You're looking at the one thing I was sure I would never be able to finish -- a novel-length X-Files story. Enjoy it, because I don't expect to tackle another anytime soon.

My strength has always been vignettes, due in part to my background in newspaper writing -- keep it short and sweet, in other words. And I've developed a keen interest in first-person stories, enjoying the chance to climb inside the intricate minds of Mulder and Scully in particular.

So it was a first-person vignette that started this story, written post-"The End" to explore Scully's thoughts after the final scene. Most of the rest of the plotline came to me while I was on vacation in New Orleans a week after the season ended, and I started writing furiously as soon as I got home. The complete story is 15 chapters, bookended by a Scully first person prologue and a Mulder first person epilogue.

The story delves into some points of the mythology, mainly the "true" history of the Mulders, and helps develop the personal relationship between Mulder and Scully. It is not a strong MSR; there are no declarations of love here. But there is an affirmation of their bond and dedication to each other, as well as a first kiss for a little fun. (grin)

The story is rated PG for language and adult themes and contains spoilers through the end of US Seasion Five ("The End").

Read the whole novel as a text file (241K)