Title: Choosing Truths
Author: Usofney (USofney@aol.com)
Rating: PG..very mild
Keywords: mention of UST, I guess. Maybe some Mythology, Mulder/other
Summary: Mulder is given a choice between to different futures and two 
different people. Brief scene.
Disclaimer: These characters, the X-files, and anything else associated
with them belong to 1013 productions, Chris Carter...and NOT me! Sue me and
you will get $25. Im not held responsible for anything.

~~X~~

"So, you love me?"
"No." 
There was a sharp intake of breath and a flash of light as a lamp
clicked on. 
Now they could see each other instead of darkness. The light stripped
away their defensive covers and left the open to the upcoming confrontation.
That had been his intent; to be able to look into her eyes. She stared up at
him as convincingly cold as she could, shadows darkening her face. 
"So you don't love me?" he asked, raising a disbeliving eyebrow.
"No." she answered after pause. "What are you doing?"
"Turning on the light so I can see you lie to my face."
"Im not lying." she continued.
"Yes, you are. Look down, your hands are betraying you." She quickly
glanced down at her shaking hands. Mentally cursing herself, she stuck her
quivering palms deep inside the pockets of her jacket. He barely surpressed a
chuckle at her discomfort.
"How can you laugh? Do you think this is funny?" she wailed. 
"Not the situation," he chuckled,"But you are. You and your lying. Why
do you do that? You've never been able to lie to me, so why try to start now?"
His words were having an apparent effect on her; her body shook more 
violently at each passing phrase. 
"Why, you arrogant--"she was cut off by his laughter.
"Resorting to name calling?" 
With a shriek, she lunged for his throat, fingers outstretched. 
"Diana! Get a hold of yourself." he ordered, warding her off of him.
She took a step back from him, panting, and stared at him coldly.  He suddenly
sobered up.
"Why are you sneering at me? This is all your fault, you know."
"My fault?" she asked, incredulously.
"Yes."
"How's that?"
"She hates me now because of you. She thinks that Im the one who
transfered her out."
"I dont care what the little twit thinks." she snapped. His eyes
narrowed and he grabbed her by the wrist. 
"She's not a twit." he growled. Diana smiled to herself. She was
gaining some ground on him. Flipping her hair she smirked up at him.
"Fox, you know you are better off without her..." Diana put a hand on
his shoulder, only to have it shoved off. He sat down in a nearby chair,
propped up his elbows on his knees, and hid his face in his hands.
"This is the worst day of my life." he moaned.
"What?!" she snapped," We're partners again, arent we?"
He laughed flatly. "You're about 6 years too late on that."
"Oh come on, Fox-"
"Mulder. Ive told you not to call me Fox."
"Okay, fine. MULDER. Everything is just like before; nothing's
changed."
"But you're wrong," he slid his hands down his face,"You are so wrong.
So much has changed. I have and so have you."
"We haven't changed Fox." Mulder shot her an icy glare. "Sorry. MULDER.
Look, I know you will initially miss her but after a while I'll bet that you
won't even remember who Dana Scully was. I saw how much tension there was
around you two, and that kind of thing can't be good for a partnership."
Mulder's shoulder's sagged at the word partnership. "Besides, I think our 
investigations will be much more productive."
"How's that?" he asked.
"Well, for starters, it would be extremely beneficial to have some one
who thinks like you do around. Someone who can see things your way. An
ally."
"Scully was my ally."
"I'd hardly call her an ally. I doubt she even believes in
extraterrestrials at all!" Mulder burst out laughing. Diana looked up at him, confused. 
"You're right on that." 
She smiled. "Exactly. With us, our investigations will flow smoother
and will be more-"
"No."Mulder rose to get up and grabbed his coat. Diana protested
loudly.
"Fox!" she whined,"Where are you going?"
"To see Scully." he mumbled. Sliding the black trench coat over his
long arms, he opened the door. Diana strode purposely towards him and stood
in his way, blocking his path. 
"Move." he ordered. She held up her chin and tried to stare him down.
"Im not going anywhere." He sighed in frusteration.
"Diana, I don't have time for this."
"Well, you had better make time! I have some things that I want to say
to you. Listen I don't know what your relationship with Agent Scully
was...nor do I care. What I do care about is you going off to make a fool out of 
yourself, trying to get her back in the X-Files. I requested this
transfer because I thought I could help you. Scully is just as big an outcast as
you and she won't help you any. They trust me. I can get you into places
she can't." Diana moved out of his way but Mulder didn't leave. 
"You're telling me that you have inside connections?" he asked
suspiciously.
"Im telling you that I can give you access to more things that you can 
possibly imagine." 
"So you're telling me that if I keep you as my partner, then I could
have total access?"
"Not total. But more than you would suspect." Diana lifted a hand up to
his face and lightly stroked his cheek. Mulder grunted in response. "Fox,
this is a better arrangement, it always was. I know it's been a while, but we
can still work."
Mulder was silent. He sat down again and ran a hand through his hair.
He spoke after several moments of pause.
"No." It came out bearly more audible than a whisper.
"What?"
"I said no," he said louder,"I started this with Scully 6 years ago.
You may have found them with me but she has stayed with me. She hasn't left me
or betrayed me even once. Its not just my fight anymore...its hers too.
And to take her out of the running now would just be denying to truth to
everyone, especially myself. She is just as much a part of the X-Files as I am.
Without her, there is no X-Files."
Diana was silent in her anger. Mulder took a deep breath. "Im sorry,
but this arrangement is not acceptible."
"I see." she regarded him coldly. "Well, that is your mistake. You'll
see, Fox. I promise you that you will regret this."
Spinning on her heels, she walked briskly for the door. However, before
leaving, she turned back towards him. "You're closing the door to your 
truths. The chance is right there in front of you. Dont turn away.
You're making the wrong decision."
"There was no decision to begin with. I won't work without her."
"Just remember, I gave you the choice." With that last phrase, she
walked out of the door. Mulder was left in his office, sitting in the corner, his
weary face in his hands. Slowly he reached over and clicked off the lamp. He
needed the darkness again.

End.
~~X~~

I know it isn't that spectacular but, hey,  I was bored. However, I can
see this as having a shippy (or not?) sequel, so tell me your opinions, and
I will decide from there. If you have to flame me, remember to be
CONSTRUCTIVE. 
If you want to say rude stuff, that is fine. But, I can guarentee you
that I will respond back twice as vicious. Im only 14 and to be mean to
someone so young would just be..... undignified!! Ah, the advantages of youth....