Dana's Malakim Pt 16/32
Title: Dana’s Malakim
Author: dhamphir
Fandom: X-Files
Pairing: Scully/OFC (Logan)
Rating: NC17
Summary: Scully must identify Mulder’s body after his suicide. Dying of cancer, she now faces an uncertain future, a crisis of faith... and a new partner. Little does she know the extraordinary and incredible things she’s seen while with the X-Files are nothing compared to what’s to come.
Time line/Spoilers: AU. Starts immediately after S4E23 Demons.
Disclaimer: X-Files and its characters belong to C.C. and 1013 Productions. No copyright infringement intended, no money be made.
A/N1: Some dialogue taken directly from the show. Although I do a bit of research for my stories, I’ve never been a cop, doctor, herbalist, psychologist, or theologist.
A/N2: Special thanks to sinadino for the German translations, and to xhuggles and ivy_wang for the Chinese translations.
A/N3: All mistakes are my own. Special thanks to oxfordshoes2 for the beta.
Dana’s Malakim
Part 16
George Washington University Hospital
Monday, January 12th, 1998
After Nicole met up with Thea and received the reagent Jerry had come up with, she went back inside the hospital. She went into a bathroom, locked the door, and released her wings. Once she plucked a couple of feathers she broke open the quills and added the sap to the substance she’d received from Thea.
Nicole brought a cup of fresh coffee for Maggie when she returned to the ICU. “Here you go, Maggie.”
“Oh, thank you, Nicole.”
“You’re welcome.” She then knelt in front of Maggie, taking the woman’s free hand in her own. “I need to talk you, Maggie - about Dana.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know how much she’s told you, but I’m sure you know that the years she’s worked on the X-Files have not only been dangerous, but have made enemies for her as well.”
“Yes, I know. I also know there’s a lot she hasn’t told me.” She paused. “These enemies... they made her sick, didn’t they? I know it sounds crazy - to say someone gave my daughter cancer, but...”
Nicole gently squeezed her hand. “I realize how it sounds, too, but you’re not wrong.” She could see the anger flare in Maggie’s eyes. “Good, get angry, that’s what I’m going to need you to do.”
“What do you mean?”
Nicole held her gaze, making a connection with her. “I’ve found a way to help her.”
“Really? How?! You have to tell the doctors!”
“No, Maggie, I can’t. What I have to do is take Dana away from here. I have to take her somewhere else - somewhere no one can find her, where I can keep her safe while she recovers.” She paused. “Do you understand?”
Maggie nodded. “She’s still in danger, even if you help her.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me what I can do?”
“You can get angry and upset when it’s discovered Dana is missing from her room. You can’t let on to anyone that you know what’s happened or that I’m involved in any way. Not even your family. Can you do that for me - for Dana?”
“Yes, I can. Just promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“You do whatever you have to, to keep yourself safe from these people who hurt my daughter - even if you can’t help her. Don’t let them win.” There was no mistaking the steel in her voice or behind her eyes.
“I won’t let them win - I promise. And I will help Dana, trust me.”
Maggie reached out and tenderly cupped the young woman’s cheek. “I do. I’m entrusting my daughter’s life to you.”
Nicole nodded. She then moved to sit next to Maggie and embraced her. “It’ll be alright, Maggie, I promise. Dana and I will have to be gone for a while and you won’t hear from us while we’re gone, but it will be alright. I’ll take care of her and protect her, with my life if necessary, I promise.” Nicole saw Skinner approaching down the corridor. She released Maggie.
“Mrs. Scully, Agent Logan.”
“Mr. Skinner.”
“Assistant Director.”
“Any news?” he asked.
Maggie shook her head. “The same.”
“Sir, could I have a word?”
“Certainly.”
The blonde and Skinner walked a little ways down the hallway.
“What did you want to talk about?” he asked.
“I have a case of bad timing.”
“What do you mean?”
Nicole let out a sigh. “Well, it seems I have a bit of a problem - a previous case.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re going to receive notification that I’m being temporarily pulled to work on one of my previous cases undercover - today.”
“Today?! What about Scully?”
She dropped her eyes to the floor. “As much as I wish things were different for Agent Scully, there’s not really anything I can do for her.”
“Can’t you do something for her the way you did for me?” he asked hopefully.
“Your situation was completely different, Walter; Dana has a disease. Besides, if I could do something for her, don’t you think I would have before now? You think I like watching the cancer eat away at her day by day, month by month? I don’t. She’s my partner and my friend.” She paused and took a breath. “I’ve got to go. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’ll see you when I get back.” With that she walked to the elevator and left.
Skinner received a call from the Director not 30 minutes later about Agent Logan’s temporary reassignment.
~~~
Monday, January 12th, 1998
It was after midnight when Nicole flew to the roof of the hospital. She then carefully made her way to Dana’s room, keeping to the shadows and avoiding any personnel moving around.
Fortunately, Maggie was resting in the waiting room. She realized that for Nicole to take Dana from the hospital she would need an opportunity to do so without any witnesses. So despite her desire to stay by her daughter’s side, Maggie forced herself to rest on the couch in the waiting room... and prayed Nicole was successful in helping her daughter.
Nicole silently slipped into Dana’s room and found her still unconscious. She laid a hand on Dana’s forehead and concentrated. She was able to nudge her partner awake. Dana slowly blinked her eyes open to see her partner looking down at her.
“Hey there.”
Dana’s eyes were dull and flat. “Hey,” she croaked through a dry throat and mouth.
The blonde poured a glass of water and, using a bendable straw, let Dana have a couple of sips. “How do you feel?”
“Lousy.”
“What happened?”
“Nose bleed... wouldn’t stop.”
Nicole sat on the side of the bed and she gently brushed some hair back from Dana’s forehead. It was clearly evident that the redhead’s illness had taken a very heavy toll on her - she was deathly pale, underweight, and weak.
“Dana, I know you feel tired and worn out, but you need to keep fighting. Can you do that?”
She let out a heavy but quiet sigh. “I’m dying, Nicole. I have been for some time now. This is just fate catching up to me.”
Nicole shook her head. “No, it’s not. It’s not your destiny to die yet, Dana.”
“I don’t want to die, but there’s nothing that can be done. I’ve gone through all the treatments my oncologist ordered and nothing’s worked. I’m lucky to have lived this long with the cancer.”
The blonde took a deep breath and let it out as she took Dana’s hand in her own. “You once asked me how I was able to help people. I told you that they have to want it, that they have to make a choice - free will. I’m asking you, Dana, to make that choice for yourself now.”
The redhead didn’t miss the earnestness, or tears, in her partner’s voice. She felt Nicole’s hand squeeze hers. Dana closed her eyes as she considered her choices - give up the fight and give in to the fatigue, just let go, or continue the fight despite the weariness and futility. She opened her eyes and looked up at the blonde again. Her eyes locked with her partner’s and held. She felt like she was falling into verdant pools of warmth and comfort and security. In those green eyes she caught a glimpse of a second chance at life.
“What do I have to do?” she croaked quietly.
Nicole helped her partner take a couple more sips of water before answering the redhead’s question. After setting the glass of water back down on the bed table she again took Dana’s hand in one of her own. “Trust me,” she answered solemnly.
While still holding their gaze Dana gave a small nod and squeezed Nicole’s hand in return. Though her answer wasn’t verbal it was nonetheless clear and unmistakable. She did indeed trust her partner - even more than she’d ever trusted Mulder.
Nicole nodded. She then retrieved the prepared syringe from the inside pocket of her leather duster. She pulled the cap off the needle with her teeth and then injected the contents of the syringe into Dana’s IV line. She put the used syringe back in her pocket.
“What...”
“It will help you feel better. There’s also some sedative so you can rest while I get you out of here.” She cupped Dana’s cheek, tenderly caressing it with her thumb. “You’ve made the choice to live and you will. Just relax and trust me to help you through this.”
Dana brought her hand up and covered the blonde’s hand on her cheek, then entwined her fingers with Nicole’s. Her blue eyes never left her partner’s green ones. For the few moments it took for the sedative to knock her out they held each other’s eyes and Dana felt a strong connection with Nicole... a deep connection that was more than a partnership - deeper than friendship. She felt it in her heart... and soul. Sleep claimed her while she was still gazing into the beautiful eyes of her partner.
Nicole turned off the alarms to the monitors the redhead was hooked up to, disconnected the leads attached to her, and carefully wrapped her up in the sheet and blanket from the bed to keep her warm. She then picked Dana up in her arms, settling her head against her shoulder. “You’re going to be alright, Dana, I promise,” she whispered before dropping a kiss on Dana’s forehead.
The blonde carefully and silently made her way back up to the roof of the hospital. From there she flew up into the night sky.
~~~
Safe House
Eastern Shore, Maryland
Nicole flew under the light of the full moon until she reached a safe house southeast of Washington on the Eastern Shore in an area populated by summer homes and few year round residents. She landed a few feet in front of the safe house. When she stepped up on the porch the door opened from the inside before she could even adjust her hold on her precious cargo to reach for the door knob.
“Well it’s about bloody time you showed up. I was beginning to wonder if you were playing some kind of joke on me, even though you did have me get provisions.”
“That’s great, Ian, but do you mind letting me in? I need to get her settled,” she said.
“Right.”
The man with hair dyed bright blue stepped aside and Nicole entered the house. She took Dana into the bedroom and got her settled. She sat on the side of the bed and caressed the redhead’s cheek gently. “You’re going to be alright, Dana, I promise,” she whispered.
“She looks totally knackered. She a natural redhead?” Ian asked from the doorway.
Nicole shot him a harsh look of warning. He threw his hands up in surrender and backed out of the room, knowing he’d crossed a line. The blonde closed the bedroom door for privacy. Then she closed her eyes and concentrated. She reached out with her mind and soul, beckoning a very special presence. When she opened her eyes a form was coalescing a few feet away.
Soon the form solidified into the shape of a beautiful brunette who retained an ethereal luminescence about her. The woman smiled benevolently at Nicole. “Nicole, as always, it’s good to see you.”
The blonde stood and embraced the other woman. “It warms my heart and soul to see you, Ariel.” They kissed each other’s cheek as they moved apart.
“Now, what can I do for you?” Ariel asked with a smile, having already sensed a need in Nicole.
“I need your help, Ariel. She needs your help,” she said with nod to Dana in the bed.
Ariel frowned slightly. “You know I can’t, Nicole. I’m not her Guardian Angel. And as much as I’d like to be, I’m not your Guardian Angel either.” She let out a sigh. “Even if I was I’m not allowed to interfere in the natural order of things. You know that.”
“Yes, I do. But Dana’s condition has nothing to do with the natural order of things. I’m not asking you to cure her - I’m already handling that, but it’s going to take a while. I can handle the requisite IVs, but she’s going to need a catheter.”
“I see. So why not hire a private doctor? It’s not like you don’t have the resources.”
“Because I can’t take the chance of anyone finding out our location. Protecting Dana is a large part of my assignment.”
Ariel’s eyebrow arched up in a way so like Dana’s it made Nicole smile. “And here I thought you were a Virtue rather than a Guardian Angel,” she responded with mirth.
“I’m no Guardian Angel - but I’m doing the best I can to fulfill my assignment.” She paused and moved her gaze from Ariel to Dana. “Please, help me.”
“Alright,” the Guardian Angel responded. “Do you have the supplies?”
“Yes.” Nicole showed her the medical supplies and then left the room to give them privacy.
“If you don’t mind, luv, I’m going to head down to the cellar - the sun is starting to come up.”
“No problem, Ian. Go on and get some rest. And thanks again for your help.”
“My pleasure.”
As soon as Ian went to the storm cellar Ariel emerged from the bedroom.
“How is she?” Nicole asked.
“The same. Her vitals appear to be steady. I checked the chart you had on her, so I went ahead and hung a unit of blood for her in addition to starting the IV.”
“Thank you,” Nicole replied as they both sat down on the couch.
“Now, do you want to explain to me how a malignant nasopharyngeal tumor is not a natural happening?” Ariel demanded.
“Someone designed an agent to react specifically with Dana’s DNA to give her cancer. In anyone else it wouldn’t work.”
Ariel’s eyes went wide. “My god. Bioengineered cancer?!”
“Yeah,” she replied with a sigh.
“You said you were curing her? I didn’t think that was within your capabilities.”
“It isn’t. A friend took care of identifying the agent and coming up with a reagent to react with it and neutralize its effects. From there I can handle the healing, though it’s going to take me some time. She probably would have died before now if I hadn’t been spiking her tea for so long.”
“Whoever came up with this bioengineered cancer is an evil son of a bitch.”
“I know. They’re the other part of my assignment.”
“You know who they are?”
“Yes. And trust me, they’re going to pay.”
Ariel gave her an affectionate smirk. “Now that sounds like the Malakim I know and love.”
Nicole smiled at her very affectionately. “I miss you, you know.”
The angel put her arm around Nicole and pulled her close. “I know.”
The blonde’s eyes welled with unshed tears. “I was too selfish. I wasn’t willing to stay with you in Atlanta.”
“Oh, sweetie, don’t be so hard on yourself. It was just as much me as it was you. I wasn’t willing to leave the CDC and join you in Europe.”
“You had your daughter to think about. It made sense to stay for her sake.”
“And it made no sense for you to stray from your path, Nicole. You’ve done so much good, sweetie, and there’s so much more you’re going to do.” She tenderly cupped and caressed the blonde’s cheek.
“I just wish we could have had more time... that you could have had more time.”
“Both would have been nice, but it was my destiny to go when I did. And I get to help people now that I never would have had the chance to before.”
“You were an angel in life, it only makes sense you became one after life,” Nicole said smiling. “But it still doesn’t mean I don’t miss you.”
“I know.”
They shared a look that conveyed affection and respect.
“I don’t suppose you can stay a while.”
Ariel smiled. “As much as I would love to, I can’t.”
Nicole changed the subject after a pregnant pause. “So, how is Elizabeth?”
“Doing quite well the last time I took a peek. Unfortunately, as her mother, that’s all I’m allowed.”
“That’s got to be hard.”
“It really pissed me off at first, but I eventually understood why it was one of the rules. As her mother there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. If I wasn’t an angel, I could watch over her night and day... but I’d be powerless to do anything to help her. However, since I am an angel, there’s too much I can do. And that wouldn’t exactly be the best thing for her in the long run.”
“I can understand the urge though. I don’t know how well I’d deal with a choice like that. It was difficult enough dealing my decision to accept my...”
“Destiny?”
“... heritage. At least as a Malakim I can look after and protect those around me.”
“That is if you stay in one place long enough to do so.”
Nicole smirked. “True, but that’s the nature of the work. As a hunter I go where the prey is.”
The angel tenderly brushed some hair back from Nicole’s face. “Maybe you’ll stick around a little longer this time.”
“What do you mean?”
Ariel smiled gently. “I know you; I can tell Dana means more to you than just an assignment. I see it in your eyes, and I feel it in your heart.” She lightly placed her fingers on Nicole’s lips cutting off her objection. “Don’t. There’s no reason to deny it, and certainly no reason to apologize for it. There’s nothing wrong with caring about those around you.” She removed her fingers from Nicole’s lips.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Well, I have to go. Take care, and when you need more medical assistance, or even if you don’t, don’t hesitate to contact me.”
“Alright. Thanks again for your help.”
“Anytime.” With that Ariel, former doctor, and now Guardian Angel, faded into the ether.
Nicole went back into the bedroom. She sat on the side of the bed looking down at the wan features of her partner. “Partner... Ariel’s right you know. Partner doesn’t cover what you are to me, what I feel for you. Friend doesn’t cover it either. You’ve become more than that. I don’t know what to call what you are to me. You’re more than a partner or friend, but we’re not lovers.” She let out a sigh and gently caressed Dana’s cheek.
“You confuse me, Dana. I’m not used to this. I’m not used to feeling this way; I’m not used to getting this close - of letting someone get this close to me. Don’t get me wrong, I have friends, some very special friends that I would do anything for and would do anything for me. But we’ve already established you’re more than just a friend. So... what am I going to do with you?”
The blonde sat just watching Dana sleep for several hours until she heard a knock on the front door. She closed the bedroom door behind herself and went to the front door.
“Hi, Thea.”
“Hey.”
They hugged. “Come on in. Did you have any trouble finding the place?”
“Not with the directions you gave me.”
“Good. Want something to eat, drink?”
“Nothing to eat, but some water would be fine.”
“Alright. Have a seat; make yourself comfortable.” Nicole got a couple of cold bottles of water from the refrigerator and joined Thea on the couch. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So how is your partner doing?”
“She’s in bad shape. Your friend’s solution came just in the nick of time.”
“Will you be able to heal to her?” she asked with concern.
“Yes, but it’s going to take some time - more time than I’d like. Which means I’ll have to move her to somewhere more secure, where the Consortium and the government can’t track us.”
“Do you have a place in mind?”
“Out of the country. If it wasn’t winter I’d head up to Canada, but her compromised system can’t handle the cold up there.”
“So you need to go somewhere warm.”
“Yes. I have to be very careful of Dana’s health and of making sure no one can trace us.”
Thea nodded in agreement. “Then use Great Thatch. I can have my company jet brought to a nearby airport in only a couple of hours.”
“That would be great. If Dana’s still stable we can leave tonight after the sun goes down.”
“Why after sundown?”
Nicole smirked. “I don’t think Ian would like to run the risk getting a sunburn.”
“Ian?” Thea’s expression went from confusion to shock. “You have Ian helping you?! How could you?!”
“Calm down, Thea,” Nicole responded with a clear tone of authority in her voice which succeeded in snapping Thea out her rant.
“Sorry. But I just don’t understand. I could understand if it was Hans - he’s good. But Ian... he-he’s... not good.”
“Ian is always welcome in my home no matter where I go. I trust him. In fact I trust him a hell of lot more than I ever will Hans.”
Thea’s jaw dropped in shock. “What? How... why?!”
“Hans never chose to be good. He was magically converted against his will. In fact, he was very adamant about his preference to remain as he was. Ian, on the other hand, chose to become good. So in all honesty, who should be trusted more? Someone who would choose evil if they had their free will to do so, or someone who chooses to become good of their own free will even though they were evil?”
Thea sighed. “I guess I see your point.”
“You don’t have to like Ian, but I trust him.”
Thea nodded.
~~~
After sunset Nicole gently carried her partner out to the SUV Thea had rented for them. She settled Dana in the back where she’d made a fairly comfortable bed with blankets and pillows. She then crawled in the back with the redhead, making sure her IV was okay. She settled Dana’s head on her lap as Thea closed the tailgate.
Ian and Thea both got in the front and Ian drove them to the small local airport. Once they arrived at the airport they boarded Thea’s Lear jet. Nicole again made sure Dana was safely and comfortably settled with her head on her lap. They were in the air and headed to the British Virgin Islands in no time.
Thanks to Thea’s witchcraft skills, their small jet was invisible to the eye and radar. No one would see or know about any aircraft going to or from Great Thatch Island.
~~~
Great Thatch Island, BVI
About five and half hours after they took off they landed at their destination - Great Thatch Island. Nicole carried Dana off the plane and Ian, carrying their supplies, followed. Thea returned to the States with the jet.
“So, where exactly are we?” Ian asked.
“Great Thatch Island, reportedly an uninhabited island of the British Virgin Islands allegedly owned by the government.”
“Reportedly? Allegedly? What the skinny here, luv?”
“Arrangements were made to purchase it from the Crown. Some improvements have been made but the island has been left pristine for the most part.”
“You mean we’re actually alone here? That we’re the only people here?”
“Yep. But don’t worry, Ian, you won’t starve. There’s blood on hand, although it is frozen.”
He grinned. “So you were expecting me?” he asked with cockiness.
“Don’t get so cocky, you’re not the only friendly vampire around, you know,” she replied chuckling. “It’s stocked in case anyone may need it. Frozen blood is better than any fresh whatever that might be found on the island.”
“You do have a point. And as one of said vampires, I thank you.”
Nicole once again got Dana settled. She put her in the master bedroom. She was able to set Ian up in the guest room since the house had metal louvers on the windows to protect them during hurricanes.
The blonde had just finished hanging a new IV and giving Dana another syringe full of quill sap when she looked up and saw Ian leaning against the doorjamb.
“She doesn’t look good, luv.”
“I know. But she’s going to get better. She has to. I’ll make sure she does.”
“Get some sleep, pet. I’ll watch over her.”
“Wake me if she wakes up.”
“I will.”
Nicole grabbed a blanket and pillow and went out to the living room where she lay down on the couch. She fell into a restless sleep.
It was only a few hours later when Nicole woke up, or rather, gave up trying to get any restful sleep. She went into the kitchen to make herself some tea. While she waited for it to steep she released her wings and plucked a couple of feathers.
“You know I’ll never get used to seeing that,” came Ian’s voice from the doorway.
“It doesn’t hurt.”
“I’m not talking about you plucking a couple of feathers,” he replied. “I’m talking about the bloody wings, luv.”
She gave him a smirk before turning back to prepare Dana’s next syringe of quill sap. “Sounds a little like jealousy to me.” She retracted her wings and poured herself some tea. “Do you want some tea?”
“Sure.”
“The blood is in the freezer, you probably ought to put some in the refrigerator to thaw,” she told him as she poured him some tea.
“Right.” Ian went to the freezer and pulled out a couple of pints, moving them to the refrigerator. He then took the mug of tea Nicole held out to him.
He followed the blonde back into the bedroom where her partner was still asleep. Nicole set her tea down, clasped the IV line and injected the newly prepared syringe contents into it. She dropped the used syringe into the trash then picked up her mug and took a seat on the chest at the end of the bed.
~~~
part 17
part 1| part 2| part 3| part 4| part 5| part 6| part 7| part 8| part 9| part 10|
part 11| part 12| part 13| part 14| part 15|