From thalia@goodnet.com Mon Feb 03 14:14:12 1997 I LAY A ROSE UPON YOUR GRAVE by Thalia D'Muse Summary: Mulder visits the grave of a special someone. Classification/Rating: VHA, G Spoilers/Warnings: One little 'Never Again' spoiler. Archivists/Newsgroups: **DO NOT POST TO A.T.X.C.** I give permission for 'I Lay A Rose Upon Your Grave' to be posted on the archives as long as my name, e-mail addy and intro remain intact. Disclaimer: Mulder + Scully = not mine. Mulder + Scully = property of Chris Carter + 1013 Productions + Fox Broadcasting. Author's Notes: This is my answer to my Valentine's Day challenge involving Mulder, Scully and a single red rose. It's short, has no redeeming social values whatsoever, but I just couldn't help myself. My tattoo made me do it. Feedback? Why not! Send all comments, criticisms, musings or the addresses of your favorite tattoo parlors to . And now, please put your hands together for... I LAY A ROSE UPON YOUR GRAVE by Thalia D'Muse Fox Mulder held the red rose in his hand, the thorns biting mercilessly into his skin. He ignored the pain, focusing all of his attention on the tombstone directly in front of him. He wiped a stray tear that had begun to make its descent down his cheek. He opened his mouth to speak, his voice low and thick with emotion. "I...I'm sorry it's taken me so long to visit you. I should have been here sooner, but...well, you know how life has a tendency to overwhelm you. You more than anyone know what it's like to live a life against the odds, always wondering what's around the next corner. You had such courage in the face of adversity. I admire you for that. "You have been my inspiration for so many years. I've learned so much from you about life. You taught me that it's all right to be different, to be a rebel. I never had the chance to thank you for that, and that is one of my biggest regrets in life. I don't remember much about my life before you entered it. And what an entrance you made! Bold, defiant, and completely unforgettable. I remember the feeling I would get in my gut whenever I saw you, moving so gracefully, so sure of yourself. And I remember the joy that would swell in my heart whenever you would speak, your melodic voice ringing in my ears, weaving its way into my mind forever. "God, how I've missed you so! My life was so complete, but now that you are gone, there is a void in my heart that I fear will never be filled. No one can take your place. No one." Mulder paused to collect his thoughts, then continued. "I've wanted to tell you these things for so long, but I was afraid. Afraid to let you know how deeply you had touched me. Afraid to tell you how much you meant to me. But now you're gone, and I'll never forgive myself for not telling you these things while you were alive. "It only seems appropriate that I come here today, on Valentine's Day, to let you know that you will always have a special place in my heart. You will always be with me, and I will never, ever forget you." Hearing the rustling of cloth against cloth, Mulder stopped speaking but kept his eyes on the grave. He held his breath, waiting as the person approached. "Mulder, just hurry up and put the rose on the grave so we can get out of here." Fox Mulder turned to the person next to him, a look of stunned disbelief on his face. "But Scully, this is Elvis. He was The King!" THE END -------------------------------XxX------------------------------- Scully: "Where will you be?" Mulder: "Ironically enough, it's personal. It's a place I've always wanted to go, what I anticipate to be a spiritual journey. I hope to discover something about myself." ~ excerpts from 'Never Again'~ -------------------------------XxX-------------------------------