TITLE: Tranquility AUTHOR: Kathy and JoLeanna EMAIL ADDRESSES: SADanaMldr@aol.com(Kathy) SilvrWoods@aol.com (JoLeanna) ARCHIVE: Anywhere, please keep OUR names and addresses attached and let us know where. SPOILER WARNING: Refrences to Detour and FTF RATING: PG CLASSIFICATION: MSR SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully are out traipsing through the woods *again*. When something takes them by surprise. DISCLAIMER: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully and Samantha Mulder belong to CHRIS CARTER, TEN THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS, and FOX TELEVISION... ** AUTHOR'S NOTE: Jo and I have decided to mark our places in the story. So that the reader can tell who wrote what... Hehe! So, when you give us feed back you can let us know what you think of our own individual work! ** THANKS: A big thanks to rikkiLYNN for her input! "Tranquility" by Kathy and JoLeanna "Mulder, why are we out here again?" Mulder ignored the question for the tenth time that cold, damp night. They were literally in the middle of nowhere. Scully was right, this was a wild goose chase. But, he was too proud to give up, now. He didn't feel like seeing that 'I told you so' look plastered on his partner's face... not tonight. He pushed his way through the offending shrubbery blocking his path. And, the two weary agents made their way through the midst of the very dark and very lonely woods. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One hour later..... "Okay, Mulder, I think it's time we headed back toward the cabin." "Yeah, maybe you're right," Sighing, he woefully pinched the bridge of his nose. For the first time Scully actually took in the details of her surroundings. Though they were standing in the middle of a small clearing, there were tall bushes and even taller trees framing their every side. "Oh, Mulder, we're never gonna find our way back now." He sighed again, mumbling the words that screamed in affirmation to her I told you so attitude, "Yeah, I know, you're right again... as always." The last two words were spoken with such a faint growl, Scully didn't quite hear... but she got the meaning behind the tone. Oh God, was it time for them to go back to the cabin... for that matter back to DC! But, neither one of those things were going to happen anytime soon, so they had to make the best of a very bad situation. Just as a memory of a night very similar to this one began to float through Scully's imagination, a disturbance disrupted the stillness of the quiet wood. "What was that?" Mulder said on full alert. The bushes were rustling and who or whatever it was, was getting closer!! (JoLeanna takes over) To the agents' horror, a huge bear came running through the woods. Obviously mad that they were in it's territory. Scully reached for her gun, finding it not there, yelled, "Mulder! I'm not armed!" Mulder ran over and stood a foot in front of Scully, trying to protect her. The bear stood up on it's back legs and roared. They stood there, and time almost stood still. As if in slow motion, Mulder pulled the trigger the same time the bear came down...on to him. The bullet just grazed the bear's arm. The bear knocked Mulder down, and with a scream of pain, Mulder's arms flew upward and the gun sailed out of his hand. Scully ran over and grabbed the gun where it had landed and with no hesitation, shot the bear into the side of the head. From the force of the bullet, the bear fell and landed beside Mulder. "Mulder!" Scully yelled running to him on the verge of panic. For a split-second, Scully stood over Mulder, tears coming to her eyes. But Scully pushed her emotions aside and fell to her knees, examining what was done. The bear's giant claws had ripped into Mulder's shoulder. The right side of his face was slashed, but not deeply. The bear's back claws looked like it had sunk into Mulder's leg. His shirt was slashed to pieces, showing bloodied streaks underneath. "Oh no, please no." Scully whispered over and over. She patted the left side of Mulder's face, "Mulder, Mulder." She said over and over. His eyes fluttered open, Scully gasped as she saw the intense pain in his eyes. He clenched his teeth together, tried to say something but failed. *Thank god we brought some gear* Scully thought. She ran over and grabbed their gear, bringing it back to Mulder's side. Scully glanced around and decided to make a lean-to. When the practical, but somewhat lopsided lean-to was made Scully pulled the sleeping out and threw it out under the shelter, she then went back to Mulder's side. "Can you help me get us to the lean-to?" Scully asked when Mulder's eyes fluttered open again. Mulder just nodded, Scully half walked, half dragged Mulder to their temporary shelter. Mulder bit back a cry when he l landed onto the sleeping bag. Scully pulled the rest of their gear halfway into the shelter. She ripped Mulder's shirt off of him, "You won't be needing this anymore." He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. "Your one of the lucky ones Mulder, I killed the bear before it killed you." Scully said. Scully cleaned his scratches and bandaged the worse ones. "Ok Mulder, this is going to hurt...a lot," Scully was ready to apply the first aide kit medicine to his shoulder. She poured it over his shoulder, and Mulder turned and yelled into the sleeping bag. Scully weeped, hating to see him in such pain. "This is not the worst yet partner." Scully moved over and reached for Mulder's top jean button. When she undid the button and fly, she went down to his ankles and pulled his jeans off. Now only clad in boxers, Mulder started shivering. "Hold on Mulder, just one more time." She poured the medication over his wound and Mulder didn't hide his face this time, his cry rang through the trees, silencing the animals. After Mulder was bandaged and taken care of, Scully laid next to him. He was shivering more violently and she wrapped the sleeping bag around the both of them. Scully rubbed her hands up and down Mulder's arms, she used her legs to rub his legs, she did anything to warm him. Night was already upon them and Scully was afraid, very, very afraid. (Kathy takes over) The hours lurked on, and rest, for Scully anyway, was not an option. Where one bear comes, another one maybe. So, she had to keep her eyes open. For the eminent danger, as well as for the sake of her sleeping partner. The pain she'd seen in his eyes rocked her to the very core. The giant creatures roars were still echoing in her ears, she blinked back tears... Tears that came from this intense feeling of vulnerability she felt clinging to her. She tightened her arms around Mulder. He felt so warm now, so good. She tilted her head back so she could see his face fully. *What a beautiful man, he is.* She brushed her fingers across the top of his forehead, tracing the crown of his head, occasionally dipping her hands into his soft brown hair. She was so glad that his injuries, though painful, would heal easily, and knowing Mulder very quickly. Moving her gaze upward, she stared up into the stars, recalling once again another time they'd spent in the woods. Another dark night, with an injured Mulder, at least the animal that had attacked them this time was an identifiable one. Then it dawned on her. She'd forgotten all about it! The words floated through her mind and stuck there: "You know, I heard the quickest way to get warm was to crawl naked into a sleepy bag with someone who was already naked." And then her shocking reply "Well, if it rains sleeping bags, you might get lucky." Had she really said that? *Oh, my God, it's come true!* In a sleeping bag with a practically naked Mulder! *Okay now it's time to breathe Dana, time to calm down.* She looked back into his sleeping face and felt her heart relax. She just stared at him for a long while, letting a realization creep over her. This man was her life, she treasured all that he was and all that he'd given her. Even though, he would argue that his presence in her life had been nothing but a misery. She knew that without him, she wouldn't have ever found what it was like to love so completely.... and so unconditionally. Sure he was exasperating at times, but she loved him for it... for no one on this earth could make her feel what she felt inside at that very moment... no one, but this man, no one but, Fox Mulder. Sighing, she buried her face in his neck, snuggling into his warmth of feeling. *I love you, Mulder* and unwittingly sleep came for Dana Scully. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scully awoke to a moaning in her ear. She forced her eyes open to the glaring sun... what? Why did her back hurt so much? And why did she not care? She felt something wiggling fully against her. "Scu..." Her vision finally came into focus... Mulder. They were in the woods. He was half awake, she knew he was in pain. She rubbed his arm wanting him to sleep just a little more. She hesitantly extracted herself from the sleeping bag. ********************************************************* (JoLeanna takes over) Scully wrapped the sleeping bag around Mulder, the sun was blaring, but it was it was still a bit chilly. She knelt beside the bag and said, "Mulder? Are you awake?" Mulder turned his head away from the bright sun and squinted at her, "Scul-ly?" "Yeah, how are you feeling?" Scully asked "Not to good......what happened?" Mulder mumbled. Scully's eyes got wide, "You don't remember?" "Of course I do..the bear. But what happened?" Mulder replied "Well, when the bear jumped on you, the gun flew out of your hand, I picked it up and shot the bear." Scully said. "Oh....," Mulder said, "help me up." "Mulder, you need to rest." Scully said. Mulder looked up at her with tired and irritated eyes and said, "Yeah, and how am I to get to the cabin lying here?" With a groan, he sat up and looked around him. "What is this?," He looked up at Scully, "a lean-to?" "Yes, I had to practically drag you in here." Mulder looked out and saw the bear lying in the leaves across the way, he shivered. "Mulder? Are you cold?" Scully asked, concerned. "No, I'm fine." He mumbled quietly. "Well, are you hungry?" She asked. "Will you quit asking me so many questions? My leg and shoulder hurt like hell so I can't think straight, ok?" Mulder angrily. "Damn it Mulder, I saved your life, can't you at least be happy for that?" Scully asked glaring at him. "Sorry......thank you." Mulder said quietly. They decided a little later to try to make the trek back to the cabin. Scully got out from under the lean-to and reached in to help Mulder out. With clenched teeth, Mulder stood up, leaning heavily on Scully. Mulder's mind had been only registering pain, he really didn't know what was going on till now, "What happen to my clothes?" He said looking down at himself. "The bear slashed your shirt to pieces, so I ripped the rest of it off of you. I had to take your jeans off to look at your leg." "Oh." Was all he said, then, "Well I can still wear the jeans, I have am extra shirt in my pack." Scully helped Mulder over to a nearby tree and he leaned his back onto it. She picked up his jeans and got the extra shirt and handed them to Mulder. "Need any help? She asked. "No." He bent down and slipped the jeans on slowly, taking quick breaths when it slid past his wound. He put his shirt on even slower, groaning softly because he had to move his arm up to get it on. "Ready to go." He said with pain in his voice. With Scully's arm around his waist, and Mulder's arm around Scully's shoulder, they walked slowly. Scully had put what she could from Mulder's pack into hers and had put it on. She had Mulder's gun ready at her side. Mulder was limping slightly, not wanting to put pressure on his wounded leg muscle. ************************************************************ (Kathy's turn) 6 hours later A rented cabin on Tranquility Lake Mulder lifted his head from the comfort of the fluffy white pillow, darting his eyes across his bedroom. *Scully* He'd been so grouchy, so mean to her. But, he'd been so embarrassed. His actions had inevitably led them in to danger, Scully had been right, boy had she been right. He groaned at the memory of the previous night as well as at the pain and soreness that still covered his body. He had to see Scully, now. It was time that tensions were settled ... it was time he admitted what a jerk he had been... ********************************************************** 3 and Half Hours Earlier After the hour and half journey back to the cabin, not only was Mulder extremely agitated by his foolish escapade into the woods, but his body hurt like hell and his stomach was rumbling so loud he was sure it could be heard all the way across the lake. When Scully had finally let go of his shoulder to dash up the few steps to the front door he felt a certain relief. The least he could do was make it up five little steps by himself. But all of a sudden there was Scully again, she'd only gone to put her gear down and open the door for him. "Come on Mulder, let me help you," she'd said. At that moment he felt his aggravation with himself and Scully erupt and he let out a bellowing, "NOO!!" and to his horror he pushed her. Not hard, not enough to hurt even a small child, but the feeling Scully felt behind it he knew, was as painful if not more so than any of the wounds that adorned his body at that very moment. He wanted to apologize right then and there, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He already felt like such a fool. Instead he used all the strength he could muster and carried himself up the stairs and into the cabin. He went directly to the refrigerator and began to make himself a sandwich. A few minutes later he heard the bathroom door slam and the shower being turned on full blast. That was the last he'd heard from Scully. After his sandwich he went to his room and when he came out for his shower he assumed that she'd gone into her room for a nap. He decided he'd follow suit. He needed all the rest he could muster. Swallowing your pride to a lot out of a man. ************************************************ Back to the Present Hour Mulder pulled on a fresh pair of sweats and warm sweatshirt being very careful of his wounds, then set out to find Scully. Approaching her bedroom, he noticed that the door was open. *Oh good maybe she's not as angry as I thought* Peering inside, he noticed the neatly made bed and equally neat pile of folded clothing. But one thing was missing, Scully. "Scully?" he called out through the cabin. "Scully?!" Nothing. Opening the front door, he stepped out on to the porch and eyed the surrounding area. Until he saw her... looking so small, so lost, sitting at the edge of the dock just down the incline off to the left side of their cabin. He made the slightly painful walk over to where she sat. But his wounds were the least of his worries when he saw the look on her face as she turned to acknowledge his presence. "Scully?" She turned her head, returning her attention to the beauteous waters of the lake. "What do you want, Mulder?" He took a tentative step toward her, followed by a large gulp of cleansing air. "I.. just wanted to say that..." He shook his head, he needed to look in her face. That was the least he could do for her. Look her right in the eye and tell her what a jerk he'd been. He took the few remaining steps forward until he reached the edge of the dock. He settled him self down next to her, wincing a little at the pain in his shoulder and leg. Scully turned to him, "You know you really should be inside resting, Mulder." "Not until I say this..." He took a deep breath, and paused suddenly caught of guard by Scully's beauty framed in this peaceful setting. Scully could almost read Mulder's thoughts, she knew that he was sorry. She knew that she'd forgive him, but it still hurt. Almost subconsciously Mulder's fingers floated toward Scully's face. Brushing them in soft downward motion along her cheek, he felt his emotions rising quickly in chest. Scully turned toward him, and he cupped her face fully. She leaned her cheek into his warm hand. "Mmm..." Mulder closed his eyes at the feel of her soft skin beneath his rough hand. Then realizing how intimate the moment was becoming he dropped his hand from her face and quickly opened his eyes. Scully's face fell. She felt as if she were wearing her heart on her sleeve. Even though she had not uttered a word of what was dancing around her mind, her feelings were so intense at that moment. So much so that it was all she could do not to get up and run away from the man that was causing it all. Run, and run and run and never look back. But she couldn't do that. Never could she leave this man's side, no matter how good or bad he made her feel inside. Their souls were connected, even if he was too blind to see it. She knew that it was there. Suddenly she felt his large, warm hand covering her own. She swallowed that little lump of worry in her throat, before forcing herself to look into his eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered. His tone was so impactfully sincere, she thought she would cry. "Mulder I..." "Shhh..." He brought their clasped hands to her mouth, softly brushing his knuckles across her lips. "Don't talk... " There on the dock of Tranquility, a moment came for Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. A moment not unlike one they'd shared not more than a year before. But that moment had been shattered. Put on hold, erased by the dark forces, brought to them in the form of an unsightly bee. But there was nothing that would break this mood. As the sun began to set, and twilight settle upon the lake, the FBI agents held their breaths, simultaneously inching the lips toward one another. Mulder brought his free hand back up to her face... then released her hand to bring it's twin up framing her in on both sides. She slipped her hand to the back of his neck, threading her finger into his hair from behind. And then ever so slowly their lips met in a soft, sweet, heart melting kiss. Mulder groaned into her mouth and brought his body closer to hers, pain be damned. Not that he felt anything but pleasure from this blissfully perfect moment. Scully felt as if her heart were ready to burst and tears of relief stung the corners of her eyes. She could live in this man's kiss. Live in it forever and always. When they finally came up for air, Mulder leaned his forehead against hers and smiled drunkenly at her. "That was some kiss..." Scully gasped. "Mmmhmm" he affirmed and captured her lips once more, this time in a shorter, but deeper kiss. Breaking contact once again, Mulder rubbed his stubbled face against her soft cheek and whispered in her ear, "God, Scully, I love you so much." Scully dropped her head and let out a muffled sob into his shoulder. Mulder pulled back and lifted her face to meet his. He searched her teary eyes for explination. And sure enough he found it, those were tears of happiness, tears of relief, tears of love. Then he heard it, in the faintest whisper imaginable, "I love you too, Mulder." He sighed, putting an arm around her shoulder, resting his head atop hers. "We're gonna be okay. Aren't we Scully?" "Much more than okay ... much much more..." And the sun set over Tranquility. THE END Hope you guys liked it! Crosses fingers!