From: "Carrie Leanne" Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 22:43:18 -0000 Subject: Life Is For Living By Carrie-Leanne Source: direct Rating: A harmless G Category: V, MSR, Skinner POV Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance. Post Season 8. Spoilers: YES. Right through to season 8 so far and beyond. That's is you believe everything you read on the net ;-) Disclaimer: (to the tune of Bohemian Rhapsody) I'm just a poor girl with a big fantasy, I am Chris! I am Chris! Can I write some fanfiction? Summary: Mulder starts a new life. Feedback: I know I'm only a tiny little piece of fanfic but I'm begging you please? All comments, no matter how small are welcome at Majikthize@hotmail.com. Dig deep, give generously. Authors Notes: Please bear in mind my poor backward little country has only just got round to showing Season 8, so I've not seen much of what is happening. I have had to resort to spoiling myself shamelessly, mainly via the excellent Haven, which is where I read the titbit that gave me the inspiration to pen this. Thank you guys, your site brought hope into my long desolate winter! Life Is For Living By Carrie-Leanne Well. I bet they're making little snow demons in Hell right at this moment. At least I remember uttering the phrase "Mulder will give up on the X files when hell freezes over." To my colleague Alvin Kersh, as he told me he would not allow Mulder to be re-instated in the division he had founded and that had become his life. It must be forty below and blowing a gale down there right now. And I sit here with wonder on my face, having to eat my words because that's exactly what the son of a bitch has just done. I stare in bemused silence at him, as I absorb what he had just said, his letter of resignation laying crumpled in my fist. "Agent Mulder this is something of a surprise say the least." He shrugs, a happy sort of smile playing over his face. "Believe me, no one was more surprised than I." I muse aloud for the reason for this sudden decision and he looks thoughtful. "This last eighteen months have been pretty weird. I've found truths that I sought, I've lost loved ones, I've gained loved ones." He pauses, licking his lips in a nervous gesture. I nod and he continues. "I was abducted by aliens, I died and then I was alive again." I nod again, amused that I accept these words so readily from him, when I'd have had anyone else uttering them committed for psyche evaluation. He looks past me, out of the window into the glaring sunshine of the D.C. sky. "I guess I've realised its time to slow down, take stock and stop chasing damn windmills." I agree. "Well you have good reason to." I gesture wordlessly at the empty chair beside him. He turns and I see the look on his face. "You're a very lucky man, Mulder." I whisper. He looks up at me, a question in his eyes. "She never gave up on you. Even when you were gone." I think he already knows this. "Yeah." He answers quietly. He is sombre for a moment then shakes off the mood and that happy smile is back on his face. He pulls back from his thoughts. "Well, I know I have to give a months notice but I was wondering..." I cut him off. "You have more than enough holiday due. I'm sure you could leave straight away if its what you want." "It is. Now that I've done this I just want it to be over, to move on." We share a moments knowing silence before he adds. "I already packed my personal stuff. I guess all that's left is to check my badge and gun." I nod and he stands removing his weapon from its holster and dropping it alongside his badge on my desk. He remains standing, looking at me with genuine warmth. First damn time I've ever seen him direct that look at me. I realise that this is probably the last time we'll ever meet. I swallow round the lump that has suddenly formed in my throat. "Well." He says. "Well." I move round my desk to stand beside him and hold out my hand. He takes it in a strong shake. I surprise myself by reaching forward and clasping him in a manly (I hope) embrace which he returns. "You take care." My voice is raw but I add. "And take care of Agent Scully." He ignores my slip of the tongue. Dana Scully ceased being an agent two weeks ago when her maternity leave began. I knew then she wouldn't be coming back, but I had no idea Mulder would follow her. Well, maybe a seed of an idea, after all they had been inseparable since his miraculous resurrection. He pulls back from my embrace and nods. "I will. And I'll let you know how it all works out." He doesn't say it but I know he's referring to the imminent birth of his first child. I nod again. Why am I finding it so hard to formulate sentences today? He turns to leave, but pauses at the door and turns. "Ah I almost forgot." He fishes in his pocket, pulling out two square white envelopes. "One of these is for Agent Doggett. You'll see he gets it." He hands them to me and leaves. I stare at the door for a moment, then remember the envelopes in my hand. Turning back to my desk I sit down and open the one marked with my name. Inside there is a simple square white card with a raised silver pattern, two interlinked rings and a scroll of ribbon beneath them. A huge grin suffuses my face. I already know what it is but I open it and read it anyway. I know now this won't be the last time I see them. I'm already tring to figure out what to get them for a wedding present. I sit back in my chair, propping my feet up, I push back, the angle allowing the sun to glint on my glasses and making me squint. My brain hums over a phrase. I heard it once in one of those ridiculously happy songs from the hippy days. Back then when I heard it I had scorned the sentiment. But today? Today it's just perfect. Life is for living and living is free. Life Is For Living is by Barclay James Harvest. I defy you to listen to it and not be smiling by the end.