Mulder came to when he felt someone's lips on his. Someone, presumably Scully, moved away from him. Straining to open his eyes, which felt heavy as lead, Mulder just glimpsed Scully heave herself on top of the window sill and look back at him. Feeling her gaze lingering on his open eyes, Mulder weakly lifted his hand and stretched his fingers out to her. Scully nodded at him and seemed to fall right out the window. Mulder closed his eyes again, straining his ears to hear Scully's descent. As the faint crunching of leaves reached his ears, he sighed in relief. Scully was safe. He closed his eyes again and slept.

The sunlight streamed in through the window. It was afternoon again, and he felt like crap. Stupid Death Adder. Mulder groaned and dragged himself into the corner. He curled up, hugging his knees and shaking. The venom was taking hold. Mulder remembered one of the projects he had done in High School about poisonous snakes. This particular species could kill a man in six hours. How long had Scully been gone?

Mulder lay quivering in the corner, feeling himself burn up. 'Here comes the fever,' He thought. Then promptly he threw up. He retched into the ground next to him, coughing blood as there was no liquid left in his insides. Mulder lay back, exhausted. The cold swamped over him and Mulder went into unconsciousness.

The floor shook beneath him and loud shouts echoed in the quiet house. A loud shrill female voice screamed then turned into a snarling growl. Mulder opened his eyes, studying the room around him. It was just the same as before, except it was getting darker, the sunlight slanting down from the window. It should be time for his next session soon. Mulder closed his eyes again, trying to enjoy the last moments of his life.

Then the door banged open with a crash. Someone ran up to him, taking his face in their hands. The hands were small and delicate, familiar to the touch. The sound of Scully's crying prompted him to open his eyes again. "Mulder! I've been so worried... Don't worry, the paramedics are coming. You're safe now." Scully took his hand and brought it up to her lips, kissing his fingers. The world was dulling around Agent Mulder, taking the brilliance of Scully's red hair and blue eyes away. He knew he wasn't going to live, and so did she.

Mulder reached his other hand up and stroked her face. She leaned into it, tears falling from her eyes. He smiled weakly at her and rubbed her tears away. Alex Krycek appeared in the doorway, noticing the two in each other's arms. He coughed awkwardly and pointed down the stairs. "The paramedics are coming." The stamping of boots reached Mulder's ears. They were here. A few minutes later, Mulder was carried into the ambulance. The chains that were bound around his ankle for so long had gone, cut away. The marks and red welts in his foot were the only reminders. Scully was being fussed over by the paramedics but she fought her way through them. She climbed in next to Mulder and gripped his hand as the van started and rushed to the nearest hospital. The loud wail of the ambulance started up and the ground lurched beneath him.

"You're going to be fine, Fox." The world faded to black around Mulder. He squeezed Scully's fingers for the last time.

"I love you."

"No! Fox Mulder, don't you dare leave me!!" The beeping of the heart monitor ended her pleas.