From: "C. Shuy" Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 19:47:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Conversations Between Old Friends: Patient X Source: xff Disclaimer: Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, the X-Files, and associated characters are property of David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions and Fox Broadcasting Corporation. They are used without permission and no copyright infringement is meant. Any elements not recognized as being taken from the show copyright Christina Shuy. Comments and other things sent to cshuy@netcom.com are much appreciated. All of my fanfic can be found at http://www.crosswinds.net/seattle/~trouble42/cshuy/ Thank you to Diana Alexander for the space and the set up. Rating: PG (language), story, series, post-ep Summary: Ever wonder why Mulder seems to have a change of heart between Patient X and The Red and the Black? Spoilers: Patient X (duh!), Redux II, most eps with Bill Scully, jr., and a smattering for The Red and the Black. Conversations Between Old Friends: Patient X by Christina Shuy cshuy@netcom.com "Mulder" "Mulder, it's Victoria." "What do you want?" "Is that any way to speak to a friend?" "It is if you're calling me to read me the riot act about that conference I went to. As well as my treatment of Cassandra Spender and Scully." "And what would make you think that's what I'm calling you about?" "I don't know, Victoria. Why don't you tell me. After all, you're always good at knowing when I'm at a crisis, or was I imagining that too?" "No. You weren't. Except that when you're at a crisis point, you're usually the one calling me." "Yeah, but I've woken you up enough times with this stupid quest to know better." "You? Know better? I'll be the judge of that. This time around, you should have called me a lot sooner... either that or I should have called you." "Why? It's just a waste of my time and yours." "Mulder, I don't consider a loss of faith - any type of faith - to be a waste of time. You still should have called me. Early in the morning or not, you needed someone to talk to. Still do, as a matter of fact." "Okay, then, that's settled. Are you going to leave me alone about this now?" "Mulder, I know precisely why you're acting like this, and why you seem to be giving Dana the brushoff." "Always were one to get right to the point, weren't you, Victoria." "And you have a problem with that?" "Sure. As long as it's about me, you tend to get right to the point. So what do you want?" "Mulder, if you're going to act like that, then I'm not going to bother talking to you. In fact, I might just well hang up right now." "Be my guest. Just confirm another one of my outrageous theories." "And which theory would that be? You have so many of them." "You're a lot of help. You gonna dump on me and then leave me hanging like everyone else has." "Mulder..." "Including Phoebe." "Now that was out of line, Mulder." "I thought you said you were going?" "Mulder, I know what Dana's brother said to you, and I know how your mind works, especially since I do remember what your father has also said to you, although Bill Scully is the more immediate concern at the moment. He's not right, you know. Neither was your father." "Oh... so instead of hanging up, you're going to badger me now about how or what I believe or don't believe anymore, huh? Some friend you are." "Mulder...." "Look, I don't believe in much of anything anymore. I'm not even sure what I believe." "But you have to believe in *something*." "This coming from a person who listens to voices in her head and depends on them to tell the future!" "That's not how I sense things and you know that as well as I do, Fox William Mulder. What I am currently trying to decipher is why you are suddenly lashing out at those people who are your friends, most especially Dana and myself, although I do know you care more for Dana than myself. Not that I mind, of course. You both are perfect for each other." "....." "Mulder, I also know that Dana's brother told you directly that you were a sorry son of a bitch. And I want to tell you right now that you aren't." "And just how can you be so sure?" "Mulder, you know me. Do I spend my time talking to people who would generally be regarded as sorry sons of bitches?" "..." "Well, do I?" "Not unless you want to make a point about something, no. But in my case, what if you-" "No, Mulder, I'm not trying to make a point about something with you, nor am I making an exception. I have remained your friend because I want to, and don't even start the litany about a lapse in judgement on my part." "So you meant what you said about 'the few and the proud' when you referred to being friends with me?" "Of course I did. And I'm sure Dana now counts herself among that group as well." "Even if I'm-" "You are not a sorry son of a bitch. From what little I have seen of Dana's mother - and then it's only information gleaned from dreams and sensory input, she isn't a bitch either so calling Bill Scully, jr., a sorry son of a bitch would be insulting Dana's mother, so I don't think you want to take that particular route either, Mulder." "And how do you know that was what I was thinking?" "How many times have you asked me silly questions like that to have me give you the same answer?" "Oh..." Momentary laughter. "Feeling better now, Mulder? Both about yourself and about your quest for the Truth?" "You make it sound so official." "Well, isn't it?" *shuffling of papers* "I guess it is." "Mulder, I'm going to tell you something and it is up to you whether you believe it or not." "What is it?" "Go to Skyland Mountain. Now. That elusive Truth that you are still searching for is going to be up there. Although I would say to call for the local fire department and paramedics while you're at it." "Fire department? Victoria, you do know you're asking me to go out on a limb here." "Mulder, I know you're afraid of fire too. I wouldn't ask you to go up there if it wasn't important. Trust me on this, for once in your life, will you please?" "I..." "Mulder, if you won't go because you want to know the truth, go because Dana is in danger." *gasp* "Oh, God, no... I should have known there was something wrong the way she walked out of here..." "Mulder, keep in mind that this is not your fault." "And why wouldn't it be?" "Because it is that chip, which helped to save her from cancer, that did it. You were given a no-win situation and did what you could with the bad situation. I know what would have happened if she had died instead of the cancer going into remission: You would have followed her, and there would have been a double funeral. But you start blaming yourself for this and/or use this as an excuse to give up on your search and your own beliefs, and I will fly over and give your arse a kicking like you have never seen before. From me or anyone else. You got that?" "Aw, damn... Loud and clear, Victoria, thank you... I'm going now. Talk to you later, maybe?" "Maybe. Take care of yourself, please, Mulder, and find Dana before it's too late." "Will do." *click* -End- "The Truth is Out There. Trust No One."- from "The X-Files" Pursuing a BS(Electrical Engineering)-Fall 1999 - San Jose State University Looking for work and a place to live - San Jose bound as of 13 July 1999 "If his hand moves from the small of my back, shoot him." Anne Rooney(C-16) "Don't mind him. He'll go on forever." - Dana Scully, The X-Files "Alpha" Tiananmen Square - 6/4/89 - We do not forget so easily. Or ever.