought of Mulder thinking of her as his wife, even if it was just pretend, thrilled her. Afterall, he could have just as easily said he was her cousin or brother. But he didn't. Husband came first to his mind. Husband! She smiled to herself, savoring the delicious thought of them as husband and wife. The doctor came in a few minutes later. "It looks like your husband's blood did the trick. You are doing much better. In fact, if your improvement continues, I can release you sooner than anticipated." "That would be great!" Scully said. "Yes, but of course, you'll need a few days strict bed rest after that. Your husband or someone else will need to take care of you, because I don't want you getting out of bed unnecessarily," the doctor said. "I will take good care of her, doctor." Mulder offered immediately. Scully noticed his lack of hesitation and it touched her heart. He did care for her; he made that obvious. "Good. I'll have one of the nurses show you how to clean and dress the wound, which will need to be done daily." "Thank you." At that moment Assistant Director Walter Skinner and a few other FBI agents came into the room. They gathered around Scully and were happy and relieved to see that she was doing considerably better. Skinner told Scully that she could have as much time off as she needed to recuperate. After about twenty minutes they all left, leaving Mulder and Scully alone in the room. "I tried calling your mother..." Mulder began. "She's in Europe with Bill and his family on a three-week vacation," Scully interjected. "Oh, should I try her for you there?" "No, I don't want to worry her. Besides, I'm doing a lot better now, thanks to you." She smiled. Mulder slowly got up from his bed and took her hand. "I am so happy that you're okay. You really had me worried." Scully smiled faintly and closed her eyes. The urge to sleep was suddenly overwhelming. Mulder continued, "I don't know what I'd do without you. In fact, there is something I've been wanting to tell you for a long, long time now...I love you." His heart was pounding wildly as he waited for her to open her eyes and react to what he had just professed. Half disappointed, half relieved he realized she had fallen asleep. Gently he kissed her forehead and sat down in a nearby chair. He was going to stay here until they released her or kicked him out. He did not want to leave her side. Never again. XXXXXXXXXX Two days later, on February 23, Scully was released from the hospital. Mulder came to her room early that morning to pick her up. In one hand he carried an extra large bouquet of long-stemmed red and yellow roses and in the other a bag. "Happy Birthday, Scully!" he greeted her with a big smile and handed her the bouquet. "Thanks, Mulder! They're beautiful!" she said happily. "I'm surprised you remembered." "Of course! Now I also stopped by your place and picked up some clothes for you to wear home. Unless, of course, you were planning on wearing that beautiful hospital gown? That color does look good on you," he kidded. "You think so? Maybe I will. Afterall it is my birthday and I should be able to do what ever I want to, eh?" "Go for it!" "Yeah, right," she said, grabbing the bag he held in his hand. She pulled out a pair of blue jeans and a white button front top. "Thanks for bringing this. Now if you'd just let me get changed, we can leave this place. I can't wait to get out of here!" "Alright. I'll be waiting right outside the door." He left and slowly Scully started changing into the clothes he brought her. It was a much more difficult task than she had anticipated. The wound in her shoulder restricted her left arm's movement almost completely and what little she did move it caused her a great deal of pain. Finally she managed to get her jeans on, but there was no way to hook the clasp of her bra or get her top on by herself. Frustrated and a bit ashamed, but seeing no other choice, she called for Mulder. He entered the room within seconds and found her standing with her back towards him almost half-naked. Shyly Scully asked, "I'm having trouble closing the clasp of my bra and putting on this top. I'm sorry to put you in this awkward position, but could you please help me?" Her voice sounded meek, almost childlike. Mulder was more than happy to oblige, "No problem, Scully. Afterall, I am still your 'husband'." "That's right. I almost forgot," she said, smiling to herself. He clasped the bra with ease, wishing that he were taking it off, instead of putting it on. Would he ever get the chance to do that? He had done it a thousand times in his fantasies. But lately his fantasies weren't enough. He just had to tell her how he felt and pray she felt the same way. He could feel the heat radiating off her bare skin and smelled her faint delicious fragrance. Being this close to her was making him very hot. He slipped her arms into the top and she turned to face him. Now he had a full view of her bra-cladden breasts. His eyes drank in their white creamy peaks, never before having had the luxury to savor that sight. His groin tightened and he slowly lifted his hand to button the top. He hoped she didn't see his fingers trembling. She did and wondered if this closeness was having the same affect on him as it was on her. She felt weak in the knees having him fumble around her breasts like that. She wanted to take his hands and press them against her breasts, skin on skin.... Just the mere thought of that, turned her nipples hard. She hoped Mulder didn't notice. But she couldn't stop and wondered if he was even interested in her. It was always so hard to tell with Mulder. Finally his task was completed and they looked up at each other. For a few moments they just stared, losing themselves in each other's eyes. As they did so often, they communicated this way, saying through their eyes what their mouths couldn't, or, more accurately, were too scared to say. "Thank you, Mulder," she said, breaking the silence and lowering her eyes. Her attraction to him was too great to gaze into his hazel eyes anymore. She feared he could read them and couldn't handle a rejection from him. "Sure, any time. Shall we?" he asked offering her his arm. Had he just seen desire in her eyes? He knew desire for her was raging through his body right now. "Yes, let's get out of this place!" XXXXXXXXXX Mulder unlocked Scully's apartment door and let her in first. She stepped in, amazed at what she saw. There were helium balloons all over her living room and two big banners on the wall, one saying "Welcome Home!" and the other "Happy Birthday!" On the dinning room table stood a birthday cake. "Mulder, you did this?" she asked in disbelief. "Yes. Do you like it?" "Very much! Thank you. You've been doing so much for me lately. Too much. I'm starting to feel guilty." "I'm just trying to make up for all those many times when I did too little, or even worse, nothing. Now I think you better get into bed. You know what your doctor said. Then I'll bring you a piece of cake." "Yes, doctor." Mulder turned down her bed and pilled a bunch of pillows up on the headboard so she could lean back against them. She slipped off her jeans and pulled on her pajama bottoms. The top she'd worry about later. She got into bed and Mulder pulled the covers over her legs. He left the room and returned shortly thereafter with a tray holding two big pieces of birthday cake. "Um, this looks good! Thanks again for going to all this trouble." "No trouble. Eat up!" They both dove into the cake. It tasted so good, especially after all the hospital food they'd eaten. When they were finished, he returned the tray to the kitchen and sat next to her on the bed. They spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching some movies Mulder had rented. For dinner he served her some Chinese take-out. He made sure that she never had to leave her bed, except, of course, when nature called. Afterwards he helped her get into her pajama top, this simple task arousing him yet again. At about 9:00 Scully started dozing off. Mulder cleaned away all the empty take-out containers and put away the videos. He went into her room one more time to check on her. She looked so peaceful, her auburn hair displayed like a fan on the white pillow. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead and turned out the light, quietly making his exit. "Mulder..." she whispered, groggily. "What is it, Scully?" "Please don't go. Stay here with me. I would sleep so much better knowing you are right next to me," she said, patting the spot next to her in bed. She knew it was a lame excuse, but she just didn't want him to leave. She craved his presence, the closer the better. "Uh... if that's what you really want, I'll stay," Mulder replied, a bit shocked, but quite happy at her invitation. "Yes...there are some sweat pants in the bottom drawer you can wear to be more comfortable." Mulder found and put on the sweats and laid himself down next to Scully. He could hear her soft, even breathing, telling him she had fallen asleep again. Sleep was going to take a lot longer to claim him tonight. Afterall, he was lying in bed next to the woman he loved with all his heart and his body yearned to touch every inch of her. Images of him kissing her and making love with her filled his mind. He tried to push them out, but to no avail. Finally sleep did over take him, but his waking thoughts carried over into his dreams. Morning found them in each other's arms with Mulder spooning Scully. The alarm rang and Scully quickly, reflexively turned it off, careful not to put stress on her wound. Then she noticed Mulder's arms around her, holding her lovingly and protectively. She didn't make another move, wanting this to last forever. It felt so good to be held by him in her bed. Her insides started to turn to mush as thoughts of him touching her filled her mind. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck, and had to fight the urge to turn around and kiss his full lips. Mulder too had awoken with the sound of the alarm, but having noticed his position with Scully, didn't want to take his arms from her just yet. "This can't go on like this," he thought to himself, "I have to tell her how I feel." Suddenly he remembered something and slowly sat up in bed. "Good morning, Mulder," she said, turning toward him. "Good morning. How are you feeling?" "Pretty good. Thank you for staying here with me last night. I really appreciate it." "Your wish is my command," he said, smiling. She laughed. "I'll have to remember that! Which reminds me, thank you for yesterday. You made my birthday special with all your gifts and attention." With that Mulder left the room and came back momentarily, holding something behind his back. "I have one more gift for you." "You do?" she asked incredulously. "Yes and it's something I hold very dear to me. I hope you like it," he said almost nervously, handing her a small wrapped package. He sat down next to her on the edge of the bed. "Mulder...." She said, taking the package from him. Slowly she unwrapped it and discovered a cream-colored velvet box. Her fingers trembled as she opened it and her eyes popped as she saw what it contained. Sparkling up from the middle of the velvet box was a platinum ring with a large oval cornflower-blue sapphire surrounded by eight smaller round diamonds. "Mulder...it's beautiful...." She couldn't believe he was giving this to her! It was so unlike him. She took the ring out of the box and put it on the ring finger of her right hand. It fit perfectly. "Thank you, Mulder. I love it, but it's really too much." "I want you to have it. It was my grandmother's. She told me that it is a Kashmir sapphire and that they are no longer to be found in the earth, having been all mined out years ago. She received it as a gift from my grandfather for their tenth wedding anniversary." Mulder hesitated, a bit afraid to go on, "She gave it to me on her death bed, I was twenty-five at the time, and told me that I should give it to the woman I loved most in the world. There was no such woman, until now...." Mulder swallowed and looked deeply into Scully's eyes. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her heart pounded a mile a minute as she waited for him to say it. "I love you, Dana." They were the most beautiful words she had ever heard. Her heart leapt with sheer joy. "I love you, too," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You do?" He asked, his voice cracking, not able to believe what she just said. "Yes. I love you, Fox Mulder. I have for so long." At that he gently took her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. How long they had both waited for this! His kiss was full of fire and hunger as his tongue demanded entry. She willingly yielded and their tongues tangled in a dance of passion. He couldn't get enough of her sweet taste and he deepened the kiss even more, their lips melting into one another. Finally they stopped for air. She couldn't stand the loss of his lips on hers and she pulled him back to her, letting her tongue explore his full lips, slick teeth, and every inch of his hot delicious mouth. He had never felt so affected by a kiss before. His whole body burned with desire. "Make love to me," she whispered into his mouth between kisses. He looked into her eyes, now a dark blue and saw her great hunger. Hunger, lust for him! She wanted him and he could barely believe this was reality. "But your shoulder...I don't want to hurt you..." "We'll just have to be careful," she said, barely concerned about her wound. Her need for him was so great, her repressed emotions finally free. "I want you more than anything. I love you so much, Mulder." "Fox, please call me Fox." She was surprised and touched by his request, for he had so often told her never to call him by his first name. Another barrier down and a much larger one was about to be crossed. "Fox, I love you." He claimed her mouth again then slowly moved his lips down her neck, nuzzling her soft skin. His fingers worked the buttons of her pajama top until it was completely opened, exposing her creamy white breasts. They were perfect and his hands quickly cupped them, his fingers running over the already hard nipples. A small moan escaped her lips and she let her head fall back on the pillow. His bare hands on her bare chest felt better than she had ever imagined. Suddenly she felt what seemed like hot silk running over her nipples. Mulder's mouth and tongue were caressing her nipples with such passion it ignited her center and released a flood of wetness as if an electrical current connected her nipples to her center. "Fox..." she whispered running her hands up and down his muscular back. "Too many clothes. I need to feel your skin." Quickly Mulder stood up and tore off his shirt and sweat pants, leaving him completely naked. Scully's eyes greedily drank in the sight of him and she concluded that he was definitely the most perfect and beautiful male specimen she'd ever seen. "I like," she said huskily, staring at his enflamed erection. She scooted herself to the edge of the bed and took his hot tool in her hand. Mulder moaned. She ran her thumb over the tip making circles then took him into her mouth and did the same with her tongue. He moaned even louder as she took his entire member into her mouth, completely surrounding it with wet heat. She moved on him, up and down, as he ran his fingers through her silky hair. "Oh, Scully..." he breathed. He felt his control quickly slipping away. "You've got to stop. I can't hold on..." "That's okay, Fox, come." "No, not yet. I want to come inside you." With that he laid her on the bed and pulled off her pajama bottoms. He gazed at her naked form with great lust. "You are so beautiful!" Gently, as to not hurt her wounded shoulder, he laid himself on top of her. The feel of skin on skin was pure heaven. He kissed her deeply as his hand went down to the spot nestled between her thighs and explored her folds. She was so wet and he easily slipped two fingers inside her. "Ohhhh..." Scully moaned. He felt so damn good! Then he lowered his face to her center and tasted her sweet juices. His tongue drew circles around her clit, making her writhe in pleasure. Penetrating her center with his tongue he touched every millimeter within its reach. She bucked against him, her movements becoming wilder and wilder until the pressure was too much and she came violently, her whole body shuddering with the sheer magnitude of the orgasm. Mulder drank her sweet wetness then raised his body to cover hers. "God, Fox...you make me feel so good!" She couldn't get enough of him. He smiled. "I'm not done yet." He lowered his lips on hers in a deep, lingering kiss. She grabbed his penis and guided it into her core. For a few seconds they were still, enjoying the wonderful sensation of finally being one, connected not only in body but in heart and soul too. Slowly he began to move in her, growing even harder. They moved in unison, picking up speed as their pleasure mounted. He thrust into her almost violently and she matched his every thrust, pleading with him for more and more. "Dana, look at me." She opened her eyes and stared into his. They were so dark from love and lust and they bared his soul to her. She came again, her center convulsing around him, her nails digging into his back. "I love you," he breathed as he came inside her, his body trembling in ecstasy. "I love you," she said, drowning in wave after wave of her orgasm. He fell onto her in exhaustion. Their sweat-covered bodies heaved with their exertion as their hearts pounded wildly in their chests. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with deep love. Gently Mulder traced his finger around her face, over her cheeks, nose, and lips. "You make me so happy," he said smiling. Then a dark cloud shadowed his face. "I don't deserve your love." She looked him straight in the eye and said firmly, "Mulder...Fox, don't ever say that again. You deserve my love and you have it. You are the most wonderful, most passionate man I've ever met. I trust you completely. I would do anything in the world for you. You have had my heart for a long, long time and now you have my body and soul too. I love you so deeply there really aren't any words to describe how much. I LOVE YOU now and forever." A tear trickled down his cheek as he searched her eyes and they confirmed everything she had just said. She kissed the tear from his face then kissed his lips. "I love you, Dana, so, so much. You are a part of me, the most important part. You make me whole. I never want to lose you." "You never will." He took her into his arms and they lay, cuddling on the bed and drifted off into a peaceful sleep. THE END Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Feedback is much appreciated! lshard@wans.net