Title: Recovery Author: wildafox E-mail: wildafox0619@yahoo.fr Feedback: Yes, please!! Rating: NC-17 Beta-Readers : Tali, xdksfan Category: MSR Post Ep Spoilers: One Breath Disclaimer: Not mine; XF characters belong to 1013 Productions. Summary: "I think Fox needs to recover as much as you do and the only way is for both of you to spend some time together and talk." Notes: Written for Fandomonium's Virtual Season of Smut Season 2. Visit my website: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/wildafox0619/ Recovery Maggie Scully entered her daughter's hospital room. Dana looked better than the previous evening. The color was back on her face, but Maggie could see that something was praying on her daughter's mind, judging from the deep frown lines darkening her features. "Hi Dana." "Hi Mom," she answered flatly. "What's wrong, honey? Do you need more rest? I can come back later." "No Mom, sorry.I just thought that Mulder would make an appearance." "He hasn't been to visit?" "No. I haven't heard from him." "Did you call him?" "No." Maggie sat down and took her daughter's clasped hand, and looked into her eyes. What she saw there made her sigh. Obviously, Fox Mulder was as reticent as Dana when it came to expressing his feelings. They were both stubbornly waiting for a sign from the other. "Dana, you should call him and ask him to drive you home tomorrow." "You were supposed to." "I know, but I think Fox needs to recover as much as you do and the only way is for both of you to spend some time together and talk." "It's not like that, Mom." "I know and that's why you are both licking your wounds separately, instead of talking things out. I've seen Fox once a week these last three months. He was lost without you. He never gave up on you. He didn't sleep. He didn't eat. He needed to find you, Dana. I was almost sure that he wouldn't leave your side once you were back. I was dead wrong because you are both too stubborn to admit your need for each other!" Scully didn't respond She simply lowered her eyes, accepting the truth of her mother's words. She knew that hearing his voice had convinced her to come back to the world of the living. He was her anchor and maybe, for once, she needed to admit it. "Call him, Dana. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to drive you home." "You think?" "Yes honey, I'm sure. I know you'll be just fine with him. He needs it, believe me." Scully sighed. She would never win against her mom. *** Mulder knocked on the door before entering Scully's hospital room. He had been pleasantly surprised when Scully called to ask him to drive her back to her apartment .He was more than happy to have any reason to visit her. He had stayed away from the hospital because he didn't want to intrude on her time with her family. After all, she needed them more than she needed him. That, and the fact he has no desire to be under Melissa's radar. He was sure she could see right through him and he didn't want her meddling in his relationship with Scully. "Hey, Scully." "Hey, Mulder." Dressed in casual clothes, with her hair held back in a ponytail, she looked much better than the last time he had seen her. She was looking good and his heart jumped a beat at the thought. He had a hard time reconciling this Scully with the one who was slowly, but dying three days ago. "You okay, Mulder?" "Yeah.It's just that I'm so glad to have you back." "I'm glad to be back." A heavy silence followed. They looked at each other, both of them unable to utter a word, communicating with their eyes instead. The nurse interrupted the silence as she steered a wheelchair inside the room. "Come on, Miss Scully, today is the big day! You're going home with that man of yours!" Scully couldn't help but smile at the assumptions people always made about her and Mulder's relationship. She didn't even bother to correct the nurse. After all, it was flattering that someone thought that someone like her could attract a man like Mulder. As soon as the thought entered her head, she stamped it out, berating herself for even considering it. She had to admit she was tempted, but she was sure Mulder wasn't interested. *** Standing in front of her door, key in hand, Scully took a cleansing breath and inserted the key into the lock. Memories of her fight with, and her abduction by, Duane Barry were still fresh in her mind. They were also the only memories she had of the last three months. She was glad that her mom had convinced her to ask Mulder to accompany her. She felt safe in his presence. She opened the door to a clean and bright living room. Her mom had obviously been to tidy up; the drapes were open, vases of fresh flowers sat on tables and shelves. She appreciated the gesture, but it didn't erase the violence that had taken place. She could still remember trying to escape Barry, calling for help, and then that last blow when everything faded to black. It gave her the chills. Mulder followed her, watchful for every expression. He knew what she was remembering, even though her mother had done a wonderful job of cleaning the apartment. He touched her shoulder gently, unintentionally causing her to jump. "Are you alright, Scully?" "I'm fine," came her automatic response. Mulder couldn't help but cringe at her use of her usual mantra. It was her way of telling him to back off and he didn't like it. He had never liked it. Scully turned around and his frown made her realise that she had deflected his concern with her customary answer. She took his hand, squeezed it lightly. "I'm sorry, Mulder. I'm trying to" "I know," he cut her off, "but you don't have to tell me you're fine when you're not. I understand. It'll take time." "I'll try." He nodded, placated. 'Rome wasn't built in a day', he mused. It would take some time for Scully to be someone other than the tough woman working in a man's world. She gave him another tentative smile, let go of his hand and went to her bedroom. *** Sitting on her bed, Scully felt bone tired, but didn't know if she would be able to sleep with the memories of Duane Barry invading her apartment. She knew she would get over it eventually, but it was so hard just now. Closing her eyes, she didn't see Mulder in her bedroom doorway. "You should try to sleep." Startled, she turned to him and for the first time saw how tired he looked. The toll of her abduction was clearly visible on his face and she remembered her mother's words about Mulder needing to recover as much as she did. "You could use some sleep, too." "Are you coming on to me, Agent Scully?" "In your dreams, Mulder. I can see the bags under your eyes. When was the last time you slept?" "Last week, I think. I'm not the one just out of the hospital." "I don't know if I can." "I'm sure you can. Come on, stand up." She did as he asked and he turned down the comforter, made her sit back, removed her shoes and socks and swung her legs on to the bed. Pulling off his own shoes and socks, he threw his jacket on the floor and boldly slid into bed with her. If she was surprised, she didn't show it. Turning her back to him, he spooned behind her, holding her against his chest. "You can sleep now, I have your back." "Thanks", she whispered, before relaxing in to a contented sleep. Somewhat relieved at Scully's acceptance of his place in her bed, he, too, fell asleep. It felt so good to hold her and feel her alive. *** They developed a pattern after that first day; Mulder spending the night with her, to help keep the nightmares at bay. During these intimate moments, they also began to talk more. Mulder shared with her what happened during the three months she was missing, omitting the details about Kristen Kilar. He also told her about Skinner refusing his resignation. She shared with him what she remembered of her near death experience: how she saw her father when she was comatose and that his voice beckoned her to come back. The healing process was underway. Their relationship was changing too, they both felt it. *** The sun filtered across the drapes in Scully's bedroom. She awoke, content in the safety of Mulder's arms. A week had passed since her release from the hospital and she was becoming used to his presence beside her. Turning slightly in his arms, she silently watched him sleeping. He looked so peaceful. Unexpectedly, the sleepy hazel eyes opened, causing her heart to beat faster. It suddenly hit her that this beautiful man meant more to her than just a friend. It was as if a switch had been flicked somewhere, and she realised she was in love with him; had been for a long time. Throwing caution to the wind, she moved her mouth to his. Their first kiss was tentative, a tender brush of lips. He initiated a deeper kiss, silently asking for, and obtaining entrance to, her mouth. She melted into his arms while they alternated gentle butterfly kisses with deeper ones. Hands began to wander and pajamas were soon discarded. Rolling her on to her back, his mouth left a trail of fire on her throat, her collarbone, between her breasts. He hesitated a moment there, debating whether to play with her breasts or move lower. She made the decision for him, pushing his head toward the apex of her thighs. She ached for his touch there. He licked his way down, kissing her through the soaked cloth of her panties, causing her back to arch with pleasure. Her scent invaded his senses, making him crazy with lust and he tore at the offending garments, throwing them over his shoulder, and lowering his mouth to the promised land. He stroked the opening of her vagina with his fingers while he licked and sucked her clitoris. Once sure of her readiness, two fingers penetrated her while he continued to circle her clitoris, soon finding the rhythm that worked for her. With a loud moan, her arousal exploded in a sudden climax. Gently moving back up so that they were eye level, he watched with delight as she returned to earth,. She smiled at his smug look and he situated himself between her legs, rubbing his arousal lightly against her. Their eyes met. "Yes," she whispered, and he pushed inside in one thrust. It felt so good, he almost came straight away. She was slick and tight and he could still feel the residual tremors from her climax. Once he felt her muscles relax, he started to move; slowly at first and then building a steady rhythm. It felt like home. Scully's moans started to get louder and soon she was calling out his name with her second orgasm. The clenching of her walls against his cock was too much for him and his release followed hers. Once spent, he collapsed, laying his full weight on her. They were breathless and smiles lightened their faces. "I think you just killed me," he said between gasps. "You seem pretty alive to me," she teased. He rose up on his elbows and felt rejuvenated by her smile. He expected maybe some regrets, but there were none in her eyes. He could only see love and happiness. "You okay?" "Never been better." "What's going to happen now?" he asked, worry starting to cloud his features. "Well, I'm pretty sleepy after all that exercise." "Scully, I'm serious." He was indeed serious. He needed to know where they went from here. She was sure of one thing: she wanted a relationship, a romantic relationship, with this man who was infuriatingly handsome, but so unsure of himself. "Mulder, we've both been through a lot the past 3 months. Let's not rush things. I think we need to take it one day at a time." "Are you saying you regret this?" "No, Mulder, not at all. I just think we need to take this slow before making any important decisions." "Okay. But just know, I was lost without you. I need you, Scully. I can't lose you, as a friend or a partner." "I know, and you won't. We're just going to take our own sweet time." Pulling her into a tight hug, he kissed her hair before settling into an exhausted sleep. The recovery process had begun.