Disclaimer:  Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, the X-Files, and associated
characters are property of David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Chris Carter,
Ten-Thirteen Productions and Fox Broadcasting Corporation.  They are used
without permission and no copyright infringement is meant.

Any elements not recognized as being taken from the show copyright
Christina Shuy.

Comments and other things sent to cshuy@netcom.com are much appreciated.

Rating:  PG, S, Angst
Spoilers:  everything up to "Paper Hearts"
Summary: In the aftermath, an old friend is there to help.

Conversations Between Old Friends:  "Paper Hearts"
by Christina Shuy
(cshuy@netcom.com)

     "Jensen." The answer was muffled.

     "I woke you, Victoria.  I'm sorry."

     "Don't be, Dana.  What's wrong?  What did Mulder do this time?"

     "Mulder... he..."

     "I just knew there was a problem.  At least he's physically all
right.  Isn't he?"

     "Aside from being suspended, yes.  Mentally, though-"

     "Mentally is another story.  Especially where Mulder is concerned.
Yes, unfortunately, that is nothing new.  It's always been a problem.
What was he thinking, going after Roche like that?"

     "That was what I was hoping you could tell me."

     "Samantha.  Just as it always has been.  There is also the need to
protect you.  However, I also get the feeling he also has a subconscious
death wish.  One which clashes with his overwhelming need to protect
you... and both of which contribute to his going off on his own to
investigate-"

     "Well, that helps to explain it...."

     "Yes, it does."

     "I've always known that he cares.  ALways.  He'd do something to
keep me out of danger, or look or ask to make certain I am okay... and I
am... usually.  I also know that he's worried about me, especially since
my abduction two years ago."

     "Dana, have you spoken to him about the time you were gone?"

     "Not really.  Every time I try talking to him about it, either I
can't get the words out, or he turns away.  Almost as though he's ashamed
of that time."

     "Or his feelings on the matter.  Dana, I won't lie to you.  He was a
wreck.  I don't think he wants you to know what I'm about to tell you, but
I think you have to know.  He almost killed himself several times,
actually.  And he came to several realisations during that time that he is
still getting up the nerve to share with you."

     "I know you know this already, but I do see him as more than just my
work partner.  And I did suspect that he was suicidal during the time I
was gone.  I could see it in his eyes when he first came to see me after I
woke up."

     "And I know how worried you have been about him recently.  If he has
toldyou his dreams about Samantha lately, as well as the ones about the
other girls, I'll just say this much:  I had similar dreams, only I knew
it was Roche, and I was also away on a case or else I would have helped
you talk him out of what he ended up doing.  And before you ask, no, that
last heart does not belong to Samantha, and I cannot tell who it is."

     "I just hope Mulder's going to be alright."

     "He will be.  Just stand by him.  And let him know you care about
him."

     "Always.  Listen, I have to go.  I'll keep in mind what you've said."

     "Thank you, Dana."

     *click*

     *ring*

     "Hello, Mulder.  Disobeying your most recent suspension, are you..."

     "Don't *do* that, Victoria!"

     "Jumpy tonight, are you?  How many times have I warned you against
wallowing in paranoia?"

     "I can't help it."

     "Right... And why are you still at the office, Mulder?  It's nearly
11pm where you are."

     "And how do you know that?"

     "Mulder, I can add... add to that the fact that it's early morning
here and you just woke me-"

     "No, Victoria, how did you know I was sitll at the office?"

     "The Bureau's phone system... and the fact that you're shuffling
papers on your desk rather than watching 'The Beast that Ate Manhattan',
or one of those videos you have told Dana do not belong to you."

     "Wait a minute!  How did you know I was on suspension?"

     "Mulder, after what you pulled with Roche, I'm surprised you weren't
thrown out of the Bureau all together!"

     "Came damn close.  Should've been, consideirng how many people I've
failed-"

     "Not Dana."

     "*Especially* Scully.  She told me not to go on this crazy crusade to
fine the other girls as well as possibly finding out about Samantha... And
I didn't listen."

     "Goes to show you havne't really changed.  Now, stop wallowing in
self pity and go home."

     "I thought it was paranoia?"

     "It's both, Mulder, and if you're feeling well enough to tease me on
my word choices, you really should go home and get some rest."

     "Okay... thanks, VC."

     "Don't mention it, Mulder."

     *click*
-End-

"The Truth is Out There.  Trust No One."- from "The X-Files"
Pursuing a BS (Electrical Engineering)-Spring Quarter 1998(Phys203,Engr210)
Looking for work and a place to live... somewhere in the SanFran Bay Area.
"Now you're ready to fly up and begin to know the meaning of kindness and
of love."-"Jonathan Livingston Seagull","The Bridge Across Forever"
"I was merely extending a professional courtesy." "Oh, was *that* what
you were extending?"-FBI Special Agents Mulder and Scully(The X-Files:"Fire")