From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 17:42:26 -0500
Subject: \"A matter of choice\" (1,1) by Seulement Moi
Source: direct

Reply To: moi_seulement@hotmail.com


Title: A matter of choice
Author: Seulement Moi
Email: moi_seulement@hotmail.com
Distribution:  Anywhere you please, just let me know.
Spoilers: Sort of Post-requiem. 
Rating: PG
Classification: Really, really short story.
Summary: The title says all. 
Disclaimer: Yeah, I know they are not mine, but what 
can I do? I love them =)
Feedback: All comments, suggestions and opinions are 
welcomed =)
Author's notes: This one is for Sasha. Thanks for your
encouraging feedback and support! I hope you like it.

*-*-*
Skinner stepped into the basement office and found Scully
standing in front of Mulder's desk, staring intently at the
poster pasted on the wall. 

"Sir, can people die from grief?", she said suddenly, sensing
his presence. 

Skinner stared at her quizzically. What should he answer her?
He had to say "no".
"I..."

"For real, being really honest, do you think so?" Scully 
read his thoughts. She turned around and looked him in the
eyes. Her blue eyes expectant, searching.

Skinner sighed heavily, before finally answering, "Yes, I do
think so".

Scully stood silent for a while. 

"When Sharon died, I thought I would, too. The pain was so
intense, so sharp in my heart that I couldn't see through it".

Scully nodded silently, thinking.

"And I prepared to die, I was so ready for it. Then something 
snapped in my head and I knew I couldn't".

Scully stared at him for a while. "But you could have".

Skinner nodded. "In a second".

Scully looked around the room, her gaze falling once more over
the "I want to believe" poster. A soft, lone tear fell from her
eye. "Cause, you know, I'm dying".

Skinner shook his head. "You can't". He pulled a small envelope
from his coat and handed it to her.

She took it and opened it, taking out the pictures that were
inside it. She smiled instantly. It was the ultrasound she had 
taken a day before. The first picture of her baby. Just a small 
spot of white, but it was there. 

"I think there is more life in you than grief, Scully" Skinner said
and walked out the door.

Scully stood mesmerized by the picture she was holding. She smiled
once more and tears fell freely, as she whispered: "You are right. 
Just here, in this small, black and white, square piece of paper, 
there is so much more *life*".

*-*-*

"Talking about love is like dancing about architecture".
---Joan "Playing by Heart"

*-*-*