Title: To Oz and Beyond Author: Waddles52 Summary: Mother Nature seems to have it in for Mulder and Scully. Will they make it out of Kansas alive? Spoilers: None Rating: PG-13 Category: MSR, MT Disclaimer: Just for fun. Not for profit. Archives: If you want it, you've got it. Just let me know. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Lisa who pulled this out of the doldrums. Feedback: Would be very much appreciated at Waddles52@wmconnect.com Author's notes: I am not an expert on medical procedures by any means. I ask your forgiveness in advance for any mistakes. Thanks to Gail for the technical advice. "I hate these assignments in the middle of nowhere," Mulder groaned as he tried to stretch his long legs in the rental Taurus. "I agree, especially when it turns out to be a big waste of time," Scully answered as she maneuvered the road ahead, seemingly miles and miles of the flattest land Kansas had to offer. "At least you can't blame this one on me," Mulder reminded her as he too stared ahead. "I think Skinner is paying us back for some of the trouble he thinks we've caused him in the past." "Trouble? You and me? Never. We're the poster boy and girl for the F.B.I." Scully snorted. "More than likely they would like to plaster our posters on the most wanted display in the lobby. Drat!" she exclaimed as big, fat rain drops began to hit the dusty windshield. "That storm has been brewing behind us for the last half hour. I was hoping we'd reach civilization before it broke." Scully looked in her side-view mirror. "It's really starting to look bad. Looks like it's going to be a real gully washer." A strong gust of wind shook the car as the rain increased in intensity. "It looks like it might be a severe storm, Scully. I'm going to see if there's a weather update on the radio." "Good idea." Mulder tried to find a near-by station but was only rewarded with static for his effort. "We really are in the middle of nowhere," he sighed. "Yes, I haven't even seen a farmhouse for the last ten miles," Scully agreed, looking in the mirror again. "I don't like the looks of those clouds. We really need to find shelter." Mulder turned around in his seat to get a better look as hail began to crash into the windshield. "We've got hail," Scully reported. "Why do I feel like I'm in the middle of a movie?" Mulder replied as he observed the black clouds rolling. "Scully, we really need to find someplace safe to stop. I don't think we're going to outrun this." "I'm open for suggestions." "Right now I'd settle for a nice, deep ditch," Mulder said as he observed a dark cloud reach the ground and begin twisting its way toward them. Scully looked in the mirror again. "Mulder, is that what I think it is?" "If you're thinking tornado, it's what you think it is." Scully floored the gas pedal. "What should we do?" "We've got to find some kind of shelter, or at least a ditch or a decent-sized depression because that thing is heading this way fast!" "Between the rain and the hail, I can hardly see." "Just keep going as fast as you can and be ready to get out and run like hell when I tell you!" Mulder exclaimed as the dancing, whirling cloud grew ever closer. "Any signs of a house or a building on your side?" "No. I just saw a sign by the road, but the wind blew it away before I could tell what it said." "Maybe we're getting close to a town." Mulder continued to divide his attention between the funnel cloud and the roadside. He spotted a ditch, or maybe it was a dry creek bed. Whatever it was, it looked like their only hope. "Scully, stop the car and head for that ditch!" Scully slowed the car. "That doesn't look like it would provide very much protection. Wouldn't it be wiser to keep driving?" "I'll leave it up to you, but hurry up and decide because that thing will be over us in another minute or two!" Scully looked ahead and then back over her shoulder as she brought the car to a stop. "Let's go, Mulder!" They both left the car and ran for all they were worth. The hailstones stung when they hit the exposed areas of their bodies and the swirling rain and dust added insult to injury. Mulder pushed Scully into the ditch as the full fury of the storm struck. Scully found it difficult to breath as the air was literally sucked from her lungs. The weight of Mulder's body was the only thing keeping her on the ground as the wind dragged them along the depression. Debris rained all around them and Scully heard a yelp of pain as something hit Mulder. It seemed like the onslaught lasted for hours but in reality it was over in a minute. Scully raised her head as the wind diminished and she observed the twister travel another half mile, then lift up and disappear before her eyes. "Mulder, get off," she said as she tried to get up. Mulder moaned and rolled off of her onto his left side. "You okay?" "I think so. Sore and muddy, but I'm okay. How are you?" she asked as she sat up and looked at him. "I think everything that wasn't tied down hit my body." He tried to get up, but thought better of it and sank back to the ground. "Where are you hurt?" "Everywhere." "Any place more than others?" "My back and my leg." Scully maneuvered around so she could get a better look at his back, wiping the rain from her eyes as she moved. They were engulfed in a torrential downpour that was growing colder by the minute. She shivered as she knelt by Mulder's side, her breath catching in her throat as she surveyed the damage. The clothes on his back were muddy and shredded. He was bruised almost every place that she could see, but what really grabbed her attention was the piece of metal impaled in his lower back. She forced her eyes to move down to his legs and found a piece of wood embedded in his right leg. "Oh, Mulder. You weren't kidding were you?" "I never kid about this much pain," he gasped. "So, what's the verdict, Doc?" "Well, it looks like some of the debris used you for target practice." "And?" "We need to get you some medical attention." "There's something stuck in my back, right?" he asked, struggling to get the words out through the pain. "Yes, there is," Scully sighed. "And in your leg too." "Yank it out!" "Mulder, I can't do that. You're loosing enough blood as it is. I can't take the chance of causing more damage." "Shit, Scully! It hurts!" "I know. We have to get you out of here and get some help." "The car?" Mulder asked. Scully wiped the rain from her eyes once again and prepared to search for the car. To her surprise it was right where they had left it, covered in mud, but seemingly unharmed. "I don't believe this," she muttered under her breath. "Mulder, I think the car is okay. I'm going to check it out and get the first-aid kit. Don't try to move. I'll be right back." Scully slogged through the mud, almost losing a shoe in the gooey mess. As she reached the car, she breathed a sigh of relief. Other than being covered with mud and grass the car was untouched. Her relief was quickly replaced with anger and guilt. "Damn it! If I had decided to stay in the car Mulder would be all right!" She surveyed the road ahead and once again her anger surged. The twister had apparently stayed off of the road. It was fairly clear as far as she could see. She shook her head. "It's almost as if that damned tornado followed us." Shaking off her anger, Scully retrieved the first-aid kit from the trunk. She spotted a blue tarp folded up in the very back of the trunk. She practically had to crawl in the trunk to retrieve it, but she soon had it tucked under her left arm. Carrying the first-aid kit with her right hand, she made her way back through the mud to Mulder. He was lying exactly as she had left him. For a moment she was afraid that she had taken too long until she saw his right arm move ever so slightly. "Thank God," she breathed in relief. "I'm here, Mulder," Scully announced, kneeling beside him in the mud. She reached into the first-aid kit for a roll of gauze and antiseptic. "I'm going to wrap this around that piece of wood in your leg to try to keep it from moving. First, I'm going to pour some antiseptic over the wound." She flipped the top on the bottle of Betadine in her left hand. "This is going to feel pretty uncomfortable but try not to move. I'll go as fast as I can." "Okay, just get it over with," he grunted as the solution hit his skin. She quickly stabilized the piece of wood then tried to decide what to do with the metal in his back. "Mulder, the only way I can wrap this is to sit you up. Think you can make it?" "Sure, Scully. Just give me a hand up." Between the two of them Mulder managed to sit, leaning heavily on his left arm. "Okay, same as before, antiseptic, then bandage. Ready?" Mulder nodded and she began to work. Mulder bit his bottom lip as the stinging sensation grew. He took a deep breath and determined he wouldn't make a sound, the rain hiding the tears of pain as they slid down his face. By the time Scully finished he was breathing heavily, trying to hold onto consciousness. "Rest for a minute," Scully directed as she began to wrap the tarp around his shoulders. As his breathing slowed down, Mulder became more aware of his surroundings, especially Scully. She was rubbing a large bruise on her left ankle, and was sporting a smaller bruise on her left cheek. "Scully, are you sure you're all right?" "Mulder, I'm fine," she replied with her stock answer. "Then, what's this?" he asked, tenderly brushing her bruised cheek. "I didn't say I came through unscathed, Mulder. I have a few scrapes and bruises, but I am fine," she emphasized. "The car is also fine. The tornado didn't touch it. If I had decided to keep driving we'd still be on the road and you would be unharmed." "Don't accept the blame for this, Scully. I pushed you into making a decision and it was the right one. We didn't know what that thing was going to do," he soothed as he gave her a quick hug, the best that he could manage under the circumstances. Scully leaned into him briefly then took charge again. "The road was clear as far as I could see. We just have to get you to the car and get you to a hospital." "I don't suppose you could bring the car here?" Scully shook her head. "Sorry. Too muddy." Mulder sighed and shook his head to get the rain out of his eyes. "Let's go then." Mulder stood with Scully's help. He swayed as his vision wavered and his ears buzzed. "Give me a minute, Scully," he gasped, swallowing quickly in an effort to keep his stomach contents where they belonged. "Take all the time you need. Do you need to sit down again?" "No! If I do I'm afraid I won't be able to get back up," he groaned, fighting off the dizziness. "Just hold onto me." "Always, Mulder." After a few minutes he indicated that he was ready to move. Scully held onto him while he hobbled a few steps, then stopped. "I need to rest," he gasped, as he sagged against her. Scully eased him down. "Mulder, as much as I hate to do this, I'm going to have to leave you here and try to find some help." "No, Scully! Let me rest and then we'll try again." She could see the fear and pain in his eyes. She too feared leaving him. "Okay, we'll rest a few minutes then try it again." She pulled the tarp around him more closely as he shivered against the cold rain. Scully looked back to the car, an impossible distance away, but something had changed. A police cruiser with lights flashing had pulled up behind it. An officer opened the door and got out, bracing himself against the wind and rain. "Do you people need some help?" he shouted. Scully waved her arms and nodded as Mulder slumped against her, unconscious. At the officer's call, an ambulance arrived and in short order Mulder was loaded and on his way to the hospital, Scully following behind. She marveled at what the officer had told her. The small tornado had done little damage, mostly tearing up the countryside and destroying a few signs and fences. Mulder's was the only injury reported so far. They were only a few miles from town and reached the small hospital quickly. Scully parked the car and hurried in to check on her partner, only to be ambushed by the admitting department. After signing the usual forms she was taken to the doctor's lounge where she was encouraged to take a shower and put on a set of scrubs provided for her. A cup of hot coffee was pushed into her hands when she emerged and she followed the nurse who was waiting to take her to the small surgical waiting room. She settled in for the long wait, praying that her partner would survive this latest assault on his body. She thought to call Skinner, but decided to wait until she had some idea of Mulder's condition. Restless, she took her coffee and walked to the window. A flash of lightning greeted her as she stared out the rain-streaked glass. The doctor found her there an hour later. "Are you with Mr. Mulder?" "Oh, yes. How is he"?" Scully asked, turning around. "He's doing remarkably well, actually." "Thank God!" "Let's go over here and have a seat," the doctor suggested. "I'm Dr. Haus, by the way." "Dana Scully." "I understand you're both F.B.I. agents?" "Yes, we are. What can you tell me about Agent Mulder's injuries?" "Well, I'm happy to report that they weren't as severe as we originally thought. The injury to his leg missed the nerves and the main artery that runs through the leg. It was mainly a job of cleaning the wound and repairing the muscle. The back injury was a bit more complicated. The metal did leave a small laceration on his right kidney, but we were able to repair that and baring complications he should be fine." "Thank you, Doctor. When will I be able to see him?" "We're keeping him in the I.C.U. overnight. He lost quite a bit of blood and I want him monitored carefully for the next 12 hours or so. Why don't you give him an hour or so to get settled in, then you can see him for a few minutes." "All right, but his prognosis is good?" "He's fit and healthy. He should be fine. Why don't you get something to eat, make any phone calls you might need to make and I'll let them know to expect you in the I.C.U. in about an hour" "Thank you." "If you have any questions, I'll be around all night." After the doctor left, Scully decided it was time to let Skinner know that they would be staying in Kansas for a while longer. Skinner was quite surprised when he learned the circumstances of their delay, assuring Scully that there wouldn't be a problem if she stayed with Mulder until he was ready to travel. After a sandwich that tasted like cardboard and a cup of tea that wasn't much better, she decided it was time to go to the I.C.U. to check on her partner. She got off the elevator on the second floor and paused to look out the window. It appeared that the area was being assaulted by a storm once again. A flash of lightning illuminated the parking lot as a crash of thunder shook the building. A gust of wind rattled the window as she noticed the busy nurses in the intensive care unit go about their business as usual. She thought of the whirlwind of their own lives and the times they had to go about their business as usual even as their world crashed around them. She shook it off and walked to the desk to ask for Mulder's room. Mulder appeared to be sleeping, lying on his left side. She walked over to him and kissed him on his forehead. "I don't think we're in Kansas any more, Toto," he quipped and slowly opened his eyes. "Sorry, Mulder, but we are still in Kansas. How are you feeling?" "Like the wicked witch that the house landed on." "You're going to be fine, Mulder. You need to rest now." "You okay?" "Just a little sore and scraped up. You shielded me from the worst of it." A nurse came in and busied herself checking the monitors and IV pump. "I've got some pain medication and a sedative for Mr. Mulder. Dr. Haus wants him to rest." "Mulder, I think that's my cue to leave." Mulder reached for her hand. "You get some rest too, okay?" "I will." The nurse injected the medication into the IV port. "Give him a kiss now because this stuff acts pretty fast." Scully looked surprised but bent over and kissed Mulder's waiting lips. She squeezed his hand and turned to leave, looking over her shoulder as she reached the door. Mulder was already asleep, a smile on his face." Scully decided since Mulder's condition was stable and he would be sleeping for a while, it would be a good time to find a motel and check in. There was only one available, an old motor court. After checking in she took a more thorough shower and changed into some comfortable casual clothes and sneakers. She decided to go back to the hospital and see if Mulder was awake yet. A representative from the Dodge City field office was waiting for her in the I.C.U. waiting room. "Agent Scully, I'm Agent Mike Seldon from the Dodge City field office. AD Skinner called us and since I was in the area already, I was asked to take an incident report and provide any assistance you might need." "Thank you, Agent Seldon. I'll be happy to talk to you later, but it's time for another visitation period. I would really like to see Agent Mulder." "Of course. I'll be waiting for you here. Please give Agent Mulder my wishes for a speedy recovery." "Thank you. I will." Scully found Mulder still sleeping as she entered his room. A nurse was at his side making her check of all the monitors. "Hello Agent Scully. I'm just checking things over. Agent Mulder has been sleeping ever since you left. His vitals have remained stable since surgery." "I'm glad to hear that." "I'm just getting ready to turn him onto his back." "I can help you if you'd like," Scully volunteered. "I'll take any help I can get," the nurse smiled. "This might cause him some pain so I'm prepared to give him some more pain medication. Agent Mulder will probably be transferred up to the third floor within the next few hours, but we don't want him to have bad memories of his time here. I'm going to move him now. If you could keep that pillow steady under his leg, I believe I can do the rest." Working together, they soon had Mulder settled in a new position. He moaned a few times but gave no signs of waking. "I'll leave you two alone. You can stay ten more minutes." "Thank you," Scully answered as the nurse left. "Is she gone now?" Mulder asked, opening his eyes. "Mulder, how long have you been awake?" "Ever since you started pulling on my leg, but I wanted to see you so I decided to play possum. She can shoot me full of pain killers after you leave." "Mulder, she's going to catch on to the fact that you're awake you know. Your heart rate and blood pressure are up." "Until then just stay here and let me look at you. Did you find a place to stay?" "I checked us into the Plainsman Inn. It's an older place. Nothing fancy, but it's clean. There is a tornado shelter right behind our room too." "We could have used that earlier, but it's good to keep in mind for your future safety." "And yours too after your discharge. We might have to stick around for a few days until you get your strength back." She smoothed the hair back from his forehead. "So how are you feeling now?" "I was having the most wonderful, drug-induced sex fantasy that I've ever dreamed and the next thing I know someone is tugging on my leg and someone else is rolling me over. I'd like to finish that dream," he grinned. "Who was in your dream?" "The person who's always in my sex fantasies." "And that would be?" "You Scully. Always you." "Good answer, Mulder. Now, I want you to concentrate on getting well so we can re-create some of those fantasies of yours." "Promise?" "As soon as you're better," Scully promised. She gave him a kiss to seal the promise. As she straightened up she saw the nurse heading toward his room. "Mulder, I think you're busted." "Huh?" "Hello, Mr. Mulder. I thought you might have been playing possum so I decided to give you a few minutes, but I've got to give you your medication now. Dr. Haus wants you to get all the rest you can. You lost a lot of blood." "Could we have just a few more minutes, please?" "Well . . ." "It's official business. I need to talk to my partner and then I'll be glad to rest." "Okay, I'll give you three minutes." "Thank you, nurse." "I'll be back in three," she said. "Official business my ass. Monkey business is more like it," she muttered under her breath as she left the room. "What do you need to tell me, Mulder?" Scully asked, taking his hand. "That I love you and I want you to go back to the motel and get some sleep. I don't want to see you here for a few hours." "Mulder . . ." "If I'm not mistaken, I'm still head of the X-Files and technically your superior . . ." "Mulder, you're pushing it." "I know, but I want you to rest, okay? I'll be fine. The only thing you could do here would be to watch me sleep. Please for me?" "Okay, Mulder. You win. This time. There's an agent from the Dodge City field office that I have to talk to. After that I'll get something to eat and rest for a while." "That's my Scully. Kiss?" She leaned in to kiss him. "Don't get used to winning so easily, Mulder." She kissed him softly and then again with a little more passion. "Mmm, what do I get if I loose?" "Oh, we'll have to see. Maybe a lot more of this," she answered, kissing him again. "Might be worth throwing the game just to find out," he laughed. "Mulder, behave." She straightened up as the nurse came in. "I'll see you in a few hours." "Bye, Scully," he said as his meds were injected into his IV, and he was soon asleep. Before Mulder even opened his eyes he sensed several things. First, he knew that Scully had returned. She was wearing his favorite perfume. Next, he realized that his surroundings had changed. He wasn't hooked up to as many monitors so he'd been moved from the I.C.U. Finally, he knew that he and Scully were not alone in the room. He could hear Scully talking to a man, and was that a child's voice that he heard? What the hell? Mulder opened his eyes to find that he had been correct on all accounts. He was in a semi-private room. Scully was sitting in a chair between the beds talking to a man in a suit, probably F.B.I. from the look of him, and holding the hand of the little boy in the next bed. Huh? "Scully?" "Oh, Mulder! You're awake." "Must've been some nap. I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore," he grinned. "Just a different location. Mulder, this is Mike Seldon from the Dodge City field office." "Glad you're doing better, Agent Mulder." Mike Seldon stepped forward and shook Mulder's hand. "And this is Robbie," Scully introduced. "He had his appendix removed a little after you had your surgery. His mommy gave him a new baby sister yesterday in another hospital and his daddy has gone home to get a little rest. Robbie's grandmother should be here later." "Hi, Robbie. I'm Mulder, nice to meet you. How old are you?" Robbie held up four fingers then ducked his head. "Agent Scully, Agent Mulder, I'm going to go now. I'll check in again before you're released." "Thanks, Mike," Scully said. Mulder nodded as Agent Seldon turned and left. Robbie had decided to take a nap so Scully moved her chair closer to Mulder. "Wow, Scully. You're picking up guys all over the place. First Mike and now Robbie. Aren't you Miss Popularity?" he teased. "What can I say, Mulder? When you've got it . . ." Scully laughed. "Do you think I might rate a little handholding, maybe a little kiss?" "Although you have some pretty stiff competition in Robbie here, I might be able to spare one little kiss." Scully leaned over and gave him a very big kiss and took his left hand in hers. "That's much better," Mulder sighed contentedly. "So, what's up with the ankle biter?" "Mulder, this is a fairly small hospital and they don't have a pediatric ward. They are also experiencing a staff shortage and have closed off some rooms, so this was their solution." Mulder nodded at her explanation. "Now, how are you feeling? Are you thirsty? Do you have any pain?" "Oh no, Scully in MD mode," Mulder grinned. "Yes, I'm thirsty. My back isn't bothering me too much but my leg is throbbing to beat the band. Feels like the bandages are too tight and sticking to my skin." Scully poured some water and held the cup as he drank his fill. When he was finished she put the cup back on the nightstand and pulled the covers back. She had to lift his gown to look at the bandages. "Like what you see?" "Mulder, you'll have to tone it down. There is a small child present," she reminded him as she began to examine the bandages. "Ow! Okay, Okay. I'll play nice. Sheesh. Ow, Scully! Are you trying to pull my skin off?" "Sorry. You've got some drainage from the wound and it's sticking to your skin. I'll give the nurse a call and she can probably fix you up." Scully adjusted his gown and pulled the covers back up. "So, when's the foley come out? Soon, I hope." "Well, you're producing urine, and there's no blood in it that I can see, so you might get lucky." "Explain lucky." "I'd say maybe tonight, or sometime tomorrow." "That's not soon enough for me." "It will just have to be," Scully replied as she pushed the call button. Mulder shifted uncomfortably and groaned at the pain the movement caused. "Mulder, a patient administered pain device is attached to your IV. You know the drill. Push the control button if you're hurting." "Don't mind if I do," he said, taking the control from her and pushing it. "Ah, Morphine?" "Yes, you can tell?" "Yeah, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling when it goes in. By the way, did the weather ever clear up?" "Not really. More severe weather is predicted." "As long as it stays away from us." "I agree." The nurse came in and introduced herself. "I'm Michelle, Agent Mulder. I'll be taking care of you until midnight. What kind of problem are you having with your bandages?" Scully explained while Michelle made her own inspection. She agreed with Scully and took off the old ones and replaced them, wrapping an elastic bandage around Mulder's leg to finish up. Mulder took another hit from the IV pump and dozed off rather quickly. Several hours later he was awakened by a gentle shake of his shoulder. "Mulder, you need to wake up," Scully said softly, shaking his shoulder again. "Just give me five more minutes," he groaned. "I'm sorry, Mr. Mulder, but the doctor ordered blood work every eight hours," the technician apologized. "Every eight hours?" he griped, waking up more fully as the technician began to search for the vein she wanted to use. "The doctor needs to monitor your kidney function and check for infection," Scully explained. "He's just being thorough." "Tell him to be thorough with someone else. Ow! What are you trying to do, hit the bone?" The technician quickly finished her task and left the room without comment. Mulder looked over to find that Scully had returned to Robbie's bedside to help him hold his glass of ginger ale. "Grandma hasn't made it yet?" "Her car broke down and Robbie's dad is at the other hospital," Scully filled him in. "She's trying to catch a ride, but she lives in the next county over so it might be a while." "I want my Granny," Robbie whimpered. "Thanks, Mulder," Scully frowned. "Sorry, I didn't know it was such a touchy subject. Hey, buddy, how did you happen to end up here?" "I got a bad tummy ache, but it's better now. Were you really in a twister?" "Yeah, we were. It went right over us." "Dana said you pertected her." "Yes, Robby. Mulder did protect me," Scully smiled, emphasizing the proper pronunciation. "That's how he got hurt." "Did you have a oprashun too?" "Yes, I had an oprashun too," Mulder answered, deliberately mispronouncing the word. "Do you like cartoons?" "Yeah! I like Spongebob!" "You know, I do too. I don't know if he's on right now, but let's see if we can find some cartoons on TV." "Yeah!" Mulder grabbed the control and soon Robbie was engrossed with the cartoons on TV. Scully pulled her chair back over by Mulder who was watching TV too. "What is that?" she inquired, glancing at the TV. "I don't have a clue, but the Robster seems to enjoy it." Robbie was glued to the TV, clutching a stuffed Spongebob in his arms. "Feeling any better?" "About the same." "I brought your carry-on bag, Mulder. I made sure you had a pair of sweats and some pajama bottoms, but judging the thickness of that bandage you might just want to slip your running shorts on when the foley comes out. Although your bottom is delicious, Robbie's granny may not appreciate a free shot." "You just want to keep me all to yourself," he accused jokingly. "You got that right. Seriously, I think the nurses planned on having you sit on the side of the bed after dinner." "I'm not looking forward to that," Mulder groaned. "Just use your control button if it gets too bad." "Don't worry. I will." Robbie and Mulder had identical dinners of beef broth, strawberry jello, ginger ale and weak tea. They were eating their dessert, a cherry Popsicle, when Michelle came in. "Agent Mulder, I have some good news. Dr. Haus reviewed your blood work and latest urinalysis and was absolutely thrilled with the results. He gave the okay to remove your foley with the understanding that it goes back in if your condition should worsen. You're very lucky to have it removed so quickly." "Sounds like a plan to me," Mulder beamed. "Great. You guys finish your Popsicles and I'll be back with some help because we're going to let you sit up for a little while." "Uh, can we wait on that?" "Mulder, the sooner you become mobile, the sooner you get to leave the hospital. This is the first step," Scully explained as she wiped Robbie's face. "Agent Scully is right. We'll just keep you up for a few minutes the first time. I think a big, strapping F.B.I. agent should be able to handle that, don't you?" the nurse grinned. "Bring it on, then," Mulder responded to her challenge. "All right. See you in a few minutes. Robbie, how are you doing?" "Okay, but I gotta potty," he answered, ducking his head. "I'll take him," Scully offered. "He can show Agent Mulder what a big boy he is. He doesn't mind getting up even with a sore tummy." "Thanks. Call me if you need me," Michelle directed as she left the room. "Thanks, Scully. Rub it in why don't you?" Mulder pouted. "Seriously, Mulder, Robbie's being more mature about this than you are." "What's mature?" Robbie asked. "Something Agent Mulder needs to work on. Ready to go?" "Uh-huh." "Let me hold your hand." "'Kay." When Scully's back was turned Mulder stuck his tongue out at her. "You're just proving my case, Mulder," Scully commented as they got to the bathroom door and shut it behind them. "How did she do that?" he wondered as the Popsicle slipped off the stick and landed in his lap. "Damn it!" "Mulder, little ears," Scully reminded him. "Sorry," he apologized as he scooped up the Popsicle remains and dropped them on his tray. "Shit, shit, shit!" he thought as he searched for something to wipe his hand on. When he couldn't reach the tissues, he gave up and used the front of his gown. Scully opened the door just in time to catch him in the act. "For Pete's sake, Mulder! Let me get you a washcloth," she fussed. She turned around to run some water over a washcloth. "Let me take it," Robbie offered. "You sure you feel like it?" Scully asked. "Uh-huh." Robbie slowly walked to Mulder and ducked his head shyly as he handed him the cloth. "Hey, little man. Thank you. You sure do move well for a fellow who just lost his appendix." "I gots some band-aids and a sore tummy," Robbie explained, pulling up his gown to show Mulder. "You must be very brave," Mulder praised. "I am," the little boy agreed solemnly. "Come on, Robbie. You've been up long enough," Scully called. "Thanks for the washcloth, Robbie. You go with Dana now." "Okay. Bye Mulder.' Scully helped Robbie get situated then made her way over to Mulder. "Would you like a clean gown?" she asked. "That would be nice. Sorry for acting so juvenile. I guess I'm just a little bit out of sorts," Mulder apologized. "You're forgiven. You can't be very comfortable right now." "I'm not, but I shouldn't take it out on you." Scully gave him a big kiss as the nurse came in, followed by an aide. "Are you ready to get rid of that catheter, Agent Mulder?" she asked, gathering some gloves and paper towels. "I believe so." "Then let's get that taken care of," she said as she pulled the curtain around his bed. "Mulder, I'm going to get that clean gown and your shorts." "Thanks, Scully." It only took a few seconds to remove the foley catheter. Scully helped Mulder change his gown and wiggle into his running shorts. "Now, for the main event," Michelle announced. "Leah will hold your leg while I help you sit up. Agent Scully, if you could move that chair over here, we'll have something to prop Agent Mulder's leg on." Within a few minutes Mulder was sitting on the side of the bed with his back to Robbie. "Are you doing all right, Agent Mulder?" Michelle asked. "Yes, I am." "No dizziness?" "No, a little pain but I think I can handle it," he admitted. "Okay. We'll try it for five minutes this first time." She opened the curtain. "We'll be back in a bit then." Scully turned to Robbie. "Look who's sitting up." Robbie clapped then took notice of the bandage on Mulder's back where the gown had fallen open. "Ooh, Mulder gots a big boo-boo. He's brave too." "Yes, Robbie. He really is," Scully agreed. "How are you holding up, Mulder?" "I'm getting a little shaky. This is harder than it looks." "Do you want me to call the nurse?" "Not yet," he answered, his voice a little weaker. "Mulder, I think you've had enough. If you pass out I won't be able to hold you." "Okay," he gave in. Scully reached for the call button but the nurse was back in the room before she could make the call. "Mulder's getting a little tired," she explained. "Then let's get him back to bed." She pulled the curtain again. "Let's put you on your left side for awhile. Agent Scully, if you could hold his leg, I think we can get this accomplished. I need to talk to you two anyway. Robbie's granny isn't coming. There's a pretty bad storm on the way and she doesn't want to get caught in it." "Poor little guy," Mulder sympathized as he settled onto his left side while the nurse put a pillow between his legs. "He needs his Granny." Scully pulled the curtain back to reveal Robby curled up with Spongebob, sleeping. "Agent Mulder, is that comfortable enough for you?" "Feels great. Thanks." The nurse pushed the button to release some morphine into his IV. "Why don't you follow Robbie's example and get some rest?" "Good idea, Mulder," Scully agreed as the nurse waved good-bye. The TV programming was interrupted for a weather bulletin telling them that a super cell thunderstorm was two counties away and headed right for them. "Scully, I'd feel much better if you would go back to the motel for the night. You need to beat that storm and stay close to that shelter," Mulder reasoned. "What if you or Robbie need me?" "I'll keep an eye on Robbie and I can call the nurse if either one of us needs anything. Scully, I want you to be safe. Please?" "All right, Mulder, but call me if you start to feel worse, or if you just want to talk." "I will call you later. Leave the motel's number." Scully wrote down the number and kissed Mulder thoroughly before she left. He hit the pain control again and dozed off with a huge smile on his face. Several irritating sounds were disturbing Mulder's sleep. He could hear doors opening and closing along with panicked directions being shouted. A piercing whistle came from the vicinity of the TV. A roaring, vibrating sound was getting louder by the second and a small child was screaming in his ear. Mulder opened his eyes to see Robbie's terrified face, tears streaming from his eyes. "Mulder, Mulder! Wake up! I'm scared!" "What the hell?" Mulder's fuzzy brain tried to process everything that was assaulting it. The TV. That was a tornado warning. His eyes darted to the window. Lightning was flashing, the wind was howling and the pressure was increasing in his ears. That roaring, vibrating, feel it in his chest noise, he'd heard that before. He looked at the window again to focus on a tornado crossing the field along side the parking lot, drawing a bead on their room. "Shit, not again!" Mulder exclaimed as he rolled from the bed, tearing the IV from his wrist and sending shockwaves of pain through his injured back and leg. He pushed Robbie under his bed, grabbed a pillow and covered him with it. He saw a nurse approach the door just as the room seemed to explode. Mulder covered his head and hoped that he would survive the black monster outside their window. Ceiling tiles and insulation landed on the beds, narrowly missing him. The TV was thrown from its mount, crashing into Mulder's bed as the window exploded sending shards of glass flying. Mulder could feel the sting as he was struck by several of the flying pieces. The bathroom door began to separate from the frame then stopped, hanging crooked as the fury gradually died down. Mulder removed the pillow covering Robbie. "Hey, Buddy, you okay?" "Is it gone?" Robbie whimpered. "All gone," Mulder assured him. Robbie started to crawl out from under the bed. "Careful Robbie. There's broken glass all over the place." Mulder put the pillow on the floor beside him and motioned for Robbie to crawl onto it. "Now, stay there while I get up and see what we've got." Robbie began crying again. "What's the matter, buddy? You're safe now." Robbie pointed to Mulder's arms where the IV had torn loose and bits of glass had caused numerous small cuts. "Blood." Mulder glanced down. "Hey, I'm okay. It doesn't hurt," he lied. "Now, let me try to get up." Mulder began to push off with his good leg. "Agent Mulder, Robbie! Are you all right?" the familiar voice of the nurse called. "Over here!" Mulder shouted, relieved that he didn't have to get up. The nurse climbed over debris to find them in between the beds. "Thank God!" she exclaimed. "We were right outside your door, ready to bring you into the hall when the twister hit. Are you hurt badly? What about Robbie?" "Robbie's fine. I may need a stitch or two, but I'll live." "Mulder putted me under the bed and putted a pillow on top of me," Robbie explained, patting Mulder's injured leg gently. "Then he's a hero isn't he?" the nurse smiled. "He's very brave but he got hurted," Robbie intoned solemly. "Then let's get you guys out of here so we can fix Agent Mulder up. Do you fellas have any shoes?" "I did have some in the closet," Mulder answered. "Are the closets still there?" "They appear to be intact. Robbie, I'll see if I can find your shoes too." She made her way to the closets and found a pair of sneakers for each of them. The closets had remained undisturbed. She managed to climb over Robbie's bed to get back to them. When she finished putting on their shoes she picked Robbie up. "Agent Mulder, I'll be right back. I'm going to need some help moving some of this stuff before we can get you out." "Take your time. I'll be okay." After she maneuvered Robbie out of the room, Mulder carefully positioned himself so that his left side was leaning against the bed. He didn't want to let Robbie know that he really wasn't okay. "Thank goodness the nurse, what was her name? Michelle, yeah, thank goodness Michelle got Robbie out," he thought as he shakily reached behind to feel his back. It felt wet. He brought his hand back around. It was covered with blood, confirming that he had pulled some stitches out. He only intended to close his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again he was lying on his left side on a stretcher in a hallway. Someone was doing something to his back and it hurt like hell! "Hey, stop! You're hurting me!" "Agent Mulder, calm down. You're okay. I just finished stitching you up again, and I added a few new ones," Dr. Haus informed him. "Where am I?" "You're downstairs in the ER. Only the top floor was damaged, and it looks like your room got the worst of it." "What can I say? I'm a tornado magnet." "We're operating on back-up power and treating those we can. We're going to be sending you to Dodge City as soon as we can get some more evac helicopters in." "I need to let my partner know. I'm surprised she isn't here by now. Have you seen her?" "No, I haven't. Where was she?" "She went back to the motel." "Agent Mulder, I don't know how to tell you this, but her motel was hit pretty hard." Mulder tried to get up, but the doctor held him down. "Nurse, I need 75 of Demerol over here." "No, no drugs!" Mulder protested. "Agent Mulder, you need to stay quiet. You could cause yourself some serious damage. Rescue crews are at the motel right now and they are pulling out survivors," Dr. Haus emphasized. "But you don't understand. I have to get to her. She may be injured." "If she is, the rescue crew will get her out and be sure she is treated." The nurse arrived to administer the painkiller. "No, I don't need that!" Dr. Haus nodded yes and the nurse injected the Demerol despite Mulder's protest. "Damn it! I've got to find Scully!" he cried as he felt the medication enter his system. "Agent Mulder, you've got to calm down. If I see her I'll make sure someone gets word to you." "Got to find her," Mulder mumbled as the medication took him under. He fought against the medication and was soon able to open his eyes. The doctor and nurse had moved to another patient down the hall. Mulder spied the newly re-installed IV and uninstalled it in one quick motion. He pushed himself up, wincing when the pain hit. Pushing it back, he was soon sitting up, planning his next move. Grateful that they had not removed his shoes, Mulder slid to the floor and grabbed the stretcher to steady his self when he was almost overcome by a wave of dizziness. He waited a few seconds for it to pass. Battling grogginess from the medication, he began to move down the hall, grabbing on to objects to steady himself. He looked in each room as he passed, hoping to find Scully. One room caught his attention. It appeared to be a supply room and he saw crutches hanging on the wall. He pulled one down and grabbed the top from a pair of scrubs on his way out. He pulled the top over his head and dropped his gown in the doorway. The crutch was a great find. With its support he was able to move much faster. It only took a few more minutes to make it to the ambulance bay. Although it was dark, a distant flash of lightning lit up the sky enough to enable him to spot a man in an EMT uniform throwing some supplies in the back of his pick-up truck. "Hey, buddy," Mulder called. "You wouldn't be heading to the motel by any chance would you?" "Yeah, I am. I had to check on my little boy. He was upstairs recovering from an appendectomy when the twister hit." "Is his name Robbie?" "Yeah, how did you know?" "We were roommates," Mulder explained, grabbing onto the truck as he was assaulted by another wave of dizziness. "Agent Mulder isn't it?" the man asked as he reached out to steady the swaying figure. "You need to get back inside. You don't look so good." "Look, my partner was at the motel. As soon as I find her I will be more than happy to come back here." "Okay," the EMT agreed hesitantly. "I heard what you did for Robbie. You saved his life. Let me help you get in the truck. My name is Allen Stewart by the way." "You can call me Mulder." Allen helped him sit down and move his legs into the truck. It was an extremely painful maneuver and Mulder nearly lost his tenuous hold on consciousness. By the time he stopped seeing spots Allen had gotten in and started the truck. "You okay, Mulder?" "Yeah." Mulder took a deep breath and his head cleared a little more. "Your little boy is quite a trooper." "Yes, he is. I'm just so thankful that he wasn't injured." "I hope my partner is as lucky." "So do I." The movement of the truck and the after effects of the Demeral combined to make Mulder's eyelids extremely heavy. He fought to stay awake. "How much farther?" "A little over a mile. I hope they've got the road cleared or we'll have to go around the debris. It will be a pretty rough ride." "That's okay. Do what you have to do." The road was becoming more cluttered with debris and it was becoming difficult to maneuver around it. Up ahead the road was completely blocked by the roof of a barn. "Hang on, Mulder," Allen advised as he swerved off the road. The bumpy ride tore at Mulder's wounds. He held on to the dashboard and hoped that the stitches would hold. He looked ahead and spotted what was left of the motel, outlined by the lights that had been hastily set up by the search and rescue teams. It wasn't much. "You've been finding survivors?" Mulder asked hopefully. "Yeah, we have. By all rights anyone who wasn't in the shelter should be dead, but so far we haven't had any deaths, although we still had two missing when I left, the owner and a female occupant. Mulder's heart sank. "Any hope that they made it?" "There's always hope." Allen stopped the truck by the rescue vehicles. Mulder reached to open the door. "Wait, Mulder. Let me get your crutch and bring it around. Then I'll help you out." After Allen helped him out of the truck, Mulder stood for a moment looking over the destruction. Only part of the office and the sign above it survived. He saw a group of people tending to a victim under a tent that had been hastily set up to the right of the demolished building. One of the rescue workers approached them. "They just found the woman," he reported, a huge smile on his face. "Is she alive?" Mulder asked, longing for an affirmative answer. "It's a miracle, but yeah, she's alive." Mulder began hobbling toward the medical team, never taking his eyes from his goal. Allen followed close behind. Neither of them noticed the thin strip of aluminum siding in Mulder's path. His crutch became entangled in it and he pitched forward, slicing his right calf open on a slab of glass stuck upright in the ground. "Damn it!" Mulder screamed in frustration as he struggled to get up. Allen was immediately at his side, pushing him down. "Listen to me, Mulder. You have just sliced the hell out of your leg. You have got to be still." Mulder looked toward the place where he was beginning to feel a horrible stinging pain. "Oh, shit! I've done it now," he groaned as he saw the blood geysering from the six-inch gash. "Don't panic on me," Allen warned as he placed his hands on the wound and began applying pressure. "I'm going to holler for some help." Mulder acknowledged him with a nod. "I need some help here! Get that doctor over here now!" Allen shouted at the top of his lungs. The blood continued to pump from Mulder's leg despite the pressure. His vision began to fade as he registered a buzzing sound in his ears. "Passing out," he thought, "Maybe dying. Where's Scully? Got to find her." Mulder could hear voices that faded in and out as he felt several bodies around him. "What have we got?" one of the voices asked. "He cut his leg when he fell. Think he got an artery," Allen reported. "We're going to need a tourniquet and a lot of luck." "Doc, over here, stat!" another voice shouted as Mulder felt something tightening around his thigh above the previous injury. He heard someone running, then a strangled cry. "Something familiar about that," Mulder thought, his awareness fading fast. "Oh, Mulder, what have you done to yourself?" "Scully?" he whispered as his level of consciousness slipped away until all was black. Ever so slowly, Mulder's brain began to register and process outside stimuli, a sound here, movement there and pain. The pain registered nicely, thank you very much. At last things started to make sense. The sounds were those blasted monitors. Must be in the I.C.U. again. The movement belonged to the person taking care of him. The smell was sweet and heavenly, just like his Scully. "Scully?" he groaned as he opened his eyes. "Thank God!" Scully's voice exclaimed. Mulder's eyes began to focus and a smile spread over his face. "Scully, you're alive!" "Of course I'm alive." "Guess I am still in Kansas then." "I think you've been to Oz and beyond, Mulder." "As long as I can come back to you it doesn't matter," Mulder announced in a shaky voice. "Don't try to talk. You're very weak. We've got to have a talk about this desire you seem to have to replace your entire blood volume every few days," Scully fussed. "You okay?" "I'm fine, and that's another thing we need to talk about. You've got to stop jumping to conclusions." Mulder appeared to be confused so Scully explained. "The tornado was bearing down on the motel as I pulled into the parking lot. I made it to the shelter with about thirty seconds to spare. I was fine, Mulder. I was helping with the injured and was just about ready to hitch a ride to the hospital to check on you." "Guess I should have waited, huh?" "You've got that right. You've been in critical condition for three days. One of these days your body will cease to function and I would hate for it to be because you placed your life on the line for nothing." "I understand. Thirsty." Scully scooped some ice from the water pitcher. "Open." She placed a few ice chips on Mulder's tongue. "I am very proud of you though. The entire country has heard how you saved Robbie despite your own injuries. You're a hero." Mulder made a face. "Might as well get used to it. The governor is even sending over a commendation to be presented in front of the media on the day you leave the hospital." "Can't wait," he groaned, the sarcasm evident in his voice. "Enough talking now. Get some rest." She bent down and kissed his forehead. "I'll be right here when you wake up." "Good. Keeps me out of trouble," he grinned, his eye lids at half- mast. "Love you," he whispered. "I love you too," Scully answered as Mulder's eyes closed in sleep. Five days later Mulder was beaming with pride as Scully accepted her own commendation from the governor. After a few brief words from the governor and a few of Dodge Cities' elected officials, the media event was dismissed. "I think it's definitely time to get out of Dodge," Mulder quipped as Agent Seldon pushed his wheelchair down the hall. "I couldn't agree more," Scully added. "Home James," Mulder directed Agent Seldon. "Yes, there's no place like home." Scully grinned as the agents approached the F.B.I. fleet car from Rainbow Rentals. The End