Title: Bad Blood
Author: Mady Bay - mbay@binghamton.edu
Date: May 31, 1998
Spoilers: The End
Rating/Category: PG/ Story, just some all around angst to get this out of my system.
Summary: Yet again, our hero's life is on the line, this time by an unexpected event after leaving the charred remains of his office. But this is more about what happens to everybody else (sorry).
Disclaimer: Fox, Chris Carter and 1013 own them all. I just play with them a little.
Special note to tyger1013: "oh noooo!!!"

Scully felt the slight shudders in Mulder as she held him. Her mind was scrambling, trying to find the right words to comfort him, to comfort herself. He pulled away slowly, barely acknowledging her with slight sorrowful glance. She'd let him go first, let him have some time to himself. She watched as Mulder pushed silently past Skinner and the firemen.

Scully turned and surveyed the office again. She didn't note anything obviously out of place. She went to her desk and took some personal items that had survived and tucked them into her purse. After another look around she headed out. Skinner, she knew, would assign a team to investigate the arson, for she knew that that was what it was. She also knew that they wouldn't find anything, would not solve this crime.

So Scully headed to the parking garage, wondering if Mulder would be waiting for her there, waiting for his ride home. She had driven them there after Skinner had called them at Mulder's apartment. Sure enough, Mulder was sitting on the curb next to her car. She approached him slowly, coming to a halt in front of him. After a few silent seconds Mulder looked up. A mixture of anger and despair showed in his eyes, forming unshed tears. Scully offered her hands to him. He took them and stood, to be embraced again, this time more fully, as Scully's arms held him tightly around his waist. Mulder clung to her.

And then Scully felt something. Someone was watching. She looked up, looked around. In the back of her mind she thought she smelled cigarette smoke. Mulder sensed her sudden discomfort. He looked at Scully, turned to see what she saw.

"Mulder," she whispered.

"That black lunged son of a bitch!" he hissed under his breath before pushing away from Scully.

He ran through the garage, heading for the corner stairwell he'd seen the Cigarette Smoking Man enter. He was focused on that door, contemplating the many ways he could kill the man who'd stolen his sister, ruined his family's life and now, in all probabilities, burned his office and ended the X-Files. But Mulder was so focused that he didn't see the car coming around the corner of the garage. He didn't hear the screeching of tires as the car tried to stop in time. He didn't hear Scully scream his name, trying to warn him.

Scully did see the car. She did hear the screeching tires. She also heard the sickening thump as Mulder's body was thrown up onto the hood of the car. She heard the second sound as well as Mulder crashed to the pavement. She ran faster. The driver of the car was out and at Mulder's side immediately.

"Get away from him!" Scully hissed, pointing her gun at him.

"It was an accident! He ran out in front of me!" Agent Spender pleaded, backing away from Mulder, hands up. "Come on, Agent Scully, you saw what happened! I tried to stop!"

Scully ignored him and knelt down next to her partner.

"Mulder? Mulder can you hear me?" she asked, checking his pulse. She was relieved to find one.

Scully took out her cell phone and dialed 911. After being assured that help was on the way, she threw the phone to Spender.

"Call AD Skinner. Tell him to get down here. Then you go meet the ambulance at the garage entrance, show them where we are," she ordered before returning her attention back to Mulder.

Spender just stood there, dumbfounded.

"NOW!!" Scully shouted.

Spender did what he was ordered to do, heading toward the garage entrance.

Scully was trying to blot the bloody wound on Mulder's temple with some tissues when he started to regain consciousness. He sucked in a breath as shoots of pain stopped his movements.

"Scully," he moaned.

"I'm here. Sssh, don't move Mulder," she soothed, lightly brushing his cheek.

"What happened?" he asked between painful gasps.

"You were hit by a car," she told him, looking for some signs of recognition. She saw none.

"Mulder, where do you hurt?" she asked, hoping to assess the seriousness of his injuries.

"My head...my side...my leg." he managed to get out before losing consciousness again. Scully heard footsteps running toward her. She turned to see Skinner approaching.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Cancerman was here," she started, looking at Skinner for a reaction. She saw disgust on Skinner's face. She continued. "Mulder was running after him, heading for the stairwell here," she pointed out. "He came close. But then Agent Spender conveniently came along," she said bitterly.

Skinner was about to comment when the ambulance arrived. Scully took Mulder's pulse one more time and gave his hand a squeeze before surrendering him to the paramedics.

"He was conscious briefly. He said he had pain in his head, side and leg," she told them as they started their patient assessment process.

Scully listened to their exchanges as they splinted Mulder's right leg, applied a cervical collar and backboarded him. They placed an IV into his hand and an oxygen mask over his face before placing him in the ambulance. When the doors were closed, Scully headed for her car. Skinner placed a hand on her shoulder, halting her.

"I'll drive," he said.

Scully felt uncomfortable sitting in the passenger seat of her boss's car. It was a long ride to the hospital and she regretted not going with Mulder in the ambulance. She was worried. She heard the urgency in the paramedics' voices as they were treating him. She was staring out the window when Skinner broke the silence.

"Scully. I'm sure he'll be alright," he offered, before returning his gaze to the road.

"Yes, sir," she answered.

"So tell me again what happened," Skinner asked.

Scully took a breath, turned toward Skinner.

"We saw Cancerman in the garage. Mulder ran after him. Agent Spender hit Mulder with his car so that he couldn't catch Cancerman," she said.

"Wait a minute," Skinner countered. "You can't believe Spender would hit Mulder on purpose. How could he know, or even be prepared to hit him with his car?" Skinner asked.

"I don't know how, he just did!" Scully said, agitated.

"Scully, I saw the skid marks. It's obvious Spender tried to stop," he said. "And how can you connect him with Cancerman anyway?"

"Mulder saw them together," she started. "He confronted Spender, who denied any knowledge of Cancerman. And now, after our office is burned and we both see Cancerman in the garage, Spender, who also happened to be in the garage, conveniently hits Mulder with his car!"

Skinner took a moment to take in the information Scully gave him.

"And don't forget Spender threatened Mulder in the hallway today, too!" Scully added.

"Yeah, well if my reports were correct, Mulder threatened Spender first, there," Skinner countered.

"But Mulder didn't act on his," Scully trailed.

They ended the discussion as Skinner pulled into a parking space outside the ER. The ambulance crew had already unloaded the stretcher carrying Mulder and brought him into the ER. Skinner and Scully entered and told the charge nurse who they were so that further information about Mulder's condition would be directed to them. They went to the waiting room. Scully paced for about ten minutes before Skinner finally ordered her to sit down. Half an hour later a doctor came to the waiting room to meet with them. Skinner and Scully both stood to meet her.

"Mr. Skinner? Ms. Scully?" she said with a slight southern drawl.

They nodded their assent.

"I'm Doctor Sanders. I'm handling agent Mulder's case," she said.

"How is he?" Scully asked.

"He's critical at this point. He's losing a lot of blood, internally," she started.

Scully took a breath, bit her lip.

"So you'll be taking him to surgery?" she asked.

"Yes, that's our first priority, to find and repair what's bleeding inside him," Dr. Sanders continued.

"But there's more," Skinner said, noting Dr. Sanders' tone of voice.

"We're concerned about his head injury as well," she said. "His pupils are unequal and he hasn't
responded to stimuli."

Scully's hand went to her mouth as she tried to stifle a sob. Skinner put his arm around her shoulders, hoping to offer some comfort, not giving a damn about job titles at this point.

Dr. Sanders was about to return to the ER when she stopped and turned. "Oh, and another thing. Because of the multicar pile up on the Beltway today, we're low on blood, especially AB negative, Agent Mulder's blood type. So if you two could donate, we'd sure appreciate it," she said.

"I'm AB negative. I'll donate," Spender said, entering the waiting room.

Scully looked up. Her anger flared.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, disgust in her voice.

"Scully," Skinner warned quietly, squeezing her shoulder.

"I came to see how Mulder was," Spender said, holding his hands out.

"To see if you needed to finish what you started?" Scully hissed.

"Look, I told you it was an accident! I tried to stop, but he just ran out in front of me!" Spender replied, clearly upset at Scully's accusations.

"Bullshit!" Scully cried, lunging at Spender.

Skinner caught her before she reached Spender.

"Agents!" he yelled, getting their attention. "There will be enough time later to talk about what happened," he said. Then he gestured to the gurney with Mulder on it being wheeled down the hallway. "Right now, why don't we all do our civic duty and donate some blood. Hmm?" he said, eyeing each of them intently.

Scully spoke first. "Yes, sir. You're absolutely right," she said, regaining her composure.

An hour later Scully was sitting in the waiting room again. Skinner approached.

"Where's Spender?" she asked.

"He'll be here shortly," he replied. "And when he does get here, we are going to talk about this in a civil manner. Is that understood Agent Scully?" he ordered more than asked.

"Yes, sir," she replied quietly.

"Any word on Mulder?" Skinner asked.

"Dr. Sanders stopped by. She said that Mulder's spleen had ruptured. They're going to remove it. It should be another hour or so before they're done," she told him.

"What's his condition?" he asked.

"Still critical," she said, looking away from Skinner, so she could hide her emotions.

Spender arrived and sat down, making sure Skinner was between Scully and himself.

"Okay, we're all here," Skinner started. "Now, let's CALMLY talk about what happened in the parking garage," Skinner said. "Scully, I've heard your version of events. Spender, let's hear yours now."

"I was on my way home. I had a rough day and night, as you are all aware of," he started. "I was driving around the corner of the parking garage when I saw someone running towards my car. I slammed on the brakes but I didn't have enough time to stop," he continued. "I didn't know it was Mulder. Not until I hit him," he said quietly, a slight tremor in his voice. "But then, when I got out to see if he was alright, Scully here, pulls her gun on me!" he finished, exasperated.

"You tried to kill him!" Scully accused.

Spender just rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I did not!" he said.

"Enough!" Skinner scolded, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Okay," he continued. "Spender, do you or don't you know the man we refer to as Cancerman?" he asked.

Spender was getting tired of this Cancerman guy. "Look, just like I told Mulder yesterday, I don't know who this guy is or why he approached me. He told me something about being able to get me where I wanted to be in the Bureau, that he had connections," he said, looking at the definitely intrigued faces of Scully and Skinner. "Hell, he even tried to tell me that he was my father for Christ's sake!" he said disgustedly.

"What?!" Scully and Skinner asked, simultaneously.

"Yeah, just before the fire alarm went off he approached me in the hall at the Bureau," he said. "Started in with the power and connections crap and then told me he was my father!" he continued. "Who the hell is this guy?"

"I wish we knew, Agent Spender. I wish we knew," Skinner replied. He sat quietly for a moment then got up suddenly.

"Sir?" Scully queried at his sudden action.

"I've got a few things to tend to," he replied quickly. "I'll call you later to check on Mulder. Agents," he said, leaving the waiting room.

"So do you believe me now?" Spender asked Scully.

"I don't know yet. Though why anybody would want to make up a story about Cancerman telling them he was their father." she trailed with a shiver.

"Look, Dana," he started, using her first name to make sure he had her attention. "It's public knowledge that there's bad blood between Mulder and me. I don't like him and he doesn't like me. But I'm not about to go about trying to kill him."

Scully took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Jeff," she started. "It's just that there's been a lot going on lately. Mulder's been the target of killers before, Cancerman included. And after the boy was taken, Diana shot, the office burned and Cancerman showing up in the garage, I just. I'm sorry," she finished.

"It's alright," Spender offered.

A doctor approached them.

"Miss Scully?" he asked.

"Yes, how's agent Mulder?" she asked immediately.

"He's on his way up to ICU now. We removed his spleen, which is where all the bleeding was coming from. He's still critical, but I think with a little time, he'll pull through," the doctor said.

"And what of the head injury?" she asked.

"From what I understand, Dr. Sanders went over his x-rays and test results. I believe it's just a concussion, but you'd be best to check with her on that," he said. "That wasn't my department, if you know what I mean," he finished.

"Yes, thank you. I'll check with her," Scully replied.

Back at FBI headquarters Skinner was entering one of the labs. He carried several items in his arms.

"AD Skinner," the lab tech greeted him. "I'm here. What have you got?"

"First of all, this is personal," Skinner intoned.

"So I guess this means I owe you one less, huh?" the lab tech replied.

"Exactly. I've got some blood samples here. All from anonymous donors," Skinner said, making sure the tech got his meaning.

Skinner then placed the items he was carrying onto the table.

"Let's see," the tech said, picking up the items. "A vial of blood, looks like from a hospital donation kit, with today's date. Some tissues with blood on them. A blood sample from a November `97crime scene, from our evidence collection, I believe," he continued as he examined the items. "What do you want done with them?" he asked.

"I want to know if these three different people are related," Skinner answered. "How long will that take?"

"Couple of days. I'll call you," he replied.

"Thanks. And remember, you and me and nobody else," Skinner warned before leaving the lab.

Back at the hospital, Scully sat down at Mulder's bedside in ICU. She absently noted that he was in the cubicle next to Agent Fowley, who was still comatose from her gunshot wound. She took in the sight of her partner, her best friend. His head was bandaged up, his face bruised. Dr. Sanders had tracked her down and shown her the x-rays and test results. A severe concussion, she said, but she didn't feel there would be any permanent damage. Scully saw the blankets raised up over Mulder's right leg. The orthopedists would set the broken bones when Mulder was more stable. She took his hand in hers and held it to her cheek.

"Oh, Mulder. I was so mean to Spender. I don't know if he really forgives me or not," she told him, knowing he was unconscious, but needing to say what she was feeling. "But I was just so worried about you. And pissed about Cancerman. And when I found out it was Spender that hit you, after you told me about him and Cancerman. God, I didn't know what to do," she said.

She sighed deeply. She replaced his hand gently back on the bed. She got up, stretched, and went about checking all the monitors and tubes and charts. As with all the other times he'd been in the hospital, she had to make sure for herself. Then she tried to get comfortable in the chair. She knew it was going to be a long while before he woke. Maybe some sleep would be in her future as well.

It turned out to be about ten hours later when Mulder first started to wake up. He felt the dull ached that pretty much covered him from head to toe. After a few moments the pain began to localize and he remembered what had happened. He opened his eyes, hoping to see Scully next to him. She was quite blurred to his vision, but he knew it was her.

"Scully," he rasped, reaching for her hand.

"Hey, how do you feel, partner?" she greeted him, giving him her hand and a wide smile.

"Everything's blurry and spinning. And hurts. I feel like I got run over by a Mack truck," he replied.

"How about a ninety-two Buick?" she responded, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Oh, much better.," he replied sarcastically. "Cancerman?" he asked.

"Gone, as usual," she replied.

"So, what can I add to my medical file this time?" he asked.

"Another concussion, a broken leg and you are now minus your spleen," she listed. She saw the look of worry on his face. "Don't worry, you can live a normal healthy life without one," she admonished. "But only if you get some rest first. Go back to sleep now, Mulder. I'll talk to you later," she said.

Mulder closed his eyes, started to drift off when he suddenly became alert.

"Scully?"

"Yeah, Mulder, I'm right here. What?" she asked.

"Spender," he said.

Scully waited to hear what Mulder had to say about Spender. Whether he knew if it was an accident or not that he was hit by Spender's car.

"What about Spender?" she asked, not wanting to lead him.

"It wasn't his fault. I wasn't looking. His face, it's the last thing I remember," Mulder said quietly. "I saw the surprise and fear on his face when I hit. Tell him I'm sorry," Mulder finished.

Scully went to Mulder's side, seeing the guilt he was feeling. She took his hand in hers again.

"I will, Mulder. I'll tell him," she said as he fell back asleep.

Two days later Mulder was out of ICU and in a private room. Scully and Spender were about to enter Mulder's room. They were in deep discussion. Skinner saw them and approached.

"Sir," Scully started. "I just came from ICU. Agent Fowley just died."

"We were trying to decide how to tell Mulder," Spender said. "I was told that he and Agent Fowley were close."

"Considering, Mulder's condition, I'm not sure telling him such bad news would be appropriate right now," Scully informed Skinner.

"Well it can't be worse than what I have to tell him," Skinner said with clenched teeth.

Author's notes - okay, so I bailed on the ending. Sue me, it's either that or this doesn't get finished until August. And like I said, this is just something I had to get out after "Bad Judgement." And now a raise of hands - How many of you out there (like me) while watching the CSM/Spender scene before the fire alarm were saying "Jeff, I'm your father" in your best Darth Vader voices?