TITLE: In the Eye of the Beholder
AUTHOR: Erin M. Blair
E-MAIL: eblair@sonic.net 
CLASSIFICATION/CATEGORY: SRA--Story, Romance, Angst
CONTENT: Mulder/Scully Romance
RATING: PG.
DISTRIBUTION/ARCHIVE STATEMENT: OK to Gossamer,
After the Fact, and Ephemeral. Others: ask me first.
SPOILERS: Mind's Eye. Small spoilers from: Little Green Men,
Christmas Carol/Emily, and Oubliette. 
SETTING: Season Five
DATE: Created on September 9, 2003. This story was 
finally completed on June 21, 2004.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Thanks to Jen for beta reading this
story for me. I really appreciate all your help. 
DISCLAIMER: Mulder and Scully belong to Chris Carter.
SUMMARY: Mulder wonders about Scully's 
feelings after the case involving Marty Glenn. What 
this leads to a discussion that leads to a new revelation. 

*This story was written for After the Fact's Mind's Eye
Post-Episode Challenge.* 

------------------------------------
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Written by: Erin M. Blair
------------------------------------

Mulder felt a certain kinship to Marty Glenn because she
reminded him so much of his sister. He didn't have any
romantic feelings for her. It was more that he wanted to
protect her from harm. 

His heart belonged to Scully. 

Mulder knew Scully had been withdrawing from him ever
since the death of her biological daughter, Emily. This caused a 
great deal of emotional sorrow. He felt terrible that he 
couldn't bring a smile to her beautiful features. He wanted
the world for her; he wanted to give her everything she'd ever
wanted.

But he couldn't.

So he focused his attention on Marty. He wanted to help her
prove her innocence, that she didn't cause those deaths. It 
turned out that the man who killed those women was the same
one who killed her mother. When the killer came after Marty,
she shot him, landing her in prison.

The truth was: Marty was finally able to live the life that she 
wanted. 

For herself.

"Mulder?" 

Mulder looked up to face Scully. They were both in the 
basement office. "I thought you decided you needed 
some time..." His voice trailed off. 

"I did. It's just that I couldn't end our conversation like
that. I'm sorry that I didn't believe in Marty. I had some
things on my mind," said Scully. "These past several
months haven't been a wonderful time for me. You know
that, Mulder."

"I'm sorry about Emily, Scully. We could have saved 
her."

"I know. I couldn't let her be tested anymore. I didn't
want her to be a lab rat. Emily told me that she didn't
want anymore tests. I wanted her to have some 
normalcy."

"Scully, I think I was helping Marty because...I saw a
bit of Samantha, Emily, and even Lucy Householder in
her. I wanted to free her of her pain," said Mulder. "I
didn't want to cause you pain. All I could see in Marty
was a woman who needed some assurance to find her
place in life. She needed someone to talk to her, Scully.
You were withdrawing from me and it hurt so much." 

"I'm sorry if I was withdrawing from you. I didn't mean to,
Mulder."

"But why?"

"I think I'm still trying to mend my own heart after...
Emily. It hurts, Mulder. The idea that I can't have
children someday hurts so much."

"Scully, never give up on a miracle. I'm so sorry
that I've hurt you. I didn't mean to." He paused. "I 
was afraid that I would lose you altogether because of 
those big brick walls that you have held up for so long. The
truth is, Scully, that I'm in love with you."

"You do?"

Mulder nodded. "You light up my sky, Scully. I know
it's quite sudden, but it's true. I do love you. I was too
scared of my own feelings to tell you." He gazed into
her clear, blue eyes. "And I know it's the same for you."

"I don't know what to say, Mulder. For once, I'm speechless."

"Then tell me what you want to say," said Mulder.

In answer, Scully gazed into Mulder's eyes for a long time.
She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. She could feel the warmth
of the kiss on her lips. She could feel his touch as he stroked
her back. When they broke off the kiss, she finally had the 
words to tell him. "I love you, Mulder."

They both knew she wouldn't need to feel jealous of any
women because she knew she had Mulder's love.

Forever.

-- the end -- 

Feedback: Yes, please. Send to: eblair@sonic.net


Author's Notes:

I started this story in September 2003 for After the Fact's
Mind's Eye post-episode challenge, but I didn't finish it until
today. 

I wish I had it finished it much sooner, but I wanted to take 
my time with it. I written the first draft in long hand 
before I typed it out. Then I written at least ten drafts with 
the help of my beta reader until the story was finally completed 
last night.  It was simply a long process, but it was enjoyable 
nevertheless.

I hope you enjoyed this story as much I had enjoyed the
writing process of this story.