From: "Doug Ackerman" Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 23:55:53 -0500 Subject: Teotihuacan DISCLAIMER: Mulder, Scully, and any other X-Files characters in this story belong to Chris Carter, Fox Broadcasting, and Ten-Thirteen. No infringement intended. Please don't sue me, 'cause I'm not worth it. No animals were harmed at any time during its production. Any other characters in this story are mine, and can be purchased for the right price. RATED: PG TYPE: MSF DATE: January 23, 1999 ARCHIVE: Anywhere, especially at the Gossamer! BY: Colby Reuben E-MAIL: leainluv@yahoo.com FLAMES: Sure; it'll warm my hands right up! WEBSITE: http://pages.whowhere.lycos.com/entertainment/rccr/ AUTHOR'S DEDICATION: Chris Carter-eighth season please!!!! TITLE: "Teotihuacan" POV: Author's SUMMARY: A major talk about Emily between Mulder and Scully at an FBI Ball NOTE(S): Okay, folks, it's another story from me! There are some 'shippy moments, but (because people like Dani don't like it :]), no love is actually admitted :[ "Teotihuacan" (Yes, it's named after the song) By Colby Reuben Mulder held his arm out to keep from knocking the red, white and green streamers hung hastily to the doorway in the FBI's cafeteria. He had never planned on attending this year's Christmas party, but spending an evening alone was his other option, and though this event was boring for him, he had come. Signs attached to the walls wished all merry Christmases and Happy New Years and Happy Hanukahs. He shook his head in a sort of sympathy to the sap who had decided the Bureau should hold parties like this. But in the midst of all his boredom, Mulder casually glanced over the crowd, searching for any other agent that he felt comfortable conversing with. There were no new agents, which were so foolishly gullible, and the others knew him to well to know that he was a waste of time when talking. Mulder stretched his arms and entered the cafeteria with his courage for defense from ridicule-ers. With the sinking feeling of comfort, Mulder stood as one in a bleak side of the room. No one to talk to, no one to dance with, nothing good to eat or drink. The party usually lasted until late in the night, and only then did guests begin to leave, but Mulder decided he hadn't a reason for staying and felt the others didn't deserve anything more to say about him. With a slight glisten in her eye, Scully walked into the cafeteria, entering through the doorway Mulder had passed through moments before. As his only sort of consolation, he approached her. "Hey, Scully," he said casually. It was nearly a gift from God Himself that Scully was lucky enough to come across Mulder, or vice-versa, at this stupid party. She smiled slightly at her luck and returned the welcoming. "Have you been here long?" she asked. "Just arrived," he replied. "You look nice," he said. A pair of gold earrings accompanied a beautiful white dress, clad to her slender form. Curls of red hair fell neatly into place on her bare shoulders and she moved gracefully on gold-colored heels. Her composure overall was astonishing, and it compared to Mulder's appearance with the same impression. He had rented the tuxedo, though he knew he had not planned on staying very long. Only an hour-maybe two. His hair had a sort of glimmer in the dim light as he had applied some gel to it. His hazel eyes were hopeful and dark, incorporating luxury to his appearance, as the minutes dully passed. He sighed in disappointment and waited for some sort of response from his partner. "Hey, you okay, Scully?" he asked, watching her stroke a tear from her eye. She nodded. "I'm fine, Mulder." The two agents embarked from the door back to Mulder's corner, watching other investigators chuckle and giggle at Spooky Mulder and the Mrs. "Look," one laughed, "Spooky and Ice Queen actually came! I guess they couldn't find any little green men tonight!" The woman's two friends laughed, hoping that Mulder and Scully heard them. It was like a horrible high school reunion. In a half hour, nearly one-hundred more agents and ADs had arrived. Mulder stood loyally by Scully, neither of them saying anything. Scully interrupted the crazing silence. "Is it just me or have we been standing here saying nothing since we got here?" Mulder looked down at her. He issued her a slight nod. "Want to dance, Scully? Pass along the time?" he asked. She nodded, anything to fit in with all the other attendants. Mulder took her hand and led her to the dance floor (which was really the middle of the cafeteria). News of them being together spread quickly across the room. Sometimes a dancing couple would near them and make comments, but they did their best to act untouched. They hurt Scully a little, but she kept her brow strong as her partner twirled her. She smiled slightly and then Mulder leaned forward, his lips pressed against her ear. "I have something to tell you," he said in a whisper. He pulled away and Scully looked up to him. Her hopeful, strong, shining orbs tugged his heart and made him wish he had happier news for her. Intimidated with curiosity, she asked him what it was. Mulder would have wished he had told her earlier. He wished he didn't have to tell her at all, actually. But she must know. he thought solidly. Mulder set his head down in shame, and tore himself from any enjoyment, then released his burden. "Scully, you have to know I don't want to tell you this, and I've never felt worse in my life for procrastinating." Scully waited impatiently. His news, no matter what it was, was nothing she wanted to hear, obviously. "What is it, Mulder?" she asked. She was unable to contain her confidence now as she tumbled into Mulder's secret. He leaned in closer once more. "Scully," he began, "you're not going to like this. You'll hate me forever." Scully pulled away from him. She looked at him inquisitively. "Mulder?" He whispered into her ear, "Emily was cloned." The words were like salt on his tongue. They ignited his soul with worry as his best friend began to fall back. He tightened his grasp on her waist. Tears formed in Scully's eyes. She tried to say something, but words were forgotten as memories flooded her mind and pain tore at her heart. "Mulder?" she stammered. Her eyes studied all but him. In a place in her mind painted black, a door opened and in the doorway stood Emily. The news was an unearthing feeling like no other, and the pain was worse than she could ever imagine. She fell into his chest, but Mulder and Scully continued to sway. In all the time since San Diego, Scully had nearly forgotten Emily, though her heart could never. All she had had were days with Emily, but the child's spirit would linger in Scully for an eternity of distress, grief and agony. The information from Mulder had never been more heart-turning, more out-of-place. Scully closed her eyes, and all her problems were whisked away as new ones of Emily dominated her conscience. "Are you all right, Scully?" Mulder asked softly, not moving in any direction. His soul had never felt more worn as she shook her head 'no'. They both took a deep breath. Mulder left an undying kiss of sorrow atop her red, curly hair. He was sure not to let her believe she had lost him too. "I-I don't really understand," she replied to his gesture. Mulder didn't want to explain it, and he never could to himself, even after seeing the fetuses over a year ago already. He hadn't ever thought he would tell her, though he knew he had to. The weight on his shoulders exploded when he told her, but the aftermath is what would bother him most. "Scully, right now I want you to know I'm sorry I never told you before, but it's difficult to say. I also want you to understand that I'm sorry. You have all the sympathy I could ever give," he said to her, a tinge of angst and anger subsiding in his whisper. He waited before finishing, then began again. "While I," another pause, then, "While I was in the nursing home, I saw this fridge-like thing. I ventured inside to stumble upon this large container. I opened it, and there were embryos and fetuses growing inside large, green vials. I can't explain how, Scully, but it had your name on it, and I could tell that they were babies, but, but?" Lost for words, Mulder stopped, mid-sentence. Without being aware of it, his partner had been crying, hiding her face in his jacket. He nodded ever so slightly in a sort of understanding. "Scully?" he whispered gently. He let her cry, guiding her from the floor, keeping an arm delicately around her. He led her to some chairs adjacent to the wall. He sat beside her, never letting go, never loosening his lock. "I'm sorry, Mulder," she said. "I must look like an idiot; crying at such a happy event. ?Why did you wait until now to tell this to me, Mulder?" she asked, drying her eyes and hiding spread mascara. Mulder watched her, never removing his eyes from her severed soul. "I don't really know. I guess I just wanted to get it over with. It's hard to share such a saddening thing like this with your friend." She nodded, still dabbing her face. "I appreciate your sympathy and understanding," she said quietly. "It really means a lot. I-I just don't understand why there would be more? What did they do to me?" Unable to supply any further knowledge as to Scully's "other kids", Mulder sighed. "I don't-I wish I could tell you, Scully." And among all of the other couples, smiling and kissing and dancing, Mulder and Scully sat next to the walls, silently conversing in the way only they could. The tears flowed, the hearts ached, the spirits wept, the heavens sighed, and the withered souls burst with anguish. In all of the world, happiness and joy was being diffused, but in the J. Edgar Hoover building, two agents played their deal of cards in an arena of well thought-out techniques in a game in which rules were broken and lives taken? ?Or created.