From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: 13 Mar 2004 07:31:19 -0000
Subject: Cousin of Scully 1/1  by Erin Blair
Source: direct

Reply To: eblair@sonic.net


Title: Cousin of Scully
Author: Erin M. Blair
E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net
Classification: SRAH--Story, Romance, Angst, Humor 
Content: Mulder/Scully Romance. Mulder/Other UST.
Time Span/Spoilers: Ascension. 
Rating: PG.
Distribution/Archive Statement: OK to Gossamer,
Ephemeral, EMXC, After the Fact, etc.  Other
archivists - ask me first. 
Disclaimer: They belong to Chris Carter except for
the character of Marianna Scully. 
Summary: What would happen if Scully's cousin 
walks into Mulder's life?

** This story was dusted off for Haven's Mary Sue Challenge. **

------------------------------------
COUSIN OF SCULLY
Written by: Erin M. Blair
------------------------------------

Marianna Scully walked into the dining room
and she pulled up a chair next to her Aunt Margaret
Scully. "Aunt Maggie, I know how much you
miss Dana."

Margaret looked up at her niece and smiled
at her. "Thank you, Marianna." A short pause.
"Do you know how much you look like Dana?"

Marianna nodded. She always knew the similar
looks - her long auburn hair and azure colored
eyes - that she shared with Dana. "I always
knew how much I look like Dana, Aunt Maggie."
A short pause. "How's Agent Mulder doing?"

Margaret's eyebrows lifted up curiously. "I 
thought you didn't know about him."

"Dana told me."

"Oh, well, he hasn't given up hope for her."

"I was wondering if - " sighed Marianna. She 
wasn't sure if it was in her place to ask. After
all, Agent Mulder was off limits as far as
she was concerned. 

He didn't want her, Marianna Scully.

He wanted *Dana* Scully.

"If what?" Margaret inquired of her niece.

"Never mind," murmured Marianna softly. "Do
you think he would mind if I cheered him up?"

"I don't think he would mind, Mari."

Melissa walked into the dining room and saw
her cousin with her mother. "Marianna? What
brings you here?"

"I'm staying with Aunt Maggie for a few days
because of Dana," explained Marianna. "And
besides, I have a slow week at the DA's office."
She worked as an Assistant District Attorney in
Baltimore, MD.

"So who's the Executive District Attorney nowadays?
Jeff, Steve, or Brian?" asked Melissa.

"Steve Miller," answered Marianna. "A little on
the weird side but hey, he's a nice guy. You 
want me to set the two of you up?"

"You're not interested in him?" asked Melissa. 

"I don't know," replied Marianna. She decided to
change the subject. She got out of her chair and
walked near Melissa. "Do you know anything about
Dana's partner?"

"No - I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him
yet," said Melissa with a sigh. "Dana likes things
private. Mom has already met him."

"I would like to meet him," said Marianna. "I'm sure
he misses Dana like we all do."

"I'm sure he misses her. We all do. I would like to meet
Dana's partner too," replied Melissa. "However, I think
we should wait until Dana returns. I think you should wait
because he might think you're a dead ringer for Dana."

Marianna nodded. "I agree."  *But I don't like it."

***

Marianna walked towards Mulder's apartment door. "Apartment
42. This has got to be it," she mumbled as she knocked on
the door."

Mulder opened the door. At first, he thought Marianna was
his partner coming back to him. "Scully?"

"I'm not Dana Scully, if that's who you mean. I'm Marianna
Scully - Dana's cousin. I was in the neighborhood and I wanted
to know how you're doing."

"You look so much like her," replied Mulder. He saw her face
light up with a smile. 

"You're not the first person to tell me that," said Marianna.
"I'm staying with Aunt Maggie." 

"Do you want to come in?" inquired Mulder. He didn't want her
to stand in the hallway all day long. 

He wanted to get to know Scully's cousin. 

Marianna nodded. "Sure." She walked inside Mulder's apartment
and her blue eyes gazed at his furniture. A short pause. "Tell me
about her."

"You're her cousin, right?"

"Yes, but - I haven't seen her lately."

"Neither have I."

"I didn't mean - " Marianna stopped and then cleared her throat.
"I don't mean to be rude but I can tell how much you love Dana."

"And you figured this out in a couple of minutes?" inquired 
Mulder. "How?"

"I have my ways, Mulder. Dana once told me you like to be called
'Mulder' - I hope you don't mind if I call you that."

"It's ok," said Mulder. "So what do you do?"

"I'm an Assistant District Attorney in Baltimore," said 
Marianna. "It's an interesting position."

"Where did you go to law school?"

"Harvard," said Marianna. 

"I bet your high school grades were a 4.00 GPA," commented
Mulder. 

"And a pile of money," chimed Marianna. "My dad worked in 
the State Department."

"So did mine."

"Really?" inquired Marianna. "Perhaps we met and we never 
knew about it?"

"You wouldn't believe how many memories are repressed," said
Mulder with a deep sigh. 

Marianna gave him a nod of understanding. "I'm sorry."

"Don't feel sorry for me - I'm fine," said Mulder.

"That's what Dana *usually* says."

Mulder laughed. "I guess she rubs off on me at times. You 
know what I mean?" 

Marianna gave him a warm, tender smile and she nodded. "Yes,
I do. I always know when she's hiding her feelings. We 
Scullys do that all the time."

"Even you?"

"Occasionally. My fellow ADA complains that I hide *too*
much."

Mulder nodded vehemously. "I can relate." He decided to
change the subject. "How old are you?"

"Women aren't supposed to tell men their ages. It gives
a certain sense of mystique," said Marianna with a grin.
"All right, I'm the same age as Dana. We were both born in
February. I was born the day before Dana - February 22, 1964.
Dana was born - "

"I know her birthdate," interrupted Mulder. "You don't need
to let me know."

"I know you miss her, Mulder. I miss her too. I know she'll
be found soon."

"How do you know?"

"Call it the Scully women intuition," said Marianna. "I just
know she will come back. I have faith in her."

"So do I."

Marianna looked down at her watch and gasped. She had an 
early morning court preceding and she needed her rest. "I 
have to go, Mulder, but I'll see you around," she said
as got off the couch. 

"When?"

"Anytime you want to talk - I'm there," said Marianna.

"Thanks," replied Mulder. "I know your Aunt Maggie's 
phone number." 

Marianna pulled him a tender, warm hug. "I know you'll
find Dana. Always have hope."

"Do you know something that I don't know?"

Marianna grinned mysteriously and then she chimed
sweetly, "Maybe." All she knew what was within her
own gut instincts: Dana would be found...soon. Her
heart tells her whenever she becomes worried about
her cousin. "It's not something I know but we've
always had this psychic connection. All Scully 
women have this: Dana, Melissa, and myself. Even
my sisters have this."

"You have sisters?"

Marianna nodded. "Yeah - I have three sisters: Erin, 
Leanna, and Clarice. I have a brother named
Christopher." 

"You have a huge family," said Mulder. He
led her towards the door. "I'll see you."

"I'll see you, too," said Marianna. 

"Thanks for coming by, Marianna."

"You're welcome," said Marianna as she
opened the door to walk out.

*   *   *

When Marianna arrived back at her Aunt Maggie's
house, she was greeted by Melissa. She was in the
kitchen, spreading mayonaise on two slices of
bread. Then, Melissa put on some ham and cheese
to make a ham and cheese sandwich. "Where did
you go, Marianna?"

"I met the mysterious Fox Mulder," said Marianna. 
She went to the refrigerator and picked up a can
of Diet Soda. She opened the can with her hand
and then continued, "He seemed to be a nice guy.
He's very handsome and he adores Dana. I think
they are in love."

'What makes you say that?"

"I don't know. Just call it intuition," said Marianna
with a smile. "He misses her very much and hopes
she'll come back."

"I hope Dana comes back too."

"Me too." 

Silence passed between the two women as 
they thought of Dana. Marianna and Melissa
both hoped that Dana will return shortly.

***

Office of ADA Marianna Scully
Baltimore, Maryland

It had been a month since Dana was taken
by Duane Barry. There were no leads to go
on in the search. Marianna took a short leave
of absence to try to help in the search, but
to no avail.  The trail for answers ended at
Skyland Mountain, but the sadness remained.

Marianna kept a busy schedule after her
leave of absence ended.  She wanted to
be busy so she wouldn't feel the pain. It hurt
too much to think what Dana had gone through.

Marianna walked into her office after a long
day prosecuting a case and took off her jacket.
She felt drained after her talk with Melissa yesterday

"You go, ADA Scully," said a male voice.

She turned around with a look of shock in her
voice. "Mulder, what are you doing here?"

Mulder sighed. "I was in the neighborhood. I
stopped by Mrs. Scully's - your aunt - and she
told me you're here. I thought...well...I wanted
to surprise you."

Marianna gave him a soft, sad smile. "The truth
is you wanted to be near me 'cause I remind you
of Dana."

Mulder drew a sigh and knew she was right. "You've 
got me, Marianna." 

There was a slight uncomfortable wave in the air
and Mulder decided to continue, "I thought we 
could continue our conversation the other day."

Marianna nodded. "That sounds good to me." She
wanted, more than anything, to get to know the
man who knows her cousin like a book.

"What has she told you about me?" asked Mulder
with an air of curiosity. 

"Just the basics," replied Marianna. "You know,
I always knew how much she likes you." 

"Really?"

Marianna nodded. "I'm observant." A short, but
brief pause. "And I can tell you love her."

"You're very observant, Marianna," said Mulder
with a nervous laugh. "I hope I'll find her.
Sometimes, it's hard. I don't want to lose hope - "

"Don't lose hope. I can tell my Aunt Maggie and 
my cousins are losing faith in finding Dana." She
paused. "But you...you can't lose hope, Mulder. She
needs you - she loves you. I know she'll return to you.
We just have to hope for the best and not for the worst,"
said Marianna with optimism and hope. 

She saw the tears slide down against his cheeks and she
struggled to listen what he said. "I'll find her, Mari.
I have to tell her how much I love her..."

"I know you will, Mulder. I am looking forward to the day
when I can see her once again."

***

Marianna's Apartment
Baltimore, Maryland
One Month Later

Marianna heard the phone rang a couple of times 
before she answered it. "Hello."

"Marianna? It's Melissa."

"Any news about Dana?" asked Marianna.

"Dana's been found. She's at Northeast Georgetown 
Memorial Hospital," said Melissa. "However,  she's in
a coma. Dr. Daly doesn't think she'll make it." She 
paused. "Mulder, however, believes different."

"Dana will come through this. I knew she'll return to
all of us. I'm sure Mulder will pull her through."

"I hope you're right," said Melissa. 

After the phone call ended, Marianna hung up the phone.
Her lips lifted up in a beautiful smile. She knew everything
was right in the world because Dana returned. Marianna
hoped Mulder would be there at Dana's side as they 
complete each other.  

End of story.

Feedback: Much appreciated. Send  to: eblair@sonic.net


Author's Notes:  

I dusted this story for the Haven's Mary Sue Challenge to 
intentially write a Mary Sue. Since I have already written
one, I thought this would be a perfect story. 

This was started about the time of Reqieum,
but finished last year. This story was languishing in my notebook
for years. I have forgotten about it until last year when I decided
to come back to writing X-Files fanfic again. I always wanted
to have some cousins thrown in the mix and I wanted
a character different yet similar to Scully. With 
all the "Requiem" and "The Truth"  fic pouring in, I wanted 
to embrace the time when Scully was abducted as 
sort of a balance.

The character of Marianna was inspired after the Jill 
Hennessy's character, Claire Kincaid, from "Law and Order."
Of course, Marianna has several differences than similarities
with the Claire character.  I also based Marianna on Dana
Scully. :)
 
Special Thanks: To Joey, Tanja, and several members of the 
Haven MSR Gang as always. =) I would love
to thank my fellow shippers on several lists which I take part. 
You know who you are. =) I would like to thank Jen who beta 
read this story for me.

I would also like to dedicate this story to Gillian Anderson 
who gave Dana Scully a soul.