Title:  A Night To Remember

Author:  Waddles 52

Summary:  Mulder's big plans for Valentine's Day have 

to be changed after a car accident lands him in the 

hospital in California.

Rating:  PG 13

Category:  MT, MSR

Disclaimer:  As if you didn't know by now.  Just for 

fun.  Not for profit.

Archives:  Written for VS10, Valentine's special.  

After two weeks it can go just about anywhere as long 

as you let me know.

Acknowledgements:  As always to Vickie, who got me 

started on this fun journey, and to Lisa for 

listening to me rant and rave about life in general.

Feedback:  I would love to hear from you at 

Waddles52@wmconnect.com





"Have you got everything packed and ready to go?" 

Mulder asked rather impatiently.  "I don't want to 

miss our flight."



"I'm just double-checking to be sure we have 

everything," Scully answered, turning in a circle to 

survey the motel room.  



"Okay.  I'm going to take the bags down to the 

rental."



"We've got plenty of time, Mulder.  Calm down!" 

Scully laughed, used to seeing a much more laid-back 

partner.



It was February 13th and they had been working a case 

in California for the past two weeks.  They were both 

relieved that the case had wound up that morning 

because they had big plans for Valentine's Day.



Mulder was being very secretive about the plans he'd 

made, but Scully was sure it would be a night to 

remember.  With a last look around the room she 

locked the door and headed for the car.



Thirty minutes later they were sitting in bumper-to-

bumper traffic.  Mulder tapped the steering wheel and 

kept looking at his watch, all the while cursing 

under his breath.



"Mulder, if you don't relax you're going to have a 

stroke," Scully chided him.



"I just want to get home," he sighed.  "I have quite 

a few things to do before tomorrow night."



"We'll get there.  Look, the traffic is starting to 

move," Scully pointed out.



"Hallelujah!" he exclaimed as he stepped on the gas 

pedal.



The traffic jam seemed to disappear and the car was 

soon traveling slightly above the speed limit.



"I would sure like to know what has gotten you so 

uptight about tomorrow night," Scully stated as they 

continued to move at a steady pace.



"It's a surprise, Scully, but trust me, you're going 

to love it."



"Maybe I should be very afraid."



Mulder's expression changed to one of disappointment.



"Mulder, I'm just teasing you.  All of your surprises 

lately have been very nice," she purred, laying her 

head on his shoulder.



"Let me assure you.  This is going to be over the 

top," he grinned.



"You're sure you won't give me a hint?"



"Nope."



"You're mean," she giggled, punching him on the 

shoulder.



"Take it easy!  You know how easily I bruise."



"Mulder, look out!" Scully screamed.



Mulder's attention was drawn to a tractor-trailer 

that had jack knifed in the curve ahead.  In the span 

of just a few seconds they found themselves in the 

middle of a massive pile-up.



"Shit!" he exclaimed before darkness claimed him.



"Mulder, wake up!" Scully pleaded.  The cars had 

stopped their demolition derby maneuvers and all was 

quiet.



"What?  Scully, you okay?"



"Some bumps and bruises, but I think I'm okay.  What 

about you?  You took a pretty hard hit on your side."



"Hurts."



"Where, Mulder?  What hurts?" she asked as she 

unbuckled her seat belt and tried to move closer to 

him.



"Everything.  Left side.  You okay?"



"I'm all right.  Don't try to move, okay?"



"Hurts too much to move.  Scully, you okay?  What 

happened?"



Scully sighed as she tried to open her door.  At the 

very least he had a concussion.  They wouldn't be 

leaving today for sure.  She pushed the door open and 

made her way over to Mulder's side.



She observed cars all around them, at odd angles and 

in various states of destruction.  A few people were 

beginning to survey the damage and check on others.  

With a little help from the man in the car behind 

them, Scully was able to get the driver's side door 

open.  She knelt beside Mulder to check his injuries.  

She looked him over and moaned, "Oh, Mulder."



Mulder was on a bumper car ride at the carnival.  

Scully was sitting next to him as the car came to a 

shuddering halt.  He looked over and realized she was 

gone.  "Scully?"



"I'm here, Mulder," he heard her answer to his right.



He slowly pried his eyes open to find that he was in 

a hospital bed instead of the ride.



"Where?  What happened?"



"We managed to wind up in the middle of a 17 car 

pile-up.  How are you feeling?" Scully asked, 

dreading the answer.



"Left side hurts.  You okay?"



"I'm a little banged up, but it's not too bad.  You 

managed to get the worst of it."



"Gotta get up and catch our flight," Mulder 

announced, making a move to sit up.  Instead he was 

overwhelmed by waves of pain and nausea as he quickly 

sank back into the pillows.



"Mulder, take it easy.  You'll be doing well if 

you're out of here by my birthday."



"No, we have to be home by tomorrow," he insisted.



"I don't think so.  Mulder, your left side is a mess. 

Your shoulder, knee and hip were dislocated.  You're 

probably going to need surgery on that knee, by the 

way.  You also have three broken ribs, a left tib-fib 

fracture and a mild concussion.  You're not going 

anywhere."



"Maybe tomorrow?"



"Absolutely not."



"Damn, Scully.  My surprise."



"Your surprise can be rescheduled.  You need to stop 

worrying about that and let yourself heal."  Scully 

took his right hand in hers.  "You really gave me a 

scare."



"I don't really remember much about it.  Are you sure 

you're all right?"



"Yes, Mulder.  I've been checked out and they didn't 

find anything more than a few scrapes and bruises.  

You got most of the impact."



"Feels like it.  Hurts."



"I know.  After the doctors check your orientation 

and responses they will probably let you have a 

pretty strong pain killer."



"Hope so.  Why don't you leave?  You've got to be 

tired.  You look like you could use some rest."



"I'll find a motel in a bit.  I want to stay with you 

a while longer.  Don't worry about me.  Just close 

your eyes and try to sleep."



Mulder finally convinced Scully to leave shortly 

before midnight.  The doctor had been in and decided 

that he was sufficiently oriented to receive narcotic 

painkillers.  A hefty dose was administered and 

Mulder slept for several hours.



The pain woke him with a vengeance.  "Damn, why do 

things always get so screwed up?" he thought.  He had 

made reservations at an exclusive restaurant with the 

finest cuisine, service to match and strolling 

musicians to add to the romantic atmosphere.  He was 

sure Scully would have loved it.  After that he had 

planned to drive to one of the most popular bed and 

breakfasts in Maryland.  To keep the romantic theme 

going, he had reserved the honeymoon suite.  Skinner 

had even given them a few extra days off.



"Damn it!  When will we ever catch a break?" he 

sobbed.  He tried to stop them, but the combination 

of pain and frustration won out and the tears 

continued to fall.



 A nurse came in to check his vitals and IV.  He 

tried to brush the tears away but the nurse was very 

observant and also very concerned.  "Mr. Mulder, are 

you having a lot of pain right now?  I can get you 

something for that."



"I'm okay," Mulder answered, rather shakily.



"You don't look okay to me.  What's going on?"



Normally Mulder would have ignored her, but for some 

reason he started to tell her about Scully and his 

big plans that had been wrecked as surely as the car.



Patti Sims pulled up a chair and listened to her 

patient pour his heart out.



Early Valentine's morning, Scully entered Mulder's 

room expecting to see him in the same agitated 

condition as the night before.  Instead he was 

sleeping peacefully, and was that a smile on his 

face?



Mulder was in considerable pain throughout the day 

and took the painkillers willingly.  Whenever he was 

awake his mood was very upbeat and he smiled a lot.  

In fact, everyone on the staff seemed to be smiling a 

lot.  "Must be Valentine's happiness," she sighed.



Though she was puzzled by Mulder's mood shift, she 

decided to embrace it.  He was due for some more pain 

medication around six and she thought that would be a 

perfect time to get something to eat.  To her 

surprise, Mulder refused his medication and his 

dinner, not that he would have been able to eat much 

anyway.



"Mulder, you need to try to eat a little something," 

she coaxed.  "And you know you'll be in agony without 

your pain meds.  What gives?"



"I don't like feeling so groggy and as far as 

hospital food goes . . ." he left his comment in the 

air.



A young nurse came in and checked Mulder's IV.



"Scully, this is Patti Sims.  She's my night nurse 

and she put up with my crappy mood last night."



"You have my sympathy," Scully responded.



"Oh, he's not that bad," Patti replied.



An aide entered, carrying a dozen long-stemmed roses.  

"Dana Scully?" she inquired.



"That's me," Scully answered.



"I have a delivery for you."



Scully accepted them with a look of surprise on her 

face.  "Mom must have sent these," she thought as she 

opened the card.  She was shocked when she saw that 

they were from Mulder.  "Mulder, how?"



Before she could get an answer to her question, 

another aide pushed a cart into the room.  It was 

covered with a white cloth but Scully could tell that 

it was food.  A wonderful aroma filled the room.



"Mulder, what have you been up to and when?  I've 

been with you all day."



Again, before her question could be answered a young 

man wearing a tux entered the room.  He was carrying 

a guitar.



"Miss Scully," Patti began, "Mulder was so upset that 

you had to miss out on your Valentine's plans that we 

decided to help him out."  She pulled the cover from 

the cart, revealing a feast of surf and turf.



"I know it's not Antonio's," Mulder explained, "But 

Patti assured me that Fredrico's would come in a 

close second."



"You planned to take me to Antonio's?" Scully asked, 

her face reflecting her astonishment.



"I had the reservations for three months."



The guitarist began to play softly.



"I'd planned on a violinist, but I think this will 

do," Mulder smiled.  "Dave comes highly recommended."



"He's my husband," Patti supplied.



"Go on and eat before it gets cold," Mulder 

suggested.



Scully walked over to survey the cart loaded with 

salads, shrimp cocktail, lobster, steak and assorted 

vegetables and desserts.



"This is amazing, Mulder."



"Patti and the others really stepped up and pulled 

this together."



"Thank you," Scully offered.  "I don't know what to 

say.  I'm really overwhelmed."



"Why don't you fix that man of yours a plate?" Patti 

suggested as she brought some battery-operated 

candles from under the cart and placed them around 

the room.  After she placed the last candle she 

strode to the door.  "Miss Scully, you have a very 

special man here."



"I agree.  Thank you for helping Mulder with the 

arrangements.  This will be a night I will always 

remember."  She brought a plate to Mulder and kissed 

him softly on the lips.



"Oh, I have one more thing for you."  Patti pulled a 

card from her pocket and handed it to Scully as Dave 

finished one song and began to play another.  "Take 

good care of him," she smiled as Scully opened the 

card.  Patti and the aide left the room while Dave 

continued to play in the background.



Scully offered Mulder a bite of the shrimp cocktail.



"Sorry babe.  I don't think I can handle that right 

now.  I might try a little of the baked potato after 

you read the card."



"Okay," she agreed, putting the plate down.  She 

opened the card and brushed a tear aside as she read 

it.  "The Beaufort Inn?  Mulder, you really had this 

planned out didn't you?"



"Only the best for my Scully.  We'll just have to 

arrange another trip, maybe the Bahamas or Jamaica?"



"Mulder, I love you," she smiled and hugged him very 

gently.  "And I'm not just saying it because you went 

to all this trouble and expense."



"I know that, Scully.  You put up with so much shit 

from me that I just wanted to show you how special 

you are, and like always my plans got screwed up."



"It wasn't your fault you know, and the fact that you 

were able to pull all of this off from a hospital bed 

makes it even more memorable."  She gave him another 

kiss.



Mulder shifted a bit so he could deepen the kiss.  

Despite his efforts to conceal it, a cry of pain 

escaped.



"Mulder, that's enough.  You've got to have some pain 

medication."



"I don't want to be groggy.  I want to spend this 

time with you."



"And I won't enjoy myself if you're in agony," she 

countered.



"How about a compromise? Half a dose?" Mulder 

ventured.



"No, you need the full effect of the medication."



"That's my final offer, Scully.  Half or none at 

all."



"All right, Mulder," Scully decided.  "This is 

against my better judgment, but I'll go along with it 

for an hour, then you get the rest."



Mulder could tell by the set of her jaw that she 

meant it, so he agreed.



After the medication was administered, Dave played 

while Scully ate and fed Mulder a few bites of the 

baked potato.  When she offered him another bite he 

held his hand up.  "No more.  I'm sorry, but I'm just 

not hungry," he sighed.



"I figured as much.  Whenever you're better we're 

going to Antonio's, my treat."



Mulder started to protest.



"No, Mulder.  This works both ways.  Can't a woman do 

something for the man she loves?"



"You do, Scully.  Every time I'm in the same room 

with you and I breathe the air that you breathe, 

you're granting me a great privilege."



Dave sensed that he was no longer needed so he took 

his guitar and quietly left.  Neither Mulder nor 

Scully noticed.



"Mulder, you're getting really sappy," Scully 

giggled, "But I like it."



"I just can't help it when I'm around you," he 

smiled, then winced.



"Mulder, that's it.  I'm calling for the other half 

of your pain medication now," she decided, reaching 

for the call button.



"This time you'll get no argument from me.  I'm sorry 

to be a party-pooper, but I don't think I can hold 

out much longer."



Patti came in with the 'magic needle' and deposited 

the rest of Mulder's pain meds into his IV.  "The 

muscle relaxant that the doctor ordered is in this 

too, so give her a quick kiss before you sail away."



"That fast, huh?" he questioned.



"Yep."  She deposited the hypodermic in the sharps 

container and left.



"Stay awhile?" he asked Scully.



"Wild horses couldn't drag me out of here," Scully 

assured him.



"Lay with me?" Mulder asked, already feeling the 

effects of the combined medications.



"Until they make me leave."  She slipped out of her 

shoes and lowered the rail.  Mulder was asleep by the 

time she carefully arranged herself beside him.  She 

put her arm across him, careful to avoid his injuries 

and the various lines and monitors.



"Dana Scully, you are one lucky woman," she thought 

as she snuggled into him as much as she could.  A 

special Valentine's surprise despite his painful 

injuries and his love every day, every minute.  Yes, 

this truly was a night to remember.  She whispered in 

his ear.  "Sleep well, Mulder.  I love you."



A few minutes latter Patti looked in the door to 

observe her patient.  He and his love were sleeping 

soundly.  She closed the door and smiled.  "That 

worked out quite well."



She picked up the next chart and started down the 

hall, glad that she had been a participant in their 

night to remember.





End