From: Kim Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 05:54:51 -0600 Subject: To Love Is Human Title: To Love Is Human Author: Kim Rating: PG or PG-13? Classification: MSR!!! Angst. Alternate Universe. Summary: Mulder and Scully live in another lifetime, but their struggles to be with each other is not any easier. Notes: This story is an Alternate Universe. I had to write a story for English class, and as I wrote on, I kept Mulder and Scully in mind. I had to change all the names of the characters in the original story to XF ones. If I have some mistakes, please excuse them, I am only 16, and can sometimes be careless. Disclaimer: Don't own any names in here that you recognize. The ones you don't, they belong to me. Feeback: PLEASE!!! PLEASE!!!! PLEASE!!! Archive: Anywhere is fine, as long as my name stays attached. Dedication: To Lauren, my angel on earth. You always keep me writing. Thanks girl! To Love Is Human By: Kim I was so enthralled, even from the beginning. When I first saw them together, I knew I was seeing something that I would probably never have the chance to see in any other man and woman, or even be blessed to experience what they had, for myself. The aura that filled the room when they were together, was amazing. They would become so in tune with only each other, forgetting that there were other people in the same room with them. They would so rarely touch one another, but that didn't matter because one look shared between them meant more than a thousand words ever could. He was an attractive man, with his tall, lanky form and his head full of dark, unruly hair. His hazel eyes were brooding, and held such a depth to them, as though he had seen too much in his young life. He couldn't have been more than 30 years old, but the air about him held so much maturity, and so much mystery that only age could accumulate. But when he was with her, all the pain and sadness in his eyes would vanish as if they were never there in the first place. She. heavens, she was a creature that manifested from Heaven itself because that's the only place she could have come from. A room would light up a thousand watts when she took one step into it. The elegance and beauty she held radiated from her, and she would carry it gracefully, seemingly unaware of the power she held in her grasp. Even more admirable was the fact that she probably never knew just how stunning a being she was. She was a tiny thing, really, with a petite, trim frame as opposed to his towering one. I was afraid that she would snap in two with even the slightest touch to her. Her lusterous auburn hair was styled in the latest fashion, most popular with the ladies of her class. Her fair skin reminded me of a delicious bowl of peaches and cream, ripe and ready to be eaten. Yes, she was a lovely creature indeed. This small gem had the ability to leave countless men in an endless trail behind her path, but she could have cared less, for she had eyes for only one man, HIM. Perhaps you are wondering about my interest in these lovers. That, my friends, is the most intriguing mystery of all. they were never lovers to begin with. Now, who am I, you are most obviously asking? I am Walter Skinner, from London, England. The time is 1941, when the world was at war, and life struggled to survive. I went to America in the hopes that I could change the boring pace my life was taking. I also hoped that I would get a change of scenery, and develop new ideas to complete my most recent novel. Yes, I am a writer, but an uninspired one at the moment. I sailed to America on the Queen Victoria, docking ship in the tale-tale New York City. I was a stranger to this equally strange country, and knew not one soul, save for my dear friend who led me here in the first place. Robert Johnson, a man I schooled with in the London School for Boys, wrote me some years back informing me of his move to America. In the same letter, Robert offered me a place to stay should I take the chance to go to the Americas. It once seemed absurd to leave your homeland for a place which you held no allegiance to, but as fate would have it, my yearning for a change became so great, that I took my friend's offer. This is where my story begins. I had been in New York City, no longer than 3 days before Robert came to me at brunch, with an invitation to a posh party held by one of his social friends, grasped in his hands. Edward Jerse, a steel tycoon, was having a grand party in honor of his latest accomplishment, buying out one of the smaller companies which stood no chance against his larger one. I honestly did not feel like going to a party filled with old men in stiff suits, but I saw the begging in Robert's eyes to be accompanied, so I agreed. I could tell he was grateful, and for that at least, I could feel some kind of satisfaction. I did not have a fancy suit for the occasion, so I bid good day to Robert and went on my way to purchase one. When I entered the tailor's store, that's where I first saw him. He stood getting fitted in a cunning, black tuxedo, watching the little man in the mirror, cutting away at the loose ends. He and the little gnome-like tailor both looked up startled to see me, but as I smiled warmly at them, they relaxed visibly. The little man, Melvin, rushed up to me, to help me with what I needed. He took my measurements and ran off to the back room to get started. The other man stood in front of the mirror, just staring at his reflection. I watched him for a few moments, then took a chance and went up to him and complimented him on a suit well done. He half-smiled in thanks, and went on with his business. There was something about this man that I wanted to reach, for some reason unbeknownst to me. " A party?" I asked nonchalantly. "Yes." He answered in a monotonous tone. I was about to give up even trying a civil conversation with this man, when he spoke. "You're British?" "Most obviously," I answered with a hint of a smile in my tone. I decided to poke fun at him, so I returned in reply, "And you're American, are you not?" This solicited a genuine smile in return. "Touche," came his answer. His manner seemed to have lessened it's wary state, like the paranoia he held was letting its guard down. I took the opportunity to introduce myself. "Walter Skinner from London, England." I said, as I stuck my hand out in front of me. "Fox Mulder from Washington DC, Virginia.. America." We both smiled and shook hands firmly. Fox. What an unusual name! Extraordinary! "Fox..." I started. "Um, NO! It's Mulder. Mulder." He interrupted, with a grim look falling onto his handsome face. I cocked my head towards him in question, and he stammered a reply. "Well, um, well, you see. I hate my given name, so I'd appreciate it if you'd call me Mulder." He said almost embarrassed. I respected his wishes and smiled my understanding, hoping to wash away all self doubt which he held in his expression. "So, Walt.." It was my turn to almost correct him, but I realized that it was sort of a nickname. He saw my hesitance at the unfamiliar usage of my name, and grinned a lopsided grin at me. He raised his eyebrows, silently daring me to challenge him. I decided to let it be and he continued with his phrase. "So Walter.. What brings you to the land of the free, or imprisonment in my opinion?" I was baffled by his statement about imprisonment, but I answered truthfully. "I'm a writer, actually. London was getting far too boring for me. So I decided to take an adventure and come to America. So here I am." "And here you are." He agreed. "Well, Walt, welcome to the land of the star spangled banner. I hope you enjoy your visit, but I am late for my appointment. Perhaps we'll meet again. Good day." "Good day." I replied. I watched as he exited the small store, waving to me before he left on his own journey. Melvin, the tailor, decided to make his appearance, and I spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for this party of Robert's, idly wondering about the strange character I'd probably never meet again, Mulder. We made it to the party, just as a plethora of others made their way into the huge manor. I was completely impressed with the setting, amazed at it's brilliance in size and stature. Robert and I managed to stay together as we walked through the doorway to be greeted by Edward Jerse and HER. This was the first time I ever saw her, the marvelous creature, wrapped in a fitted, off the shoulder, black gown, that clung to her figure in all the right places. I was stopped short by her image, leaving poor Robert to shake me out of my revery. "Walter, snap out of it! I know she's a beautiful woman, but PLEASE!! She's Edward's wife!" I calmed myself as we took our steps towards Edward and his enchantress. "Walter, this is Edward Jerse, a friend of mine. Edward, this is Walter Skinner, my good friend from England." "Welcome." Edward said in an unfriendly tone. "Thank you for inviting me." I replied warily. "And this here is my wife, Dana." Dana smiled a brilliant smile, which contrasted greatly from her husband's demeanor. I bent down to kiss her proffered hand, and her smile turned wider. As I stood back to full height, I caught sight of Edward's angered expression, but whether it was directed at me or Dana, I couldn't be sure. As I saw Edward's expression turn to rage, I quickly released Dana's hand and decided that Edward was most certainly a surly fellow, of which I'd like no further acquaintance with. To my surprise, Dana linked her arm through mine and said to her husband, "Edward, dear. Since Walter here is new to our country, and probably doesn't know a single person, I think I should show him around." I watched Edward's face tighten further with disapproval, but Dana pulled me before he had any say. "So Walter. Why did you come to America in the first place? I would love to be free and unattached in a beautiful country like England." She asked with her stunning blue eyes shining up at me. "Uh, I'm a writer and I needed a change of scenery, so I came to this jolly place. I like it quite a lot, despite the fact I've only been here for 3 days. Maybe England was too beautiful for me. I suppose our personalities clashed, I guess you could say." She smiled and cocked an arched eyebrow at me. "Well," she said, "I would never leave a place like that, or any place, as long as I was free." The free was emphasized with a longing tone, but I decided not to question it. She showed me around the majestic house, noting each antique they possessed. We made small chit-chat as she rattled on about the house. She seemed to be doing it out of duty, and I could tell that she was dully bored, so I decided to relieve her of her "chore." "Dana, dear. Would you care to dance?" I boldly asked her. "I'd love to Walter. Thank you." Bless her heart, she seemed so gracious. I led her to the spacious dance floor, already filling with couples of all ages. They all danced closely, to the soft, harmonic ballad, which the band played. I took Dana in my arms, and held her at reasonable length, not wanting to cause her or myself any trouble. Dana would have none of it, though, and lowered her head to my chest. I couldn't help chancing a glance around the room, to make sure her husband wasn't around to see this display. Thank heavens he wasn't. Dana chose this moment to look up, and in the midst of her gaze past me, she halted her movement, and wore a look of shock and desire on her face. I too, stopped our dancing, and turned around to see what she was staring at. Lo' and behold, there stood Mulder, by the outer balcony, scanning the room for someone. His gaze fell upon Dana and I, and he made a curt nod in our direction. His eyes were brooding again, burning with something deep when his stare locked onto Dana's face. I looked down to Dana, hoping to see recognition on her face, but discovered something more. Her face shone with radiance, and her hand flew up to her rosebud mouth, which form an "O". I saw her mouth sound a word, suspiciously like "Fox." My curiousity, to say the least, was piqued. Dana seemed to have snapped out of her daze, and realizing I was still there, looked at me with sincere apology. "Thank you for the lovely dance, Walter, but I see a.. friend of mine, that I haven't seen in a long while. Please excuse me." "The pleasure was all mine." I said as I took her hand to kiss it one last time. She rewarded me with a smile, as I stepped out of her way, to let her through. She brushed past me and made her way through the dancing couples to the outside garden. As she faded from my view, I turned to see if Mulder was anywhere in sight, but I only caught a glimpse of him as he walked away from the band stand to the outside, just as the band started to play "When I Fall In Love." I was beginning to put two and two together, and never was I more curious, than about these two and how they knew each other. I walked across to where the bartender stood, and ordered a Scotch. I really needed a drink. As I looked away from the bartender's motions, I saw outside the window, Dana and Mulder locked in a passionate embrace. I was entranced by the vision that played before my eyes. I felt yearning, and envy tug at my heart. There was something about these two as they stood, melded as one, that seemed to transcend eternity. It seemed they were something even more rare and precious...soulmates. Never before, had I seen two people more in love than these two. I could understand, even without knowing them and their situation, that if one of them was lost, the other would cease to exist. They were each other's life line. I watched as they broke their embrace, and Mulder stood tall before Dana. He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes, concentrating on nothing but her. He removed his hand and softly touched it across her flushed cheek. From where I stood, I could see that her eyes were filled with tears. Suddenly, I felt like a voyeur. No matter how much they fascinated me, I felt as though I were invading something dearly private, and I quickly turned my gaze away from them. Bringing my Scotch to my lips, I remembered Edward, and almost dropped my glass. I scanned tersely around the room, hoping once again, that he was not in sight. I had no such luck this time, as I caught his drunken form, stalking around the room, demanding from each bystander if they had seen his wife. Each one shook their head, affirming a negative. I looked quickly to Dana and Mulder, hoping they had ended their escapade, for both their sakes, but I was not so lucky. Mulder held Dana in his arms, and as I tried to get to them as fast as I could , Edward was catching up to them as quickly as I was. Before Edward reached them, Mulder broke a beautiful, white, thorn stemmed rose from a nearby rosebush and gave it to Dana. Dana spotted Edward, and her eyes flew as wide as saucers. She screamed, "Edward! No! It isn't what you think!" But Edward, since he was drunk would have none of it. He slapped her in the face, hard, before she could get another word in, then grabbed her by her arm roughly and shoved her to the ground. "I'll deal with you later." He threatened. I felt sickingly aware that he would fulfill his promise. He returned his attention to Mulder, who stood with his shoulders squared, ready to commit bloody murder. His jaw was tense, as he fought to control his fury, but Edward was in no state of compromise. Mulder looked to Dana, silently communicating to her with his eyes. They were remorseful and anguished at the thought that she was hurt. I knew full well that it was torture for him not to be able to go to her. Instead, as help to them, I rushed to Dana's side to make sure she was alright. She waved me away, indicating that she was alright, and stood to full height on her own accord. Edward rushed towards Mulder, in an attempt to knock him down, but Mulder was too quick for him and stepped out of the way. Edward fell to the ground, but quickly stood up. Mulder had made a beeline to Dana's side to see if she was alright, but in his carelessness, he left himself open to Edward. Edward grabbed Mulder by the back of his shirt collar, spun him around, and socked him in the face. Blood gushed from Mulder's mouth and he fell into the mud. "Mulder! No! Edward stop!" Dana screamed helplessly. Edward stopped his attacks, and seized Dana's arm again, with such force that I swore he broke something. He turned around to face Mulder and shouted, "I told you to stay away from her! Get the hell out of my face!" He spit at Mulder, and turned to Dana, spotting the white rose she held in her hands. He snatched it from her grasp and thrust it to the floor, then dragged poor Dana inside. I walked over to Mulder and helped the poor man up. He rubbed his jaw, and I handed him a handkerchief to let him clean himself up. His expression was grateful. "So this was the party you were going to?" He asked. I was surprised he had any humor left in his soul. "Yes." I replied, unsure of what else to say. "Thank you Walter, for you help. I guess I'll be making my way out now, like the jerk said. Hope we meet again." He turned to leave, but spotted the now disfigured rose on the floor. He bent slowly to pick it up, and smelled it's fragrance. As he stood, I saw his fist curl around the fragile rose, and wondered if he noticed that his skin was broken by the thorns as he crushed it. He said nothing else and left through the backway. I was left for weeks before I saw the two spirits of Dana and Fox Mulder. I thought I would never see them together again, but I was sorely mistaken. Robert left for the country, and I had chosen to stay behind. One night I was invited to a gathering at Cecilia's Club, by a new friend of mine. I'd never before been to a nightclub, so I decided to take up the offer of the invitation and went to Cecilia's. As I wandered through the mass crowd which filled the nightclub, I bumped into a strong body. "Hey watch.." Heavens. It was Mulder. "Walt!? What are you doing here? I didn't know you frequented these kinds of places." "Well, Mulder, I'm here because I was invited by a friend, and you don't know me well enough to know of what places I visit." I replied sarcastically. "Touche, yet again, my friend. Let me buy you a drink." I obliged him to accept. "Scotch" I notified the bartender. Mulder and I took a seat at the bar, but we held no conversation as we sipped silently at our drinks. I spotted a flash of red, and thought it couldn't be. It just couldn't. It would be too much of a coincidence. Apparently, Mulder saw the red too, and his gaze followed it everywhere it went. As she made her way up stairs, I saw the woman turn around suddenly. Good lord, it was Dana. I hoped to God that Edward wasn't there. She was in a deep red ensemble, with a matching sash draped around her shoulders. I saw a purplish mark on her cheek that she tried unsuccessfully to hide. Mulder recognized who it was, and excused himself. I felt the anticipation and dread start to pit its way up my insides. They found each other in the huge crowd and sought refuge in one of the private conference rooms. I felt a presence next to me, only to find that Edward was beside my stool. He was most obviously drunk, and when he looked at me, saw some recognition, but turned to his drink instead. He watched the going ons of the club, and I could see that he was trying to spot his wife. I attempted to distract him. "Um, Edward. Do you not remember me?" "No, should I?" He questioned in his intoxicated voice. "I'm Walter. Walter Skinner, a friend of Robert. I was at your party." I tried to stir some memory in that hazed mind of his. "Ah, yes, Walter. Nice to see .. You.. You haven't seen muh wife, have ya?" He was starting to slur his words. "No, I haven't. Is she here with you? I have to say hello." I lied. At the mention of saying hello, his eyes shot daggers in my direction. "Um.. or you could say hello for me.." I quickly recovered. "Whatever." I knew it was a lost cause to try and distract him any further, and my brow was starting to drip with sweat at my nervousness, that he would find Dana and Mulder. "I'm going to look for my loose wife now. She's probably flirting with God knows who." I tried to stop him, but it was useless. He couldn't hear me in his mind. I'll bet he was seeing red. He trudged past the doors of the private rooms. There was only one that had a closed door, and how he knew his wife was in there, I'll never know. He went and kicked the door open, screaming at the top of his lungs for all to hear. "Dana! I knew it! You're with HIM!!! I told you to stay away from her!! Dana, you're going to pay good for this one! I'm going to make sure he never lays eyes on you again!" I feared the worse, and ran to the outside where the police were standing guard. They shoved through the crowd that had formed in the doorway, and I saw the display as the passage cleared for us. Edward was holding a knife, ready to stab Mulder, but Dana would have none of it and moved to step in front of him. Mulder tried to get Dana out of the way, but she wouldn't let him. "No Fox! I love you too much to let you die for me. This is my problem!" She faced Edward and yelled. "I DON'T love you Edward! I love Fox Mulder with all my heart. I won't tolerate how you treat me anymore. I don't want to be your plaything anymore. I don't want your life, and I don't want to be disgraced any longer with being called your wife! I'm leaving you!" I watched as Edward's head shook with rage, and the veins in his forehead pulsated with the force of his anger. He held the knife, and everyone stood with their breaths held. I was frustrated to see the police not doing anything. "Do bloody something!" I yelled at them. But they just watched. I decided to take it upon myself to try to help, but I was too late. Edward slashed Dana in the stomach in one fluid motion. I watched her delicate body, slump into Mulder's arms. He held her limp body, frantically calling out to her, as if it would help bring her back. His heart-wrenching sobs echoed loudly through the motionless club. The police finally decided to take action, and cuffed Edward before he could do any more harm. Mulder, held Dana in his arms, desperately trying to get her to respond. "Dana, darling. PLEASE, wake up. PLEASE." He begged. Her eyes flutter and she looked up at him in a foggy gaze, and touched her bloodied hand to his face. I could barely hear her whisper, "I love you," before she passed out into a dark oblivion. "No!!" Mulder chanted over and over, rocking Dana's still form back and forth. I knew at that moment, the beautiful angel was gone forever. The paramedics came and took Dana's body to a nearby hospital, with Mulder never leaving her side. I never knew what happened after that, but I encountered true love first hand. I left the club and went home. EPILOGUE My time in America had come to an end. I was sad to leave, but also happy to go home. After all the events with Dana and Mulder, I thought a nice quiet life was what I needed. I accomplished getting most of my novel done, and after having met Dana and Mulder, they left me with an idea to try something new for a different type of novel, a romance novel. Robert escorted me to the docks, but had to leave for work. I bid him farewell, and told him he was welcomed if he wanted to come home to jolly old England. I stood patiently waiting for the boats to arrive, but a tap on my shoulder interrupted my perusal of my newspaper. I looked up, shocked to see Mulder standing there in a new, dashing suit. He was in a state I never expected to see him in. His face was blissful and he looked younger than I had ever seen him before. "Mulder!?" "Hey Walt, you following me around? If you wanted someone to take you into their home, you could've just asked you know." Amazing, simply marvelous. This man was joyous. Who would've thought? "Mulder, you're looking well. What happened?" I asked in awe. He smiled at me. "Nothing Walt. I'm just a happy guy. My life is complete, and I couldn't ask for more." I was more baffled than ever. A vision appeared before my eyes, and I thought I was seeing a ghost. A heavenly ghost at that one. A woman appeared by Mulder's side, glowing in the morning sun. I squinted up at her, too afraid to say anything. "Hello, Walter. Are you going home already?" That voice. That voice which belonged only to her. It couldn't be. I saw her die before my eyes. I saw her spirit being taken back up to Heaven. How could this be? " Well, walt. Aren't you going to answer the lady?" "But..bu.but.. you're dead! At least, you WERE dead!! How can this be?? I saw you die!" Dana and Mulder looked at each other with that look which only they could communicate with, and I began to feel like a voyeur again. Mulder kissed Dana softly on the lips, and said, "She most certainly is not a ghost. She's my wife now. Mrs. Dana Mulder. We were married two days ago, and are now off to our honeymoon." Mulder, still saw the questions in my eyes. He didn't elaborate, but just replied mysteriously, "She came back to me, Walt." He smiled genuinely, turned to his wife again and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her soundly on the lips, before he turned them away from me to walk off. Dana looked at me and said, "Goodbye Walter. Nice to see you again. We'll have to visit you in London one day." And she winked at me. I was left flabbergasted at the turn of events, but for once, I didn't question it. I learned that good can come from any evil, and true love really does exist. Dana and Mulder are testimony to that. I watched their retreating figures fade into the crowd and smiled as I took out my notebook and began to write. "When I first saw them together, I knew I was seeing something that I would probably never have the chance to see in any other man and woman.." THE END Did you like it?? Please tell me what you all think! Mail me here: kimmygirl@worldnet.att.net Thanks for reading!!!