From: miranda119@juno.com
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 18:05:52 GMT
Subject: The Third Wish           by Miranda
Source: direct

Title:  The Third Wish
Author:  Miranda
Rating:  G
Summary:  So what was Mulder's third wish, really?
Disclaimer:  Only Chris Carter has the right to say what the third
wish really was.  But sometimes when he keeps things from us we have
to speculate so it's really not our fault that we have to use his
characters.

Note:  This was an idea someone mentioned not long ago about the third
wish Mulder made that we didn't actually see, and I got to thinking
about it.  It has to do with certain technicalities of the genie.  And
since I've never actually met one to ask if it's true, this is pure
speculation.

Feedback and discussion:  miranda@juno.com


The Third Wish

"Maybe that's the whole purpose to why we're here, Mulder.  Maybe it's
a process that one man shouldn't try to circumvent with a single
wish."

Scully's words weighed heavily upon my mind as the door clicked shut
behind her.  Why was it that she always seemed to see things that
didn't even occur to me?  I remembered Jen's words concerning my
attempt to establish world peace.

"How grotesquely egotistical of you."

Could it be true?  Was my desire to set up a world of peace and
harmony and enough for everyone really an attempt to lift myself to
the place of God?  I had sincerely believed that I was doing the right
thing.  But now as Scully's quiet advice rang in my ears, I saw the
perspective I had been missing.

So what was I to do?  What little amount of good could I do with this
last wish either for myself or for someone else?

"You ready?"  I heard Jen's unenthusiastic voice behind me.  I
hesitated briefly.

"Yeah."  I turned off the computer and looked around at her.  She
glared at me expectantly.

"I'm torn between two."  I told her honestly.  "Maybe you can tell me
which one is more important."

"What?"  She sighed dramatically.

"My partner has one wish.  I know it without having to ask, because
she's been through so much trying to get it.  It's something she
deserves to have but never will because of me."

"And you want to grant her wish?"  Jen asked, her voice almost
sounding just a bit interested, though highly skeptical of my
motives.

"I do.  More than anything. I also want you to be free of this never
ending wish granting you've been subjected to for five hundred
years."

There was a long silence as she gazed at me incredulously.  Her eyes
began to soften and she tried to speak, but was at a loss to know what
to say.  Finally she found her voice.

"So what's your wish?" 

"I don't suppose that I could wish that both of you would have your
wishes come true?"

"No.  No loopholes."  She sighed, shaking her head.  "Just make the
wish for your partner.  I appreciate the thought, but this is the life
I chose, however unknowingly it might have been."

"Are you sure?"  I gave her another chance to free herself.  She
sighed, then nodded.

"What's your wish?"  She prompted me.  I did not speak for a long
moment.

"I wish that my partner, Dana Scully, would be whole in body again and
able to conceive a child."  

She stared at me for a long time.  I watched her carefully.

"Can't you do that?"  I asked after a few seconds.

"Yeah."  She nodded.  "But I want to say one thing.   You are the
first person I have ever met in five hundred years that made a wish
for someone else."

"No way!"  I couldn't believe her words.  Was humanity that depraved?

"I just have to ask.  Why?"  She shook her head.  "What makes this
partner so special that you have become a statistic of one to
thousands?"

I considered her question.  "I don't know.  I just care about her. 
I've caused her a lot of heartache just by being her partner and she's
given up so much to be with me.  She deserves another chance."

She paused for a minute, then gave me a half-smile.  "Done."

"Thank you."  I told her sincerely.  Both of us expected her to
disappear, but several minutes later she was still standing before
me.

"Why are you still here?"  I asked curiously.  She shook her head.

"I didn't know if it were really true."  

"If what was true?"  I queried.

"I'd always heard that if someone asked for a wish for someone else,
and was willing to give up their own happiness for the happiness of
another, then a bonus wish would be granted."   She said slowly.  Her
eyes searched mine.

"Should I give it a try?" 

At her nod, I spoke quickly.

"I wish you free to live the rest of your life the way you would
choose."

After a breathless few seconds, the tiny sparkling gem beside her
right eye disappeared. Her fingers felt where it had been and she
stared at me in disbelief.

"It worked!  It worked!"  She laughed, and I found myself engaged in
the biggest bear hug I'd ever received.  "Thank you!"

After one last smile, she left the office.  By way of the door. 


The End