From: Jennifer Thorson <102147.1653@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: NEW: Pascal's Wager (1/?)
Date: 8 Jan 1996 04:45:04 GMT

Disclaimer:  The characters of Mulder and Scully and the concepts
of the X-Files are the property of Chris Carter and 1013
productions, and the Fox network--I guess, everyone but me.  But I
promise to put the toys back the way I found them :)

Author's note--this is a very short piece, but may become part of a
larger story, if there is any interest.  Constructive criticism is
welcome.  3rd season spoiler warning--very mild, and you might not
even notice.  This is my first attempt, so please be kind.  Thanks
to everyone for writing such great fanfic and inspiring me to try
my own hand at it.  So, without further ado:


                      Pascal's Wager


    Mulder found her on his couch, curled in a corner with her coat
wrapped around her.  She was shaking, and her eyes were red and
puffy from crying, although her tears had dried and the sobs had
died down to hiccups.  She barely acknowledged his presence--didn't
answer his whispered questions as he sat beside her and pulled her
into his arms, rocking her like a baby.  His mind raced --what
could it be? Her mom? Her brothers? Was she injured? Wat could have
brought her to this state, drawn her to his apartment, to seek
comfort from him? 


===========================================================================

From: Jennifer Thorson <102147.1653@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: NEW: Pascal's Wager (2/?)
Date: 8 Jan 1996 04:53:29 GMT

DIsclaimer is in part 1--sorry the sections are so short, but its
this newsreader...

                       Pascal's Wager--part 2
She clung to him as if to a lifeline, clutching the lapels of his
coat so he couldn't cast her away.  She heard him whispering "Dana,
Dana, what is it? Let me fix it. Let me help." Heard the
desperation in his voice but couldnt' bring herself to speak, not
yet.  She was cold, so cold, but he was warm, and warming her,
giving her strength, the strength she had only when she was with
him, when they were together.  She wanted to tell him, but
couldn't--it was too much to bear alone, but too much to burden him
with.  "Dana, Dana, please tell me.  Please, you're scaring me. Let
me help. Nothing is too much."  He felt her grip loosen on him,
felt her muscles relax.  He looked down at her, and her eyes
finally met his.  He felt lost in the pain and fear he saw there,
but tried to convey strength and acceptance to her--together they
were stronger than anything.  She looked up at him, drawing from
the strength she saw, but seeing her fear mirrored in his eyes.
   "They did it to me too," she whispered.  Mulder's heart raced. 
Suddenly, he knew.  All the doctor's appointments, her frailty.
"Cancer" he said. Just like the women in Allentown.  "Oh God, I'm
so sorry I'm so very sorry Dana." 


===========================================================================

From: Jennifer Thorson <102147.1653@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: NEW: Pascal's Wager (3/3)
Date: 8 Jan 1996 05:00:48 GMT

Disclaimer in part one--if any parts are missing, please email me
at 102147.1653@compuserve.com and I can email them to you.

Here's the big finish:

                    Pascal's Wager--Part 3 (conclusion)

"Cancer," he said.  Just like the women in Allentown.  "Oh God, I'm
so sorry, I'm so very sorry Dana." He clutched her to him, rocking
back and forth, to make her part of him as his mind repeated --your
fault your fault your fault--but she pulled away, to look into his
eyes, and he saw no blame in hers, ony sadness, and fear.  "I'm so
afraid" Her voice sounded small, fragile.  He smiled at her,
through their tears. "It'll be OK.  We'll beat this together,
Dana." And he saw love in her eyes, behind the tears, and
acceptance, that they *would* beat it.  She knew that he would
fight this with her, even to the death.  Together they were magic,
unstoppable.  He put his face next to hers, and their tears
mingled, tears of sadness and joy. 


**end

So, comments to 102147.1653@compuserve.com--thanks for reading!
--Jennifer