From: "C. Shuy" Date: 12 Nov 1998 23:05:41 -0800 Subject: Conversations Between Old Friends: "The Beginning" 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. Rating: G, Series, hints of MSR, but nothing overt. Spoilers: Er... "The Beginning", and practically everything till then. Summary: An old friend gets a wakeup call to get Mulder back to his senses Conversations Between Old Friends: "The Beginning" by Christina Shuy cshuy@netcom.com "Hello?" "Did I wake you?" "Mulder, do you have any idea what time it is in London?" "I woke you." "Well, since you're going to sulk and pout at me, you might as well get it over with." "What makes you say that?" "Mulder, you've been mulling over whether or not to call me since the X-Files were reopened, only with Jeffrey Spender and Diana Fowley running them and you and Dana being kept away from them." "And how do you know that?" "Mulder, you are obvious when it comes to certain things, the X-Files second on that list." "What's first?" "Mulder, that is a stupid question. Your partner is first. She has been for years now, and you know it." "And just what would you know about that?" "Considering you put yourself in a dangerous situation *with* Diana Fowley simply so you could find evidence to prove to Dana that your theory had some merit to it, I'd say her opinions and other things were first on your mind." "Well, I... I... you know." "Very well, Mulder. Very well indeed. I believe I saw what is between you even before either of you realised it. Actually, now that I'm awake enough to consider it, the whole rest of the world knew before you did." "Ah-ha! I *did* wake you!" "Mulder, had I not wanted to talk to you, I would have either said something, or hung up already." "If you say so." "Mulder, let me ask you something... why do you never call unless you are either a wreck mentally, or getting close to being a wreck?" "And just *what* are you implying?" "I'm not implying anything, Mulder. Merely making an observation." "Yeah... sure, fine, whatever." "Right back at you, Mulder. Tell me something, why do you trust Diana Fowley more than Dana?" "What makes you think I trust Diana more than I trust Scully?" "The way you've been acting lately. The way you are apparently rejecting what Dana has said out-" "Look, Diana believes in what I'm trying to do." "Mulder, from wht you know of both Diana and Dana, who do you trust more?" "What kind of a question is that?" "Just answer it." "Well, Scully, obviously!" "'Obviously'? Mulder from the way you've treated Dana lately, it seems you don't trust her half as much as you do Diana." "She has the X-Files." "And Dana Katherine Scully has your heart and your trust. And I wouldn't be surprised if she decided to leave and this time you won't be able to stop her. Actions speak louder than words, you know." "Uh..." "Mulder, I know you've been hurt in the past, and are afraid now of risking your heart again. Remember, I know full well how much Phoebe Green and Diana Fowley hurt you. I also know that you had gotten involved with Diana to get over Phoebe and found yourself hurt even more than before. I don't understand why you are now looking to Diana Fowley to hurt you again, unless you... oh, bloody hell, that's it isn't it." "What's it?" "You feel you don't deserve Dana, that she deserves better than you, and that you deserve to be hurt again." "Ummmmm..." "Damnit, Mulder, for a man who has a psychology degree from Oxford, and who occasionally profiles criminals, you are truly dense when it comes to how you see yourself!" "Did I call you asking for a lecture?" "Mulder, you usually call me when you need to talk, and whenever you feel you may need a swift kick." "In the pants?" "To the head, Mulder." "Daring to live up to your nickname again, VC?" "Shut up, Fox. You know damned well what I'm talking about here. "I guess I do, Victoria... and I guess you're right. Do you think it's too late to make it up to Scully?" "Only one way to find out, old friend." "Yeah... I guess so. I think I'm gonna call her. Mind if I let you go?" "Mulder, considering I need my sleep - Phoebe's in town doing an investigation and I have to assist - no, I don't mind at all." "Okay. Try not to kill Phoebe, okay? I would hate to have to visit you in prison." "I'll do what I can, Mulder, but you know what Phoebe's like." "Do I ever!" "Good night, Mulder, and good luck with Dana." "Good night, Victoria. And thank you." "Don't mention it, Mulder." *click* -End- "The Truth is Out There. Trust No One."- from "The X-Files" Pursuing a BS(Electrical Engineering)-Fall Quarter 1998(EE320,Engl306)-CSULA Looking for work and a place to live... somewhere in the SanFran Bay Area. "If his hand moves from the small of my back, shoot him." Anne Rooney(C-16)