Out Of This World (X-Files/Twin Peaks AU)

4. The Deputy

Sandra was discharged from the hospital after her legs were wrapped and she could walk again. She was slow, but she managed. Mulder came to pick her up and bring her back to the Great Northern.

Dark clouds hung in the sky, ready to let loose a cry of rain at seemingly any moment. Mulder placed a hand lightly on Sandra's leg. "I'm not fragile, Mulder." She rolled her eyes at his hesitancy. "I'm a big girl, I've been burned before." Mulder let the whole weight of his hand rest on her leg.

"I'm worried about you, you're my partner." He put his hand back on the wheel. "Seems like the last time you were burned it wasn't this bad."

"Yeah, you're not wrong. But I can handle it." She looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Be careful next time, okay, Sandy?" Sandra was, at first, surprised at Mulder's forwardness. But, she nodded.

Mulder pulled into an empty parking spot and the two got out of the car. Mulder held the door for Sandra as she slowly made her way through it.

Sitting at the bottom of the Great Northern's large staircase was Dale Cooper, head in his hands. At the sound of the door closing, his head popped up and he gleamed.

"Flynn!" He shouted as he rushed to her to embrace her. "You're okay. I was so worried. I'm sorry."

"You should be sorry." Mulder said from behind Sandra. "You could have gotten my partner killed or worse."

"Agent Mulder, please," Coop began, but was stopped by an aggressive push.

"You don't get to talk. You put my partner in unnecessary danger."

"Mulder! Stop!" Sandra tried to grab onto his arm but couldn't reach him in time.

Mulder went to punch Cooper, but he was fast enough to dodge out of the way. Cooper lunged at his midsection and pushed him to the floor. The two men wrestled for a moment, each trying to get the upper hand. Just as Coop was on top about to sucker punch Mulder a second time, Sheriff Truman came running in and grabbed his arms, pulling him up to his feet as he tried to break free. Mulder stood and was about run back at Cooper, but Deputy Hawk grabbed onto him before he could.

Sandra stood between the two men, arms out at each of them. "You two need to calm the fuck down. Dale was the one who grabbed me and pushed me to the ground. If it wasn't for him, I'd be dead, Mulder, or worse like you said." She turned. "Deputy Hawk, please escort me to my room. And don't let either of these children follow me." Hawk let go of Mulder and Andy stepped into his place, holding onto his arm. Mulder snatched his arm away from Andy, easily breaking free of his weak attempt at a grasp. Sandra turned briefly to see both men calm and hanging their heads in defeat.

Hawk escorted her to her room. "You shouldn't be so hard on them." He said finally after a long silent walk to the hotel room. "They both care about you."

"Hawk, they just fist-faught over me." Sandra turned to him with her arms crossed. "I'm ridiculously embarrassed." Hawk placed a hand on her shoulder and her stance softened, her arms dropped to her sides.

"That's what happens when two men are after the same beautiful woman." He looked at her for a moment. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Hawk let out a hearty laugh, probably the first he'd ever let himself have. It was contagious and soon the two were cracking up laughing with tears in their eyes. It felt good to just let it out, all the emotional overload of the past 24 hours. When they calmed, they looked each other in the eye. Outside, thunder crashed and the lights in the hotel flickered. Rain could be heard pounding on the roof of the hotel.

The pair stared at each other, neither knowing what the correct course would be, nor if they should care. Sandra broke the stare first to unlock the door. When she turned, she was met with Hawk's lips pressing hungrily to hers. Giving in to her carnal desires, Sandra wrapped her arms around his shoulders. The Native man was surprisingly strong and easily lifted her. He carried her into the room and kicked the door closed with his boot.

---

Sandra awoke from a dreamless sleep, something she hadn't had in a long while. The clock next to her read 5:17am. She turned to the other side of the bed. It was empty, and she was grateful she didn't have to endure the awkward 'morning after' conversation. She couldn't help but smile at the blurry memory of Hawk's hands roaming her body; the way he was so gentle one moment, and a wolf the next.

Contented to start the day early, Sandra drew herself a morning bath, then dressed in a muted green pantsuit to cover her bandages.

The lobby of the Great Northern was a-buzz with well-dressed men speaking in a foreign language she couldn't recognize. Standing by the door and greeting the men was a young woman wearing a pink skirt and sweater. Her hair was cut short and styled. She made eye contact with Sandra and approached her. "So," she paused, "you must be the one who caught Agent Cooper's eye, huh?" The girl must have been no more than 18 years old.

"And who might you be?" Sandra asked with a smile.

"Audrey Horne. My dad owns the hotel."

"From what I hear, you are quite the brave young lady." Sandra shook her dainty hand. Audrey smiled to the floor.

"Flynn!" Coming down the stairs was Mulder, proudly rocking a fresh shiner from the night before. Sandra excused herself from Audrey.

"Are finished acting like a little kid?" Sandra playfully asked.

"Not in the least, I hope." Mulder wrapped an arm around Sandra's shoulders. "We're needed at the station, come on."