Title: Cousin of Scully Author: Erin M. Blair E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net Classification: SRAH--Story, Romance, Angst, Humor Content: Mulder/Scully Romance. Mulder/Other UST. Time Span/Spoilers: Ascension. Rating: PG. Distribution/Archive Statement: OK to Gossamer, Ephemeral, EMXC, After the Fact, etc. Other archivists - ask me first. Disclaimer: They belong to Chris Carter except for the character of Marianna Scully. Summary: What would happen if Scully's cousin walks into Mulder's life? ** This story was dusted off for Haven's Mary Sue Challenge. ** ------------------------------------ COUSIN OF SCULLY Written by: Erin M. Blair ------------------------------------ Marianna Scully walked into the dining room and she pulled up a chair next to her Aunt Margaret Scully. "Aunt Maggie, I know how much you miss Dana." Margaret looked up at her niece and smiled at her. "Thank you, Marianna." A short pause. "Do you know how much you look like Dana?" Marianna nodded. She always knew the similar looks - her long auburn hair and azure colored eyes - that she shared with Dana. "I always knew how much I look like Dana, Aunt Maggie." A short pause. "How's Agent Mulder doing?" Margaret's eyebrows lifted up curiously. "I thought you didn't know about him." "Dana told me." "Oh, well, he hasn't given up hope for her." "I was wondering if - " sighed Marianna. She wasn't sure if it was in her place to ask. After all, Agent Mulder was off limits as far as she was concerned. He didn't want her, Marianna Scully. He wanted *Dana* Scully. "If what?" Margaret inquired of her niece. "Never mind," murmured Marianna softly. "Do you think he would mind if I cheered him up?" "I don't think he would mind, Mari." Melissa walked into the dining room and saw her cousin with her mother. "Marianna? What brings you here?" "I'm staying with Aunt Maggie for a few days because of Dana," explained Marianna. "And besides, I have a slow week at the DA's office." She worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Baltimore, MD. "So who's the Executive District Attorney nowadays? Jeff, Steve, or Brian?" asked Melissa. "Steve Miller," answered Marianna. "A little on the weird side but hey, he's a nice guy. You want me to set the two of you up?" "You're not interested in him?" asked Melissa. "I don't know," replied Marianna. She decided to change the subject. She got out of her chair and walked near Melissa. "Do you know anything about Dana's partner?" "No - I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet," said Melissa with a sigh. "Dana likes things private. Mom has already met him." "I would like to meet him," said Marianna. "I'm sure he misses Dana like we all do." "I'm sure he misses her. We all do. I would like to meet Dana's partner too," replied Melissa. "However, I think we should wait until Dana returns. I think you should wait because he might think you're a dead ringer for Dana." Marianna nodded. "I agree." *But I don't like it." *** Marianna walked towards Mulder's apartment door. "Apartment 42. This has got to be it," she mumbled as she knocked on the door." Mulder opened the door. At first, he thought Marianna was his partner coming back to him. "Scully?" "I'm not Dana Scully, if that's who you mean. I'm Marianna Scully - Dana's cousin. I was in the neighborhood and I wanted to know how you're doing." "You look so much like her," replied Mulder. He saw her face light up with a smile. "You're not the first person to tell me that," said Marianna. "I'm staying with Aunt Maggie." "Do you want to come in?" inquired Mulder. He didn't want her to stand in the hallway all day long. He wanted to get to know Scully's cousin. Marianna nodded. "Sure." She walked inside Mulder's apartment and her blue eyes gazed at his furniture. A short pause. "Tell me about her." "You're her cousin, right?" "Yes, but - I haven't seen her lately." "Neither have I." "I didn't mean - " Marianna stopped and then cleared her throat. "I don't mean to be rude but I can tell how much you love Dana." "And you figured this out in a couple of minutes?" inquired Mulder. "How?" "I have my ways, Mulder. Dana once told me you like to be called 'Mulder' - I hope you don't mind if I call you that." "It's ok," said Mulder. "So what do you do?" "I'm an Assistant District Attorney in Baltimore," said Marianna. "It's an interesting position." "Where did you go to law school?" "Harvard," said Marianna. "I bet your high school grades were a 4.00 GPA," commented Mulder. "And a pile of money," chimed Marianna. "My dad worked in the State Department." "So did mine." "Really?" inquired Marianna. "Perhaps we met and we never knew about it?" "You wouldn't believe how many memories are repressed," said Mulder with a deep sigh. Marianna gave him a nod of understanding. "I'm sorry." "Don't feel sorry for me - I'm fine," said Mulder. "That's what Dana *usually* says." Mulder laughed. "I guess she rubs off on me at times. You know what I mean?" Marianna gave him a warm, tender smile and she nodded. "Yes, I do. I always know when she's hiding her feelings. We Scullys do that all the time." "Even you?" "Occasionally. My fellow ADA complains that I hide *too* much." Mulder nodded vehemously. "I can relate." He decided to change the subject. "How old are you?" "Women aren't supposed to tell men their ages. It gives a certain sense of mystique," said Marianna with a grin. "All right, I'm the same age as Dana. We were both born in February. I was born the day before Dana - February 22, 1964. Dana was born - " "I know her birthdate," interrupted Mulder. "You don't need to let me know." "I know you miss her, Mulder. I miss her too. I know she'll be found soon." "How do you know?" "Call it the Scully women intuition," said Marianna. "I just know she will come back. I have faith in her." "So do I." Marianna looked down at her watch and gasped. She had an early morning court preceding and she needed her rest. "I have to go, Mulder, but I'll see you around," she said as got off the couch. "When?" "Anytime you want to talk - I'm there," said Marianna. "Thanks," replied Mulder. "I know your Aunt Maggie's phone number." Marianna pulled him a tender, warm hug. "I know you'll find Dana. Always have hope." "Do you know something that I don't know?" Marianna grinned mysteriously and then she chimed sweetly, "Maybe." All she knew what was within her own gut instincts: Dana would be found...soon. Her heart tells her whenever she becomes worried about her cousin. "It's not something I know but we've always had this psychic connection. All Scully women have this: Dana, Melissa, and myself. Even my sisters have this." "You have sisters?" Marianna nodded. "Yeah - I have three sisters: Erin, Leanna, and Clarice. I have a brother named Christopher." "You have a huge family," said Mulder. He led her towards the door. "I'll see you." "I'll see you, too," said Marianna. "Thanks for coming by, Marianna." "You're welcome," said Marianna as she opened the door to walk out. * * * When Marianna arrived back at her Aunt Maggie's house, she was greeted by Melissa. She was in the kitchen, spreading mayonaise on two slices of bread. Then, Melissa put on some ham and cheese to make a ham and cheese sandwich. "Where did you go, Marianna?" "I met the mysterious Fox Mulder," said Marianna. She went to the refrigerator and picked up a can of Diet Soda. She opened the can with her hand and then continued, "He seemed to be a nice guy. He's very handsome and he adores Dana. I think they are in love." 'What makes you say that?" "I don't know. Just call it intuition," said Marianna with a smile. "He misses her very much and hopes she'll come back." "I hope Dana comes back too." "Me too." Silence passed between the two women as they thought of Dana. Marianna and Melissa both hoped that Dana will return shortly. *** Office of ADA Marianna Scully Baltimore, Maryland It had been a month since Dana was taken by Duane Barry. There were no leads to go on in the search. Marianna took a short leave of absence to try to help in the search, but to no avail. The trail for answers ended at Skyland Mountain, but the sadness remained. Marianna kept a busy schedule after her leave of absence ended. She wanted to be busy so she wouldn't feel the pain. It hurt too much to think what Dana had gone through. Marianna walked into her office after a long day prosecuting a case and took off her jacket. She felt drained after her talk with Melissa yesterday "You go, ADA Scully," said a male voice. She turned around with a look of shock in her voice. "Mulder, what are you doing here?" Mulder sighed. "I was in the neighborhood. I stopped by Mrs. Scully's - your aunt - and she told me you're here. I thought...well...I wanted to surprise you." Marianna gave him a soft, sad smile. "The truth is you wanted to be near me 'cause I remind you of Dana." Mulder drew a sigh and knew she was right. "You've got me, Marianna." There was a slight uncomfortable wave in the air and Mulder decided to continue, "I thought we could continue our conversation the other day." Marianna nodded. "That sounds good to me." She wanted, more than anything, to get to know the man who knows her cousin like a book. "What has she told you about me?" asked Mulder with an air of curiosity. "Just the basics," replied Marianna. "You know, I always knew how much she likes you." "Really?" Marianna nodded. "I'm observant." A short, but brief pause. "And I can tell you love her." "You're very observant, Marianna," said Mulder with a nervous laugh. "I hope I'll find her. Sometimes, it's hard. I don't want to lose hope - " "Don't lose hope. I can tell my Aunt Maggie and my cousins are losing faith in finding Dana." She paused. "But you...you can't lose hope, Mulder. She needs you - she loves you. I know she'll return to you. We just have to hope for the best and not for the worst," said Marianna with optimism and hope. She saw the tears slide down against his cheeks and she struggled to listen what he said. "I'll find her, Mari. I have to tell her how much I love her..." "I know you will, Mulder. I am looking forward to the day when I can see her once again." *** Marianna's Apartment Baltimore, Maryland One Month Later Marianna heard the phone rang a couple of times before she answered it. "Hello." "Marianna? It's Melissa." "Any news about Dana?" asked Marianna. "Dana's been found. She's at Northeast Georgetown Memorial Hospital," said Melissa. "However, she's in a coma. Dr. Daly doesn't think she'll make it." She paused. "Mulder, however, believes different." "Dana will come through this. I knew she'll return to all of us. I'm sure Mulder will pull her through." "I hope you're right," said Melissa. After the phone call ended, Marianna hung up the phone. Her lips lifted up in a beautiful smile. She knew everything was right in the world because Dana returned. Marianna hoped Mulder would be there at Dana's side as they complete each other. End of story. Feedback: Much appreciated. Send to: eblair@sonic.net Author's Notes: I dusted this story for the Haven's Mary Sue Challenge to intentially write a Mary Sue. Since I have already written one, I thought this would be a perfect story. This was started about the time of Reqieum, but finished last year. This story was languishing in my notebook for years. I have forgotten about it until last year when I decided to come back to writing X-Files fanfic again. I always wanted to have some cousins thrown in the mix and I wanted a character different yet similar to Scully. With all the "Requiem" and "The Truth" fic pouring in, I wanted to embrace the time when Scully was abducted as sort of a balance. The character of Marianna was inspired after the Jill Hennessy's character, Claire Kincaid, from "Law and Order." Of course, Marianna has several differences than similarities with the Claire character. I also based Marianna on Dana Scully. :) Special Thanks: To Joey, Tanja, and several members of the Haven MSR Gang as always. =) I would love to thank my fellow shippers on several lists which I take part. You know who you are. =) I would like to thank Jen who beta read this story for me. I would also like to dedicate this story to Gillian Anderson who gave Dana Scully a soul.