From: AltarGirl2 <AltarGirl2@aol.com> Date sent: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 10:29:17 EST Subject: Story: Love Misplaced is Not Love Lost Title: Love Misplaced is Not Love Lost Author: Chase Buckingham Category: VR Rating: G Spoilers: None Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance Summary: Mulder pines over a photo of his love... Archive: Sure! Just put my name on it and tell me! Feedback: YESYESYESYESYES!!!! AltarGirl2@aol.com! Disclaimer: Not mine! Dedication: For Jane and Beth Enjoy : ) <Hey, Scully. What's the deal with you? Why do you shut me off, away from you, like a deadly virus? Why won't you get close to me? To anyone? Why is your world a cold, harsh, impenetrable one? Why do you do this to yourself? To me? Why can't you love me, Scully?> He sat staring at a photo of the enchantingly beautiful Dana Scully, adn worrying about her. Not worrying because he thought something would happen to her- he knew she was safe at home with the doors locked- but worrying because of what she might do to herself. She had closed up against everything and everyone, which Mulder knew was not a healthy way to live. She seemed to have no passion about anything, to be totally indifferent in everything she did. He sighed deeply, and a tear splatted onto the photo. Several more followed as he thought about the way in which Scully was killing herself, and how very mcuh he loved her, and how he wished he could show her how to be happy. He was still thinking about these things, and crying over the photo, when someone entered the room. He spun round and pressed the photo to his chest, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Scully! Hey- what brings you here?" She shrugged. "Boredom. Pining over a woman, there? Want to show me who's in that picture, Mulder?" "Pining isn't the right word, but yes. Over this woman. Over love lost. And no, you may not see the picture." She smiled and walked towards him intently. "Come on, Mulder! Who is that now? You're going to have to tell me eventually!" He shook his head and backed away. "No, I won't!" She smiled and suddenly lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. A long struggle ensued, and finally the victor ran across the room and scanned her eyes over the picture, panting. Her laugh ceased, her brow furrowed. "Mulder, this... this is *me*!" He stood from his position of defeat and nodded in surrender. "Yes, Scully, it's you." She was speechless. "And this... this is the same picture you were holding when I came in?" The question did not even deserve answering. She clasped a hand to her mouth. "Mulder, I... I don't know what to say..." She trailed off, walking over to be close to him. She embraced him, resting her head against his chest, and finally the emotion overcame her and she began to sob. He held her small, shaking form tight against his and whispered kind words in her ear. She looked up, a bit more under control, and touched his cheek. "I love you. I have always loved you. And I will never cease loving you." He grinned and bent down to brush his lips against hers. She clasped her hands behind his neck and returned the kiss fiercely. "And I you, my Dana." end