Title:  Serious

Author:  Tara Thorne

Rating:  I don't really know all of them, so I'll let you 
be the judge.  No sex, MSR or shake-your-finger language.  
I'd strongly support a PG.

Spoilers:  Terma

Disclaimer:  The evil FOX network, the formerly brilliant 
Chris Carter and 1013 all own the fine-looking but 
aggravating Mulder, the underused and underappreciated 
Scully, the one-armed hottie, and UberUrkel Pendrell.  If I 
could steal them I would.  I'm just a poor, unemployed 
student.  That's it.  Really.

Author Notes:  Okay, so this is my first attempt at fanfic.  
Be kind.  A lot of 'Shippers won't like it, but OH WELL.  
Feedback appreciated at as346@chebucto.ns.ca Flames used to 
heat my home, situated smack dab in a Canadian winter.

Summary:  Scully has been having an affair of sorts.  NOT 
with Mulder though, so 'Shippers flee in terror.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Serious"
By Tara Thorne 

Not even the geek could distract her today.

As Agent Pendrell fell all over himself to open the door 
for her, Dana Scully strolled through it nonchalantly, 
forgoing her usual pitiful look normally directed in the 
infatuated man's direction.

Walking briskly to her car after throwing a quick wave over 
her shoulder at Pendrell, Scully was actually shaking.  It 
took her awhile to unlock the car door, and once she did 
got in and sat momentarily, head down on the steering 
wheel, mind working rapidly.

Muttering a prayer to someone for technology, she recounted 
the simple, minor event that had caused her growing 
excitement.

*******************

She had returned from lunch that day preparing for the rest 
of the slow workday.  Mulder was out of town, mysterious as 
usual, and the lack of his presence left the room dark and 
humorless.  As much as he grated on her sanity, Scully 
silently admitted she missed the big goof.

As she was mulling over this revelation, Scully noticed the 
envelope icon on her computer terminal was lit up.  This 
was a surprise to her because not many people had her email 
address and she had just talked to her mother the night 
before, so...?

Clicking on it curiously, Scully's face changed from 
confused to awed to ecstatic.  The four lines before her 
would mean little to anyone else, in the fact that they 
were simple and revealed nothing.  But to Dana Scully, they 
meant the world.

********************

Back at her apartment, Scully couldn't sit still.  For one 
thing, she was nervous.  For another thing, she was worried 
about the easy access anyone had to her apartment at the 
moment.  The buzzer system was down and a doorman 
unavailable, leaving the building's tenants to answer their 
doors personally, like the rest of the middle class world.  
Scully didn't want just anyone coming up here.

Finally, right on time, 11:21pm, came the knock.

Restraining herself from leaping off the couch, she walked 
as slowly and as coolly as she could to the door.  It had 
been too long.

From the moment she opened the door she knew something was 
wrong.  His features, his beautiful face, were for once not 
bruised but instead scarred by unknown emotional stresses, 
ones Scully was sure wouldn't be easy to heal. He stood 
oddly, as if at any moment he could pass out and was 
fighting it for all he was worth.

Silently, seriously, Scully took him into her arms and 
pulled him into the apartment and away from the world.  The 
shades were drawn, the lights were dimmed, and time meant 
nothing.  For this night, at least.

He half collapsed on her, attempting valiantly not to 
unceremoniously drop his weight on her all at once.  She 
stumbled a little and grunted with the effort it took to 
stand strong and support him.  She gently pushed him onto 
the couch and sat down beside him, close but far enough 
away to look at him fully.

Although he was obviously troubled, he nevertheless 
returned her adoring gaze, albeit momentarily.  But this 
wasn't a loving relationship, not by any means, so adoring 
looks didn't mean much to either of them.

Dreadfully sensing that she was more eager than he, he 
offered up words of encouragement, though he knew nothing 
would be happening tonight.

"You look good," he said softly.  "As usual."

She smiled her thanks.  "So do you, for once."

Even he had to grin at that one.  It was the truth, 
certainly, that he rarely arrived at one of these meeting 
*sans* injuries of some sort.  Obvious injuries, anyway.

And as fate would have it, at the moment she unconsciously 
reached for his hand.

Instinctively he jerked it back, placing it behind his 
body.  He watched the smile fall from her face and he 
damned himself for being so hasty.  She would understand, 
he was sure.  Almost sure.  Hell, she probably knew 
already.

<Obviously not, idiot> His mind mocked him as he regarded 
the stung face only inches away from his.

"Alex..." Scully whispered, not knowing what to say.

Unable to handle her eyes anymore, he stared at the floor 
and shook his head slowly.

"Alex..." Scully repeated, a little louder.

"Dana..." he replied.

He drew in a breath to speak, but found no words to fill it 
with.  He reminded himself that their relationship didn't 
rely on words, and that she could understand only through 
silence.

And it was silently that he, still staring down, pulled his 
arm from behind his body and reached to her.  He raised his 
head to meet her gaze just as their hands met.

He could feel his stomach hit the floor as he saw her eyes 
widen.  And all he felt were his stomach's actions, and 
nothing else.

She, on the other hand, was feeling no flesh as she had 
expected.  It was nothing but cold, hard, inflexible and 
inhuman plastic.  Though she knew what it was, she glanced 
down anyway, just for reassurance.  She bit her lip and 
wished she hadn't.

It wasn't hideous, or scary, or disgusting or even that 
shocking to look at.  It was just obviously *not* human.

Scully opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a 
short rap on the door.

Before she could reply, Agent Mulder bounded into the 
apartment, takeout in hand.

"Hey Scully, I'm back!  I know you missed me a l-..."

End Part One

***********************************************************
Thanks to the half dozen people who gave me positive 
responses.  I'm hoping the rest of ya just haven't gotten 
around to it yet. :-) 

Disclaimer:  the usual-evil Fox, CC, 1013, etc. all own 
Mulder, Scully and the fabulous one armed hottie.

Rating:  another PG, I would suspect.  Still no MSR, sex or 
bad language.  Very angst ridden from all angles.

Summary:  Unanswered questions.  In typical Mulder fashion 
he reacts violently.

Spoilers:  Terma

***********************************************************


"...lot."

Mulder finished the sentence quickly, his mind racing 
rapidly.  Trying desperately to stay calm, he surveyed the 
situation.

<breathe>

Okay.  Scully, his partner, FBI Agent Scully, was sitting 
hand in hand on her own couch apparently of her own free 
will with Alex Krycek.  Krycek, one of Mulder's arch-
enemies.  Krycek, the man responsible for the whole Russian 
experience.  The chicken wire.  The oil in his eyes.

<breathe>

Wait.  Something didn't look right.  Mulder shifted his 
incredulous gaze. Scully.  On the couch.  Her own free 
will.  Hand in hand with-

Mulder's eyes went very wide as he realized Scully was 
*not* hand in hand with Krycek.  More like hand in plastic.

<Oh, my>

Malice and anger quickly took over.  Now oblivious to the 
terrific fact that Krycek was disabled, and the other fact 
that Scully was obviously brain damaged, not to mention in 
the line of fire, he acted.  Enraged, he lofted the entire 
box of Chinese takeout at Krycek.  It was a paltry weapon, 
useless and harmless, but it would do until Mulder would 
kill him.

Scully instinctively dropped and rolled onto the floor, her 
head knocking a leg of the table she had forgotten was 
close.  With a small yelp of pain, she crawled stupidly 
under the table to the other side of the room, and watched 
helplessly, dreading the possible events.

Krycek had not moved.  He still sat in the same spot, his 
prosthetic arm the only thing on his body that had changed 
position.  It lay off to the side of his body where Scully 
had flung it in her haste to get out of Mulder's path.

There was rice everywhere.  On the floor, on the table, on 
the furniture, and on Krycek, who remained still, his eyes 
locked on Mulder's.

Mulder, meanwhile, had refrained from his usual rush 'n' 
pound methods when it came to Krycek.  Still in a daze, 
ignoring his hysterical partner in the corner, he turned to 
face the traitor head on.

At this point Krycek smartly stood up, arms at his sides, 
bearing no challenge.  His face was contorted into a bevy 
of emotions, and he cast a brief, worried glance in 
Scully's direction.

"Don't...look...at...her," Mulder growled.

Krycek turned back to face the enraged Agent.  He still 
silently pleaded peace, but his eyes had grown darker at 
the command.

Scully, meanwhile, was seeing none of this.  She sat 
against the wall, head in her hands.  Her breath came 
rhythmically, shortly, in time with the throbbing of her 
skull.  She sobbed quietly, unsure of how to deal with this 
situation.  She shook violently as she braced herself for 
the inevitable explosion.

Mulder was stalking towards Krycek slowly, his steps heavy 
and loud. Scully cringed at every thump.

Krycek remained steady, his gaze unchanging.  Flippantly 
and arrogantly he deliberately turned his head sharply and 
stared again at the dejected woman in the corner.  He 
wanted to scream in frustration as he watched her attempt 
to convince herself that this wasn't happening.

<Damn you, Mulder!>
  
Just then, Krycek felt Mulder grab his hair and jerk his 
head around. The look Krycek returned was no longer 
unchallenging.  It was one of defiance, anger, and a hatred 
that rivaled the man's before him.

They stood eye-to-eye for a moment, each waiting for the 
other to make a move, any move.  Mulder's eye flickered 
down for a moment and a malicious grin split his features.  
The tightness in Krycek's jaw slackened momentarily as 
remembered his handicap, and returned just as quickly when 
he saw the evil look on Mulder's face.  He thought he might 
punch him, but decided against that.  He would play 
defense, but only for Scully's sake.

Mulder's eyes gleamed, and he was so close Krycek could 
smell the honey chicken on his breath.

"Whaddya say we get you a matching one?" Mulder sneered, 
flicking Krycek's still-functioning arm.

The spy jerked back and unconsciously curled his fingers 
into a fist.
  
That was the signal Fox Mulder was waiting for.
  
He didn't even take the time to pull his arm back.  One 
quick jab and Krycek stood before him bleeding profusely 
from the nose.  Knowing the one armed man wouldn't fight 
back, Mulder taunted him by pushing on Krycek's shoulder.  
Little, irritating pokes that intended to set him off.

It was the fake arm Mulder was hitting, therefore having 
little effect. Realizing this, he finally reared back and 
sent Krycek flying backwards onto the table with a strong 
right hook.

Scully pushed herself onto her knees, torn by her very 
public loyalty to Mulder and her very private, unknown 
loyalty to the man sprawled upon her floor.  The man known 
as traitor, as Ratboy.  She knew she didn't love him, but 
something made her want to shelter him from her partner's 
growing rage.

Mulder, satisfied as to the events up to that point, turned 
his fury on his partner, who remained frozen in the middle 
of the floor, her eyes darting spasmadically between the 
two men.

It was minute, her action.  A small move, a tiny shift of 
her weight, nothing more.  But it was within that gesture 
that Mulder saw to which man his partner had intended to 
turn.

"SCULLY!" Mulder screamed desperately.

Startled, his exclamation caused her to involuntarily leap 
to her feet. Krycek, with difficulty, slowly pulled himself 
onto the couch, ignoring the rice on the cushions and the 
blood on his face.  It was his turn to watch.

<Dana!>

He knew then that it was over.  He didn't love her, surely, 
but just the same didn't want to let her go.  The terrified 
glance she threw in his direction all but slapped him in 
the face with the reality that he would lose this battle of 
emotions.

He felt his heart wrench from his chest as he watched Dana 
turn her tearful, pleading face to Fox Mulder.

<It's over>

And then, something extraordinary happened.

END PART 2 

***********************************************************

Okay, up with number 3.  Thank you to all who mocked me, I 
realize there is no H in Krycek.  I wrote this in the 
library at school this morning when I was supposed to be 
studying for Law so feedback is important, meaning did I 
waste my time for nothin?  :-)  Flames will be used to melt 
the marshmellows in my hot chocolate.  as346@chebucto.ns.ca 

Disclaimer:  We all know who they belong to.  I'm just a 
stressed out student attempting to gain some experience 
from this.

Rating:  Still PG.  Lotsa Mulder angst (mwa ha ha...).  
Still no sex or bad language.

Summary:  The musings of Fox Mulder.

Spoilers:  Terma

Note:  It is essential to have read the first two parts.  
Work with me here.
  
***********************************************************

"Serious Part 3"
By Tara Thorne 

Fox Mulder couldn't believe it.

He stood, dumbfounded, in the middle of Dana Scully's 
apartment.  He reached absentmindedly behind him for 
something to lean on, but found nothing.

And so he stood.

He felt as if at any moment he could fall over, and his 
strong legs were doing little to prevent it.   The room was 
spinning, its objects blurring, but with one exception.  
No, make that two exceptions.

He groaned silently in his stupor.  His mouth was becoming 
increasingly dry, and he realized that it was probably 
because it was hanging open in shock.  He pulled his jaws 
together slowly, afraid that if he moved too fast he might 
pass out.

He absolutely couldn't believe it.

He shook his head to clear hs mind, but succeeded only in 
making his head spin.  Faster.

This was not right.  This was not happening.

<It's the Apocalypse!>

He almost grinned, in spite of himself, at his mind's hasty 
declaration. He was sure it wasn't the Apocalypse.

<What the hell is it?> 

This was one of the biggest Scully-related shocks of his 
life.  Possibly The Big One.  But, he reminded himself, it 
wasn't happening.

Resisting the melodramatic urge to drop to his knees and 
scream like a desperate fool, he instead decided to sit 
down.

<Yes.  That's a good start> 

Slowly, he shuffled his feet backwards, taking little baby 
steps, until a chair came into his view.  He was staring 
straight ahead, and hadn't blinked for awhile.

<You'd better blink, Fox>

That would be good.  If both his mouth AND his eyes dried 
up, nothing would get accomplished.  Because now he had a 
decision to make.

<Which one should I kill first?> 

He was ashamed as soon as the thought entered his mind.  He 
could never kill Scully.

<Never say never>

He agreed with *that* thought.  He decided, however, to put 
it at the back of his mind until he knew the story.  And 
then he would kill one of them.

And so he sat.

He sat stiffly, sputtering and shaking.  He blinked again, 
hoping that he was dreaming, or disillusioned perhaps.  At 
any rate, his mind would be at ease for a fraction of a 
second.

It didn't last long, as fractions of seconds rarely do.  
When he opened his eyes and again saw the horrible 
situation before him.  He again felt the stab of betrayal.  
He again wondered what the hell was happening.

Finally, after agonizing minutes of looking like an idiot, 
he attempted to speak.  Looking her full in the face, he 
opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.  Her eyes made him lose it.

<Damn you Scully!>

For all the reasons he had to hate her right now, for all 
the times he had wanted to do it now.  Not ever.

For in those ice blue eyes of hers -

<Damn they're blue>

-she bore no malice.  Her mouth was pulled taut and her 
face showed no emotion, but her eyes gave her away.  Mulder 
doubted she was attempting to hide anything anyway.

The haze her eyes had taken on was a sea of emotions, 
nameless and not. She was obviously tortured, upset and 
oddly grief-stricken, but Mulder thought he saw a flicker 
of something different.

Happiness?

<No>

Relief?

<Definitely no>

Trust?

<Highly unlikely>

Love?

Even his mind couldn't comprehend that.  It was too 
unthinkable, too unbearable.

His dumbfounded gaze returned as he mulled over this 
possibility.  And the look she flashed back at him said 
that, indeed, love *was* a possibility.

His eyes were questioning; he couldn't find his voice.

She nodded ever so slightly.  The prosthetic hand closed 
over hers.

<NO!>

Silently, slowly, and calmly, Mulder reached inside his 
jacket.

Scully's eyes went wide and she threw herself in front of 
Krycek.

Mulder's two handed hold on his gun wavered momentarily.  
He gritted his teeth and searched for an exposed part of 
Krycek's body.  Locking his deadly gaze on the spy's 
ribcage, he aimed.

END PART 3 
***********************************************************


I guess whining does get you somewhere.  Thanks to my 
flippant griping at the end of Serious 3, people have been 
extremely nice about sending me responses. Although, I read 
over Serious 3 and am surprised no one screeched at me for 
the glaring typos and one VERY confusing sentence that I 
took parts of, rather than the whole thing, in the transfer 
from paper to technology. :-) Anyway, like you all need to 
read this crap, I know there are probably dozens of other 
better stories you could be reading... 

Disclaimer:  Well, let's see...the evil FOX Network, who 
seems to have a pay equity problem, Chris Carter, who seems 
to have writer's block, and 1013, who I know nothing about, 
all own the Agents and the one armed hottie, and if anyone 
else refers to him as Ratboy in their responses to me, 
you'll be able to hear my scream echo throughout 
cyberspace!!!  Anyway, they're not mine.  Who knew?

Summary:  The musings of Dana Scully.  Very little angst on 
her part.  Odd, really.

Rating:  My friend, the PG.

Spoilers:  Terma

Note:  The first three are essential.  If you missed them 
or put a big ol D beside them without reading first, I'll 
forward them to ya as my way of saying, "Thanks for 
nothing, but Merry Christmas." :-)  Flames 'n' all at  
as346@chebucto.ns.ca 

On with it already. 

***********************************************************

"Serious Part 4"
By Tara Thorne 

Dana Scully couldn't believe it.

It was absolutely astonishing.

She was being forced to make a choice, and only *one* 
option had popped in her head.  This was highly unlike her, 
being a doctor and all, not looking at *all* of the 
alternatives.  There were only two in this case, maybe 
three (she could always jump out the window), but still.

As soon as Mulder had screamed at her she knew she'd have 
to make a decision, but the one she did make surprised her 
the most.  Even more than it surprised Mulder, and Mulder 
was a smug man.

Speaking of Mulder-

<He'd better clean up all this rice>

She looked around her apartment, surveying the damage.  It 
could be worse. It *had* been worse.

<The table's totaled>

Ah, it's only wood, Scully surmised.  Besides, she'd been 
wanting a new one anyway.

It was odd, how with great ease, during one of the most 
critical moments of her life, she was thinking about 
furniture.  And rice.

She had been upset up until Mulder screamed at her.  She'd 
been so afraid what could've happened, damning her landlord 
for being too cheap to hire a temporary doorman, wondering 
if she'd still have a job the next day.  Or a heartbeat, 
the way Mulder was looking.

But if he hadn't screamed her name things could have went 
differently. They probably would have, in all honesty.

<Coulda shoulda woulda>

The way he screamed at her though, it was like a possessive 
male domineering tone, a challenge even.  She'd taken too 
much of his crap to tolerate *that*.

<Hmph>

And so she had acted.  Possibly out of arrogance, possibly 
out of love.

<Ha>

She mused about this possibility as she walked calmly past 
the splintered table in the general direction of the couch.  
Brushing a few kernels out of her way, she sat down beside 
Alex.

<Okay>

The look on Mulder's face was a tortured one, and she was 
ashamed to admit that she found it extremely satisfying.  
She knew she had hurt him, badly, but he didn't understand.  
No one did.  Or could.

<Hell, even I don't>

Alex was leaning on her slightly, and she glanced down and 
gave him a hopeful smile.  He hadn't said anything since 
Mulder had blasted through the apartment and punched him, 
eventually.  She wanted to know *his* feelings about the 
whole thing, but decided that now was probably not a good 
time to ask.  The plastic hand brushed her arm, and she 
resisted the urge to shudder.

<What's that all about anyway?>

She added that to her mental list of things to discuss with 
Alex after Mr. Man left.

Speaking of Mulder, he had stumbled around until he found 
himself a seat and was staring at her intently.  She wanted 
to scream at him, for wrecking her night, for punching Alex 
(repeatedly), and for pitching rice all over her apartment.

<But he looks so sad>

She was beginning to become upset again, because she knew 
that Mulder was the most hurt she'd ever seen him.  And it 
was her fault.  All her fault.

<Sigh>

His eyes had locked on hers, and he opened his mouth to 
speak.

Nothing came out.

<Do you love him?>

He couldn't have said it clearer if he had voiced it.  But 
he didn't need to, his eyes spoke for him.

She wanted to reassure him.  She wanted to explain.  She 
wanted to take away the hurt, and the seemingly endless 
pain she was causing him.  But something malicious and evil 
took over her, and Alex must have sensed it, because just 
then he took her hand in his.

Though her very being screamed at her *not* to do it, and 
oh how she hated herself for doing it, Scully nodded ever 
so slightly.

<What did I just do>

Mulder was dumbfounded and Scully's heart ached as she 
watched the hope die in his eyes.

He slowly reached into his coat, which had never made it to 
the rack, keeping his intense gaze consistent.

<Something isn't right here>

Scully's eyes grew wide as she realized Mulder was reaching 
for his gun, and she flung herself to cover a confused 
Alex.

<Mulder, no!  Please, no>

Mulder grunted in annoyance at her interference, but she 
didn't care.  He would hear the story first.  Or she would 
die too.

<Fox, please>

He did not put down his weapon, and Scully cringed when she 
heard the click that told her it was cocked.

She closed her eyes as he aimed.

END PART 4 

***********************************************************

Ah, I love irritating people.  To irritate them, that is, 
not actual irritating people.  Anyway, any of you "Death to 
Ratboy" people are going to be unpleasantly surprised to 
learn Krycek does *not* get shot by Mulder, in fact I 
haven't decided yet.  A lot of responses arrived in a 
cyber-glow of confusion...I love it...mwa ha ha... 

Disclaimer: Hmm.  Fox, Chris, 1013...if they were really 
worried about copyright infringement we'd ALL be shut down.

Summary:  The musings of Alex Krycek.  NO the story has not 
progressed any further than it did in Part 3.  This is Part 
5, and Part 3 was Mulder's musings, Part 4 Scully's, so 
logically ol Ratboy (I kid because I love) should get to 
have his side of the story.  Really.

Rating:  PG-13.  A little bit of language.  Krycek has a 
potty mouth alright?

Spoilers:  Tunguska, Terma

Note:  Parts 1 thru 4 are a lovely addition to this one, 
interestingly numbered Part 5.

***********************************************************
"Serious Part 5"
By Tara Thorne 

Alex Krycek sat up with difficulty.  He was bleeding over 
everything, and he felt bad about that.  But it was 
Mulder's fault.

If the bastard would stop punching him all the time, he 
wouldn't keep making a mess everywhere.

He had seen Dana get up as he was flying by, but was now 
unaware of her location.  His head was spinning badly and 
he thought he felt a few splinters in his back from where 
the table had snapped.

<Mulder you ass>

He didn't understand why Mulder always had to take it upon 
himself to right every situation he was in, when most often 
it had nothing to do with him.  Most of the time.

<Definitely not *this* time>

He heard Mulder scream Dana's name and he looked up 
quickly.  Dana was standing to his right, and Mulder 
directly in front of him, thankfully about ten feet away.

<What's he going on about?>

Krycek pondered this as he reached his arm behind him and 
slowly pulled himself up onto the rice-covered couch.  
Mobility was often difficult with this blasted thing, and 
now was no exception.  Plus, he was sure he was about to 
pass out from loss of blood.  He looked down and noticed 
his formerly crisp, white button-down was now stained red, 
and that upset him momentarily.  He'd wanted to look good 
for her.

<Her>

The word echoed through his mind as he watched her tortured 
face and he knew she was facing the ultimate internal 
struggle as her eyes flitted between him and Mulder.

He'd never had a "her" before two years ago, not anyone 
he'd considered anyway.  In all honesty, he didn't have one 
now, and doubted he would have anything by the time *this* 
night ended.

<Sigh>

It always had to be so difficult.  He often wished it were 
otherwise, that he didn't have so many enemies, that he 
wasn't always on the run, and that he didn't have to watch 
out for anything and everything.

<Maybe then I'd still have two arms>

Had the circumstances been different at the moment, he 
would have laughed out loud at his own derogatory thought.  
Shit, he still had to explain it all to her, though he 
didn't expect to talk to her again, not the way this night 
was going.

<So pretty>

He closed his eyes, not wanting to watch as she turned to 
Mulder, that fool.  Oh, how he hated that man.

It was satisfying, this whole situation was.  Even though 
Krycek knew he would lose her now, he *had* had her.  For 
awhile, anyway.  And it would be one of the greatest 
moments of his life when Mulder found out how long it *had* 
been.

<What the?>

His eyes flickered open as he sunk down into the couch.  
Startled, he raised his head and was astonished to see Dana 
sitting beside him.  She wasn't looking at him, her gaze 
was locked on Mulder, but she was beside *him*.  She had 
chosen HIM!

<I don't believe it>

He was dumbfounded, but attempted not to show it as he 
remained sitting, nonchalantly and arrogantly.

Mulder's face was incredulous as he backpedalled to find 
something to sit on.  His eyes were hge and his mouth had 
dropped open slightly, making him look delightfully stupid.

<Take that>

Krycek leaned over slightly, just enough to be touching 
Dana, who couldn't seem to take her eyes off of Mulder.  
His action infuriated the Agent, and Krycek smelled victory 
when Dana didn't move.

Slowly and confidently Krycek reached over and out his 
"hand" on Dana's.

<Ha>

Although confused about the wonderful turn of events, 
Krycek nonetheless expected Dana to jerk away, but all she 
did was glance down at him with a quick smile.  A fake one 
though.

<So pretty>

Krycek closed his eyes again, enjoying the warmth of Dana's 
body. Regardless of what had just happened, he knew he 
wouldn't feel her heat much loner, and that saddened him.  
Nothing had ever been good in his life, and the one thing-

<Huh?>

His eyes flew open as he felt Dana fall on him.  Had she 
passed out?

He couldn't tell, because he had been leaning and now her 
back was in his face, blocking his view, although that 
wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

<What the hell is going on?>

He struggled to push himself up but he was stuck in an odd 
position and she had him pinned down.

He managed to raise up enough to peek over her waist.

And he saw the barrel of the gun.

END PART 5 

***********************************************************

*short-lived sigh of relief*  This is the end, although not 
the one I want, so consider it an alternate ending, k?  I 
have research to do before writing the *real* ending, which 
I will be doing over my extended XMas break. 

Disclaimer:  I claim nothing.  FOX suX.  CC can't write 
(lately).  M/S/K are his and 1013s but no one cares cause 
we're gonna use em how we want and there's too DAMN many of 
us to sue, so mlah.

Rating:  PG

Summary:  Mondo Mulder angst (mwa ha ha).  It ends sadly, 
but be careful so your tears don't zap you when you're 
sending me your electronic response! ;-)

Spoliers:  Nada.  There's nothing worth spoiling anyway.

Note:  Parts 1-5 very helpful.  as346@chebucto.ns.ca  is 
the ticket!

***********************************************************
"Serious Part 6A"
By Tara Thorne

Fox Mulder was sweating.

Scully couldn't see it, nor could Krycek, because they were 
laying together, each attempting to cover the other, on the 
couch in front of him.

<Together>

He gritted his teeth as the thought ran through his mind 
and the moistured beads threatened to slide down over his 
features from their beginnings at his temples.

He blinked once, twice, three times.

The scene in front of him failed to change, and he 
tightened the deadlock grip he held on his gun.  His 
knuckles turned white with the applied force; his face 
contorted so that it no longer resembled him.

He inhaled deeply.

He was waiting.

<Damn her!>

Why wasn't Scully making any sort of an attempt to stop 
him?  She hadn't said a word, in either fear or comfort.  
She hadn't made any move except to cover the piece of 
garbage cowering behind her.

And so he waited, trembling, perspiring, and locked in 
position.  He sucked in a breath violently, and opened his 
mouth to speak.

The voice that came out was not his.  It was strangled, 
forced, and scarcely controlled.

"Scully."

She didn't move, save for a minor flinch when she heard the 
voice quite unlike his.  She remained covering Krycek, eyes 
closed, fingers grasping the gold cross she always wore.

"Scully, move."

Her features tightened but she did not look at him.

"Now, Scully."

Krycek kicked his leg out slowly, like he was attempting to 
lift the petite Agent off of him.  He raised his right arm 
above her body, hand open in a gesture of peace.

"Not you!" Mulder screamed, waving the gun for emphasis.

The hand dropped and Krycek stilled.

Mulder was becoming impatient and fought the urge to move 
her himself. He knew if he tried, however, that it would 
give her the chance to get his gun, and for sure she would.  
He made another attempt to control his voice, but it 
remained a growl.

"Move, Scully.  Now!"

No response.  Nothing moved.

"Scully-" his voice went up an octave, then erupted.  
"NOW!"

Again she flinched.

She would *not* look at him.

Not trusting his body to handle a sudden move, Mulder 
slowly inched his way off of the chair until he was sure 
his legs could support his weight. Standing to his full 
height, he walked agonizingly slowly toward the couch.

Scully's head jerked ever so slightly with every step.

Behind her, Krycek fought to control his violently shaking 
body.

Mulder knelt down as quickly as his legs would let him, a 
few inches out of arm's length of Scully.  Closing his eyes 
momentarily, his chest began to heave with the strain of 
what he was about to do.

<She's forcing me>

His mind could not convince him of that fact.  He'd never, 
ever wanted it to come down to *this*.  He didn't ever want 
to feel the need to threaten her, his loyal partner.  The 
time had come.

Taking a deep breath, he threw his head back and stared at 
the ceiling for a few precious seconds, just to clear his 
mind, rid it of the horrible exhibit in front of him.

Closing his eyes tight, he raised the gun in front of him, 
just enough so that the rim of the barrell grazed Scully's 
forehead, cold and promising.

"Move."

This time she looked at him.

Her eyes flew open, sad and surprised all at once.  They 
housed unshed tears, their usual brightness very much 
dulled.  The cross dropped from between her numbed fingers, 
and her dry lips parted in a paltry attempt at speech.

<Fox, listen to me first.  Please!>

The tears ran down her face onto the cushions below as he 
slid his fingers around the trigger.

"Fox..." she managed.

Mulder was now crying as well, though he didn't notice as 
the salty water fell streaming from his eyes.

He didn't want this.  If only she would get out of the way 
and let justice prevail!

Her eyes told him she wasn't going to, leaving him to make 
a new decision.

Behind her, Krycek clamped his jaws together to keep his 
teeth from chattering.  The muscles in his legs were 
twitching spasmodically, uncontrollably, in fear.

And it was then that his left shoulder, pinned below her, 
involuntarily jerked, pushing her forward.

A shot rang out.

END

"It's hard, so hard, it's tearing out my heart...it's hard 
letting you go..."
-JBJ 

Okay, so as we say in my country, that's it/c'est ca. 
Questions? Comments? Bomb threats? All accepted at 
as346@chebucto.ns.ca 

Here's hoping for Happy Holidays for all! (What a thing to 
put after a story like this! :P) 

I AM FLAME RETARDENT!!! 

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