#XFEpisode2020

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Theef

"Love is Not Blind"

Author: @baronessblixen​

For: @gaycrouton​

Scully's blindness in "Theef" lingers on

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [8/27]

[crescentmoon223]

A Leap of Faith

MSR | Rating: Mature | Episode: Nothing Lasts Forever | Read it on AO3

My entry for the @xfilesfanficexchange​ 2020 Episode Exchange, for DiegoJoani51.

“The church behind her had provided the foundation of her faith, but the man beside her represented her leap of faith, a leap she was ready to take…together.“

-----

The concrete beneath her feet gleamed with a kaleidoscope of color, light spilling through the stained-glass windows behind her. The colors swam before her eyes, blurred by a sheen of tears, emotions threatening to pour out of her like the light through the church windows. This case had tested her in so many ways. It had brought her back to the church and forced her to face her own mortality. For several horrifying seconds, she’d questioned everything as she plunged down that garbage chute, not knowing if she’d just taken her last breath.

“You okay, Scully?” Mulder’s hand pressed against her aching lower back.

She nodded. “Yeah.”

She turned her head to smile at him, touched by the genuine concern on his face. A shaft of pink light splashed across his cheek and sparkled in his eyes. The church behind her had provided the foundation of her faith, but the man beside her represented her leap of faith, a leap she was ready to take…together.

I love you. I always have, and I always will.

Her cheeks warmed as she remembered her whispered confession. Most people would consider it ridiculous for her to whisper such a thing, but she and Mulder weren’t most people. They’d never voiced their emotions, often relying on the unspoken connection between them. After they drifted apart, she’d wondered if a lack of communication had played a part. Maybe, if they wanted to move forward together, they needed to say the things that needed to be said.

She started down the steps to the street where their car was parked, wincing as the muscles in her back cramped and spasmed. She was too old to get thrown down garbage chutes, or at least too old to walk away without her fair share of aches and pains.

“I really wish you’d let me take you to the hospital to be checked out,” Mulder said, walking beside her.

“I’m a doctor, Mulder. There’s nothing wrong with me but a few bumps and bruises.”

“At least come home with me tonight. Let me give you a back rub.”

She gave him a tired smile. “Okay.”

“Hey.” He stopped as they reached the sidewalk, turning to face her. “I love you too. You know that, right? I never stopped.”

She nodded, allowing him to pull her close. His arms encircled her, warm and strong, and she burrowed her face against the solid expanse of his chest, inhaling his familiar scent, a lifetime of memories unspooling in her mind like one of those slideshows he used to make for her in their basement office. One of his hands rubbed up and down her back, and she released a contented sigh.

Read it on AO3.

[atths--twice]

Chapter Three     3/4

January 

A chance encounter, leads to a meal and some much needed bonding.

Mid-January 2001

When she had first come back, she had felt being there would keep him alive. The possibility of him coming back, regardless of her knowledge that he would not, had been very strong. She knew it would not happen, but she had held onto that hope.

Now as she moved around the office, it had a different feel to it. She still felt him everywhere, how could she not? But now, where before it hurt, it felt comforting to her. She did not believe in ghosts, as she had told Mulder before, but she felt that if she did, she would find his hanging about in there.

She would not admit it to anyone but herself, but she could almost hear his laughter, see his face when she shot down his theories, and his look of astonishment when she actually agreed with him.

There were also spots in the room that made her heart race, remembering the feel of his lips on hers; a forbidden kiss which had led to more, though they had agreed to remaining professional while at work.

That thought had gone out the window when he lifted her and carried her to a hidden corner in the office. His fingers had slid beneath her skirt and there was no chance she would have stopped it from happening, despite being at work in the middle of the day. He was like a drug and she needed him, craved him. Her nails had scratched at his neck and he had seethed, raising his head to look at her, his eyes full of fire.

Just that once they had pushed the boundaries and no one knew it but her, her cheeks flushing as she stood in that spot.

There were many spots around the room that were simply his and she would not dream of changing it. But there were some changes recently.

As she was now unable to properly contribute to field work, and definitely unable to chase down a suspect, she had been put on desk duty. Never had she been more happy to be stuck at a desk than she because of the ever growing child inside of her.

As a result of spending more time in the office, the files were organized and arranged in a more efficient way. Books were put away and the room de-cluttered, but only to a point. The office would not be its true self if it was not a little cluttered and slightly chaotic.

And the pencils in the ceiling… those would stay there until the very last one fell.

Doggett was gone a lot, pursuing leads and looking into cases, and for that she was thankful. She liked being alone in the office. When others were in the room, it felt as though the magic surrounding it was gone.

She knew Mulder would have loved to hear her scientific explanation for that feeling, but she did not have one. It was simply a feeling. When others were around, she did not sense him as much, as though he only made himself known when she was alone and she preferred it that way.

One Friday afternoon, there was a knock on the office door, startling Scully as she was gathering her things to leave for the weekend.

“Come in,” she called and the door opened.

“Oh, Agent Scully,” Agent Reyes said, as she stepped into the room. “I… I was looking for Agent Doggett. I was in town and he had called recently so I was going to see if he wanted to catch up.”

“I’m sorry, Agent Reyes, I am not entirely sure where Agent Doggett is at the moment.”

“Hmm. Well… how would you like to join me for a late lunch/early dinner?” she asked with a smile.

“I was actually just heading out myself,” Scully said with a small smile.

“Could I possibly interest you in eating something before you head out to wherever you are going?” She was so earnest, Scully could not help but agree. Agent Reyes grinned, turned around and walked out the door, Scully locking the office door behind them.

They walked to a popular diner a few blocks down from the bureau. As they sat down, Agent Reyes smiled at her and looked down at her stomach bumping into the table.

“How is the pregnancy going? Are you having any cravings?” she asked after they had ordered their drinks.

“Hmm… Peanut butter. In any form.” They both laughed and Agent Reyes nodded. “And yogurt. Cherry yogurt specifically, which is odd as I don’t really like cherry things.”

“I had a friend who was pregnant,” Agent Reyes said. “All she wanted to eat every day was cheese. And gummy bears. Wow, I had forgotten about that. But the cheese… she had so many kinds and would eat it constantly. After she had the baby, she declared she would never again eat a piece of cheese. I don’t think she ever has and that was… six years ago.” They both laughed again and Scully sighed with a hand on her stomach.

“I’m not sure I’ll feel the same about peanut butter, but hopefully I will about the cherry yogurt.” Agent Reyes smiled at her with a chuckle, as the waitress walked up to take the order.

As she walked away, Agent Reyes looked at Scully and something about it felt different.

“How are you doing? Really doing?” she asked and Scully nodded, looking down at the table and tracing the crack she found in it.

“It’s been hard. Really hard, but… I’m doing better than I was, and there are times that that makes me feel worse.” She looked up at Agent Reyes, who smiled with a nod. “Like right now for instance. This feels so normal, but then…”

“You’ll be hoping to find a bathroom to disappear into before you break down?”

“Exactly,” Scully said softly, nodding her head. “I’m not normally an overly emotional person… but…”

“Agent Scully,” Agent Reyes said, smiling softly. “You’re pregnant. That on its own is enough to cause a person to be emotional. You’re also still grieving. Combine those two, of course you're more emotional than usual.” Scully sighed and nodded, reaching for a napkin, and dabbed her eyes. Agent Reyes reached for more, handing them to her with a nod.

Their food arrived shortly after and discussion turned to lighter topics. When they were finished, Agent Reyes insisted on paying as she was the one to suggest getting something to eat. As they left the diner, Scully smiled as she turned to her.

“Thank you for the meal. I… I don’t have many women in my life, honestly… not any really. It was nice spending time with you today.”

“It was my pleasure, Agent Scully. I was happy to be able to see you under better circumstances.” Scully smiled and then to her surprise, Agent Reyes pulled her into a tight embrace. She closed her eyes and hugged her back, before letting go and stepping back.

“I hope you have a good weekend, Agent Scully.” Agent Reyes stepped back, smiling as she waved goodbye, leaving Scully standing on the sidewalk. She waved back and took a deep breath.

Walking back to the parking garage, she got into her car to begin, once more, the long journey to North Carolina where she would spend the weekend, visiting Mulder’s grave and decompressing from the past few days at work.

The first couple of times she had driven down, she had terrible dreams. Dreams where she was running, running so fast through the woods, as she tried to reach Jeremiah in time. But, doors were locked and crowds of people stood around, blocking her way and stopping her from reaching the room in which she had left him.

Then there were dreams when she did reach the room and as she finally opened the door, Jeremiah disappeared in front of her eyes. Evaporating like smoke in the wind.

Those were the nights when she had woken up gasping, clutching at her chest, unable to catch her breath. So close. She had been so close.

Those were the worst nights, when she had to question if the trips to visit him were not causing her more harm than good.

And yet… as she drove home, feeling drained and exhausted, she would promise to be back as soon as she could. He was not there, not really, but she needed to be where his body had been laid to rest.

She had made him a promise and she intended to keep it.

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Pusher

“Pushed Too Far”

Author: @gaycrouton​

For: @ceruleanmilieu​

What if Modell chose to play Russian Roulette with Scully instead of Mulder?

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [24/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

DeadAlive

"Three Months"

Author: @kikocrystalball​

For: @agirlcallednarelle​

Between the three months we saw everyone at Mulder's funeral, until we see them again, what happened? How did everyone cope with missing someone they love? How did they help Scully in her time of grief?

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [25/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Familiar

“the dark side of the moon”

Author: @monikafilefan​

For: AnnieAmi (Ao3)

In the darkness of their world riddled with death and heartache, Mulder and Scully are each other’s light.

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [22/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Home Again

"did it make us strangers?"

Author: @tinglingworld​

For: @monikafilefan​

"I think I hate her," Scully’s voice felt awfully loud to herself at 2am in his living room. She bit her lip at how much the words burned as they rolled of her tongue, "I think I hate her for what she did and I need you to tell me it's okay because I can't hate my dead mom. I can't. I-"

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [23/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Hungry

"Convergence"

Author: @suilven19​

For: @fridaysat9​

In this moment, he wonders how two people could possibly be so attuned to one another, bound in a way that transcends every other relationship he’s ever had.

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [19/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

This

"Stockholm, Meatballs, and Full-Frontal Snuggling"

Author: @stardatextoday  

For: @Coopsrissa 

Takes place after the episode "This". Basically a fluff-fest at Ikea.

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [3/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

The Field Where I Died

"A Sage's Path"

Author: @admiralty-xfd​

For: @red2007​

He’s never believed in heaven, it sounds far too easy. And quite frankly, boring. But this: this, he can get onboard with. Souls lasting forever, like starlight, persisting through time and space. Another chance at life.

It’s a nice thought. And Fox Mulder has little room to spare for nice thoughts.

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [20/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

How the Ghosts Stole Christmas

"Maggie's Christmas Surprise"

Author:Joanidiego51 (Ao3)

For: @fandomsandxfiles​

After a scary night at a haunted mansion, Mulder and Scully go back to his apartment and exchange gifts. The next morning, Mrs. Scully calls to invite Mulder to her family's Christmas activites. Bill will be there, and another complication is that Mulder's feelings for Scully are changing.

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [27/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Ghouli

"A Different Name"

Author: @ceruleanmilieu​

For: bumblebee1220 (Ao3)

After Scully meets Jackson...

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [21/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

The Goldberg Variation

"Cause and Effect"

Author: @mulderist​

For: @kikocrystalball​

Mulder and Scully finally enjoy each other's company at the end of The Goldberg Variation

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020  [14/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Our Town

"Grounding"

Author: @starwalker42​

For: @baronessblixen​

After the traumatic events in Dudley, Scully is overwhelmed by everything that's happened to her over the past few months. Mulder is there to help.

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [17/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Three Words

"More Than Anything"

Author: @fandomsandxfiles​

For: @danceswithcybermen​

Mulder is itching to get back to work after his recovery, but there are a few things standing in his way first.

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [9/27]

[xfilesfanficexchange]

Brand X

"Addictive Properties"

Author: @kyouryokusenshi​ 

For: Spookyfish (Ao3)

What happened between the time Mulder was administered the nicotine to save his life and back in the office at the end?

Link Here

#XFEpisode2020 [26/27]