Fragile

by

Trycee

Time-Line: Alternative Universe. Season 6. After Milagro and before the Unnatural.

Disclaimer: This is written for fun not profit.

Mulder arrived at the scene and took it all in. He could see Scully still seated in her car unmoving, staring out in front of her. His entire being wanted to race to her side but he had to remain calm and talk with the detectives first. He could see a woman on the sidewalk screaming as her husband tried to keep her from collapsing in his arms, as the EMT's covered the body, a body of a thirty year old woman struck by a black government issue sedan. Mulder's attention returned to Scully. She hadn't moved from the spot she was in or acknowledged his presence in anyway. He pulled out his badge as he approached the local D.C. detectives. "Agent Mulder. What happened here?"

"Detective Krane," a dark haired man answered. He pointed to black sedan. "Your partner, right?"

"Yeah. How is she?"

"I think she's in shock, to be honest," Det. Krane answered. "It wasn't her fault. The daughter and husband and all the neighbors verified that Mrs...," he said, flipping open his notebook. "Alex Hutchings, aged 30, was diagnosised bipolar. Her family was besides themselves most of the time. This wasn't the first time she had ran out into traffic or tried to commit suicide"

"It'll be the last time," another Detective said.

Mulder glared at him. He looked embarrassed and then walked away. "Sorry about that," Det. Krane said, shaking his head. "You know how it is, after awhile..."

Mulder shook his head and the Detective coughed and continued on. "Anyway, when we got here, the woman was already dead. Your partner was in such shock she hasn't moved. We tapped on her window, she showed us her badge and that's about all we got out of her. We called the bureau and they called you."

"Thanks," Mulder said, heading over to Scully.

Mulder could see that Scully's attention had shifted slightly to the grieving family members who occasionally glanced in her direction as they comforted each other. They were surrounded by friends and relatives as they stood alongside the sidewalk as officers snapped photos of the scene. Mulder watched as they covered the woman;s body in a white sheet.

Mulder tapped the window but Scully did not startle or move. "I need someone over here," he said, to one of the EMT's.

Mulder opened her car door and bent down next to her. He reached out his hand and touched her cheek. She was pale and her eyes were unfocused. Mulder turned her chin towards him. The moment Scully's eyes focused on him, tears began to flow down her cheeks and she began to whimper as Mulder pulled her into his arms. She clung tightly to him as if she were afraid he'd let go of her. She buried her head under his neck as she wept, her sobs so deep, so intense, and more heart-wrenching than he had ever heard from her and it made him nauseous. Scully began to hyperventilate and Mulder was afraid she might move into a more serious form of shock which could kill her. He rubbed her hair and encircled his hand against her back, trying to sooth her, as he whispered, "It's okay, Scully. It's not your fault". He pulled back as he cooed, trying to calm her, and planted a kiss to her forehead. Her moist eyes were dilated and untrained and Mulder had an urgent need to get Scully to focus on him, to connect to her through touch and eye contact.

"Scully...", he heard himself saying. "Scully?" But she was unresponsive. He kissed her lightly on the lips and she was still unresponsive. He could feel the EMT's around him and they were trying to get him to release her so they could take over. He finally relented when his brain registered that the EMT was screaming in his ear, "LET HER GO SO WE CAN TREAT HER. SHE'S IN SHOCK!"

He watched as they strapped Scully down into a stretcher. He closed her car door and called out to Det. Krane. "Have it towed back to the Bureau."

Detective Krane nodded in response. Mulder stood outside of the Ambulance as he watched them attached I.V's to her arms. The male EMT turned to him. "We're gonna transport your wife to the nearest hospital, is there a preference?"

Mulder was much too distraught to correct him. After the desperate kisses and hugs the EMT had witnessed, there was no point explaining they'd never even shared even a kiss before this. "Georgetown University," Mulder answered. "I'll be right behind you."

Mulder's phone rang and he answered it. "Mulder?"

"I just got a call that Agent Scully was in a car accident and there was a death?"

"Scully is being transported to Georgetown University. She's in shock. I'm on my way over there."

"I'll meet you then. This is quite serious. I'll need to take her statement, if possible."

"I'm not sure she's able to make a statement right now, sir. But you can try."

He hung up the phone and raced to his car, taking off to tail behind the Ambulance headed towards Georgetown. Mulder parked and watched as they unloaded Scully, his hand immediately reached out to hers. Scully's hands were clammy and her eyes were rolled back slightly. She looked so tiny and fragile and he wanted to pick her up at that point and hold her. They were wheeling her through the floors into an elevator as he followed them. "Mulder...", she said, locking eyes with him.

He smiled and kissed her hand. "It's going to be okay. They're just going to check you out."

"Mulder," she said, again as tears began to trail down her beautiful face. "I killed her...", she said, as sobs began to overtake her.

"No," Mulder said, rubbing his hand against the back of her neck. "She was mentally unstable, Scully."

She took both of her hands and covered her face, turning away from the EMT's who were bewildered. The elevator door opened and they wheeled her into a room and then transferred her into the hospital bed. They switched her I.V's and connected them to the Hospitals equipment. The EMT's left and a nurse walked in, smiling at Mulder as she reached into a shelving unit and brought out a hospital gown. "Remove everything from the waist up including her bra," she instructed Mulder. "The gown can be snapped around the I.V's so don't worry about that. And when you're done, I'll be right back."

Mulder turned to Scully who was staring past him. He touched her cheek. "Hey," he said. "Scully? Scully?"

She was unresponsive.

"Raise your arms, okay Scully?"

Her jacket had already been removed by the EMT's, she sat on the edge of the bed in front of him, staring off into space. Mulder tapped her arms and she obeyed, raising them up as Mulder lifted the ends of her green sweater on and then off her head. He stared a little longer than he intended at her cleavage which was in his direct view as he stood in front of her. He licked his lips as he stared at the silk blue bra that seemed to envelope her creamy white skin. He sighed as he reached behind her. His noise was immediately assaulted with the sweet smell of almonds from her shampoo and the scent of her skin. Mulder then unsnapped her bra. He'd imagined this moment a thousand times but under more favorable circumstances. He gasped as he slid her bra off her arms. Scully's pink nipples had coiled and hardened in the cold air, sending sensations straight to Mulder's groin. He had to bite back a moan, and yet Scully was still unresponsive, staring at the wall. What was probably seconds was like an eternity in his mind as he stared. He knew he shouldn't but he couldn't help himself. Mulder slipped the gown over her head and slid her arms in, taking one last look again before letting the end of the gown go, covering her completely. He felt guilty at that moment for taking advantage especially at such a horrific time. He'd seen Scully's breasts twice before when he'd rescued her in Antarctica and in the decontamination shower. Both memories were etched into his mind forever but he'd never before watched as her nipples had coiled right in front of him. He was a man, he was human, it was natural for his body to react when it came to her, but he had to remind himself that this was not the time to be such a Male. The nurse interrupted his thoughts, as she connected a portable EKG to Scully, exposing more of Scully's skin to his eager eyes. He sat down beside her, watching as the nurse then covered Scully over with a blanket.

Mulder scooted next to her. He grabbed her hand and Scully finally turned and looked at him. Another round of tears began to wash down her face. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "It's okay, Scully. I promise."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I killed her."

"It was an accident. One that you couldn't control. Detective Krane told me she'd done this before. She was diagnosis as Bipolar, Scully. She ran out a few times into traffic before. We're FBI Agents, Scully. We hold life and death in our hands but No one could have stopped this."

"She was 30?", she said, wiping her tears. "I heard them say she was thirty."

Mulder watched her carefully. "Mulder?", she repeated.

"Yes, Scully. She was 30."

"She was around my age, Mulder...", she said, as her heart sank. "I killed someone. I murdered her."

The nurse returned and handed Mulder a clipboard and a pen. "I'll need you to fill out her info. Her vitals look good so she probaby had just a mild case of shock, which of course is always the best outcome. Of course the doctor would be the one to determine that," she said, shyly. "So, fill out your wife's forms and the doctor will be in with you shortly."

Mulder looked over to Scully. She was watching him. He clicked the pen and began to fill them out to the best of his ability, occasionally asking her questions when it came to something he did not know about her personal history. He finished the questionnaire just as Dr Bradley entered. He shook Mulder's hand and retrieved the paperwork. He glanced over it and then stared at Scully. "So, it's my understanding that you were brought in for Compensated Shock, the EMT's only said it was from a car accident. It says here that you are a Doctor and an FBI Agent?"

Scully nodded.

"Well," the doctor smiled. "I'm pretty impressed. All those years of College, Medical School and you become an FBI Agent as well. Wow, and I thought I was accomplished," he smiled.

Scully stared back at him and Mulder sat quietly, his fingers entwined with hers.

"So, can you explain what happened? Like, sit up and explain it to me?", Dr. Bradley asked Scully. He made a move to help Scully up but Mulder stepped in front of him, taking over. He placed his hands under Scully's underarms as she looked up at him. He gazed down into her eyes and saw she was focusing on him and him alone. Scully then firmly grasped his arms, and he could feel her strong hold once again as her consciousness was starting to return. She weighed nothing and so like a ragdoll, he lifted her up into a seated position and then placed pillows behind her as Dr. Bradley pressed on the hospital beds button, raising the back.

Dr. Bradley watched as Mulder adjusted Scully's blankets and pillows and when he was satisfied, Mulder sat back down next to her. Pleased, Dr. Bradley turned his attention back to Scully. "What happened?"

"I was driving...", she said, her voice low as she reached out for Mulder's hand. He covered her hand with his and squeezed it.

"Hey," Skinner said, as he peered in the door.

"Come in," Mulder said.

Dr. Bradley looked confused. "I'm sorry, but what's going on here?"

Skinner looked at Scully and he could see she looked weak and pale. He noticed the grip Mulder had on her hand. Skinner turned his attention back the Doctor who was staring at him alarmed. He pulled out his I.D. "I'm Assistant Director Walter Skinner. These are my Agents."

Dr. Bradley looked at both Mulder and Scully. "Okay..."

"I need to take her statement," Skinner said, squeezing past the doctor to sit down next to Mulder. He pulled out his notepad. The tiny room had just gotten even smaller.

Mulder nodded to Dr. Bradly. "He's our boss."

"Well," Dr. Bradley said, refocusing again on to Scully. "Go ahead. You were driving."

"I was driving and I was driving the speed limit, " Scully said, as she locked eyes with Mulder. She turned back to look at Dr. Bradley. "It was a main street but residential and I was looking ahead. I saw out of my peripheral view, to my right, two adults screaming and waving their hands as they headed towards me and that's when I saw her in front of me, a woman, right before I struck her and she flew up into the air."

Dr. Bradley looked surprised. "So your Compensated Shock is understandably due to accidentally hitting someone, correct?" he said, looking at her.

"I killed her," Scully said, sighing heavily. She squeezed Mulder's hand as she wiped her tears with her right hand. She turned back to Mulder, distraught. "I killed her. I ran her over, Mulder. I killed this woman"

"No, Scully, stop saying that," he said, kissing the top of her head. "It's okay."

Dr. Bradley looked at them for an explaination. "Will this be a criminal matter?"

Skinner shook his head. "No charges from the FBI's end. I'm sure though the local D.C. police will need a statement," Skinner answered.

Scully covered her face with her hands as she cried. Mulder stood up and slid into her bed, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly. Skinner, uncomfortable, glanced over at Dr. Bradley who was watching them. "Well, her EKG came back normal, her blood pressure has stabilized which is a blessing. I'd say, take her home. Turn off the phone. Keep the kids or other relatives away. Cook her a nice meal. Run her a nice bath. Try to get her mind off of it. Provide for her needs. And see how things are in the morning," he said to Mulder. "I'm sorry this had to happen to her. But, your love, support and comfort is the best thing for her."

Skinner cleared his throat, as he slid his pen and notepad into his jacket. Mulder nodded his understanding and accepted Scully's paperwork.

"You're free to dress her and take her home. If anything changes. Bring her back."

Dr. Bradley walked out of the room and Skinner stood up. "I'm...umm...", he said, as Scully clutched Mulder's shirt, hiding her face from Skinner as the tears trailed and Mulder cooed to her. Mulder was suddenly aware that Skinner was still watching them.

"I'm...ummm, gonna go now."

"I'm taking her home. She doesn't need to be alone right now," Mulder said.

"Alright," Skinner said, his hand on the door knob. "Agent Scully. I want you to know, that this accident wasn't your fault. You won't be charged. It was a tragedy that if it hadn't happened today, it would have still happened."

Scully turned with red eyes in his direction, her face tear streaked. She looked Skinner but didn't respond. He nodded towards Mulder and then closed the door behind him. Mulder stood up next to her, his hand on her shoulder. "Scully? He's right you know."

"I...I killed a woman. I took an innocent life", she said, in a small voice. "Nothing anyone can say right now can change that fact," she sighed, wiping her eyes.

Mulder handed Scully her sweater and bra. She stood up with his assistance and turned her back to him. He helped lift up her gown off her arms and tossed it in the bin. It was intimate what he was doing and he couldn't help himself. The EMT's, doctor and nurse had assumed he was her husband and at that moment, he felt as if he were. He watched as she wrapped the bra around her waist and fastened it in front of her, though his full view was obstructed, he could see the sides of her breasts. He noticed that Scully wasn't pretending to be shy or offended knowing that he was watching her. She twisted it in back of her and then placed one arm at a time into the straps and brought them up onto her shoulders for a snug fit. She then slipped the sweater over her head as the back of her shirt snagged against her bra. Mulder was quick to release it, his fingers coming into contact with her soft skin. She straightened up her clothes and then she turned to face him, her eyes still moist with tears. Her shoulders were slumped and her expression lost. He lifted her chin so she was forced to look him in the eye. "I'm here, Scully. Whatever you need."

"Take me home, Mulder," she said, as fresh tears crept into her lids. "It doesn't feel real," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Is it real? Did it really happen, Mulder?", she asked, bewildered.

He recognized immediately that she was going in and out of denial.

" Scully, it was an accident. I promise, it was not your fault."

She shook her head as he slid her arms into her black coat jacket. He placed his hand on her back but Scully grabbed his hand, squeezing it tight. Her head hung low as they exited the room. He had never seen Scully this way before not even as she had clung to him with blood covering her blouse laying on his apartment floor during the Padgett case. She had cried then in a way he had never heard until today. He was so used to Scully being the strong one but she now looked like a small child as he lead her through the hallway with a mass of nurses and patients who all seem to recognize her fragility and step out of her way. Mulder guided Scully out to his car. He was anxious to get her home, to get her to her safe-place.

Please Leave Feedback: Thanks