Date: Thursday, 25 March 1999 And Now For Something Different by White Shiksa Disclaimer: Chris Carter, being the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, created Scully, Mulder, and Pendrell. He owns them; I'm borrowing them and promise to put them back when I'm done. Spoilers: Well, I guess to "Tempus Fugit"and "Max" but I'm writing this story like two years after they happened, so I'm not sure if it counts as a spoiler. Rating: G Summary: An alternate ending to "Max" for all of those who were as pissed as I was. ******* God, the look on his face. He ws just drunk enough not to know what exactly had hit him. As I looked up, the gunman ran. Damn! "Don't worry, Pendrell," I said softly, trying to simultaneously stop the bleeding and call for the paramedics, forgetting everything else. Assured that the ambulance was on its way, I pressed both of my hands to Pendrell's shoulder, trying to stop the blood. He whispered something; I bent down to hear better, smoothing the hair away from his face with a bloody hand: "I'm sorry, Dana." I softly reassured him there was nothing to be sorry for, that I was extremely grateful, but by then he'd closed his eyes and the paramedics had arrived. That night, I was too busy dealing with other matters to even call and check on Pendrell. I made sure I had time the next day to visit him. Mulder offered to drive me to the hospital. As he pulled into the parking space, he eyed me toying nervously with the flowers in my lap. "Want me to goo in with you, Scully?" he asked. "No...yes...ah...," I said, not quite sure what I wanted. "We'll walk in and play it by ear, okay?" said Mulder, a bit flippantly, I thought. We located the correct floor and room. I hesitated before the half-open door. "I've stood before enough of these," muttered Mulder to himself. When I looked up at him, he just said, "Go in. It's easiest. I'll follow you in a few minutes." I stared down at the flowers. "I don't know what to say," I whispered to myself. "He's in there because of me." I looked up and caught Mulder quickly looking away from me, sorrow and pain playing over his features. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Pendrell was asleep. Great. I set the flowers down on a nearby table and pulled a chair over to his bedside as he began to stir. He lifted his left hand to his forehead, IV lines trailing. "Man, what a night," he said. "Never doing that again." Then he noticed I was there. "Dana-ah, Agent Scully! I didn't expect...expect to see you here." "Hey, Pendrell," I said, a little unsure of myself. "You think I'm one of those girls who don't call after someone's taken a bullet for them?" I was glad to see that illicited a smile. "I'm sorry," he started in again. "I was acting like a jerk that night..." "No," I cut him off. "It was very brave. You probably saved me, remember that. Now, how's your shoulder?" "Uh, I'm not sure...the happy drugs haven't run out yet," he said. I glanced up and noticed all of the IV bags were empty, except for the saline. Then Mulder came in. "Hey, Pendrell! How are you?" he asked. Then he turned to me and said, "Scully, get up." "What?!" I sputtered. "Get up, there's no other chairs. Pendrell, move over for Scully." Pendrell listened to all of this with a raised eyebrow. I rolled my eyes, wondering what was up, as Mulder stole my chair. I carefully manuvered next to Pendrell. "You okay? I'm not hurting your shoulder, am I?" I asked. Pendrell just stared back at me, the most peaceful expression on his face. "Pendrell?" Mulder said. Pendrell didn't respond. "Pendrell? Hey, buddy, snap out of it!" As Pendrell shook his head, I figured out was going on-what had been going on ever since I'd brought Pendrell that microchip. Once we were alone, I decided I would kill Mulder. Until then, I decided to play along. "Pendrell, let me see how well they bandaged your shoulder." I leaned over, pulling the hospital gown down a bit. "Good wrap job," I remarked. Mulder was trying very hard not to laugh. "Scully, we should go. Pendrell, always good to see you. We'll stop by tomorrow," said Mulder as he headed for the door. I leaned over and kissed Pendrell on the forhead. "If you need anything, call me. Rest up. And...thank you," I said as I carefully got up. He reached for my hand and kissed it. "Thank you, Da-Scully," Pendrell said. I joined Mulder at the door; once we'd left the room, Mulder said, "Jeez, the lengths some guys'll go to for a kiss." "I'm gonna' bleepin' kill you, Mulder. Why didn't you tell me?" I snapped. "This was much more fun," he said, slipping his arm around my shoulders as we headed for the elevator. I could only wait for what tomorrow would bring. END ****** "I have a smile/stretch from ear-to-ear/for when I see you walking down the road" "I Love You" Sarah McLachlan "I would let the geek get the girl." Scream 2 ****** This is my first fanfic story; *any* comments would be appreciated. This is dedicated to Nat, who got me reading this stuff, and to Leyla Harrison, my fave fanfic author.