From: Kristen Kilar Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 12:53:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Tell Us A Story by Kristen Kilar Source: direct TITLE: Tell Us A Story AUTHOR: Kristen Kilar RATING: G, maybe PG? SPOILERS: Existence. I hadn't seen 9 when I wrote this. SUMMARY: Once upon a time, a young man and a young woman met. AUTHOR'S NOTES: Just a little inspiration. It's not long. Enjoy. DISCLAIMER: Most characters contained herein do not belong to me. Except in my own little world. FEEDBACK: Please. See above address. ARCHIVES: Gossamer. Anywhere else, just let me know. Now on with the show! --Tell Us A Story-- ("Grandma, tell us a story." "Yeah! Tell us a story!" The elderly woman was silent for a long time, watching the tangle of arms and legs and energy that was her grandkids. Then, finally, she began:) Once upon a time, there was a young man on a crusade. ("What story are you telling us, Grandma?" "It's King Arthur!" "It is not.") The young man had been hurt many, many times. He gave his love and trust to people who hurt him and betrayed him and used him. But because he didn't think he was worthy of happiness, nothing could be done to help him. Finally, he decided that the only way to avoid being hurt again was to trust no one. Once upon a time, there was a young woman who had lost her faith. The young woman, too, had been hurt too many times. She had seen bad things and made bad choices. Too many people had deceived and tricked her. She decided that the only way to avoid being deceived again was to trust only science and what she could explain and understand. Once upon a time, a young man and a young woman met. They each tried to push the other away; he provoked her and mocked her and tested her imagination and patience; she was cold and clinical and scientific. But neither one would back down. Then one night, the young woman was frightened and ran inexplicably to him. He reassured her, comforted her, took care of her, and was kind to her. And a bond formed. With time, the bond strengthened as they learned to trust each other and put their faith in each other. But then a terrible blow struck them. The young woman was taken from him. He searched the ends of the earth restlessly for her, nearly killing himself with his obsession and unhealthy habits - he didn't sleep, rarely ate, occasionally committed acts of self-destructive behavior. And then the young woman was returned to him. He devoted himself to her. Eventually, she recovered and rejoined him on his quest. The cycle repeated over the years; one or the other was hurt, but always, always they fought and came back together. But one day, about eight years after their meeting, he was taken...and she discovered that she was carrying his child. ("Oh...") She searched tirelessly for him. More often then not, she wanted to give up and die - but she stayed strong, for him, for their baby. And he fought through heaven-and-hell to get back to her. She bore their son and together, they protected him from evil forces. Once upon a time, a young man and a young woman loved each other very much. Once upon a time, a young man and a young woman were hurt very badly. Once upon a time, a young man and a young woman lived and laughed and cried and loved. ("How does it end, Grandma?" "Is it a happy ending?" "It hasn't ended yet, darlings. I don't know the ending." The children filed out of the room slowly. The youngest girl stopped beside the woman's seat. "Grandma Mulder, was that a true story?" "Do you believe it was true, Katie?" "I want to believe." "Then there's a start, Katherine Fox. There's a start.") --End Story-- Hope you enjoyed; drop me a line. ===== With Love from LA, Kristen Kilar chickadee_from_3@yahoo.com "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints..." Non aliquis incipit convivium sine nobis, nos sumus convivium. (Translation: No one starts the party without us, 'cause we -are- the party!