From: lgwoman1013@sluggy.net
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 23:19:38 GMT
Subject: Eliza (1/1), vague MSR, by Rainee Scott

Title: Eliza
Author: Rainee Scott
E-Mail: lgwoman1013@aol.com
Rating: G
Category: VHR
Spoilers:
Keywords: MSR.  Sorta.
Summary: The Dateless Wonder is out for romantic advice -- and,
in true Mulder fashion, goes to the least reliable source
available.

Archiving: Wherever.  :>

Author's Notes: My very first attempt at MSR.  I'm really only
doing this to see if I *can*.  In other words, NO, I am NOT a
shipper, so DON'T ASK.

Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully are Carter's.  I'm not sure whose
Eliza is...

**********

"This doesn't look like an AI."

Mulder peered carefully at his browser window.  "ELIZA - a friend
you could never have before," it read across the top of the
screen.  Somehow it became apparent that Langly had been pulling
his leg about this.  But hey, might as well give her a shot...

     You: Hello.
     Eliza: How do you do. Please state your problem.

Mulder took a breath.

     You: My, uh, "problem".  It's with my partner.
     Eliza: Why do you say your partner?
     You: Well, we work together.
     Eliza: Please go on.
     You: We've worked together for seven years, and we're really
     good friends.
     Eliza: Please go on.
     You: But, well -- I think I'm starting to think of her as
     more.
     Eliza: Can you elaborate on that?
     You: Lately she seems different. Not like she's acting
     different, but like I'm seeing her different.
     Eliza: Does it please you to believe I am seeing her different?

Mulder lifted an eyebrow, staring at the screen a moment, but
eventually figured that Eliza's "I" was in reference to him.

     You: Well, sort of. I mean, I'm not sure.
     Eliza: Can you elaborate on that?
     You: I don't know if I like feeling this way. She's great and
     all, but it would change everything -- how we work, how we
     talk -- I don't know if I want to take that kind of risk with
     such a good friend.
     Eliza: Do you wish that you like feeling this way shes great
     and all but it would change everything what we work what
     we talk you dont know if you want to take that kind of risk
     with such a good friend?

Mulder blinked, then decided to start over.  Obviously this thing
wasn't good with long sentences.  He took a deep breath, offering
Eliza the words he couldn't even tell himself:

     You: I think I love Scully.
     Eliza: But you are not sure you love scully?
     You: Well, I'm pretty sure. But I don't know if I should say
     anything.
     Eliza: Do you wish that you should say anything?
     You: I don't know. I really don't.
     Eliza: Why do you not know you really dont?
     You: It would be different if I just knew her. But working
     together changes things.
     Eliza: Do you wish that you just knew her?
     You: No, no, no. She's great to work with. But if I say
     anything she'll either stare at me like I'm nuts or laugh
     in my face.
     Eliza: You're being a bit negative.

Mulder bit his lip, deciding to be a little more direct.

     You: I don't know if I should ask her out.
     Eliza: Do you wish that you should ask her out?
     You: Yeah, I wish it were that simple.
     Eliza: Can you elaborate on that?
     You: There's just so much at risk... I don't want to lose
     her friendship.
     Eliza: Why do you not want to lose her friendship?
     You: Are you kidding me?! She's smart, funny, she's reliable,
     never lets me get too far out on my ideas -- she's never let
     me down. Everyone's abandoned me at one point or another but
     her. She's perfect.

Mulder didn't catch Eliza's response as he looked at his last
sentence carefully.  "She's perfect".  Perfect.  And it was true.

     You: Do you think I should ask her out?
     Eliza: Oh, i think you should ask her out.
     You: I wonder if she'll say yes...
     Eliza: Do you wish that shell say yes?
     You: Of course I do! That's why I'm asking her!
     Eliza: Can you elaborate on that?

Mulder shook his head, snapping the window closed.  Eliza wasn't
going to be much more help.  He pushed his chair away from the
computer, leaning on his desk as his green eyes strayed to focus
on the blue ones across the room.

"Hey, Scully?..."

**********
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--
*****
"Byers, I swear to God, I'll shoot you myself..."
*****