The idea for this story came to me just today, thinking about someone I
knew whose life was cruelly taken away just this past weekend. I only knew
her through school, but I still considered her a friend. So, I dedicate
this vignette to the memory of my friend, Angela Tong.

Disclaimer: Mulder and Scully belong to CC, FBC, and 1013. I have no claim
to them, I just like to use them to express myself creatively. I intend no
disrespect or infringement in my use of them.

Feedback is always welcome, flames are not.

Classification: V
Rating: G
Spoilers: Memento Mori (4th season)

                    Don't Speak II: Prayer For A Friend
                             by Siobhan Gormley

Dana Scully peeked into the quiet chapel. Seeing that no one else was
there, she went inside and took a seat in one of the pews. She sat there
for a minute or so before pulling down the kneeler and kneeling on it,
bowing her head, twinning her fingers, and closing her eyes.

"I know it's been a while since I did this, so forgive me if I don't get
everything right," Scully said quietly. "I came here to pray for a woman,
Penny Northern, whose life was taken away this very day. I had intended to
pray for her soul, but now that I'm here, I start to wonder so many things.
Things like why this was done to her? Who was it that was given the right
to take her life so cruelly, without a second thought? And why did they do
this to all these women, not just her? Why didn't you do something?" Scully
paused, sighing.

"Not very reverent, am I?" she said, chuckling sardonically. "At times like
this, I begin to wonder if you truly exist. If you're just not some
fantastical idea that humankind has conjured up to make ourselves feel
better so that we can explain something away or else to comfort us in our
final hours. I would like to think that you're real, I *want* to
believe..." She trailed off, thinking for a moment before speaking again.

"So now, I kneel here, praying for Penny Northern, someone I did not know
very well, but in the end, I considered her my friend."

Scully suddenly looked up to see Mulder standing in front of the doors, a
slightly embarrassed look on his face, as if he felt he was intruding.
Scully gave him a small smile, inviting him to sit with her, which he did.
She slid back into the seat as Mulder sat beside her. They said no words,
but they did not need them right then. They understood each other so well
that their forgiveness and need to be strong together was evident to them
through their eyes, their body language.

Mulder slid his arm around Scully, allowing her to lay her tired head on
his shoulder. It felt good to both of them that they could have this time
alone together, because one day soon, they may never have any days left at
all.

THE END?