From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: 10 Oct 2002 17:49:51 -0000
Subject: U-Turn by Waddles 52
Source: direct

Reply To: www.DASWaddles52@aol.com


Title:  U-Turn
Author:  Waddles 52
Summary:  When the mothman is seen again, Mulder and
          Scully are sent back to continue their 
          investigation.
Spoilers:  Post-ep for Detour
Rating:  PG
Category:  MT
Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement intended.
Archives:  After_the_Fact, others please ask.
Feedback:  Of course.  My mailbox is always open.
           DASWaddles52@aol.com or 
           Waddles52@wmconnect.com
Dedication:  To Chris for encouraging me to start 
             over when the first part disappeared
             and to Vickie for the beta.


After he found Scully at the motel, Mulder rushed her to the car that
he had borrowed from Agent Kinsley.  After a quick trip to the park to
return Kinsley's jacket, it was decided that Mulder and Scully would
keep the car to drive back to the airport.  Stonecypher and Kinsley
would hitch a ride with some local agents in hopes of catching the
tail end of the seminar.

Deciding to stop at the first rest stop to give Mulder a chance to
clean up and change clothes, they began to settle in for the trip.  
Scully drove while Mulder tried to find a comfortable position for his
shoulder.  When he decided that was an impossibility in this lifetime,
he turned to Scully.  "If your phone is handy I could call about our
flight back."

Scully reached in her pocket and started to hand it to him.  The phone
began to ring and she shrugged her shoulders and answered it.  
"Scully."  That was followed by a series of "Yes, sirs," and "No,
sirs,"  and finally "Right away, sir."

Mulder gave her a puzzled look as she checked her rearview mirror and
executed a perfect u-turn on the two-lane highway.

"The manager at the motel we just left is trying to keep his
housekeeping staff from walking off the job.  It seems that two of
them went into your room and came out screaming."

"What?" Mulder rose from his slumped position.

"It was something about red eyes and an almost invisible man."

"Oh, shit.  I was afraid of that," Mulder sighed, sinking back into
his seat.  "Was anyone injured?"

"I don't think so.  Anyway, if you haven't guessed, that was Skinner.  
He wants us to go back and continue our investigation."

"Scully, this is one time when I think we should leave well enough
alone," Mulder stated.

"Mulder, I agree with you.  I think we should give the mothman, or
whatever it is, a chance to go back in the forest and hopefully stay
there, but Skinner has other ideas.  He wants us to go back and find
the other mothman," Scully answered.

"Back to the woods, huh?"

"Looks that way," Scully sighed.

"I'll bring the matches.  You bring the sleeping bags," Mulder
grinned.

"Of course.  Any song requests?"  Scully countered.

"I'll let you know when we get there."

At the motel, Scully had just finished questioning the housekeeping
staff and was waiting patiently for Mulder to finish his shower.  She
was just considering unpacking Mulder's suitcase when he opened the
bathroom door.

Mulder emerged from a cloud of steam, wearing his jeans and holding
his shirt in his right hand.  "Hey, Scully," he acknowledged.  "Did
you come up with anything new?"

"I'm afraid it was just a repeat of what we've already heard.  Put
your shirt on and we'll get something to eat and decide what to do
next.'

"Okay, could you look in my bag and see if I have a button up shirt
while I'm putting on my shoes?"  Mulder asked as he threw the shirt
he'd been holding onto the bed.

"What's wrong with the one you had?"

"Nothing."

Scully watched as he sat down and began to pull on a sock with his
right hand.  "Mulder, how is your shoulder?"

"A little stiff and sore.  No big deal," he answered as he continued
to struggle with his socks.

"You have two dress shirts.  All the rest are pullovers.  Why don't I
help you get this shirt on?"  she suggested, picking up the heather
gray t-shirt Mulder had thrown on the bed.

Mulder threw his socks down in frustration.  "It looks like I'll have
to accept your offer, and if you'll help me get my socks and shoes on
I'll even let you pick where we eat."

"Wow, your shoulder must really be sore.  I don't get to pick a
restaurant very often."

Scully helped him put his shirt on.  Even though she was very careful
she could tell that it was hurting him.

"When we get back I want to check your shoulder,"  Scully told him as
she knelt to put his socks on.

"Scully, that's not necessary.  It's just really stiff and sore,
probably from being outside all night."

"Maybe, but I'm still going to check it when we get back.  There, all
finished."

"Thanks, have you seen my keys?" Mulder asked after he checked his
pockets and looked around the room.

"You mean these?" Scully grinned, holding them up.

"Yep."  Mulder put his hand out to re-claim them.

"Nope," Scully protested. "No driving until you're able to put your
shoes and socks on yourself."

"That's the last time I let you pick the restaurant.  The power has
gone to your head," he grumbled.

"You're right, Mulder.  Grab your wallet on the way out.  You're
buying."

Mulder found his wallet and put it in a back pocket, all the time
muttering something about tyrants.

Scully chuckled and followed him out the door.

Mulder and Scully ate a leisurely meal and made plans to go back to
the woods the next day.  It was decided that Mulder would make
arrangements to get another FLIR unit and a tranquilizer gun while
Scully got supplies.  They both agreed that water, food, and matches
were essential.  Scully also wanted to pick up some first-aid
supplies.

Scully dropped Mulder off at the motel where they agreed to meet in
his room in two hours to plan some more and pack their supplies.  
Scully also reminded him that she would check his wound as soon as she
returned.

Mulder made a few phone calls and arranged to have the FLIR and
tranquilizer gun delivered that night.  By the time he finished with
the arrangements his shoulder was throbbing to the point of
distraction.  He decided to hike to the convenience store across the
street to buy some aspirin.  He stopped at the cola machine on the way
back and bought a couple of soft drinks.  He finally managed to get
the childproof cap off the aspirin bottle and shoved a couple in his
mouth and washed them down with a sip of cola.  He put the aspirin in
his shave kit and decided to put the other cola on ice.  He located
the ice bucket and headed for the door.

Mulder opened the door and was surprised to find Scully, her arms full
of bags, trying to knock on the door.

"Did you leave anything at the store?" Mulder asked as he moved aside
to let her in.

"Oh, I think I left enough to keep them in business a few more days,"
she answered as she put the bags down at the foot of the bed.  "Were
you able to get the FLIR and tranquilizer gun?"

"Yep.  They'll be delivered tonight.  I bought you a soft drink.  I
was just on my way to the ice machine."

"Thank you.  Let me take a look at your shoulder then I'll get the
ice.  You should rest as much as you can before tomorrow."

"I'm fine," Mulder sighed.  "I don't need any more rest than usual."

His words fell on deaf ears.  Scully was in full doctor mode.  She
reached inside one of the bags and brought out the first-aid kit.

"Sit," She ordered.

Mulder began to protest, then thought better of it.  Scully in doctor
mode was a true force to be reckoned with.

Scully carefully removed his shirt and just as carefully removed the
bandages that the paramedics had placed there earlier.  She was
greeted with several angry-looking slashes on his left shoulder.  
"I'd like to clean these out again," Scully told him as she rummaged
around in her kit.

She brought out a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, then grabbed a hand
towel from the bathroom.  Scully poured the peroxide onto the wounds
and placed the towel in position to catch the run-off.

"Ow!"  Mulder yelped as the solution began to fizz.

"Mulder, don't be such a baby.  It could have been worse.  I was
considering using isopropyl alcohol."

"Thank goodness for small favors," Mulder replied as Scully found the
antibiotic ointment and a cotton swab.  She dabbed on a bit and Mulder
almost went through the roof.

"Take it easy!" he exclaimed, drawing away from her.

"Mulder, I barely touched you."

"I can't help it.  It's really sore," he groaned.

Scully finished swabbing on the antibiotic ointment, then applied a
new bandage.  "Mulder, I'm not sure I like the looks of those slashes.  
They may be infected."

"I think they're okay.  I'm just sore from lying on the ground and
jumping into that hole," Mulder tried to convince her.

"Would you like a few ibuprofen tablets?" Scully inquired.

"No, it's not that bad."  He didn't want to admit to Scully that he
had already taken aspirin.  "I think I'll take a nap.  I'm sure I'll
feel better when I wake up."

"All right," Scully agreed.  "You lie down and I'll pack the supplies.  
I'll check your shoulder again in the morning.  If it's not any better
you'll need to go to the ER."

"Okay, Scully," Mulder agreed as he lay down on top of the covers.  
He closed his eyes and was soon snoring softly.

Mulder slept soundly and didn't even stir when the other items were
delivered.  Scully decided to let him sleep.  After she had everything
situated she quietly closed his door and went to her own room to watch
a little TV and get ready for bed.

Mulder woke up at 4:00 AM because he was freezing.  Scully had pulled
the ends of the bedspread over him and he tried burrowing into them,
but he was still cold.  To make matters worse he ached all over.  
"Damn, I must be coming down with something," he griped as he got out
of bed and headed for the bathroom.  He tried shrugging his shoulder
to see if some of the stiffness was gone and nearly hit the floor when
the pain engulfed him.

After taking a deep breath he was able to move again.  When he reached
the bathroom he removed the aspirin from his shave kit and ran some
water into one of the cups provided by the motel.  He swallowed the
aspirin along with the entire cup of water.  He put the aspirin back
and filled the cup with water again. He carried it with him to his
bed.  He drained it and pulled the covers back and lay back down under
them.  The aspirin soon entered his system and he was able to go back
to sleep.

He was awakened by pounding on the door.  He looked at the alarm and
cursed.  It was 7:30!  He should have met Scully 15 minutes ago.  
"Coming!" he yelled.

Mulder rolled out of bed and hissed as the pain exploded in his
shoulder.  He managed to make it to the door and open it.  A very
disgruntled Scully was staring at him, arms crossed and right foot
tapping.

"You're not even dressed," she pointed out as she came through the
door.

"Sorry," Mulder apologized.  "I must have slept through the alarm.  
Just give me a couple of minutes and I'll be ready.  Why don't you go
to the coffee shop and I'll meet you there?"

Scully started to rake him over the coals for holding them up until
she observed Mulder trying to gather some clean clothes from the
dresser.  He was holding his left arm tightly to his chest and wincing
with every move.

"How is your shoulder this morning?"

"Still pretty stiff," Mulder answered, sliding the drawer shut with
his hip.

"Any pain?"

"Some," Mulder answered as he headed for the bathroom.

"Why don't you let me check your shoulder before you get dressed,"
Scully suggested.

"It's okay, Scully.  Since I overslept, why don't we just wait until
we get back?"

"All right.  I'll go along with that if you can take your shirt off
without any trouble," Scully agreed.

"Getting undressed for you would never be any trouble."

"Mulder . . ."

He headed for the bathroom, then paused.  "Okay, you got me.  I'm not
feeling very well."

"Sit, Mulder," Scully ordered, pointing to the bed.

Mulder dropped his clothes on the bed and sat down slowly.

"Raise your right arm up and I'll get this t-shirt off of you."

As Scully grabbed the hem of Mulder's t-shirt she could feel the heat
rising from his body.  "Mulder, you're burning up!" she exclaimed

"Yeah, Scully, you make me hot," he leered.

She answered by tugging the t-shirt over his right arm and head, then
moving it down his left arm until it was off.

"I'm going to remove the bandage now.  It might hurt a little."

Mulder acknowledged her with a nod of his head.

She quickly pulled the bandage off as Mulder began to shiver.

"Scully, could you hand me that bedspread?  I'm freezing."

"I must be losing my touch," she answered as she pulled the bedspread
over his shoulders.  "Mulder, that wound is infected and you have a
fever."

"I'm okay.  Just put some more of that ointment on it and give me a
couple of aspirin or something.  We need to get into those woods so
we'll have a full day to search."

"Mulder, you already know how dangerous that creature is.  You need to
be 100 per cent to go back into those woods.  Anything less could get
us both killed."

"You're right Scully," he sighed.  "I'm not 100 per cent, Hell, I'm
not even 50 per cent right now."

"I know, Mulder.  Let me help you get dressed then we'll find out
where the nearest ER is."

"Can't you take care of me here?"

"No, Mulder, I can't.  You're going to need some pretty strong
antibiotics and you really need to have that wound cultured," Scully
explained.

"I won't be admitted will I?"

"I'm not making any promises.  Come on."  She held out her hand.  
"Will you need any help getting your pants off and on?"

"I think I can handle that."  Mulder grabbed Scully's hand and was
soon on his feet.  He headed for the bathroom.

"I'll get out one of your dress shirts.  It will be much easier to get
on and off."  She found a light blue one that would go well with the
blue of his jeans.  "Mulder, do you feel like eating before we go?"
she asked as she laid the shirt out.

"Can I get a rain check on that?  I'm feeling a little queasy, but
I'll be more than happy to wait while you grab a bite," Mulder
answered from the bathroom.

"That's okay.  I'll grab some yogurt or cereal at the hospital."

Mulder emerged from the bathroom and threw his dirty clothes somewhere
in the general direction of his open suitcase.

"Mulder, sit back down on the bed and I'll put another bandage on your
shoulder and help you with your shirt and shoes."

"Scully, I'm sorry about this," Mulder apologized as he sat down.

"Sorry about what, Mulder?" she inquired as she worked on the bandage.

"About you having to help me get dressed, causing you to miss
breakfast, causing . . ."

"Mulder," Scully interrupted.  "I'm not doing anything that I don't
want to do."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said as she finished with the bandage.  "Now, if
you could lift up your left arm just a bit, I should be able to slide
this shirt on with a minimum of discomfort."

Scully carefully slid the shirt over his left arm and held it while he
put his right arm in.  As she began to button it up he grabbed her
wrist.

"Hold on just a bit.  I'll be right back."  Mulder got up and
staggered to the bathroom and closed the door.

Scully heard the unmistakable sounds of Mulder being sick.  She made
her way over and opened up the door.  Mulder was sitting on the edge
of the tub, leaning over the toilet.  When he stopped retching she ran
water over a clean washcloth and handed it to him.

Mulder took it and washed his face while Scully flushed the toilet.

"A little queasy?' she questioned.

"I amend my previous statement.  I'm a whole lot queasy."

"Do you think you can finish getting dressed?"

"I think so.  I don't think there's anything left to come up."

After Scully helped him finish getting dressed she called the motel
office for directions to the closest ER.  They managed to make it to
the car where Mulder closed his eyes and went to sleep.

When Mulder awakened he was surprised to find that he was no longer in
the car.  He found that he was lying on a gurney with an IV in his
right hand and a nasal canula in his nose.  His clothes had been
replaced with a hospital gown.  He looked to his right and was
relieved to see Scully sitting beside him."

"Welcome back.  That was some nap," she said.  "How are you feeling?"

"Maybe I should ask you."

"You definitely have an infection.  Your temperature was 103 when you
got here.  The doctor ordered blood tests, a chest x-ray, and cultured
the wound.  I'm waiting to hear the results.  How is the pain?"

"It feels like someone is trying to drill through my shoulder."

"I'm sure the doctor will order something for pain when he comes back
in."

Mulder pulled at the canula.  "Can I take this out?"

"Let's wait until the doctor comes back," she responded.

"It's bothering me," he whined.

"I think you can handle it for a little while longer."

There was a knock on the door and the doctor breezed in.  "Ah, Mr.
Mulder.  I'm glad to see you've joined us.  I'm Dr. Goodlett.  I
examined you earlier while you were out."  He shook Mulder's hand and
continued.  "Your partner filled me in on your symptoms, but now that
you're awake you can give us a little more information.  How you rate
your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?"

"I'd give it an eight and rising."

"I see.  Is the pain confined to your shoulder or do you hurt anywhere
else?"

"Pretty much the shoulder and the aches you get with a fever." Mulder
responded.

"How is the nausea?"

"It's there, but I'm handling it."

"Good.  Any trouble breathing?"

"Nope."

"Headache or blurred vision?"

"Headache, yes.  Blurred vision, no."

"Okay.  Your chest x-ray was fine so we can remove this," the doctor
said, pulling the oxygen canula from under Mulder's nose.  "Unless
you've grown attached to it?"

"No, I think I can live without the constant smell of plastic," Mulder
answered as the doctor hung the tube on the side rail of his gurney.

"Your blood work did indicate that you are fighting an infection.  
Unfortunately the culture has to sit for at least 24 hours before we
get any idea of what kind of bug we're up against.  I'd like to run in
a broad spectrum antibiotic through your IV and also something for
your pain and nausea.  We'd like to observe and monitor you for at
least 12 hours," Dr.  Goodlett explained.

"You're not going to admit him?" Scully asked, a little surprised.

"Ordinarily I'd have him in a room by now, but the only rooms
available are in ob/gyn and pediatrics,"  he sighed.  "It seems like
everyone decided to have their elective surgery this week.  If he's
not any worse in 12 hours I'll release him to your capable hands along
with prescriptions for antibiotics and painkillers."

"Thanks, Dr. Goodlett," Mulder said.

"Of course, that means bed rest at least until we get the results of
the cultures, Mr. Mulder.If your condition worsens you'll need to
return to the ER immediately and we'll put you in pediatrics."

"But we've got an investigation to continue," Mulder stated.

"Not any longer, Mulder," Scully interjected.  "Kinsley and
Stonecypher are taking over."

"I hope they didn't use any negative words when they found out,"
Mulder grinned and shifted to find a more comfortable position.  
"Shit, that hurt!"

"I'm going to write an order for Demerol and Phenergan, Mr. Mulder.  
You just try to relax.  Maybe you can go back to deskwork in about a
week or so if we can get a handle on this bug.  I'm also going to
order a sling to make you a bit more comfortable.  I'm going to send
in a nurse with your meds and I'll pop in from time to time to check
on you.  Okay?"

"Yes, thank you, Dr. Goodlett," Scully answered before Mulder could
protest.

"Good.  See you later."  With that he left Scully to deal with a very
unhappy Mulder.

"Kinsley and Stonecypher?" he questioned.  "How are they going to
function without office furniture?"

"I'm sure they'll manage, Mulder."

"They have no experience with this type of assignment.  They'll end up
getting lost, or, or, killed," Mulder ranted and rose up to continue
to rave when he suddenly paled and sank back in the pillows.

"Mulder?" Scully questioned.

"Moved too fast," he explained.  "Feel kind of sick."

Scully had just enough time to grab a basin before he began to heave.  
Nothing came up and after a few seconds he pushed the bowl away.

"I'm okay now," he said and took a deep breath.  "I feel like shit."

"Which is why you're here," Scully reminded him.  "Calm down and take
a few deep breaths.  The nurse should be here soon with something to
make you feel better."

"I'd feel better back at the motel in my semi- comfortable bed
watching ESPN."

"And you will be in 12 hours," Scully reminded him.

The door opened to admit a nurse with several syringes and a bag of
antibiotics to hang with the saline already dripping into his hand.

"Mr. Mulder, I've got the meds Dr. Goodlett ordered,"  she said as she
noticed Mulder eying the syringes.  "And I'm happy to tell you that
everything goes in your IV.  No more sticks for now.  I'm going to
give you something for nausea and pain and it's a pretty hefty dose so
you should get very sleepy.  Don't get out of bed, okay?"

"Okay," Mulder agreed, wishing she'd just hurry up and leave him
alone.

"I'll be in every half hour or so to check on you.  In the meantime if
you need anything push the call button hanging on the rail."

She quickly administered the meds and hung the antibiotics with a
promise to check back later.

Scully asked Mulder as the nurse left the room, "Are the meds taking
effect yet?"

"Mm, yeah."

"I thought so.  Your eyes are almost crossed.  Just give in to them
and let them do their job."

"I don't think I have much choice.  Go get some coffee or something to
eat."

"I will as soon as you go to sleep."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise." Scully's words fell on deaf ears as Mulder had
already succumbed to the medications.  She smiled and adjusted the
covers then left in search of some yogurt.

Mulder drifted in and out of sleep, awakening when the nurse checked
his vitals and administered more medication.  Scully sat by his side
and read a book she had picked up in the gift shop.  She only left a
few times to eat or stretch her legs.

The doctor came in again and took a seat.  "How are you doing?" he
inquired.

"I'm okay.  Ready to get out of here," Mulder replied.

"To tell you the truth I'd rather admit you.  There is a private room
available in peds and I'd feel much more comfortable if you were under
constant observation.  Your fever hasn't gone down much since you've
been here."

"I'd rather go back to the motel.  Scully can keep an eye on me,"
Mulder protested.

"All right." Dr Goodlett agreed reluctantly.  "That means bed rest.  
The only time you get up is for the bathroom and meals.  Eat in your
room."

He turned to Scully.  "I want him back here if his temperature goes
back up or he starts to vomit a lot.  I'm going to write prescriptions
for Keflex, Precocet and Phenergan.  Why don't you get them filled at
the hospital pharmacy while the nurse removes the IV and puts on a
sling.  He should be ready to go by the time you return."

"All right, I'll take care of that," Scully agreed.  "And I'll see
that he follows your instructions."

"Good.  I'll call when we get the results of the culture and we'll
take it from there."  He got up from his seat and looked at Mulder.  
"I really think you'd like a room in peds, Mr. Mulder.  Video games, a
VCR, cable TV . . ."

"Do they have the XXX channel?" Mulder asked innocently.

"Afraid not.  I'll get your discharge papers ready.  It was nice
meeting you.  Remember to take it easy, okay?"

"I'll try."

"Don't try.  Do it," he ordered.

"Are all doctors bossy?" Mulder grumbled.

"Of course, Mulder," Scully answered for Dr.  Goodlett.  "They teach
it in med school."

Dr. Goodlett chuckled as he left the room.

As soon as Scully opened Mulder's motel room he made a beeline for the
bed.  Scully helped him ease himself down and propped his left arm on
a pillow.

Mulder let out a shaky breath.  "Thanks.  How about one of those pills
for nausea?"

Scully moved the wastebasket over and then informed Mulder that the
doctor didn't prescribe it in pill form.

"Damn," he moaned.  "Injection?" he asked hopefully.

"Sorry, Mulder.  Dr. Goodlett prescribed suppositories."

"Then let's get it over with before I start puking again," he sighed.

"Mulder must be feeling awfully bad to give in so easily," Scully
thought as she helped him lay on his right side.

Within a few minutes the medication was administered without any
comment from Mulder.

"Do you want to turn back over?" she asked.

"Not now.  How long 'till it works?" he groaned, swallowing hard.

"Not soon enough," Scully sighed as she grabbed the wastebasket just
in time to catch Mulder's latest offering.

"Better?" she asked when he stopped heaving.

"Compared to what?" he gasped.

"Lay quietly while I rinse this out," she ordered.  "I'll be right
back."

She returned with a wet washcloth and draped it over his forehead.

"Thanks, Scully.  Feeling sleepy," he yawned and closed his eyes.

"Good.  That means it's starting to work.  Rest for now, then we need
to talk."

"'Kay," he slurred.

Scully sighed and sat at the table.  Unless things changed in a hurry
she would have to talk him into returning to the hospital.  She began
to plan her speech as Mulder began to snore softly.

Mulder slept for two hours without changing his position.  His cramped
muscles brought him back to consciousness.  "Pain pill?" he asked.

"Do you think you could try to eat some crackers?"  she inquired as
she rose from her chair to sit on the side of the bed.  "You need to
take the pain medication with food."

"I can try.  Could you help me move over on my back?"

"Of course."  As she helped him move she noticed that his skin felt
cooler.  "I need to take your temp, then I'll see if I have some
saltines in my purse."

She went to her first-aid kit for the aural thermometer she carried
with her.  She placed it in his ear and was pleased to see that the
readout was 100.  "Great!  Your fever is down."

"I'm thirsty," he reported.  "Could I maybe have a soft drink?"

"Sure, I'm thirsty too.  I'm going to go to the machine for the
drinks.  You stay here until I get back.  Okay?"

"Okay," Mulder agreed.  "Too tired to get up anyway."

"I'll be right back."

Mulder took stock of his symptoms while she was gone.  Stomach, empty
but calm.  Headache, better.  Body aches, still there but much
improved.  Shoulder, stiff and hurting like hell.  Overall he was
pleased that he did seem to feel better.  Maybe he could avoid that
return trip to the hospital after all.

Scully returned with a can of ginger ale and a diet cola for herself.  
She found the saltines and Mulder ate them as he sipped on the ginger
ale.  Scully handed him a Percocet tablet and he washed it down with
more ginger ale.  After a few minutes he began to feel the rush of the
narcotics and realized that it was actually going to stay down.  He
smiled and settled in for another nap.

Scully decided to see if she could get any information on the
investigation.  When Mulder next awakened she offered him a glass of
water and reported that Kinsley and Stonecypher hadn't turned up
anything.  With no more sightings, Skinner had called off the search.

"Do you think we've heard the last of the mothmen?"  she inquired as
she took the glass from Mulder.

"Maybe," he answered.  "Let's hope so anyway."

"How are you feeling?"

"Actually, I'm feeling a little better.  I feel a little hungry and I
could definitely use a bathroom break."

"Okay, let me help you up.  Would you like to clean up a little and
change clothes?" Scully asked, moving to his side.

"Yeah, I think so.  I feel kind of grungy since I've been sweating out
that fever.  You probably want a shower too.  Care to join me? Save
water?" he asked.

Scully smiled inwardly.  He was most certainly feeling better if he
was up to throwing out suggestive remarks again.  "No, I think I'll
wait until later.  I need to go out and get you something to eat."

Scully helped him up.  "Can you make it by yourself?"

"Yeah, I think so."  He took a deep breath and headed for the
bathroom, Scully hovering by his side.  "I'm okay.  Why don't you get
me some clean clothes while I take care of business?"

"All right.  I'll be waiting outside the door."

Scully found him some clean underwear and a shirt and jeans.  His gun
was lying on top of his pile of dirty clothes so she placed it on the
nightstand while she sorted through them.  "You know, I think I'll
need to do some laundry."

Mulder opened the bathroom door.  "I could wear my dress pants and a
t-shirt.  Don't go to any trouble."

Scully handed him the clean clothes.  "I need to wash a few things
too, so it won't be any trouble.  You know, you really don't need to
get that wound wet.  Why don't you sit on the toilet and I'll
re-bandage your wound and wash your back."

"Just my back?"

"I think you can take care of everything else."

She helped him with his sling and shirt and quickly re-bandaged his
wound and washed his back, then helped him into a clean shirt and
re-adjusted the sling.  "Throw out your dirty clothes when you get
them off and I'll get everything together."

By the time Mulder emerged from the bathroom, Scully had gathered
their dirty clothes into a plastic garbage bag.  She helped him get
settled on the bed and when she had adjusted the pillows and made sure
the water was within reach, she grabbed the bag of laundry.

"I saw some coin-operated machines in a room off the snack area.  I'm
going to put these in and drive down the road to the restaurant.  
It's almost dawn, so would scrambled eggs be okay?"

"Yeah, that sounds good.  Be sure to get something for yourself too.  
Have you seen my wallet?"

"It's on the nightstand, next to your gun.  Don't worry with it.  
It's my turn to buy."

"Thanks.'

"Do you want a pain pill before I leave?" Scully asked, searching her
pocket for her keys.

"I'd rather wait until I eat," Mulder decided.

"That's probably the best thing for you.  We don't want to upset your
stomach again.  I'm going.  Stay in bed until I get back and that is
an order."

"Okay," Mulder agreed and grabbed the remote.  "I'll be right here
when you return."

"You'd better," she threatened.  "I'll be back as quickly as I can."

"Bye."

Mulder clicked on the TV and soon dozed off.

He was awakened by the sound of the door opening.  "Well, that was
fast," he thought as he opened his eyes expecting to see Scully with
the food.  Instead he saw nothing but the open door.

"Scully?" he called.

No answer but the soft sound of movement off to his left.  Mulder
turned and saw two red eyes and the faint outline of a man in the
bathroom.

"Oh, shit!"

He rolled to his right and grabbed his gun just as the shape began to
charge.  Mulder fired three times and the shape ran out the door as
Mulder rolled out of bed to follow.

Scully pulled into the closest parking space and grabbed the take-out
food, then set it back as she noticed the door to Mulder's room
standing open.  There was a trail of blood from the door through the
parking lot.  She reached for her gun and ran to the room.

"Mulder!" she called.

She found him sitting on the floor, propped up against the side of the
bed, his gun hanging loosely in his hand.  As she rushed to him he
opened his eyes.

"Sorry, couldn't stay in bed.  Mothman came," he explained, still
breathing heavily.  "He got away but I'm sure I hit him."

"I think you did.  There's blood leading from this room."  She began
to search him for signs of injury but Mulder pushed her hand away.

"I'm okay, just moved too fast.  Hurry Scully, you have to find him!"

"No, Mulder.  I do not have to find him," she said firmly.  "Let's get
you back in bed, then I'll call this in and Skinner can assign someone
to search the woods if he wants.  I doubt they'll find anything."

"I hit him dead-center, Scully," Mulder said as Scully helped him up.  
"I don't think he'll get far."

Scully helped him settle back onto the pillows.  "We'll let Skinner
worry about it.  I'm going to bring in the food and you can eat while
I make that call."

Forty-eight hours later, Scully placed the last of her luggage in the
trunk of the rental.  They were leaving Florida with the doctor's
blessing.  The culture grew nothing that couldn't be controlled by the
antibiotic Mulder was already taking.  "Mulder, are you ready?"

Mulder was staring into the woods.  He turned and answered.  "Yes, I'm
ready."

They got into the car and buckled up.  Scully started it and turned
out of the parking lot.

"Scully, promise me something," Mulder said as he stared at the woods
whipping by on their left.

"What's that?"

"If Skinner suggests another seminar, make sure you report my
hemorrhoidal condition and put me on medical leave," he grinned.

"Mulder, I'll do even better than that.  I'll give us both some exotic
disease and make sure we're quarantined together for a month or two."

Mulder settled in for the drive and began to think about quarantine
with Scully.  It held some interesting possiblilties.

Deep in the forest the creature sat at the foot of a tree, perfectly
camouflaged.  The woods were silent now.  The bullet wound had stopped
bleeding and was oozing a water-like fluid.

"It won't be long now," he thought as his heart began to flutter.  
"Time to join my old friend."  His heart spasmed again, then stopped.

A few leaves floated down and landed on him, followed by a few more.  
The woodland sounds began again in earnest as he became one with the
land.

 
The End