This was far too good of an idea to pass up. Hope you enjoy. ❤️
Seeing Ghosts
Scully sat on the end of her bed, staring at the wall on which Mulder was on the other side of. She sighed as she shook her head, the concern she felt for him causing her heart to ache.
They had left the home of Arbutus Ray in near silence, only the sound of Harold Pillers’s soft cries filled the car. Scully had glanced repeatedly at Mulder, but he had stared resolutely out his window, not seeming to be aware of anyone around him.
They had arrived back at the hotel, Harold leaving without a word. Scully had been about to suggest some food, or maybe a coffee, when Mulder finally spoke.
“I’m tired,” he had said softly and she made to reach for him, to offer him some comfort, when he opened the door. “I think I need to sleep.”
“I could sit with you for a bit-”
“No,” he had interrupted, shaking his head, his eyes downcast. “I just…”
“What did you see out there, Mulder?” she had asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“The truth,” he had said in the same tone.
“It means that I’ve been chasing a ghost for the majority of my life. That I’ve… that she was never…” He had sighed and then drawn in a ragged breath. “I’m tired.”
He had pushed the door open and taken off his seatbelt, leaving the car before she could say another word. He had entered his hotel room before she had even gotten out and she had known he would not welcome her company.
Now she sat, wanting desperately to help him, but knowing this was a pain he must face on his own.
At least for the time being.
With a great sigh, she stood up and paced from the door to the bathroom and back again a few times before stopping and closing her eyes, exhaustion suddenly settling in.
She changed into her pajamas and used the bathroom, her thoughts still on Mulder. Turning out the light, she left the room, closing the door behind her.
When she turned off the overhead bedroom light and began to walk to the bed, she stopped with a gasp, chills covering her from head to toe.
A young woman stood in front of her, opaque and still. She stared at Scully, her head tilting slightly to one side.
“Oh,” Scully whispered. “I…” She shook her head as she took in a deep breath, her heart racing. “Samantha?”
The young woman smiled and nodded her head once.
“Your brother, he…” Scully glanced quickly to her right, wishing Mulder could materialize into the room. Looking back at Samantha, she stepped forward and then stopped.
“I’m so sorry,” Scully whispered, tears filling her eyes. “I’m sorry for the pain you suffered. I’m sorry you were taken from your family. That you…” Her tears spilled over as she drew in a breath. “Your brother loved… loves… you so much. I’m sorry you were taken from him. From knowing him. I’m so sorry for the tests and pain you went through.” She wiped her tears away almost angrily, finding them a hindrance in the moment.
Samantha stared at her, her mouth opening and then closing, before she shook her head. She looked towards Mulder’s room and then back at Scully as she placed both of her hands over her heart, the left on top of the right.
She stepped closer to Scully and Scully held her breath. Samantha reached out a hand and placed it above Scully’s heart, though she did not touch her.
But there was no need for actual contact as Scully could feel her touch without it. It was warm and comforting, something she had not been expecting or anticipating.
They stared at one another, Samantha smiling gently. She nodded, moved her hand, and then she was gone.
Scully let out the breath she had been holding, shivering at the loss of warmth, her hand covering her heart. She could feel it racing, but beyond it she felt something else. Something…
A knock sounded softly at her door and she jumped. Swallowing, her throat dry, she wiped at her tears again and walked to the door. Looking through the peephole, she saw Mulder standing there, his head down.
She quickly unlocked the door and opened it, wanting to tell him about Samantha, but then hesitating with uncertainty as to how he would take it.
“Does the offer of company still stand?” he asked, his voice raspy and eyes red rimmed when he raised his head and looked at her.
“Of course,” she said, stepping aside to let him into her room.
He walked in and she shut the door, locking it as he stopped and stood where Samantha had just been.
“I thought I wanted to be alone, but then I realized that I am. That I always will be. Everyone in my family is gone.” He shook his head and looked at her. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“You’re not,” she said, stepping close and taking his hand.
“Yeah,” he agreed, squeezing her hand and then letting it go. “But it’s different now. It feels different. There’s a finality. But also…”
“I saw her,” Scully blurted out, unable to hold the words in.
“What? Who?” he asked with a frown.
“Samantha,” she breathed, staring at him. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I saw her.”
“Right there.” She pointed at him. “Right where you are standing.”
“When?” he asked, looking around the room.
“Just before you knocked on the door.”
“Just…” He looked toward the room and let out a harsh breath. “I… I was debating coming over here. I… she…” He stopped and closed his eyes, shaking his head. “She wasn’t here for me. She already told me goodbye. Gave me my closure.” He opened his eyes and stared at her. “She was here for you.”
“I don’t know,” he said, letting out a long breath, his shoulders drooping. “What happened?”
“I came out of the bathroom and she was there. Just… right there.” She gestured to where he was standing, shaking her head.
“Yes,” she admitted, her hand moving to her heart. “She… she couldn’t speak to me, but she was here. She… she…” Rubbing small, slow circles above her heart, believing she could still feel the warmth there, she shook her head. “You saw her too?”
“Yeah,” he said with a nod.
“That’s what you saw in the woods,” she said and he nodded again.
“She found me. Came to me.”
“To say goodbye,” she whispered.
“To give you that peace,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes, still rubbing her chest.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his brow furrowing as he watched her fingers moving.
“She…” she whispered. “She did something to me.”
“I know how it sounds. Especially from me. But… I know what I saw. What I felt.”
“I don’t know if I can describe it,” she said, shaking her head.
“She was here. I… I told her I was sorry for what happened to her. For… you and her losing each other.” He sighed and closed his eyes for a second before looking at her again. “She put her hand out, over my heart, and I…”
“What?” he asked, as he watched her fingers slowing.
“I felt… warmth. Comfort. And I… I know that it’s not possible.” She stopped rubbing her chest and held both of her hands to her heart, just as Samantha had done to herself. “I know it is, but I also know what I saw and how I felt.” He raised his eyes to hers and she sniffled, shaking her head.
“Can you still feel it?” he asked in a whisper.
“Can I… can I…?” he asked, taking a step toward her, his hand outstretched.
“Yes,” she said, also taking a step and reaching for his hand. Stepping even closer, she placed his hand over her heart and held it there, her eyes watching him. “Can you feel it?”
“I can feel your heart beating,” he said, his thumb rubbing softly.
“Close your eyes,” she whispered, and he looked at her before closing his eyes with an exhale. She closed hers too, slipping two fingers between his thumb and index finger, his thumb holding onto them.
They stood in silence for a few seconds, each of them taking deep breaths.
“Do you feel anything?” she asked and he sighed heavily.
“No. I don’t feel anything that you say you felt.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t feel it much anymore either. But I… I know it was there.”
He sighed again, releasing his hold on her hand and removing his hand from her chest as they opened their eyes.
“I’m so tired,” he said, shaking his head.
“You need to sleep,” she said softly, placing her hand on his cheek.
“Yeah,” he agreed, with an almost bitter chuckle, as he leaned into her touch. Sighing, he pulled away. “I’ll… I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You don’t…” she said. “Don’t need to leave. Stay.”
“Scully,” he said, shaking his head.
“Stay, Mulder,” she said. He stared at her, the weariness of the last few days weighing heavily upon him. He nodded once and she smiled softly, taking his hand and leading him to the bed.
He took off his shoes as she pulled back the covers, waiting for him to lie down. When he had, she covered him, brushing his hair back as he closed his eyes.
She walked to the other side of the bed and lay down beside him, adjusting the covers as she turned onto her right side and closed her eyes.
“Good night, Mulder,” she said quietly and he hummed in reply.
The bed creaked as he shifted, his arm going around her. Tears pricked her eyes as she pulled his hand closer, her lips pressing to his fingers.
“Good night, Scully,” he whispered and she nodded, squeezing his hand gently.
Within minutes, they were both asleep, wrapped in the comfort the other provided.
Neither saw Samantha return, smiling at the sight of them as she moved closer to the bed. Bending slightly, her mouth close to Muder’s ear, she closed her eyes as she spoke words that could not be heard.
Standing up, she watched and waited.
And then, he smiled in his sleep and she knew he had heard her. She nodded and slowly disappeared, knowing she could finally move on.
“Hmm,” Mulder hummed, pulling Scully closer.
He dreamed of Halloween nights spent running through the neighborhood, days at the beach digging up giant rocks and seashells, and riding bikes down steep hills.
Every moment of his dreams was shared with a dark haired little girl, her laughter dancing in the wind, as she called out to him to chase her.
